A Reflective Essay by Emily Trisnandi, Intern at PT STAR Software Indonesia

In my last semester of college, I had the opportunity to join an internship program held by the English Department UGM and PT. STAR Software Indonesia. PT. STAR Software Indonesia is a company specialising in translation and localisation, fields in which I have long been interested. It was a transformative experience that enhanced my professional skills, especially since it was my first time being an intern at a company. Over three months, I was immersed in a complex yet magical world of translation, working alongside professional linguists and contributing to various projects. I have learned a bit about translation and localisation during several semesters in college, but how their system works in the industry was entirely new to me, and I was eager to understand its dynamics. In the first month of interning there, I was given materials related to translation and localisation, ranging from familiar ones to the most novel for me. The second until the third month of interning kept me the busiest ever; learning new things via working with project managers translating, and localising various projects. The types of texts I primarily work with are IT, finance, and marketing.

One of the initial challenges I faced was understanding the diverse array of projects that the company handled. The scope was vast, from translating technical documents and marketing materials to localising software and multimedia content. Each project had unique requirements and standards, which I needed to quickly grasp within three months. My project managers, who are senior translators proficient in their fields, played a crucial role in helping me adapt to these demands. Through hands-on training sessions, I learned the importance of context, cultural nuances, and maintaining the integrity of the original message in translation, especially English to Indonesian translation. A significant aspect of my internship involved mastering various translation tools and software. Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools became indispensable in my tasks. Before the internship, I only knew how to operate SDL Trados Studio; however, during the internship, I was introduced to a lot more CAT tools that were new to me, such as memoQ, Transit, Lokalise, Phrase, XTM, and Amazon Web Service. Initially, navigating these tools was tiresome. However, with consistent practice and guidance, I began to appreciate their efficiency and the precision they brought to translation work. In addition to CAT tools, I also used project management software, such as Microsoft Office. Understanding how to track project timelines, manage resources, and ensure quality control were crucial aspects of the localisation process. These technical skills not only enhanced my productivity but also gave me a deeper appreciation of the workflow and collaboration required in this industry.

One of the most profound lessons from my internship at PT. STAR Software Indonesia was the significance of cultural sensitivity in translation and localisation. Unlike straightforward translation, localisation involves adapting content to fit the cultural context of the target audience. This could mean altering idiomatic expressions, adjusting images, or even changing entire content sections to better resonate with local consumers. I recall a project where we were localising a marketing campaign for a global automotive brand. The original content was designed for a Western audience, but our task was to adapt it for the Indonesian market. This involved not only translating the text but also understanding the cultural values and preferences of Indonesian consumers. Through this project, I learned to navigate cultural differences and deliver authentic and engaging content to the target audience. Despite my academic background in English, I faced numerous instances where language barriers resulted in a challenge. Translating specialised terminology, such as legal or medical terms, required extensive research and expert consultation. There were moments of self-doubt where I questioned my language proficiency and ability to convey complex concepts accurately.

However, these challenges were significant in developing resilience and problem-solving skills. Collaborating with linguists and seeking their insights helped me overcome these barriers. Moreover, the company’s emphasis on speed and quality encouraged me to be more professional in prioritising responsibilities while maintaining the quality of my work. Balancing multiple projects with tight deadlines requ

ired careful planning and the ability to stay calm under pressure. By the end of my internship, I felt more confident handling specialised translations and appreciated the value of teamwork in overcoming linguistic challenges. Beyond my technical and linguistic skills, my internship at the translation and localisation company significantly contributed to my personal growth.

Furthermore, working in a team of different ages enhanced my interpersonal skills and cultural competence. Engaging with colleagues from diverse ages broadened my perspectives and fostered a greater appreciation for different work habits. The experience also honed my communication skills, as I learned to articulate my ideas clearly and collaborate effectively with team members. As I reflect on my internship experience, I realise how much it has shaped my career aspirations and personal development. The exposure to real-world projects and the mentorship I received were invaluable. The challenges I faced, and the skills I acquired have provided me with a solid foundation for a career in the translation and localisation industry. Moreover, the internship reinforced my passion for languages and cultural exchange. It highlighted the power of language as a bridge that connects people across borders and different cultures. Contributing to this global dialogue is very rewarding and has motivated me to continue pursuing opportunities in this field.

My internship at PT. STAR Software Indonesia was a journey of discovery, learning, and growth. It challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, adapt to new tools and processes, and develop a deeper understanding of cultural nuances. The experience has not only enhanced my linguistic skills but also developed personal growth and a deeper appreciation for the complexities of global communication. I take the knowledge and understanding I received from this internship with me as I improve in my work. I am grateful for the opportunity and the guidance that helped me through this internship. My passion for contributing to the translation and localisation fields has been strengthened by this experience, and I am eager to apply the knowledge and abilities I have gained to the industry.

From November 20–22, 2024, Florinesya Zahwa Raihania, a student from the English Department, participated in the prestigious ASEAN Youth Conference (AYC). Since its inception in 2018, the AYC has served as a flagship program of the ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO), empowering youth voices in regional dialogues. AYO’s vision centers on fostering positive change and promoting inclusive development across ASEAN. This year’s theme, “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience for Our Shared Future,” underscores the importance of collaboration and adaptability in a rapidly changing world.

The conference, through panel discussions, workshops, and collaborative sessions, provided participants an opportunity to contribute to the creation of an ASEAN Youth Vision. This vision will be presented to the ASEAN Secretariat, influencing future policy-making processes.

Passion Meets Opportunity

Florinesya’s decision to join AYC stemmed from her deep interest in culture, communication, and regional dynamics. She felt the event aligned seamlessly with her academic pursuits and her personal goal of fostering cross-border collaboration among youth, starting with the ASEAN community.

Reflecting on her experience, Florinesya described the application process as both rigorous and rewarding. Participants were required to submit a detailed personal statement outlining their achievements, aspirations, and motivation for attending. A selection phase followed, where candidates were assessed on their academic backgrounds and visions for contributing to the conference’s objectives.

“Preparing for the conference meant researching current ASEAN issues, understanding the event’s theme, and reflecting on how my perspective as a youth could add value to the discussions,” Florinesya shared. “It required dedication, critical thinking, and stepping out of my comfort zone, but it was a deeply enriching journey that made me more confident and equipped to engage with a diverse group of peers.”

The Conference Experience

Held in Jakarta, the three-day event brought together 80 youth leaders and changemakers from ASEAN and beyond.

The opening day featured welcoming remarks from prominent figures, including representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat and officials from Lao PDR. These speeches were followed by a panel discussion and open forum addressing ASEAN’s three pillars: the Political-Security Community (APSC), Economic Community (AEC), and Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). These sessions laid the groundwork for meaningful conversations about ASEAN’s priorities and future opportunities.

The second day delved into deeper engagement through workshops and open forums. Florinesya joined the breakout room focused on the ASCC pillar, which aligns with her passion for fostering socio-cultural connectivity.

“In this session, we participated in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) to draft the ASEAN Youth Vision Paper,” she explained. “Collaborating with passionate peers, we brainstormed innovative ideas and actionable solutions to address ASEAN’s socio-cultural challenges. The discussions emphasized inclusivity, resilience, and connectivity.”

The final day culminated with the presentation of the vision papers at the ASEAN Headquarters. Following this, participants explored Jakarta’s cultural heritage with a visit to the Museum Tekstil, where they engaged in batik-making workshops. The event closed with a vibrant cultural night dinner, where participants donned traditional attire, celebrating diversity and fostering lasting connections.

Reflections and Aspirations

Florinesya described her AYC experience as transformative. It expanded her knowledge of regional issues, strengthened her leadership and communication skills, and connected her with talented peers from across ASEAN and beyond.

“The experience deepened my understanding of cultural diversity and the value of collaborative efforts in solving shared challenges,” she said.

Looking ahead, Florinesya expressed her aspirations to leverage this experience to inspire and empower youth to create meaningful change. “In the future, I plan to immerse myself more in international environments where I can apply what I’ve learned. I hope to contribute to initiatives promoting sustainability, education, and cultural exchange, paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.”

Photo credits: Florinesya Zahwa Raihania (first picture), ASEAN Youth Organization (second and third picture).

Congratulations to 2024 English Department Graduates!

On Thursday (21/11), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a graduation ceremony in Grha Sabha Pramana for 2,049 students that have finished their undergraduate degree. 18 of those graduating students are from the English Department which follows: 

1. Aliyah Noviyanti, S.S.
2. Asa Alia Aprodita, S.S.
3. Bagas Cahyo Haninditomo, S.S. 
4. Chika Adlia Manurung, S.S.
5. Farrah Nadia Azzahra Adji, S.S.
6. Intan Dwi Lestari, S.S.
7. Mahdi Ismail Syariati, S.S.
8. Nabila Zulfa Maghfira, S.S.
9. Pranaya Keiza Walitama, S.S.
10. Rieneza Nabiila Muna, S.S.
11. Wedhar Satya Kalbu, S.S.
12. Elkholy, S.S. 
13. Khansa Avissa Salsabila, S.S.
14. Martha Sarah Natasha, S.S.
15. Puspita Restu Astuti, S.S.
16. Brigita Sekar Rahadiyanti, S.S.
17. Diah Handika Larasati, S.S.
18. Mellyana Nungki Pramitha, S.S.

After the completion of the ceremony, the students then go to FIB’s Soegondo to take a picture as this is one of their most memorable moments in life before they continue their endeavours. They also took photos with IMAJI as it is a historic moment for them to share with their underclassmen of the English Department.

Last but not least, the English Department would like to congratulate the graduates as they have successfully completed their studies here in Universitas Gadjah Mada, specifically the English Department. We wish them the very best as they venture into their future journey.

The Story of Devi Ayu Lidyana, the Champion of Kickboxing Match in PON XXI Aceh-Sumatra Utara 2024, Representing Both the Alma Mater and Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta, 16 October 2024. It has almost been a month since the National Sports Week (PON) XXI Aceh-Sumatra Utara 2024 closed. In spite of that, this event, however, has brought a major impact on our national athletes as it gave them many precious memories. Between all of these athletes, there is one specific person in these event from the Female Kickboxing category who is also representing Yogyakarta, named Devi Ayu Lidyana. Usually called by her peers as Devi, she is an English Department UGM student batch 2020 who won the bronze medal from the Kickboxing competition in the female category. 

Before being the champion, Devi was a model student in the Faculty of Cultural Science UGM 2024. This of course can be seen from many achievements she had gained in the last four years from pencak silat and kickboxing championships. PON XXI was Devi’s first Kickboxing competition, a martial arts competition where it involves kicking and punching. Even though this is her first competition, the selection process was very strict to which she had to go through various stages of selection like in the provincial selection and the pre-PON selection for first and second place winners. 

“This journey is filled with challenges since I have to manage my time for my studies and my training. PON has given me a great opportunity for me to test my limits against other amazing athletes of Indonesia,” said Devi telling her journey during the selection process as she had to manage her time between her studies and her training. 

It was such an amazing opportunity for Devi by enrolling herself to PON XXI Aceh-Sumatra 2024. Not only that, she had also got an opportunity to get to know each other with other athletes from different backgrounds from all over Indonesia. “The most memorable experience in PON 2024 for me is the fact that I could meet many friends from many different backgrounds. Aside from expanding my relations, I also learned a lot from their determination. I also got a lot of support from the coach and the team. They have always helped me from before and after the competition. The solidarity between the athletes, coaches, and the team was really the most touching moment from this event and it also motivates me to give the best to the field.”

Devi’s achievement in winning the kickboxing competition started when she had already been active in another martial art, pencak silat. At that time, Devi was still trying to manage her training activities between pencak silat and kickboxing to which she practised pencak silat in the afternoon and kickboxing in the evening. Besides pencak silat and kickboxing, she also practises Muay Thai, a martial art that is also focused on punching and kicking. The opportunity of joining kickboxing came to her when she enrolled herself in a selection process for an exhibition in Sports Week (PO) event in the kickboxing category to which managed to take first place in the competition. This achievement would then push her to pursue kickboxing to which she would then win various kickboxing championships. 

As Devi is a student that got into UGM through her martial arts achievements (PBUB), she was dictated by the university to pursue martial arts competitions in her first two years of college. She tells prospective students that wanted to or have passed this path to make the most of this opportunity. “Don’t hesitate to dream big, be passionate, and keep being disciplined to take every step,” she said.

Exploring the World of Art Deco in English Days 2024

On 29/12/2024, the English Department Students Association (IMAJI) held its annual event, English Days. This event promotes and celebrates the English Department at UGM. This year, English Days lasted three days, each offering different entertainment.

The first day of this event, held on October 29, had an exhibition and games. For the games, there were board game stations, which the committee provided for everyone, and there was also a murder mystery-solving game where the players who solved the mystery would get a prize from the committee. There was also an exhibition of arts and literary works about the theme of the 2024 English Days, which is about the Art Deco movement, which came to the surface in the 1920s.

On October 30, the second day of English Days, the committee arranged a costume party to celebrate Halloween on campus. Many cosplayers from all over UGM attended this event, which was open to everyone. The event also included a costume contest, where cosplayers could show their costumes in the fashion show to win the prize. Alongside the costume party, an exhibition with the same theme and accommodations was held on this day.

In the night, as for the closing for the second day of English Days, there was also a performance held by Kombantrin, one of Imaji’s clubs that clubs music bands. People were enjoying their moment at the time as they danced and sang during the closing party with the performance of Kombantrin. There was also a Karaoke and DJ after the concert that night.

The third and last day of English Days was November 1. On the seventh floor of Soegondo’s Auditorium, a theatre show with the theme of Art Deco was arranged. The show was set during the Jazz Age, in the 1920s, when the Art Deco artistic movement was rising in society. Many people attended the show, and it is safe to say that it went smoothly, as the audience was delighted.

On Monday, 07/08/2024, the English Department arranged a special course for a public speaking training, collaborating with the Swaragama Radio Station. The course will be held for 11 days with three different mentors, Gideon Surya, Cici Priskila, and Bara Zulfa. Each of the mentors will have their own materials, respective to their specialties.

The first part of this course, which was held for 4 days, was held by Gideon Surya. The main focus of the first part of this course was to teach the participants to improve their public speaking skills in general like for a class presentation or a thesis presentation. Mr. Gideon also taught the participants on what should and should not be done during a presentation so that it will improve their delivery during the presentation. The first session was then closed by each of the participants practicing a presentation.

As the first session was done, the course was then continued by Cici Priskila that was held for 3 days. The second session focuses mainly on how to be a good radio announcer. She also taught the participants regarding a good vocal technique, the divisions, and what should be prepared before airing. Just like the first session, the second session also closed by the participants practicing their radio announcing skill.

Finally, there came the third and final session which was handled by Bara Zulfa. The main topic for this session is regarding on how to be a got MC in an event. He taught the participants on how to adjust our atmosphere so that our style as an MC could match the atmosphere of the event. He also said that it is also important to have a self-branding as an MC so that people would know what are the MC’s style. Just like the previous sessions, this session also ended with the participants practicing the materials as an MC.

English Department UGM and Swaragama Training Center proudly present “Scholarship for Public Speaking and Communication Course” program for the students interested in enhancing their public speaking skills. To enroll, submit all of the requirements via bit.ly/EDPublicSpeaking 2024 by 23 September 2024.

We are opening a 10-meeting mentoring program exclusively for English Department students interested in enrolling in the IISMA student exchange.  For those who are interested, please enroll via bit.ly/MentoringIISMAED2024 before 11 September.

Career Talk Stepping into the Unknown: Exploring Diverse Countries and Managing Cultural Shock

On September 3, 2024, students from the English Department, batches 2022 and 2023, gathered for a career talk with Mrs. Swasti Pritandari Crain, an alumna of the department, and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Lauren, who joined from the U.S. The event was packed with personal stories, advice, and meaningful insights.

Mrs. Swasti, originally from Yogyakarta, reflected on her journey studying abroad after graduating from the English Department. She opened up about the culture shock she experienced when she first moved to Switzerland, especially back when the internet and smartphones weren’t as widely available. “It was a different time,” she said, “you couldn’t just Google everything. Now, with technology, it’s so much easier to prepare and deal with these things.

Following Mrs. Swasti, Mrs. Lauren took the stage, sharing her personal experiences with learning new languages. She asked students about their motivation for studying languages, which sparked a lively conversation. Mrs. Lauren spoke about how learning Spanish helped her in her role as a nurse in a psychiatric hospital and also made traveling through Latin America much smoother. “It just opens doors,” she said, “whether in your career or when you’re out exploring the world.”

The session wrapped up with a Q&A, where students eagerly asked Mrs. Swasti about her life and career. The room buzzed with energy as students shared their thoughts and questions. The event ended on a high note, with everyone gathering for a group photo, and some students even stayed behind for selfies with the speakers. The talk left students feeling motivated and inspired by the relatable and down-to-earth stories.