“Every lesson is not just seen as a piece of paper and pen, but as a window to understand the wider world.” 

Tangerang Selatan, October 18, 2024 – Narrating the story of Aditia Rama Pratama, well known as Tama, a student of the S1 Management program, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at Universitas Terbuka (UT), who dared to crawl out of his comfort zone and explore the world through one of Kampus Merdeka programs, the Free Student Exchange or Pertukaran Mahasiswa Merdeka (PMM) Program. 

Tama explained that Pertukaran Mahasiswa Merdeka (PMM) is one of Kampus Merdeka programs initiated by the Ministry of Education, and Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) and has successfully changed his mindset as a student. “PMM program not only provides opportunities for students to develop academically but also successfully carves out unforgettable cultural adventures he said. 

Far from his hometown in Sumatra, Tama had the opportunity to fly to Sulawesi, precisely to the Province of Gorontalo. Participating in PMM Program has been Tama’s dream since the beginning of his college. Tama was interested in exploring the uniqueness of local cultures and experiencing different educational approaches compared to his home campus. 

Regarding the registration process and walking on the program selection, Tama explained, “My journey during the PMM registration often faced challenges, one of which was dealing with various registration documents, starting from the Student Accountability Letter (SPTJM), Recommendation Letter (SR), Health Certificate, Health Insurance, Bank Book, and various other preparations.” 

Furthermore, by participating in the PMM program, Tama had to adapt to a new learning environment, where his home campus, Universitas Terbuka, implements online learning. This was quite different from Gorontalo State University, where students were required to meet face-to-face with lecturers to receive study materials. 

“I have mastered in Speaking Bahasa Indonesia, but dealing with the local language was a new challenge that had to be faced. However, I managed to overcome all obstacles with the help of fellow students, and successfully completed a semester at “kampus merah maroon,” Gorontalo State University, with satisfactory grades. Even now, friends at the campus consider PMM 3 as part of the extended family of Gorontalo State University,” said Tama in his story during the PMM program. 

Additionally, Tama not only became a participant in Pertukaran Mahasiswa Merdeka Program but also played an important role and was entrusted as the Head of the Tribe or a Leader of the PMM Students at Gorontalo State University, elected democratically. As a leader responsible for 150 students, this experience was not just a responsibility but an extraordinary learning journey. Leading a large number of students with different backgrounds allowed Tama to face various challenges and enhance leadership skills. 

Tama also shared more about his experience during the PMM Program, “The most memorable experience I had was participating in the walima ceremony in Desa Bongo, Kecamatan Batudaa Pantai, Kabupaten Gorontalo. The tradition is held every birthday of Prophet Muhammad SAW commemoration and is conducted with great enthusiasm. In this tradition, the community gathers to recite poems in Indonesian, Arabic, and Gorontalo in the evening. Later, the community parades kue kolombengi to the mosque in the morning. The cake will then be distributed to the attending community. Visitors can easily find replicas of the cake as decorations and distinctive village features. An extraordinary opportunity to witness this tradition firsthand.” 

In conclusion, Tama expressed that the journey through Pertukaran Mahasiswa Merdeka Program at Gorontalo State University not only opened his eyes to cultural diversity and diverse learning methods but also transformed him into a more resilient and responsive individual. 

Gorontalo, with all its cultural and natural treasure, has become an unforgettable life lesson. I believe that this experience not only contributed to my personal development but also created a positive impact on cultural and educational exchanges in Indonesia. 

“Thank you, Gorontalo, for this extraordinary adventure. Thanks to Kemendikbudristek, Universitas Terbuka, and all parties involved, for the opportunity to be a leader and participant in this invaluable program. Hopefully, other students can find as much fortune and inspiration as I found in Teluk Tomini, Sulawesi. Happy adventuring!” he concluded.