Page 40 - Warta USK Desember 2023

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The Expectation

versus the Reality of

Studying Abroad

By: Nanthicha Maimahad

eceiving a scholarship to study two or more languages, that is better. For me,
abroad, whether a degree or a Indonesian people are very kind and pretty.
language study scholarship, it is the I have been staying in Banda Aceh for four
Name: Nanthicha Maimahad luckiest thing for me. My name is months. First month I came here, I felt homesick,
Age: 26 RNanthicha Maimahad, you can call but it’s okay because this is not my first-time
Place of Birth: South of Thailand, Satun me Gismey. I’m from Thailand. I’m a graduate leaving Thailand for a long time. I had experience
Nationality: Thai student from Walailak University, Liberal of Art, staying in Vietnam for six months, so I thought
Role: Participant of DARMASISWA ASEAN Studies. This is the first time I come to I could adapt well. Yet, everything is different
Program, Universitas syiah Kuala
Email: gismey2953@gmail.com Aceh and get a scholarship from the Indonesian from what I have imagined. I had culture shock
government. because I found here was stricter than Thailand.
ACHIEVEMENTS When I got information I got selected, I felt For me Aceh is different from other parts of
n 2014 Awardee of YES Scholarship amazed, excited, happy and at the same time, Indonesia. The people here are strictly religious
Program, Thailand. I was confused because I was still working, but and following the teachings of Islam.
then I decided to accept this scholarship. I have From the beginning I thought that living here
n 2018 Volunteer Teacher (Social to thank to myself that I chose to come here. I was different from Thailand. The traditional
science) at Mok Khalan Pracha son
Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Thailand. will never regret to come to Aceh. rules and custom like weather, food, people,
Recently, I am studying Indonesian language old story, and others, I have to learn those all
n 2018 - 2019 Student Exchange at Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh. Actually, with my friends. Especially when there was
at Hanoi University, Vietnamese this is not my first time learning the language, heavy rain or bad weather, I had to constantly
Language Course, Vietnam
but this is the first time for me to learn it gamble whether the electricity power would
n 2019 -2020 Internship at Chao Koh seriously. I took Indonesian language class be blackout or not. This is another thing that
Phi Phi, Krabi Province, Thailand when I was in senior high school. But here in the shocks me when it rains heavily, because I have
n 2020 Graduate from Walailak university I learn everything about Indonesian never had an experience like this.
University, Liberal Art of ASEAN language, culture, social, food etc. For me, I would like to say thank you to Indonesian
studies (Second Honor), Thailand I felt a bit difficult, like I started it from the government for the DARMASISWA scholarship

n 2023 Awardee of DARMASISWA beginning. However, I will be patient and keep and Universitas Syiah Kuala for giving me good
Program at Universitas Syiah Kuala, learn, especially about Aceh. For me, the second experiences, good memories, good friends and
Aceh, Indonesia language learning is very important because everything coming to my life. I hope, I can learn
by learning it you can go anywhere. If you know more about Acehnese culture. []

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