Students fromDEE FKIP UMS who participated in the Community Service Program (KKN) outside Java shared their experiences during the program. The KKN, conducted in various regions of Indonesia, provided the students with opportunities to apply their academic knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of life outside Java.
Nada Ayu, one of the participants stationed in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, rated her experience 8/10. She enjoyed the program immensely, particularly due to the fun and supportive friends she made. However, Nada faced challenges with the much hotter weather in Kupang compared to Java, and initially struggled with the local language. Over time, she adapted to these challenges. Despite her positive experience, Nada has not yet had the chance to try Kupang’s local cuisine, as she often ate at Javanese food stalls.
Nadiya Veronica, who was stationed in Medan, North Sumatra, gave a 9/10 rating for her experience at her PLP (Teaching Practice) location in a local junior high school. She appreciated the non-toxic work environment, which offered her valuable new experiences. However, she encountered difficulties in planning community programs due to the advanced nature of the school and limited funding for projects. Nadiya also experienced culture shock, noting that the local way of speaking was more intense, with higher octaves, which could easily be mistaken for anger. Additionally, the unique way of packaging food with rubber bands stood out to her. Despite these challenges, Nadiya enjoyed the local food, especially Aceh noodles and teh tarik.
Eka Wahyu, stationed in Padang, described her experience as very exciting. She enjoyed interacting with new people in a new environment. However, she found the local Padang food to be much spicier than the sweet dishes she was accustomed to in Solo, which was quite a challenge. Additionally, the distinct dialect of the Minang language was surprising for
Eka, who was used to the softer tones of Javanese. Nevertheless, Eka found the authentic Minang rendang to be delicious and quite different from the rendang she usually enjoyed at Padang restaurants near the campus.
These experiences highlight the diverse challenges and lessons learned by UMS students during their KKN program outside Java. Through this program, students not only expanded their horizons but also enhanced their adaptability and social skills in interacting with communities with different cultural backgrounds.
