PURWOKERTO — Professional experience does not always begin after someone graduates from university. Exploring employment opportunities, understanding professional environments, and preparing to face cultural differences can all become part of the learning process while students are still pursuing their studies.
This spirit was reflected in Universitas Terbuka (UT) Purwokerto’s Internship Program to Taiwan Socialization, attended by 31 participants on Monday, October 5, 2026. Held in the Tutorial Room on the third floor, the event introduced international experience opportunities while giving students the chance to obtain information directly from the speaker.
For UT Purwokerto, student development is not only about access to higher education, but also about opportunities to broaden perspectives, build networks, and develop competencies relevant to the professional world.
Manager of Learning, Student Affairs, and Alumni at UT Purwokerto, Drs. Suhartono, M.Si., opened the event. Meanwhile, Manager of Outreach, Registration, and Examinations at UT Purwokerto, Hendy Yudoko, D.P., expressed his hope that students would take advantage of the various self-development opportunities available to them.
According to Hendy, access to education needs to go hand in hand with opportunities for growth and the acquisition of experience relevant to the world of work. International internship programs are one opportunity students can consider to prepare for their careers while improving their adaptability, communication skills, and understanding of different work cultures.
During the socialization session, Sandra Aristha, S.E., M.I.Kom., from PT Yuzhong Indonesia served as the speaker, providing information about the Internship Program to Taiwan. The presentation lasted 45 minutes, followed by a 25-minute question-and-answer session. Through this dialogue, participants had the opportunity to deepen their understanding and gather information before considering their next steps.
Hendy emphasized that universities play a role in opening access and introducing various student development opportunities. However, students also need to take an active role by preparing themselves and making a serious effort to improve their competencies.
Academic readiness, communication skills, mental preparedness, and adaptability are important aspects to consider when entering an international work environment. Therefore, the information obtained through the socialization session is expected to serve not merely as knowledge, but also as a consideration in planning academic and professional development.
For the 31 participants, the event marked an initial step toward learning about international internship opportunities and planning their personal development more purposefully.
This initiative aligns with SDG 4 on Quality Education, particularly in supporting learning that is relevant to students’ needs and preparing them to face future challenges. By introducing opportunities to develop competencies at the international level, UT Purwokerto seeks to broaden students’ perspectives on opportunities to learn and grow beyond the campus environment.
Ultimately, global opportunities can be beneficial when met with preparedness and a willingness to keep learning. From Purwokerto, the introduction of international internship programs is expected to serve as a starting point for students to broaden their horizons, develop their potential, and prepare themselves for the professional world.
