Ratnasiwi represented the Sebijak Institute, Faculty of Forestry UGM team in the HELP program. The program is part of the “Vulnerable Delta in Southeast Asia” project initiated by the East West Center and funded by the Henry Luce Foundation. The program was attended by 11 team representatives from Chulalongkorn University, Khon Kaen University, Gadjah Mada University, Hasanuddin University, Vietnam National University HGMS An Giang University, and Asian Vision Institute.
The program is held at the University of Hawaii for three months (January-March). During this program, Ratna will intensively learn to improve her English skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Ratna and other representatives are also required to participate in volunteer activities to apply the knowledge gained in class. In addition, three Indonesian team representatives had the opportunity to attend the “Environmental Governance” course taught by Micah Fisher, Ming Li Yong, and Ci Yan Sara Loh. Through this opportunity, they were not only able to broaden their horizons on environmental governance from a global perspective but also had the chance to discuss and share experiences with other international students and learn directly from the practical experiences delivered by the lecturers.
Ratna also had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Los Angeles and discuss the dynamics of studying abroad and the role of diplomacy in supporting Indonesian students. This meeting opened her mind about government support for students abroad. In addition, she also made connections with Indonesian students in Hawai’i, shared experiences, and discussed challenges and opportunities in the global academic environment. These interactions not only expanded her network but also enriched her perspective and helped her adapt better to the international scene.
Through this program, participants are expected to improve their personal capacity and English language skills. In addition, they are expected to bring home new insights for organizational development. This activity not only enhances their respective institution’s reputation at the global level, but also opens up new opportunities for more productive collaboration in the future.
Stay tuned to follow Ratna’s excitement for this program!