POPSI Kicks Off with Academic Integrity Workshop
On August 12, the opening session of POPSI featured an engaging workshop on academic integrity led by Paris and Mia from the Oberlin Shansi Fellows. The first day focused on an anti-plagiarism workshop, where new students learned essential skills to avoid plagiarism, particularly through proper citation techniques.
The session included a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation, fun interactive activities, and a discussion on AI’s role in academic integrity. Students participated in games, reviewed key terms, and explored various methods to prevent plagiarism. The atmosphere was lively, with students showing great enthusiasm and interest throughout the session, actively engaging in discussions and asking thoughtful questions.
By the end of the workshop, participants gained a solid understanding of how to uphold academic integrity in their work and felt confident in applying these practices in their studies.
POPSI Continues with Inspiring Alumni Talks
On August 14, the second day of POPSI featured an insightful alumni talk, focusing on career paths in academia. The event included two sessions, both held online via Zoom, and was led by two distinguished lecturers from the English Studies Program, Bu Mala Hernawati, and Mba Ashika Prajnya Paramita, both currently pursuing their doctoral degrees abroad.
The first session started with Bu Mala Hernawati, who shared her journey to becoming a lecturer in English Literature. She candidly spoke about her experiences and challenges, offering valuable tips to new students on how to navigate their college life while staying passionate about their goals. Her advice was practical and encouraging, motivating students to make the most of their time at university and to pursue their ambitions with dedication.
Students eagerly engaged with her, asking questions and seeking further guidance on how to build their own academic and professional paths. Bu Mala’s words resonated deeply with many through an inspiring tone for the rest of the day’s sessions.
The second part of the alumni talk on August 14 was led by Mba Ashika Prajnya Paramita, a lecturer at UGM, who created an interactive and engaging atmosphere with a two-way conversation between herself and the new students. Rather than just giving a presentation, Mba Ashika opened the floor to an open dialogue, encouraging students to share their thoughts and ask questions.
She shared her personal journey to becoming a lecturer by offering a candid look at the challenges and triumphs along the way. In addition to academic advice, Mba Ashika provided valuable guidance on navigating life beyond university. She shared some words of wisdom not just for surviving UGM but for handling the ups and downs of life in general.
The session was a refreshing change of pace, with students feeling comfortable enough to ask questions about both their academic paths and personal growth. Mba Ashika’s approachable style and relatable stories made the conversation feel more like a mentoring session, which left students inspired and reassured as they began their own journeys.
Mba Hesti Aryani Shares Global Career Journey in Business Development
The second session of the alumni talk on August 14 featured Mba Hesti Aryani, who joined via Zoom all the way from Switzerland, where she works as a business development manager at janzz.technology. As a 2007 graduate of the English Literature program, Mba Hesti took the opportunity to share her career journey by offering a candid look at how she transitioned from a literature student to a successful professional in the tech industry.
Mba Hesti spoke about the challenges she faced and the steps she took to get where she is today, highlighting the twists and turns along her career path. She emphasized that her English Literature background played a key role in her success, from sharpening her communication skills to helping her navigate the international business world.
Her story resonated with students who are unsure about the career options available to them outside of academia. Mba Hesti’s experiences showed that there’s no one-size-fits-all path, and that with determination and a willingness to keep learning, English Literature graduates can find themselves thriving in unexpected fields—even halfway across the world. Her talk was a relatable, down-to-earth conversation that left students feeling inspired and optimistic about their own futures.
POPSI Day 3 Wraps Up with Alumni Insights and a Potluck Celebration
The third day of POPSI on August 15 kicked off with the continuation of the alumni talks, beginning with a session led by Indra “Andrew” Pradipa Yudha, S.S., M.A., CEO of Discovering English, an English learning institution. Before stepping into his current role, Mas Andrew had experience as a financial advisor and an English teacher. Now pursuing a career as an edupreneur and content creator, he shared practical advice with students on how to leverage their English Literature degree to break into the business world, particularly through content creation. His tips were especially valuable for those looking to explore non-traditional career paths in the digital age.
The second session featured Dr. Eddy Pursubaryanto, M. Hum., a former lecturer and cultural scientist from the English Studies Program. In his talk, Pak Eddy encouraged students to delve deeper into the concept of “culture,” emphasizing its relevance as they study within UGM’s Faculty of Cultural Sciences. He highlighted the importance of understanding cultural contexts, especially in an academic setting that bridges literature and broader cultural studies.
The final day of POPSI ended on a high note with a lively potluck party hosted by IMAJI and the English Studies Program. Dr. Adi Sutrisno, the head of the study program, officially welcomed the new students, with many other lecturers joining in to greet the newcomers. The event also covered important academic topics, such as the MBKM programs, and provided a more informal introduction to the study program.
The atmosphere was festive, with students and lecturers enjoying the food, conversations, and a sense of community. It was a fitting conclusion to the three-day orientation. All students were excited and well-prepared for their journey ahead in the English Studies Program.
