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.