Mataram, University of Mataram – Erliza Mahyuni, a student of the Physics Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Mataram (FMIPA Unram) shared her experience during the Independent Student Exchange (PMM) program at Airlangga University (Unair). The PMM program that she participated began from August 2023 – January 2024.

The PMM program is a student mobility program for one semester to gain experience studying at universities in Indonesia while strengthening unity in diversity. “At Unair, I took the fifth semester in the same study program as my home study program, Physics Study Program. However, the Faculty name in Unair is different, namely the Faculty of Science and Technology,” Liza explained.

Liza shared her reasons for joining PMM at Unair because she wanted to explore Unair’s academic and cultural diversity. And because Unair is a university that is ranked 345th best campus in the world by QS World University Ranking (WUR), and is the top 4 best university in Indonesia.

“It strengthened my desire to have the opportunity to study at Universitas Airlangga. This decision was also driven by the determination to gain broader insights, meet great people, and experience the unique academic atmosphere in Surabaya,” he said.

As an exchange student at Unair, the experience of living in the women’s dormitory is an integral part of Liza’s journey. For Liza, this was her first experience living in a dormitory and coexisting with roommates from different regions.

“The dormitory offers various facilities that make the experience more colorful. The women’s dormitory at Universitas Airlangga became my home during the PMM program, and it also offers facilities that support my daily life. The comfortable canteen is a place to gather and share stories, the modern elevator facilitates access to various floors, I can also feel the ease of access to transportation. Universitas Airlangga provides facilities that support student mobility. Starting from electric bicycle rental to buses for lecture facilities to campuses A and B. And even a golf cart that can be used for lectures from the dormitory to the faculty around campus C, everything is designed to make it easier for students to explore the campus more efficiently,” said the 5th semester student of FMIPA Unram.

As part of the cultural exchange experience, PMM provides a platform to explore cultural diversity, namely the Nusantara Module. The Nusantara Module is a series of activities focused on creating a comprehensive understanding of diversity, inspiration, reflection, and social contribution designed through sequential and repeated mentoring.

Liza’s most enjoyable and memorable Nusantara Module experience was her trip to Kenjeran. The area offers a rich cultural diversity, encompassing local cuisine, arts and traditions. In Kenjeran, Liza and other PMM students had the opportunity to explore beaches, food stalls, and community activities that enriched their insights. The trip to Kenjeran, with its beautiful beaches and diverse cultural activities, gave Liza the opportunity to explore the local charm of Surabaya. The strong cultural diversity there is a magnet in itself, creating a deeper learning experience.

“There is also an interesting Nusantara Module activity that enriches knowledge about the coast of East Java, namely a trip to Pondok Dadap Harbor in Sendangbiru Village, South Malang. Pondok Dadap Harbor presents an enchanting local charm. The diversity of activities in this harbor, from fishing activities to traditional markets, provides an in-depth look into daily life and the richness of local culture. Pondok Dadap Harbor witnessed fishermen’s activities that enriched my insight into coastal life. I was able to witness first-hand the activities of fishermen and soak in the beauty of life by the sea,” said Liza.

In addition to the experience to Kenjeran and Pondok Dadap Harbor, there are also Nusantara Module activities that are no less exciting. The activity was carried out around campus C Unair, namely the PMM 3 Unair Culinary Expo which served a variety of foods from various regions.

“In this activity there were six Nusantara Module groups that participated, including our Module group. Each group was given a stand for their food. This experience not only enriched my tongue with new flavors, but also opened culinary insights from all over Indonesia,” she said.

For Liza, her experience during the PMM Program at Unair was an interesting and memorable experience. With various interesting destinations around Unair and the Nusantara Module activities, Liza not only gained valuable academic experience, but also could explore the rich cultural diversity in Indonesia.

“There is nothing I regret while participating in this PMM even though I have to migrate to a foreign area and away from my family. However, every journey during this PMM has opened doors of opportunity to explore and understand the richness of Indonesia through the eyes of passionate exchange students,” said Liza.

“And I thank the University of Mataram for their support so that I can have this amazing experience. The University of Mataram provided tremendous support during my time in the program. With online facilities, they ensure communication is smooth, and academic guidance is maintained,” she added.

Liza said that the online communication system provided by Unram facilitates interaction between exchange students and the campus. Academic guidance is maintained, providing a sense of security and confidence to overcome academic challenges. With this support, the FMIPA Unram student feels more confident in living the life of an exchange student at Unair.