The journey of becoming a university student does not always begin in the classroom. For international students setting foot in Indonesia for the first time, that journey can start with learning a new language, understanding a different culture, and adapting to life in Yogyakarta.

This was a central focus of the International Student Orientation & Empowerment Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, held on Wednesday (9/23/2026) in the 2nd-Floor Meeting Room of the Saifuddin Zuhri Building (PAU). Carrying the theme “Getting to Know, Adapting, and Growing at UIN Sunan Kalijaga,” this program, organized by the Center for Developing Cooperation and International Affairs (CDCIA), served as both a welcome and an orientation for international students beginning their academic journey at UIN Sunan Kalijaga.

Head of CDCIA, Dr. Witriani, said the orientation program was designed to help international students become familiar with the academic environment while also adapting to life in Indonesia and Yogyakarta. In her remarks, she noted that this year UIN Sunan Kalijaga welcomed 28 students from nearly 10 countries, selected through a competitive process to pursue their studies at the university. They come from Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan, Algeria, and several other countries. These students are spread across various study programs, enrolled at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. In addition, international students will also be required to take part in an intensive Indonesian language program at the Language Center four times a week to support their adaptation process.

For these students, UIN Sunan Kalijaga is more than just a place to earn an academic degree. The university also serves as a space of encounter with a language, culture, traditions, and ways of seeing the world that may be entirely new to them.

In his remarks, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, welcomed the international students. He affirmed that the presence of students from various countries is part of an academic tradition at UIN Sunan Kalijaga that has continued since the 1990s.

According to him, the journey of international students at UIN Sunan Kalijaga offers not only the opportunity to gain academic experience, but also to build networks, get to know different cultures, and prepare to become part of a global community. A number of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's international alumni have gone on to serve in various roles, including as government officials, academics, community leaders, and even vice rectors in their home countries.

“Welcome to a space of encounter among diverse cultures and knowledge. We hope your academic journey at UIN Sunan Kalijaga becomes the beginning of great achievements for communities around the world,” said Prof. Noorhaidi.

The Rector also reminded students that the process of adaptation is an important part of the international student experience. Facing a different culture, environment, language, and food are challenges that need to be embraced as part of the process of personal growth.

“Adjusting to a new culture, environment, and food is certainly a challenge for international students. But it is precisely that process of adaptation that will shape your courage and maturity as future leaders,” he continued.

Following the welcoming session, international students received a series of orientation sessions to help them navigate academic and social life in Indonesia.

One such session, “Understanding Student Visas & Stay Permits in Indonesia,” was delivered by Fahmi Prasetyo Nugroho, an officer from the Immigration Stay Permit Section at Yogyakarta Immigration Office I. Moderated by Bernando J. Sudjibto, M.A., the session gave students an understanding of visa types, stay permits, extension procedures, and the various obligations they need to be aware of while in Indonesia.

Students learned about the E30B visa, designated for students at the Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral levels. Several other visa types were also explained, tailored to the purpose of one's stay in Indonesia, including visas for family reunification, courses, and internships.

During the session, students also received information on the procedure for extending a Limited Stay Permit (ITAS). Applications are submitted through a sponsor, in this case, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, and must be filed no later than 30 days before the stay permit expires. Students are also required to complete a number of immigration procedures, including biometric data collection at the Immigration Office.

Understanding immigration regulations is an important part of the adaptation process for international students. They were also reminded to report any change of residential address or change in civil status to the university, so it can be forwarded to the Immigration Office.

Beyond administrative readiness, international students were also equipped with skills to navigate academic challenges in their new environment. Dr. Diah Ajeng Purwani, S.Sos., M.Si., a lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (Fishum), UIN Sunan Kalijaga, led a session titled “New Campus, New You: Becoming an Independent Learner.”

Through an interactive workshop approach, students were invited to discuss the various challenges of entering university life, particularly the transition toward becoming a more independent learner. They took part in a focus group discussion (FGD), quizzes, and group activities.

In this session, students were guided to reflect on how they manage their time, organize their schedules, identify their learning styles, and build study strategies suited to their individual needs.

Dr. Diah Ajeng explained that one of the main challenges students face is the transition toward independence. University life is not simply a change of learning location, but a shift in the entire learning ecosystem.

The andragogy approach introduced in the session positions students as adult learners capable of directing their own learning process and driven by motivation tied to the goals they wish to achieve. Four pillars were emphasized: adaptability, goal setting, time management, and resilience.

“Higher education is not just about earning a degree, it is a process of becoming a whole, principled, and impactful person,” was one of the key messages of the session.

To support a more thorough process of adaptation, UIN Sunan Kalijaga has also prepared an Indonesian language program for international students. Starting the following week, they will attend Indonesian language classes at the Language Center four times a week. This program is expected to help students communicate and interact more effectively with their surrounding environment.

Through the International Student Orientation & Empowerment Program, UIN Sunan Kalijaga not only introduces international students to the campus environment, but also prepares them to navigate academic life independently, understand Indonesia's social and cultural environment, and become part of a diverse academic community.

The presence of these 28 students from various countries further strengthens UIN Sunan Kalijaga's role as a space of encounter among diverse cultures and perspectives, a place where learning happens not only within the classroom, but also through the experience of interacting and living together amid diversity. (humassk)