First Day, New Country: Stepping Into My Exchange Journey

       Our exciting adventure finally arrived! On our 14th day in Indonesia as exchange students, we took advantage of the May 1st holiday to explore the breathtaking Megamendung Mountain and visit its famous waterfalls, known locally as curug . With the help of our Indonesian friends who kindly offered us a ride on their motorcycles, we were able to reach the area faster and more conveniently.      Before entering Curug Cilimber , our friends reminded us not to talk until we got past the entrance gate—foreigners usually get charged a higher entrance fee, so staying quiet helped us blend in and avoid the extra cost. Once we got inside, we couldn’t help but laugh about it and finally spoke freely!      We began our 450-meter trek toward the first five waterfalls. As a first-timer in trekking, it was tough—I was out of breath, my legs were shaking, and I honestly thought about giving up. But seeing how stunning Cilimber was kept me go...

       Another day, another exciting activity! On our 13th day as exchange students at IPB University, we had the chance to join our classmates in harvesting edamame—a memorable and hands-on learning experience. Edamame are immature soybeans, typically harvested while still green and soft. Common in Japanese cuisine, they’re enjoyed for their sweet, nutty flavor and firm, slightly chewy texture. Packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, edamame is both healthy and delicious.      That morning, our classmates waited excitedly for us at the shed, ready to begin the harvest. They had each planted one plot per group and applied different types of compost as part of their practical coursework. We were divided into four groups and teamed up with them. The plants were observed over a period of 75–95 days from sowing, and the day had finally come to harvest.       They used soil pH meter, the needle is pointing close to pH 7, whic...

        Rise and shine! Today was another day full of excitement, learning, and adventure. We were bound for Ciliwung Adventure Camp in Tugu Utara, Bogor, Indonesia—a beautiful place that also hosts a tea plantation. Although the day began with a little confusion about where to meet at Gate 2, we eventually found our way and joined the group. From there, we traveled for more than two hours, some are sleeping but some of us never felt bored along the way. The scenic route and the lush landscape kept us entertained until we arrived.       Upon arriving at Ciliwung Adventure Camp, we were immediately captivated by the refreshing atmosphere and stunning scenery—lush green tea plantations stretched across the hills, surrounded by cool mountain air. While waiting for the general manager, we took the opportunity to snap photos with our classmates, with the breathtaking lake view below adding to the postcard-like setting. We joined Mr. Aidil, who shared his ex...

        Our 11th day as exchange students was both enriching and uplifting as we joined a Seed Technology class at IPB University. The day started early, and thanks to our friend Bella and her classmate who kindly offered us a ride, we didn’t need to commute using Grab. Their help made our trip easier and allowed us to arrive at school on time, which was important because classes in IPB start strictly at 7:00 AM. I admire how disciplined the students here are with their schedules.       When we arrived, we walked to the classroom where the students were already seated — not on chairs, but on the floor, ready with a projector set up for the day’s lecture. The environment was calm and focused . The teacher arrived on time and began the discussion, which I don’t understand because it was in Bahasa, so I used Google Translate to follow along. The topic was about Seed Purity Testing. The class compared pure seeds to other crop seeds — like corn vs. soybeans...