Experiencing the West: Life as an Exchange Student in Edinburgh

Joining the IISMA (Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards) program has been the highlight of my academic life. Ever since I entered university, I wanted to join an exchange abroad so I could learn more about different lives and cultures. I wanted to make friends with people from other countries and compare how different or similar we are. My dream finally came true when I heard the information about a new program, IISMA. Not only would I get to experience becoming an exchange student, but I would also be funded fully by the government of Indonesia. I was lucky enough to receive the scholarship. Not only that but at a top university, the University of Edinburgh. In this reflective essay, I would like to share my experiences of the adjustments of my studying abroad as an exchange student in two different groups, namely the academic life and social life. read more