The participation of students from the Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics (Sosek), Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada in international programs reflects the department’s strong commitment to advancing the internationalization of higher education. One of its students, Hosana Adel Ivory from the Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics Study Program (class of 2022), was selected to join the AIMS Fall 2025 student exchange program at Universitas Ibaraki, Japan.
The program was conducted during the odd semester of the 2025 academic year, from September 2025 to January 2026, offering both academic and cultural enrichment. During the program, Hosana, along with other students from the Faculty of Agriculture UGM (cohorts 2022 and 2023), participated in various courses delivered by lecturers at Ibaraki University. In addition, they gained broader academic perspectives through guest lectures conducted by faculty members from Universitas Tsukuba. This international academic environment encouraged students to develop critical thinking skills, intercultural communication, and a deeper understanding of global agricultural issues.
“Through this program, I not only gained academic experience in an international environment but also had the opportunity to directly experience Japanese culture and exchange perspectives with students from different countries. It has been a truly valuable experience for both my academic and personal growth,” Hosana shared.
Beyond academics, living in Japan provided valuable insights into local culture and daily life. Interactions with international students, as well as with the Indonesian student community under the Indonesian Students Association (PPI) in Ibaraki Prefecture, further enriched students’ social perspectives and expanded their global networks.
The journey to participate in this program began with the application and selection process in February 2025. After being selected as an awardee, participants prepared essential administrative documents, including passports, visas, and acceptance letters from the host university. Support from both the home and host institutions played a crucial role in ensuring a smooth preparation and departure process in September 2025.
This experience not only represents an individual achievement but also highlights the Department’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The AIMS Fall 2025 program aligns with SDG 4: Quality education by enhancing access to quality international learning experiences, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities by providing broader access to global opportunities and improving students’ competitiveness at the international level, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals through strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions across countries. Overall, the participation of EPA students in this program is expected to inspire others to actively pursue global academic and professional opportunities.
Author: Natasya Putri Alifia, S.P.
Admin of the Website for the Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM
Documentation: Hosana Adel Ivory