UNS — Leaving our hometown to study in a foreign region is a challenging option for some. The need to adapt to the new customs, longing for home and family, as well as the daily challenges as a student, has strengthened her will from the day-to-day. She is Maria Margaretha Valentin Pigome, a student from Deiyai District, Papua, who left her hometown at the east end of Indonesia to attend a Medical Study in Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta.
During the meeting with the uns.ac.id team at the First Floor of the Medicine Education Building UNS on Wednesday (9/6/2021), the student who known as Epi as her nickname, reveals that she wants to get enrolled in UNS because of its great reputation. “I look for suggestions from my teachers and colleagues, they mentioned that Universitas Sebelas Maret is one of the best universities in Indonesia that offers Medicine Education Study Program with excellent accreditation. Moreover, they said that the Solo environment is good for university students. I also think that the university is great,” Epi said.
Epi attends the Medicine Education program under the Higher Education Affirmation Program (ADik). The scholarship provided by the government since 2012 is addressed specifically to students from Papua and West Papua, those from the frontier, remote, and underdeveloped special area (3T), and the children of Indonesian Migrant Workers (TKI). Epi, who is the first child of five siblings, feels the positive support given during her study at UNS.
“I received positive supports. Family is the main support system, they always give positive suggestions during difficult times and exams. As for my colleagues in the affirmation program, they always share valuable suggestions and become places to share stories. While my fellow medical students always help me since the beginning of the semester and every time I face difficulty. They also assist me when I tried to join an organization,” Epi explains.
During her study at UNS, the 23 years old student usually called her family at home whenever she missed them. However, Epi shares a wonderful experience she had as a UNS student. Back then she was part of the FK UNS students choirs who were selected to performs some songs during the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) meeting in Alila Hotel Solo. She feels proud to take part in the meeting, where she met few doctors from Papua that is motivating her to complete her study. Her dreams to be a doctor started since she was a kid. According to her, the number of health workers in Indonesia is still lacking and unevenly distributed. Therefore, Epi is moved to take roles in supporting the professional medical sector in Indonesia.
During her stay in Surakarta, Epi felt several changes in her personality. Starting from her speech, behavior, and food selection must be adapted to the prevailing culture in the city. “In terms of speech mannerism, back then when I spoke usually in a high tone, even in Papua we usually speak in a higher tone. Now, I must speak in a lower tone and more subtly. In terms of behavior, we must be calmer. The fundamental change is in terms of food selection, actually, I do not really like Tempe and eggplant, but now I learn to accept such menu and actually like them,” she reveals. Additionally, Epi feels that the services provided by UNS always help her. “Whenever I need to process or complete any administrative matter, the UNS service office always helps excellently. They will answer in detail regarding any requirements to be completed, thus it can be handled smoothly,” Epi states.
During this ongoing pandemic, Epi spent her time joining the virtual learning from the UNS boarding house. The main challenges were related to the unstable internet connection and the surrounding distraction. More focus is crucial to optimizing the learning experience during this time. Aside from her study, Epi also actively participates in Kelapa UNS, an organization for the Affirmation Scholarship Awardee from Papua and West Papua. The organization usually hosted various activities such as gatherings, Christmas celebrations, and Easter celebrations.
It has been for years of living in Solo and studying in UNS for Epi. Certainly, there are many memories kept in her mind. One day, if Epi has finished her study, she admits that she definitely will miss certain things. “I will mostly miss the atmosphere and more of the friendly people. Also the food. Here the food prices are cheap, especially as university students we must be frugal,” she explains.
There is one principle that was firmly held by Epi. She reveals that she was once read a book, where she found inspiration. “Back then I read a book where I found my principle. The book said that ‘think of the sky and land as your parents, and the others as your siblings. Hence, you will find your life more valuable.’ Therefore, I think even if a person went to higher study if they do not consider others, do not consider oneself and the community, it is useless,” Epi said.
Concluding the exchange, the high-spirited girl was advised to be a strong person and never give up.
“Chosen to be one of the students in the Affirmation Program is a grace and a challenge, where I must face different difficulties. Especially because we are from the east part of Indonesia, we must adapt properly. My suggestion is only one, be a strong person and never give up easily, most of us here always complain and often are underestimated. Never think this way, but think that you are capable. We have equal potential with the others, thus we must decide and fulfill our responsibility as well as the task assigned to us,” Epi advised. Humas UNS
Reporter: Zalfaa Azalia Pursita
Editor: Dwi Hastuti