It was amidst the chaos of community service when a friend of mine suddenly texted me, “Let’s join Studi Independen!” It did not take long for me to say yes. On the last day of registration, I was clueless. I had no idea which company or position would be best for me. After hours of frustration, I finally chose four companies. In short, I got accepted by Sekolah.mu. The name of their program is 21st-Century Digital Educator. Honestly, I do not really remember why I chose this program, but I believe that I was intrigued by the program’s name. It was fascinating.

From what I understand, there were going to be around two hundred students participating in this programme. The students were divided into nine groups, and each of us had four months to complete ten modules. Through the course of this procedure, I gained a wealth of knowledge concerning education. The learning sessions were held both synchronously and asynchronously. Their synchronous sessions were always entertaining! It was challenging yet fun when we were required to discuss a topic and create presentation slides in 15 minutes!

We started our capstone project back in October. We were obliged to make a programme on Learning Management System owned by Karier.mu. The name of our programme is “Teacherpreneur: Start, Run, and Grow Your Business!”. On December 19th, 2022, I presented our programme to the judges and other students with my groupmate. It really was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our programme was named one of the top three final projects two days later at the closing ceremony! We were thrilled! I was most recently taken aback by the fact that I had been nominated for 19 Best Muvers. Technically, the facilitators of each group chose several best students in their groups to be nominated. That really took me by surprise!

Written by: Firda Umiyatun Baroroh, English Studies Programme, 2019

Proofread by: Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.

 

 

 

 

 

The UI/UX Independent Study Program at the Startup Campus was a valuable learning opportunity for me. Through the program, I gained a comprehensive understanding of user experience design, including how to create digital products that provide a seamless and intuitive user experience. I also learned various techniques for generating ideas through the brainstorming process and received valuable insights and best practices from industry professionals.

One of the most impactful aspects of the program was the introduction to the framework of design thinking. This framework has been invaluable in my design process and any creations intended for human use, such as writing or services. It taught me that the most crucial aspect of any creative process is considering the user’s rigour and benefit. Additionally, the framework emphasized the importance of research in the creation process to ensure that everything being made is actually needed and functional.

The program also helped me enhance my skills in using tools like Figma, Miro, and Fig Jam, which are essential for design collaboration in the digital age. I also learned the significance of good research, from preparation to fieldwork. In addition, I gained a strong understanding of visual design basics, including color theory, typography, and grid systems, which allowed me to create visually appealing designs.

Through the final project and assignments in the program, I had the opportunity to further develop my skills in critical and creative thinking. My critical thinking skills were refined as I analyzed the users’ needs for the web application features created by my group. My creativity was also stimulated as we carefully considered the design direction and language that would be not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional for the users.

In conclusion, the UI/UX Independent Study Program at the Startup Campus was an invaluable learning experience that has dramatically enhanced my design skills and knowledge. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and develop my skills in user experience design, collaboration, research, and critical and creative thinking.

Written by: Luis Evan Suprandono, English Studies Programme, 2019

Proofread by: Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.

 

 

 

 

 

On Saturday, November 26^th, 2022, the English Studies Programme of UGM held an International Students’ Seminar on Children’s Issues. This event remained the last seminar held on behalf of the English Department students who joined the Kampus Merdeka Program, with three events, including a public lecture and two student seminars. Four speakers provoked various discussions regarding children’s issues around the world.

The seminar started with an opening remark by Dr. Adi Sutrisno, M.A., the Head of the English Department UGM. Later, it was continued by the presentation from the first speaker, Aulia Muchtarom, from the English Studies Programme of UGM 2020. Here, she shared her insights about children’s literature in Indonesia, how it developed amid several obstacles, and how technology has contributed to the development of children’s literature. The second speaker, Dana Castell Martinez from Barcelona, brought up the topic of children’s rights and showed some intriguing data about how children’s rights are often highly violated by adults. The third speaker, Samantha Perez from Oberlin Sanshi, talked about the children’s foster system in the US. Here she provided us with the positive and negative sides of the system and what people can do to raise children’s welfare. The last speaker, Monica Audrey from the English Studies Programme of UGM 2018, shared a thought-provoking issue about gendered language that has been embedded since we were born. Here, she shared some tips to improve children’s language ability and how gender stereotypes have affected their way of speaking.

After the presentation, five questions from the audience revolved around the topic of the advantage of technology for children’s literature, the gendered language of children, and children’s rights related to their privacy and protection. Then, the seminar was closed with a photo session for the speakers, committee, and audience.

 

Written by: Dasadriya Pitaloka, English Studies Programme, 2019

Proofread by: Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.

A repost from an Obituary to Prof Stephanus Djawanai by Achmad Munjid, PhD

Our FIB UGM team had just finished presenting their study findings at the Jayakarta Military Command Headquarters when they received the unfortunate news. “Pak Steve has passed away,” stated Mbak Wening Udasmoro, the group’s leader and dean of the FIB. She informed her colleagues about the WhatsApp message she had just received. Prof. Stephanus Djawanai, MA, passed away yesterday afternoon, August 31, 2018, at 13.40 WIB. The cheerful man born in Bajawa, Flores, on October 10, 1943, had passed away at the age of 75.

We feel completely lost.

Prof. Stephan Djawanai is an eloquent and motivating lecturer. He will bring warmth and kindness to everyone inside and outside the classroom. His students and co-workers are Muslims, while he is a Catholic. However, religious differences do not divide us. He consistently has an exceptional ability to make students comprehend the stuff he delivers. He is adept at creating “teaching moments.” Occasionally, he uses humour to ensure that students comprehend the material and are excited to hear it. Intellectual illumination is always what makes the learning process interesting.

One morning in my first-year English Literature lecture at UGM, my classmates and I eagerly listened as Pak Steve presented a tale about a couple who were divorcing after a heated argument and whose case had to be taken before the court. When the judge inquired as to the primary cause of their argument, it turned out to be a simple matter: coffee. “Is it true that the explanation involves a cup of coffee?” the judge inquired once again. The spouses nodded their heads in agreement. The judge shook his head, astounded. “How does that make sense? Why do you two want to get a divorce over a cup of coffee? “questioned the Judge “That’s the thing, Your Majesty. I also was unable to comprehend it. My wife became so upset when I said, “Where’s my coffee?” The spouse responded. “Your Majesty, neither the coffee nor his comments to me are important,” the wife said aloud. Again, the Judge said, “So what’s the issue?” “His tone of voice, Your Majesty. His intonation! The tone of his words stripped me of all my human dignity and value!”

Well, from that story, Pak Steve gave us the point, don’t play and take intonation lightly. In pragmatics, intonation is very, very important. Intonation can make the message conveyed effectively. But on the other hand, it can lead to misunderstandings that have fatal consequences, as in the husband and wife’s case. that is how Pak Steve transferred the message of the story to his students. The way he teaches makes concepts that seem complicated to be simple, authentic, clear, relevant and exciting.

Another time, Pak Steve alternately looked at my face and the yellow attendance list card in his hand. In the past, each student was required to sign the yellow card for each meeting as proof of attendance. Above the student signature column is the lecturer’s signature column. In the middle of the semester, apparently, my signature on the yellow attendance card was less than half of Pak Steve’s signature; undeniable proof that I did not attend the class so many times. He wasn’t angry, but his face wasn’t as cheerful as it used to be. “You are in trouble, my friend. If you disappear again from the class, your grade will disappear forever,”  he said. The whole class laughed, but the message I got was completely different. I became more diligent in coming to class after that incident.

When I finished my undergraduate thesis under the guidance of the deceased Prof. Soebakdi Soemanto, Pak Steve became one of the examiners. I remember his question exactly, and that’s probably the only part I remember about my thesis exam to this day. “So where is the meaning of the text?” he asked. His eyes were sharp. His smile bloomed. His entire body movement was an attitude of trust and hope.

“According to structuralism, every text consists of interconnected elements to build a structure. The meaning is in the relation between the elements that make up that structure….” “Stop! Excellent!” he immediately cut off the sentence that I was still going to continue. “Enough, enough, enough. No need to continue! You are right to the point!”

With a Masters’s and PhD degree from one of the best campuses in the US, the University of Michigan, Pak Steve is an intellectual who has been familiar with “discourse analysis” and the thoughts of Derrida, Foucault, Roland Barthes etc., since the early 1980s when only a few people in UGM discussed the names and ideas of these French thinkers. Ten years later, people are exposed to the “posmo” epidemic and are familiar with their thinking. His passion for language and culture led him to become a professor at UGM in 2009 with a captivating speech entitled “Study of Language, Study of Humans”. As an academic who departed from the outskirts of Flores, one of the things that bothered him was the trend of the disappearance of local languages ​​in the midst of the swift global currents. He believes that the loss of a language means the extinction of a group of ideas because the loss of a language means the loss of the human way of knowing and accumulating knowledge, the loss of a distinctive way of expressing experience, reality, and life.  For him, The low variety of ethnolinguistics is a severe problem that has a fundamentally negative impact on humanity. On the other hand, a high variety of ethnolinguistics has excellent potential to contribute to solving human problems and maintaining human humanity.

After 40 years of serving as a lecturer at English Studies Programme, UGM, Prof. Stephanus Djawanai returned to his hometown and was appointed Chancellor of the University of Flores for the period 2012-2016 and 2016-2020. That’s how he took to “pay back” his hometown after spending more than half of his life overseas. However, last July, he was forced to resign from the position due to his prolonged illness for the past few years. Pak Steve also decided to return to Yogyakarta and passed away peacefully at his home in Minomartani after being hospitalized many times. Last Eid, when we visited his residence, he still seemed eager to talk and make jokes, even though his physical appearance seemed increasingly frail. He also spoke about death with a calm look, as if it was the signal. Yesterday, that moment came.

Goodbye, Pak Steve. May you rest in eternal peace. Your passing profoundly saddens us. But we are always proud and grateful to remember your services, kindness, and legacy as a teacher.

Thank you so much, though it will never be enough. Respect!

Yogyakarta, September 1, 2018

 

Translated by:

Najma Aulia Jauharnafisa

Faricha Adzkia Hamida

 

Edited and Proofread by:

Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.

 

November 24, 2022, Universitas Gadjah Mada has graduated many students from various faculties, including 129 students from the  Faculty of Cultural Sciences, of whom 8 are students from English Studies Programme. We had an opportunity to interview one of the graduates, Fatta Conny. She is an English Studies Programme student from batch 2019 who is also the first student to graduate from that class. She finished her studies in 3 years and 2 months, making her the fastest graduate in her batch.

Icha: Good morning, Mbak Fatta, Hello, my name is Faricha. You can call me Icha. I am from the English Studies Program 2020. Here, I would like to ask you some questions about your college life, especially when you were working on your undergraduate thesis. The thing that came to mind when I heard the news about a student who finished her study in 3 years and 2 months is freaking me out, like, ‘How could she do that?’ Since you are in front of me, I would like to congratulate you on your graduation, Mbak Fatta.

Fatta: Thank you very much, Icha.

Icha: So, the first question is, ‘How does it feel to be the first and fastest graduate in your batch?’

Fatta: I feel satisfied because this is an outstanding achievement for me personally. Also, this is one of my goals that can be attained in my final study. To be honest, I had planned on doing this since the fourth semester, and I finally did it.

Icha: Well, that sounds so amazing, and what is your motivation to graduate really quickly? 3 years and 2 months is a short period of time.

Fatta: The term “If becoming the fastest is achievable, why do we not strive for it” can answer this question (laugh). Besides that, I want to make my parents proud of me. They have sacrificed everything they have, and it is my turn to make them smile through my achievement. 

Staff: With that motto and motivation, did you still find any difficulties when you were working on your undergraduate thesis? And how did you deal with it?

Fatta: When I realised that my college thesis topic was something I was truly passionate about, that was the greatest moment of my life. Thankfully, I didn’t have to devote a lot of time to it. In my opinion, the most challenging part of writing a thesis was scheduling regular meetings with one’s supervisor to discuss one’s progress. To put it another way, we can’t just write a thesis on ourselves. The assistance of our supervisor is still required. The thing we need to be aware of is that our supervisors have a full schedule, so if our plans don’t work with theirs, it may be difficult. Therefore, in short, don’t be a procrastinator.

Staff: You stated that wanting to make your parents proud is one of your driving forces. How did the people in your life—your parents, your professors, and perhaps even your friends—encourage you while you were writing your undergraduate thesis? 

Fatta: All the people around me have been really supportive. My parents have been a constant source of strength for me. Because of them, I could push through and get it done. Even when I just got back from community service (KKN), they always reminded me about my thesis (laugh). It was only recently that I realised how crucial those inspirations are for maintaining my upward momentum. My academic advisor, Dra. Sharifah Hanidar, M.Ed., is always there to help me out when I need her advice. Rahmawan Jatmiko, S.S., M.A., is my advisor for my undergraduate thesis. He encourages and pushes me to finish the project as quickly as possible. He also gave me a deadline of September 2022 to defend my undergraduate thesis. But since my community service (KKN) grade has yet to appear in my transcript, I couldn’t make it. 

Staff: The next question is, ‘Could you give us, as students in the English Studies Programme, tips and tricks to do an undergraduate thesis as effectively as possible?’

Fatta: Emm, I think taking full credits (SKS) each semester and trying your best to get the best score you can achieve are the tips. Based on my previous experience, I always take full credits (24 credits) from semester 1 until semester 5. Then, in the remaining semester, I can take another credit that can be adjusted to my interests. But remember to take and finish the mandatory courses because we can only graduate if the compulsory courses have been taken. I always keep in touch with my best academic supervisor, Bu Hani, regarding my plans. Fortunately, she always supports me and helps me reach my own goal. If I may be honest, I have been working on my undergraduate thesis since the end of semester 6 while taking the Proposal Writing course. So I was writing two things at once. When I worked on my undergraduate thesis, I also set my time and goals, like when I should finish chapter one and so on. After getting a revision from my undergraduate thesis supervisor, I revised it as soon as possible and returned it to him to be rechecked.

Icha: Last question, could you give some words of encouragement to the English Studies Programme students working hard on their thesis?

Fatta: Don’t procrastinate in adding one or two sentences to your thesis. Remember, little progress is still progress. (Laugh)

Transcript by: Faricha Adzkia Hamida, English Studies Programme, 2020

Edited and proofread by: Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.

On November 8 and 9, 2022, the English Studies Association Indonesia (ESAI) held their annual congress at Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara, which was attended by department heads and lecturers of English studies programmes from various universities in Indonesia. At the conference, Dr Adi Sutrisno, M.A., was appointed the head of the association. The English Studies Programme would like to congratulate Dr Adi Sutrisno, M.A., on becoming the head of ESAI. We wish him success as he prepares to take up the responsibilities and challenges of leading ESAI into realizing its potential and beyond.

 

Written by: Zitta Arlivia, English Studies Programme, 2019

Proofread: Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.

On Tuesday, November 8th, 2022, students of the English Studies Programme UGM who enrolled in “Kampus Merdeka” program held its first seminar titled “International Students’ Seminar on Gender Equality” as one of the three-part events. This first seminar aims to deliver different topics about women’s condition in various countries and their history, discussing whether women have or have not been treated equally. The seminar was held offline in Room 709, Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, from 01.00 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. However, this seminar was also streamed through Zoom Meeting so that people who were not able to attend on the spot could follow the event from anywhere.

Before the seminar started, an opening speech was given by Ms Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt. as the representative from the English Studies Programme. The seminar then continued with four presented speakers’ presentations, discussing various issues related to gender equality. The first speaker is Nazra Hanif Lutfiana, a student of the English Studies Programme 2019, UGM. Her topic is “Women’s Political Representation in Indonesia”. Here, she shared how women are presented in the political field, which often still discriminates by the dominance of their male counterparts. The second speaker is Colby Fortin, our Oberlin Shansi fellow, with her topic “Using Zines and Other Accessible Artforms in Survivor-Centered Research”. She elaborated on the history of zines as a tool to promote gender equality in the United States and how it can be developed to raise people’s awareness about this issue today. The speech was then continued by Fatihah Firdausi Nuzula, a student of the English Department UGM who brought the topic of “Policing Bodies: on the Protest Against Compulsory Hijab for Iranian Women”. She explained the condition of Iranian women today who receive discrimination from the Iranian government and how they fight for equality against the law. Last but not least, the discussion continued by our international student, Dana Castell Martinez from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona whose topic is “Women Emancipation in Europe through the Clothes”. Here, she shared the history of how women dress throughout the years and their suffering in society related to their way of dressing.

After the presentation ended, the seminar continued with a question and answer sections. There are three questions asked by the attendees, which include questions about women’s dressing culture in Indonesia and how to raise women’s participation in politics for the younger generation. The seminar ended with the speakers and attendees taking photos together.

Written by:

Dasadriya Pitaloka, English Studies Programme, 2019

Asyifa Rizky Amelia, English Studies Programme, 2019

Proofread by: Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.

 

On Saturday, September 30, 2022, the Community Service by English Studies Programme at Muhammadiyah Highschool in Bumiayu was carried out. On September 26, 2022, an online conference was held through Zoom prior to the main event. Dr Ni Gusti Ayu Roselani, the chief of community service, explained community service and the planned activities to the students of Muhammadiyah High School during the online conference. This service’s primary objective is to promote an application called Grammarly, bolster students’ confidence in English writing, and educate them on the dangers of plagiarism. After delivering an opening address, Muhammad Faqih Maftuh, S.Ag, the principal of Muhammadiyah Highschool, officially began the event at 9:00 a.m. in the school’s study hall.

The main event commenced immediately after the English Department professors of Universitas Gadjah Mada, including Dr Adi Sutrisno, M.A., Dr Ni Gusti Ayu Roselani, M.A., and Dr Tofan Dwi Hardjanto, M.A., delivered their introductory remarks on English writing. The Muhammadiyah Bumiayu students were attentively following the presented materials. The presentation’s focus was the application of Grammarly. It is an application that helps authors identify and automatically repair grammatical errors in their work. Bagas, one of the English Studies Programme students who also contributed as a presenter, demonstrated the methods, how-to’s, and tips and tricks for applying for the programme clearly and straightforwardly under the supervision of Dr Ni Gusti Ayu Roselani, M.A.

Students were assigned a brief article describing Bumiayu’s tourist potential to be completed after the presentation. After they finished, they were given a break while their essays were read, scored, and the best excerpts were collected for a booklet. Those whose articles were selected will be rewarded monetarily.

Everything went off without a hitch, and a quick photo session was arranged to honour the winners of the best-written essay contest thereafter.

Written by: Mohammad Anandhya Averill Sulistyo, English Studies Programme 2020
Proofread by: Adiba Qonita Zahroh, S.S., M.Litt.

Are you keenly interested in discussing various topics about children? If so, let’s tune in to our International Students’ Seminar on Children’s Issues with our incredible speakers:

– Aulia Muchtarom (English Literature UGM 2020)
– Monica Audrey (English Literature UGM 2018)
– Samantha Perez (Oberlin Shansi Fellow)
– Dana Castell Martinez (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

This seminar will be held on:
🗓️ Saturday, November 26th, 2022, 09.00-11.00 WIB
📍Offline: Room 709, 7th-floor Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM
🖥️ Online: http://ugm.id/SS2Zoom

Don’t forget to register yourself here:
http://ugm.id/SS2REG

This seminar is free and open to the public! You will also get an e-certificate, so secure your place right now!
(Only 55 seats are available for offline attendees)

For further information, kindly contact:
Fatihah: +6282137401363

We are inviting you to join our International Students’ Seminar on Gender Equality to discuss various issues regarding gender all around the world with our excellent speakers:

– Colby Fortin (Oberlin Shanshi Fellow)
– Fatihah F. N. (English Literature UGM 2019)
– Dana Castell Martinez (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
– Nazra Hanif L. (English Literature UGM 2019)

This seminar will be held on:
✨Tuesday, November 8, 2022, 13.00-15.00 WIB (01.00-03.00 pm)
✨Offline: Room 709, 7th floor Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM
✨Online: http://ugm.id/SS1Zoom

Register yourself here:
http://ugm.id/SS1REG

This seminar is open to the public, and you will get a free e-certificate! Also, the offline seats are available for 40 attendees only, so register yourself ASAP!

For further information, kindly contact:
Asyifa: +62895391710938