Tampere University is a top-tier public university in Tampere, Finland. One thing that is worth mentioning about this university is that it was founded in 2019, through the combination of two smaller public universities in the city. This makes TAU one of the youngest universities in the world, even younger than HKUST. The major reason for me to choose TAU is because of its geographical location. As mentioned, TAU is a university in Finland, while Finland is famous for its “happiness” and “low-pressure” lifestyle and education atmosphere, and that is something I am willing to experience. Therefore, I chose to study at TAU.

A cultural trait I observe from the Dutch is they really enjoy their time outdoors. I always see people in parks and on the terraces walking with their dogs and enjoying the sun. This was not usual in Bangkok or Hong Kong and I really admire it. It taught me that happiness can be found in small everyday moments, and we can and should slow down in order to enjoy life and the world around us more. Another cultural trait I admired was their strong sense of independence. I have met many students who balance part time work and studying and it is the norm here to do this. I found it very admirable as I was not used to this in Bangkok or Hong Kong. At the same time, the people are very friendly. I am always greeted when I enter shops and I became comfortable making small conversations with strangers. These subtle aspects of daily life left a very strong impression on me and helped me rethink the values I want to prioritise with my own life going forward.

Beyond academics, I engaged in a variety of extracurricular activities that enriched my exchange experience. I joined the University of Melbourne’s Indonesian Student Association Club, where I was able to hang out and make events with Indonesians at the University of Melbourne. One notable event was during Halloween when we hosted a party for the UniMelb’s Indonesian students in a bar that was beside the Parkville campus.

Additionally, I volunteered with a local church called Planetshakers, a vibrant community known for its dynamic outreach programs. I participated in their community service initiatives, including a food drive for local families in need. One memorable afternoon, I helped distribute care packages in a Melbourne suburb, chatting with residents about their lives and challenges. The experience was humbling, reminding me of the importance of giving back. Planetshakers also hosted a weekend camp in the Yarra Valley, where I joined other volunteers for team-building activities, worship sessions, and late-night bonfire conversations. The camp fostered a sense of belonging and allowed me to form deep connections with people who shared my passion for service and faith.

During my exchange period at HEC Paris, I enrolled in many courses including Business Analytics in Python, International Marketing, Strategic Management, Corporate Finance, etc,. These courses not only broadened my academic knowledge but also provided me with diverse perspectives and practical skills applicable to real-world situations. HEC emphasizes interactive and collaborative learning experiences, allowing me to develop new skills and adapt to different academic expectations. For example, the course I have enjoyed the most is Business Analytics in Python. It covered detailed Python programming, data collection, and web scraping and sentiment analysis module. It also invited guest speakers from various industries adding a real-world perspective to the course, offering invaluable insights into how business analytics is applied in different domains.

我到訪的東京外國語大學（東外大）是日本唯一一所國立外國語大學，其課程內容主要包括外國語文、語言學、人文社會科學等，旨在培養日本外交、文學、政治、教育等領域的國際性人才。我選擇東外大的一大原因是希望更加系統地學習日文：東外大不僅在外語教學方面表現出色，其日語教育也是數一數二。如果要問我最難忘的活動，那一定是我參加的「競技啦啦隊工作坊」。當天參加的女生只有我一人，而女生的練習以舞蹈為主，所以當時所有女成員都圍著我，個個都元氣滿滿，熱情耐心地教我舞蹈動作。有幾個中文主修的女生也用中文對我喊「加油」，其他人也學著喊，讓我非常感動。

在交流期間我積極參與了密西根大學創新投資社團。在這個社團中，我與美國學生一起探討和研究市場行情，並分享彼此對行業的洞見和觀點。這個經歷讓我更深入地了解了創新和投資領域，並與志同道合的人一起合作，共同追求共同的目標。期間最難忘的經驗是參加當地教會的志願者活動，幫助那些需要教育的兒童。這次經歷讓我深刻感受到當地文化和人們的熱心與樂於助人。他們向我展示了一種無私奉獻的精神，我也逐漸被這種精神所感染，成為一個樂於助人的人。

Studying in Denmark was an incredibly enjoyable experience mainly because of their strong work-life balance culture, which extends to its universities as well. In Denmark, universities are extremely accommodating, which allows students to balance their academic work with other commitments, such as part-time jobs or family responsibilities. Additionally, universities in Denmark often strongly focus on group work and collaboration, which can help students work together to manage their workload and reduce stress.

When I first arrived, I was still in the midst of dealing with visa and immigration issues, which was stressful on top of being in an unfamiliar environment. Despite the challenges, I found that the support services offered by the university and my interactions with friendly locals helped me to adjust and manage these difficulties effectively. Mainly, the university assured me of the visa and permit laws that I needed to comply with, which eased my worries about being in a foreign country.

Beyond the academic learning at the University of Melbourne, Australia, my exchange experience was enriched by my participation in various events and activities. Attending networking events provided an opportunity to interact with professionals, alumni, and fellow students from different fields. These interactions expanded my professional network and offered invaluable insights into the local business landscape. Joining a startup boot camp was another significant experience. I collaborated with a team of students to develop a business idea and pitch it to potential investors. The boot camp served as a practical learning platform, honing my entrepreneurial skills and providing a deep understanding of the challenges involved in launching a start-up. The workshops on marketing, finance, and legal considerations were particularly enlightening.

My favorite course is Criminological Psychology, I learned about alternative methods of punishment and rehabilitation, such as community service, restorative justice, and mental health support. These approaches take a more holistic and human-centered approach to punishment, rather than simply locking individuals away. Criminological Psychology was an eye-opening course that challenged my preconceptions about the UK prison system and emphasized the need for a shift towards prevention measures and rehabilitation. I am grateful for the opportunity to have taken this course and for the insights it has given me into the complexities of the criminal justice system.

During my time as an exchange student at Durham University, UK, I was fortunate enough to participate in many student activities that helped me discover the beauty and richness of the local culture. The city hunt was one of the most fascinating activities I attended as it allowed me to explore the city and delve deeper into its history and landmarks. The clues we followed led us to various sites around the city. I bonded with my fellow exchange students as we explored the city and did tasks together.

Every student in Lund will join one of the thirteen student nations and each nation will regularly organize different activities, such as student pubs and clubs, lunch buffets and so on. I am part of the Västgöta nation and I have been in many nation activities in these 5 months, such as the student pub, karaoke night, metro night club and more. They were all amazing events that gave chances for the students to relax and escape from their studies. Aside from this, the most memorable activity I have joined was the trip to Lapland, Finland organized by the Erasmus Student Network. We took an insane 23-hour bus ride from Lund to Lapland at the beginning of March. The ride was tough, as expected. However, the reward was incredible. We stepped upon the incredible winter wonderland in the northern part of Finland inside the Arctic Circle. The landscape was something that I have never even dreamed about. It was the land and the sky covered with snow that shines with sparking light. We did a lot of thrilling activities there such as alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, husky sledge and more.