Euginia Monique Budiman and Patricia Sugianto have never imagined to get learning experience at Universidade Technica de Lisboa (UTL) in Portugal. ?It was unimaginable to be able to have a learning experience at the Universidade Technica de Lisboa (UTL), in Portugal. I was not familiar with Portugal, and I thought the country was not interesting. But, I was all wrong, it turns out that Portugal is a great country?, said Monique, a management student batch 2010.
?When I first read about the Student Exchange Program to Portugal, which was offered by the UPH Office of International Affairs, I quickly enrolled. I completed all of the requirements, such as transcript, motivation letter, and, recommendation letter from my lecture and piano teacher?, said Monique.
Within one and a half month after all the requirements are completed, I was called for an interview. After the interview, I was told to prepare for my departure. The whole process took approximately 4 months, from the preparation until departure. The process to join this program was quite straight forward and simple. While for the tuition fee in Portugal, student doesn?t have to spend extra money as they are only paying the tuition fee in UPH.
Monique (left) with Patricia (right), an UPH student who also join the program, in Portugal
In UTL, the number of credit is 6 credits per subject, whereas in UPH the average is 4 credits per subject. Monique was able to take 4 subjects with a total of 16 credit points; all of these credits were then transferred to her UPH?s academic record. The subjects that she took in UTL were Strategic Management, Strategic Marketing, Corporate Finance II, and Human Resource Management.
The participants for this exchange program came from all over the world; there are students from Germany, Netherland, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Thailand, Belgia, France, and Indonesia. The learning system used in UTL is not as strict as in Indonesia, where students are required to sign an attendance list. However, the students have high responsibility and diligently attend the classes. The load of assignments are higher in UTL, compare to UPH. Furthermore, group discussions on current cases are common in the class. Through the group discussion, we are able to share stories about our own country. ?For example, when an assignment was given to analyze Heineken Beer?s marketing strategy. It was really interesting to know the different perspective and strategy used in each different country, such as Portugal, Indonesia, and the Netherland?, said Monique.
It was difficult to get a good score, but should student encounter any problem in understanding the subject, the lecturers were very helpful and welcoming to give further lesson after the class. As the result, Monique managed to get a good academic result from Portugal. 
Monique lives together with other students from Brazil and Africa Monique and her friends at UTL celebrating Easter together
?Beside academic experience, there lots of other precious experiences I have from the Student Exchange Program, such as networking, learning foreign language, cultures, history, traditions, dance, and last but not least, I learned how to be independent?, explained Monique cheerfully.
The Student Exchange Program was really beneficial for students, as it enable student to have an international experience with local (UPH) tuition fee. ?This program has given me the opportunity to enrich my experience and knowledge, to learn about new things and to be independent?, said Monique.
While Patricia felt that her experience at the student exchange program in UTL, really changed her life.
?When I first read the announcement about Bilateral cooperation between UPH and Univeristy of Lisboa, Portugal, I immediately seek information through UPH?s Office of International Affairs. While for the expenses of my study in Portugal, I was lucky to receive a scholarship, that covered my accommodation and meal expenses. For the tuition fee, I paid UPH tuition fees for 16 credit, that is equal to 24 credits in UTL?, said Patricia Sugianto, Management 2010 student.
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| Patricia (left) in front of Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestao at UTL, Lisboa, Portugal |
The student exchange program is really a great experience, ?the learning system in UTL is tougher, where six-credits subjects is equal to 2 or 3 hours class. We put a lot of the theory into practice in each subject that we?ve learned, based on the current cases. This learning method is more applicable to our daily life?, Patricia added.
The lecturers were very helpful and welcoming towards me, they provide tutorial outside the regular class. Furthermore, with other foreign students in the class we have a lot of class discussion that enriched my knowledge. We were encouraged to think critically and to speak out our thoughts, and I felt it was really a great experience now that I have come back here.
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| Patricia and other friends hanging out together |
During my stay in Portugal, I get to know people from all over the world and we share stories about our own country, culture, custom and how to do business in their country. From these sharing, we could take advantages to learn. Besides academic value, this program has given me the opportunity to learn about other cultures and languages, such as Spanish and Portuguese.
The student exchange program has really changed my life, now I apply healthy lifestyle by doing a regular exercise and consuming healthy food. I study diligently and I apply what I have learned in Portugal.
Last but not least, I hope UPH will have more cooperation with international partner and create more opportunities for the students to have international experience, and, more intensive socialization of the program to UPH students. (rh/js)
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