News and photos Mohd Azri Abdul Aziz
SINTOK, 26 January 2026: The Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), successfully conducted the Alumni Sharing Session: Student Exchange Abroad (Series #2) via Webex platform. The session brought together UUM students and alumni in a meaningful exchange of valuable insights and firsthand experiences from international mobility programmes in Indonesia.
Organised as part of a three-part alumni sharing series by CIAC, the session featured UUM alumni who had participated in student exchange programmes at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), Universitas Brawijaya (UB), and Universitas Mercu Buana (UMB). The initiative aimed to equip prospective outbound students with practical knowledge related to academic life, cultural adaptation, and daily living abroad, while inspiring them to explore international learning opportunities with confidence and preparedness.
Alumni from UB, namely Ms Nur Izah Farzana binti Zamhuri (SOIS), Ms Sharifah Zety Zahirra binti Syed Nasir (STHEM), and Ms Wan Wieam Anis Shiram binti Wan Shiram Shawari (SOIS), collectively shared their enriching academic and cultural experiences. All three unanimously encouraged UUM students to consider undertaking a one-semester exchange programme at UB.
Sharing her experience, Ms Wan Wieam Anis Shiram binti Wan Shiram Shawari recounted the academic challenges she faced as the first exchange student at the Faculty of Social and Political Science (FISIP), UB.
“I had to put in my full effort to adapt to all my classes. Most of them were conducted in Bahasa Indonesia. Although I am not a law student, I attended a law-related class where I had to understand legal concepts, participate actively, and present assignments as if I were a law student. I even had to combine three languages—Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Indonesia, and English—during my presentations,” she shared.
Despite the challenges, she described the experience as highly rewarding and instrumental in strengthening her adaptability, resilience and self-confidence.
Representing UMY, Mr Surendran Loganathan (SEFB) highlighted the initial administrative and financial challenges he faced prior to departure, particularly the requirement to maintain USD2,000 in his bank account for student visa application purposes. “With the support of my family, I was eventually able to fulfil the requirement,” he said.
Surendran noted that his time at UMY provided valuable lessons in independence and financial literacy.
“Food and Grab services were very affordable, which made it easy to overspend. I later realised I needed to manage my finances more carefully,” he reflected.
He also emphasised the importance of maintaining an open mind, adding,
“Do not judge a book by its cover. Not every stranger is bad. Some are the very people who extend a helping hand when we need it most.”
He expressed deep appreciation for warmth, friendliness, and care shown by the UMY community throughout his exchange experience.
Students who attended UMB, namely Ms Husna binti Mohd Sofi (SBM), Ms Lea Fazriana binti Irfarizal (SMMTC), Ms Nurul Izzah Filzah binti Abdul Muhaimin (SCIMPA), Ms Nur Aleeya Natasha binti Zolkefli (SBM), and Ms Aisyah Syafiah binti Rosli (SBM), described their exchange journey as transformative and deeply memorable. They shared that campus life at UMB was vibrant and dynamic, supported by a wide range of academic and co-curricular activities that fostered student engagement and interaction. They also highlighted the provision of free accommodation, complete with air-conditioning, pantry facilities, and shared cooking areas, which significantly eased their living expenses.
In terms of academic workload, Ms Husna binti Mohd Sofi noted that the learning environment was highly demanding.
“We were required to do presentations almost every week. It was quite busy and more packed compared to UUM,” she said.
Nevertheless, she shared that she particularly enjoyed courses such as Global Competitive Imaging Market and Global Competitiveness, which enhanced her understanding of international and emerging companies in Indonesia and significantly strengthened her global business knowledge.
Overall, the Alumni Sharing Session (Series #2) provided a valuable platform for participants to clarify concerns, manage expectations, and better prepare themselves before embarking on international mobility programmes. The session successfully inspired attendees through authentic alumni narratives that highlighted resilience, adaptability, intercultural learning, and personal growth.
CIAC hopes that initiatives such as this will continue to motivate more UUM students to seize international opportunities and embark on meaningful global learning journeys that contribute to their academic development, personal growth, and global readiness.
