Experiencing NUS Exchange Program

5/15/2018 Experiencing NUS Exchange Program – The Journey of Samodra
The Journey of Samodra
the thoughts, ideas, and expressions of Jhendra Samodra
Experiencing NUS Exchange Program
WHEN IN NUS NOVEMBER 8, 2011NOVEMBER 8, 2011

The post below is the copy of the report for the Exchange program in NUS, namely, Temasek Foundation –
Leadership Enrichment and Regional Network Award National University of Singapore 2011 (TF-LEaRN Award
2011). Some contents might be used by International Relations Office – National University of Singapore (IRO-
NUS) in promoting the respective program.
A semester in NUS, a changing-of-life experience
Se ling-In
Once I arrived in Singapore, I feel so excited to enjoy my exchange program. I believe TF-NUS LEaRN Award will
be the right program in enjoying the education system in Singapore, which widely known as one of finest
education system in Asia and the world, as well as help me to improve the leadership skills and social values.
I met TF-LEaRN Scholars fellows during our very first orientation talks in Shaw Foundation building and they are
so nice and passionate. Once I met them I`m pre y sure it`d be fun to live together because we will meet new
cultures and bcakgrounds which is so interesting. TF-Scholars came from different universities in Southeast Asian
and Asian countries, such as Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, China, and India. The different
background between us will be the most interesting facts during the programs.
However, because of several technical issues, I had some problems with the scholarship, which implied on my
separation of living in residences with other TF-Scholars. While the other TF-Scholars live in Cinnamon Residence,
I’m living in Graduate Residence. Well, I didn`t take it as a problem, instead, I call it as a challenge for me to adapt
with different system and living area. It also didn`t limit my chances to live and socialize with other TF-Scholars, I
still could walk by to the Cinnamon and have fun with them.
Living separately with TF-Scholars allows me to broaden my networks with other friends. Living in Graduate
Residence, I had three friends from different countries as my flat-mates. Benson Chen from California, Yin Fan-
Tseng from Taipei, and Kiyohito Nagano from Tohoku. They are very kind and humorous. We did really good as
flat mates I guess. We bought many housing things for our apartments, then we pay and share it together. We also
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have our weekly mini-party in our living room, by drinking some colas and juices along with chips and other
snacks and talking about many things and share it. Sometimes, we have a party with our neighbors, Sergio from
Mexico, Chris from Arizona, and Charles from France. And it is so fun talking about many jokes and some funny
experiences. Thank God I have them as my flat-mates, they really help me in adapting living in Singapore.
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Benson, Me, Fan, and Kiyohito during our short-break in Penang
International Relations Office (IRO) through their Peer Advising Program also helped international students to
se le in Singapore. They held many events that encourage us to socialize and make friends as much as possible.
Some of those events are Welcoming Party, Amazing Race and Bit n Bites, etc. Through this event I met many
international students, both of exchange and full-time students. My most favorite event is the Amazing Race which
the participants were competed to finish the race and cracking the codes on the map given. Participants should be
in a group to compete and it was formed randomly. I had my groups filled with a very multi-cultural background.
My group was consisted of Indonesian, Indian, American, German, Dutch, Chinese, and French. We shared the
map with codes and cracked it together. The most thrilling moment was when we have to run as fast as possible to
achieve the station after cracking code before the other group took the station. We also can`t forget the dance
challenge in Indian station; we have to mimicking the dance performed by Indian movies on laptop in order to get
the approval of points from the chief of the station.
Amazing Race Challenge : Dance!!!
The Bit n Bites perhaps the biggest event gathering for International student in NUS. I met with lots of friends
during the event. There were also the stalls made by the former International students in NUS which is classified
by country or region. They provided the culture show, traditional foods, and the interesting facts about their stalls.
I definitely enjoy the foods provided due to its numerous amount, variety of foods, and because it`s totally free :).
New Friends and LINUS (Lion of NUS)
I also visit Indonesian Student Association in NUS (PINUS) stall during Bit n Bites and it was really fun. It`s like
meet a family in far away country. PINUS was established to foster the bond among Indonesian student in NUS
and to keep the cultural heritage alive as well as representing Indonesian student in Singapore. They hold many
events regularly. I a ended the Nusantaraku`11 event in the mid of August. The Nusantaraku`11 is the event for
th
Indonesian student in NUS to celebrate our National Day which annually celebrated at 17 of August. One of the
events in Nusantaraku`11 is the sports events. I joined basketball mini-tournament in Nusantaraku`11 and have
teammates fellow Indonesian student but they`re full-time student here. It was so exhausted but fun !! Last time I
played basketball is when I`m in high-school, thank God I still remember how to play it
As part of the assistance for the international student, the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) assigned us with the host
family to help us in adjusting ourselves and live in Singapore. The OSA assigned me with Orion Kew, young
Singaporean that work for IRO in NUS. I and Patrick Dutch, friends from United States are assigned under Orion
as a host. Orion is so nice guy. He is also brilliant and kind. He took Patrick and I went around Singapore and
visiting Singapore National Museum, Merlion Park, and Bugis Street. He also treated us with fried snacks from Old
Chang Kee and Arabian Dinner in Bugis.
He also introduced me to his friend from OSA Host Program, namely Koh Zhisheng. Koh is also a really nice guy.
He told me that he is going to Indonesia in few next months because of the program called SSEAYP (Ship for
Southeast Asia Youth Program) that will gather youth from Southeast Asian countries in a ship and visit many
countries as well as exchanging cultures and learning one another during the sail. I was surprised because last year
the Indonesian delegation was my senior in UGM. He also took me to visit his friend`s house during Hari Raya
celebration at the end of August. His friend named Kate Libby, is really lovely. She treated us with many delicious
foods and snacks of Hari Raya. It`s unforge able moment for me because I still could enjoy Hari Raya celebration
even though I`m far away from home, it also become my first Hari Raya celebration with Singaporean locals.
My First Hari Raya with Local Friends
Apart from Host program managed by OSA, I also assigned with other host under the FASS Host-Family Program,
specialized only for FASS students. My host in FASS is Mr. Osman Abdullah. He is working in Ministry of
Education in Singapore, and he is also muslim. He shared to me about many useful information about living as
muslim in Singapore. I met him during the FASS Host-Family Dinner in FASS building and we really enjoyed our
dinner.
Lately, I also have host from TF-Alumni. They are called as TF-Buddy, the NUS student and the participant of TF-
LEaRN awards program last year. My TF-buddy is Bridget Soo, 4th year student in Chemistry department. Last
year, she had her TF experience in Lady Shri Ram College for Woman, New Delhi, India. She is really smart and
critical. We talked about lots of issues, i.e. education in Singapore, tourism in Indonesia, the system of government,
etc. We somehow debate about the education system in Singapore, arguing whether or not the competitive system
is the best way to provide be er quality and we shared many ideas on this issue. She lives on Bedok and promised
me to take me to go around Bedok and visit Katong heritage area. She will show me the culinary site in Bedok as
well as 2nd hand book shop nearby. Later on, I just found out that her best friend is also Indonesian, which I also
know about him, namely Aulia Rahman, the full-time 4th year.
Me and my TF Buddy : Bridget Shoo
Academic Pursuit
I take three modules for this exchange programs; US Foreign Policy (PS3242), War and Southeast Asia (SE2217),
Southeast Asia: A Changing Region (SE1101E). Last two modules was compulsory for my exchange program here.
Not obliged from NUS IRO or Temasek Foundation, but from the Centre of Southeast Asian Social Studies of
Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESSAS) who sent me here. Along with Nadia Sarasati, fellow UGM students, we were
sent by CESSAS and obliged to take two modules in Southeast Asian Studies Department from three modules
choices.
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Having a semester of study in NUS, I realized how it would be extremely difficult. Ranked as the 28 among
world-class university, such as Harvard and Cambridge, NUS definitely has a very sophisticated education system
and competitive atmosphere of studying. I found all of three modules was taught very well by the teaching
lectures. Professor in three modules explained very well about the subjects and most of their teaching is insightful
and full of new thoughts and perspectives. Each module also has brilliant and kind tutors to help the students to
work on the modules. However, each module required a very high standard of working quality and class
performances. We have at least three readings for each module every week. In US Foreign Policy, I have pop quiz
every two weeks, while in Southeast Asia I have reflection essay as well as War in Southeast Asia, which required
me to make war memo.
As a part of scoring, first two modules used final essay as compulsory assignments. In other hand, Southeast Asia:
A Changing Region asked the students to do group projects and presentation. I had Singaporean in my groups and
it gave me different experiences in working as a team. Working with Singaporean locals, mean that you work
effectively and efficient. All of them are passionate toward our projects about Singaporean culture and Museums.
We even went to Singapore National Museums to do observation for our projects. Online meetings were conducted
almost every days during two weeks before the due date.
I find Singaporean way in studying and working as a vey interesting subject. In one side I saw this as a very
effective to develop the society and nations into the fullest, by optimizing the potency of every individuals and
expose them in a very tight competitions almost in every moments. The ball curve system applied in the campus
grading system encourages students to work and study hard as much as possible to compete with other students.
It creates the atmosphere of studying to be very tight and competitive among each individual. Personally, I find it
is really hard to cope with yet I can’t escape from it. Then I managed to deal with the system and work as hard as
possible to cope with the hard system in NUS. I believe behind the system, it has a very noble goal in equipping the
students with a hard-working habit to build nations and be the future leaders.
Apart from the system, what I really appreciate and respect with education system in Singapore, is the
commitment of the government, or in case of NUS, the Provost, to create the most supporting atmosphere for the
students to study and show their maximum academic performance. I`m talking about the complete facilities
provided by NUS for students to study, discuss, making a project, and also researching. The Central Library and
newly-built Education Resources Centre in UTown are my most favorite places in NUS. I spent most of my time in
studying and researching in those two places and worked until midnight (in some case, until morning) to catch up
with the class requirements.
Leadership Development
The goal of the TF-LEaRN Awards program is preparing the participating student to be the future leaders of Asian.
I see how the goal is really implemented through the every single activity during the program. As what I see and
observe, to prepare the participating students to be the next Asian leaders, to be involved in society directly is
necessary, and this thesis is implemented during TF-LEaRN activities.
TF-Scholars during BBQ Party
As the participating student on TF-LEaRN Awards Program is youth, we become the main player of every activity.
These activities are made with the purpose of developing youth to be the active player in engaging with the society
and the youth`s capability of to be the future leaders, not to mention build the cooperation as well as the networks
among youth. These three goals were manifested during the TF-LEaRN program in this term.
First, the requirement of conducting community services is the main evidence of engaging with society. During
fulfilling the minimum hours of community services, it enlighten me about the importance of youth`s role in
engaging with the society. I saw how the projects are aimed to help the beneficiaries and improving their quality of
life. Our role, as the volunteer, is vital and essential to help them. This is the grass-root active role that work
practically to build a be er quality of life and condition for every individual that become our main beneficiary. I
also see how the cooperation among the volunteer is also the main factor of the accomplishment of the projects. We
met with someone we never knew before but we are expected to achieve the main goal of the projects, and we did
it. Nothing but the cooperation and hardship among volunteers that make it happened.
Second, through the main workshop held by IRO in cooperation with Touch Youth, the non-profit charitable
Singapore organization that aimed to develop Youth, we were developing our capability as the main leaders. The
games, lectures, discussions, cooperation, and all the challenges during the workshop was aimed to plant the seed
of leadership and we will grow it well after the workshop and when we go back to our country. The values of
leadership, initiatives, responsibility, resilience, hardship, and also the compassion, became the main values of the
workshop and given to us through many ways. Through the student life in NUS, we also exercised ourselves to be
the future leaders. For example, we are exercising our capability in managing the time and professionalism
through managing the pressure between our main modules requirements in class and our active participation in
students club. We also keep improving our quality by following several regular events of seminar held by NUS. We
were learning and we were provided the supportive avenue to learn, and here is the way of us to become the
leaders in Asian.
Touch Youth Workshop : CLASS Session (Compassionate Leader Always Serve Society)
Third, the networking and cooperation among youth of TF also part of the main capital to be the future leaders of
Asian. I believe, from thirty-eight participating students in TF-LEaRN award program, there would be three or
four or even more that become the future leaders in Asian. Either become the leader in their country, as in
governmental levels, or leading a program / projects that work for the be er Asian. That is why the cooperation
and networking are really essential to build since now. The cooperation and network will be really useful to help
each other in making changes and lead the movement in their country. We might use this to share our views and
ideas for the sake of be er quality of life in our country. We also might emphasize our expertise in engaging with
social networking that also improving the be er cooperation for the change. Arab spring in Tunisia, Egypt, and
Libya has shown how the change and leadership was played by the youth as the main initiator as well as by the
help of social networking media. Thinking about this, I`m more than optimist to say that my participation in TF-
LEaRN Award 2011 will be the main part of my life to be the future leaders in Indonesia, ASEAN, and Asia.
TF-Scholars during East Coast Picnic
NUS Debate Team
During the exchange program in NUS, I actively join in NUS Debate Team and spend most of my spare time in
working with them. NUS Debate Team is the school club for parliamentary debating. We have regular training
twice a week in Wednesday and Saturday. NUS Debate Team is probably the most successful Asian-based debate
club in the world. They have brought many champion crowns in many competitions, either regionally in Asia or
internationally. Some of the names, such as, but not limited to Imran Rahim, Robin Teo, Sadhana Rai, are so
famous in Asia debating world. I also debate in my home university, joined with English Debating Society of UGM
(EDS-UGM) and it is so lucky for me to have the chances having training together with them.
By joining NUS Debate Team, I have opportunity to debate and practice together as well as the chance to compete
in debate tournament in Singapore. I was participating in three different competitions in Singapore; NUS Pro-Ams
Tournaments, NTU Pro-Ams Tournament, and SMU BP IV Debate Open. During the time of competition, I also
met famous names of debating world in Asia and Southeast Asia, for example; Satya Venugoppal, NTU Debater
and Ang Wee Jian, NUS Debater Alumni, Andrea Soriano of SMU Debating, and many names that I can`t mention
due to its numerous numbers. Aside having an intense regular training, NUS Debate Team also having times to
socialize and have fun for its members. Raffles Chicken Supper, Fish n Co Club Dinners and Halloween party were
the most often moments done by the team. I really enjoyed the dinners with them. With a good foods and good
friends, world is no longer cold :).
NUS Debate Team after Club Dinners
The opportunity to meet and work together with them is really useful and precious. It would be good chances to
build further cooperation between EDS-UGM and NUS Debate Team. The proliferation of critical thinking through
debate cooperation between universities will also disseminate the value of hard working, social awareness, and
also democracy among each club. The cooperation could be manifested by inviting NUS Debaters to come to
Indonesia either to hold joint training or adjudicated in Indonesian national debate tournament. The exchange of
experiences and insight between NUS Debaters and Indonesian Debaters are the most valuable precious that
contribute to the development of the parliamentary debate in Indonesia.
Community Service Involvement and Project Idea
As part of the requirement of the program, I joined in several community services activity in Singapore. TF-LEaRN
required its participants to work in community services with 15 hours as the minimum working hours. At the first
place, I joined the community services because it is required by the TF-LEaRN Program, but later on, I realized
how I enjoy work in community services and continue to work more than minimum hours. It is so interesting to
work in different activities of social community services. Meeting with new friends and people in different
activities also enable me to mingle with different backgrounds of people and characteristics. But, most of that, what
makes me love the community services is to help the beneficiaries and see them happy because of our volunteering
projects.
Recycling Day in Redhill HDB Residence
We do our community services through SGCares Website. The website is so friendly and provides the
comprehensive information about the volunteering. You just simply make an account and sign yourself up in every
activity that fit with your interest and schedule. You don’t need to be the active member of any community services
organization to be the volunteer, just open the account in SGCares and participate, it`s very simple and easy.
I was signed up for different activity of volunteering. Some of them were helping and playing elderly in Whampoa
Elderly Centre, Socializing the charity concert in National Cancer Centre of Singapore General Hospital,
Supporting Recycling Day in Redhill-HDB Residents, Campaigning about the cleanliness by distributing tissue in
Sembawang, and Mural Painting in Cannosian School for Gift. I will also work in Singapore Kindness Movement at
the mid of November.
Mural Painting for Cannosian School
Inspired with the proper and effective system of volunteering here, it lead me into a though of creating the project
of single networking for volunteering activities in my city, Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta is the most vibrant city in the
middle of Java with numerous culture heritage and values. Actually, there are many volunteering projects in
Yogyakarta. Those projects were done by different organizations within their special field. For example, there are
volunteer projects to help the refugee victim of Merapi volcanic eruption; there is also the organization that aimed
to voluntarily help children in Slum area, voluntarily charity projects with the underprivileged children as the
beneficiaries to continue their education, and the other projects that will be too long to be mentioned.
The problem with the current situation of volunteering and community services is the separate working of each
community services. It also hard for common society who might interested to contribute on community services
without being the active member of volunteer organizations.
The idea of creating the project of single networking for volunteering activities would be the right way to answer
the problems. Single networking as shown in SGCares would open more chances for common society to participate
and contribute in being volunteer to help the society and beneficiaries. It would also be the point where every
community services organizations could unite and build more intense cooperation and co-working. I would
propose this idea as the student creative projects in my home University in order to get supports and implement it
practically. I expecting the projects would be in the form of easy-to-use website and online services for society to
sign themselves up for volunteering. It might seems hard to build the single networking but I believe it`s highly
possible to be done as long as I determine to do along with the supports from friends and university.
This single networking project would answer the problem of social awareness in society and encourage society of
Yogyakarta to be more practically help the other society and build the be er Yogyakarta. It doesn`t mean that the
Yogyakartans has the problem with the lack of awareness; I believe that Yogyakartans has enough awareness to
help each other; but somehow, they just find that the implementation of awareness was quite complex and difficult
because the volunteering service info are separated and the stigma of “if-you-want-to-contribute-you-have-to-be-
the-active-member-of-any-social-organizations”. The projects will be answering the complexity and difficulties by
providing non-stop services for those who interested to be the volunteer. When the fear of complexity and
difficulties has gone and the easiness of contributing does exist, there is nothing to stop the Yogyakarta society to
contribute needy society for the sake of a be er Yogyakarta. I know it will be hard, but there is nothing wrong in
having the idea and trying to make it happen
Posted in When in NUS (h ps://jsamodra.wordpress.com/category/when-in-nus/)Tagged 2011

(h ps://jsamodra.wordpress.com/tag/2011/) Community Services
(h ps://jsamodra.wordpress.com/tag/community-services/) Exchange
(h ps://jsamodra.wordpress.com/tag/exchange/) NUS (h ps://jsamodra.wordpress.com/tag/nus/) NUS Debate
Team (h ps://jsamodra.wordpress.com/tag/nus-debate-team/) Se ling-In
(h ps://jsamodra.wordpress.com/tag/se ling-in/) SG-Cares (h ps://jsamodra.wordpress.com/tag/sg-cares/) TF-
LEaRN Award (h ps://jsamodra.wordpress.com/tag/tf-learn-award/) TF-Scholars
(h ps://jsamodra.wordpress.com/tag/tf-scholars/)
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5/15/2018 Experiencing NUS Exchange Program – The Journey of Samodra

The Journey of Samodra

the thoughts, ideas, and expressions of Jhendra Samodra

WHEN IN NUS NOVEMBER 8, 2011NOVEMBER 8, 2011

A semester in NUS, a changing-of-life experience

Benson, Me, Fan, and Kiyohito during our short-break in Penang

Amazing Race Challenge : Dance!!!

New Friends and LINUS (Lion of NUS)

My First Hari Raya with Local Friends

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Me and my TF Buddy : Bridget Shoo

TF-Scholars during BBQ Party

TF-Scholars during East Coast Picnic

NUS Debate Team

NUS Debate Team after Club Dinners

Community Service Involvement and Project Idea

Recycling Day in Redhill HDB Residence

Mural Painting for Cannosian School

Posted in When in NUS (h ps://jsamodra.wordpress.com/category/when-in-nus/)Tagged 2011

The Journey of Samodra

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