2 November 2017, our first meeting, in our orientation day. It was clearly an international class. We introduced names, countries and backgrounds. It was such a memorable moment for me as it was the first time I should speak English in front of so many people. Yes, I was so nervous back then.
We are post graduate diploma students and MBA students. In the first day of our orientation, we were divided into groups of 3. I was in the group with a beautiful girl from Russia, named Nadia and Nitesh, from India. We named our group as AVENGERS. That was the very first time I interacted with people from different countries, had to communicate in English and I got more nervous.
Then I faced the reality, that I have to study new subjects, interact with new people from different countries, and the most-scary thing for me at that time: writing a PAPER. I like to write but I have never written paper in English. (I will write in another post for the “learning English story” of mine)
Being friends with people from many countries at the same time taught me a lot of things. I learnt a lot about cultural relativism, culture as the way of life, stereotype, noise in communication, how a culture constructs people’s behaviour, etc. It was like I jumped into another real knowledge. And… it was so fun!
Let me recall my first memories, the names that I can remember at the first days we met. Before Nitesh and Nadia, there were Nurma and Indri, from Indonesia that became friends. After Nitesh and Nadia, I met Mychael, also from Indonesia. Then I remember a boy named Thang, from Vietnam, and Maria from Columbia. The first names that I can clearly memorised.
Then days were running so fast. We studied together in the class, worked on the assignments and faced the exams together. Nadia created a whatsapp group for us, ACADEMIC HEROES, our place to share the informations, jokes and also our burdens especially when we have exams and assignments. This group helps us to get along well. Our lunch times were special, as those were the moments for us to know each other. Gradually, I memorised my friends’ names, and got to know each other more.
And now, at the 11th month of our journey, one by one of us finished the modules. And the pieces of memories pop-up in my mind. The times we were together, our lunch times, our first exam, first assignment, our summer days, negotiation class, crazy March, group assignments, our cold winter days and so many memorable times together. For me, there was a very special moment, my birthday, when they threw me a surprise and i was feeling overwhelmed.
I am glad that I have been in this journey with all lovely friends. I can say that I had great times and feel grateful that I have been surrounded by their love and care and I feel so blessed.
For this lovely journey, for giving me such beautiful memories, lovely friendships and great experiences, I praise The Lord.