Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business

Studying abroad while exploring new cultures is a dream for students eager to gain international experience. This dream came true for Bassilio Timothy Sastro Prawiro, an Economics student from the Class of 2021 who participated in the International Summer Campus (ISC) program at Korea University. Through this summer course, Basilio experienced both classroom learning and a wealth of new experiences and unforgettable memories.

As a student in the International Undergraduate Programme (IUP), Bassilio must participate in an international exposure program as part of his curriculum. He chose a short course program at Korea University based on his preference for the academic system and the courses offered.

"The program duration is not too long so that I don't get homesick," he said in an episode of Let's Go Around the World (LGAW).

He noted that the most extensive paperwork was required during the visa application process, including a national ID, family card, and birth certificate. In contrast, applying for the ISC program at Korea University only required a student ID, transcript, and insurance.

As for the selection process, Bassilio explained that it was quick and straightforward, with no interview or minimum GPA requirement.

Initial confusion

During the summer course, which ran from 26 June to 1 August 2024, Bassilio took a course in corporate finance, which he could transfer as three credits. Some topics covered included present value, future value, financial ratios, discounted cash flow, and the security market line. He chose this course in the hope that it would help him in his future career in finance.

"I chose this subject because I'm more interested in working in finance than becoming an economist," he explained.

At the beginning of summer school, Bassilio admitted feeling confused and struggling to understand the material. However, he tried to catch up by asking friends who understood better and finding additional resources on YouTube to clarify unclear concepts. This initiative helped him to bridge the knowledge gap and quickly adapt to the new material presented during the course.

Bassilio also shared that he noticed some differences when attending the summer course at Korea University, such as the grading system and the composition of the student body, which consisted mainly of international students. In addition, the program's structure was different from the regular semester at FEB UGM, which typically has one weekly class meeting for each subject over 14 weeks. In contrast, the ISC program at Korea University had only one and a half hours of classes in the morning, leaving plenty of time to explore Korea and offering both academic and travel experiences.

An Unforgettable experience

Throughout the summer course at Korea University, Bassilio appreciated the combination of studying and sightseeing in Seoul. The Seoul campus offered a comfortable and well-organized urban environment, from efficient public transport to pedestrian-friendly areas.

"After classes, I often spent time with friends exploring iconic destinations such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul Tower, Itaewon, Gangnam, and even Busan," he said.

Bassilio advised prospective students to take note of some essential tips when preparing to study abroad. He emphasized the importance of organizing all the necessary documents well in advance and thoroughly researching the destination country.

"Prepare all your documents well in advance, research the country you're going to, and don't hesitate to open up to friends from other countries. Who knows, the connections you make there could lead to great opportunities in the future," he concludes.

Reportage: Shofi Hawa Anjani
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Simak video selengkapnya Episode 2 Lets Go Arround the World  

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