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UNAIR NEWS – Zara Zahrina, one of ������ students, Communication Studies Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, ������ got a chance to join a student exchange in Kyoto University, Japan. This program is an Kyoto University students with students from member universities in ASEAN University Network (AUN), and one of them is UNAIR.

The vocalist of a punk band Nonanoskins says that this program aims to strengthen the bond between ASEAN countries through human resources development. Moreover, this activity is expected to raise participation in development cooperation between ASEAN countries. Zara says, during one semester in Kyoto University, she gained a lot of experience. From October 2016 to March 2017, she made a number of friends with local and of course Kyoto people.

“I didn’t expect at all to get a chance to join this exchange program, because I applied for this on the very last day,” she admitted.

Since she was little, Zara has dreamt about visiting Japan. Her dream came true. “So until now it still feels surreal, every day I woke up then got the realization hits like ah yes I’m in Japan,” she described proudly.

Zara also mentioned that there are no special tricks from her to be able to fly and study in Sakura country; it is just that she needs to diligently work on her TOEFL score, so that any time there is information about student exchange, Zara will no longer put too much effort catching up score. She admitted as well that by regularly checking and searching information about student exchange scholarship enables her to go to Kyoto.

“Actually chances are many, it’s us who sometimes are not active enough to find out,” she said.

During her student exchange times at Kyoto University, Zara took the study of Risk Communication and Science of Religion. From the activity, this entrepreneur of accessories brand wishes that all connections and friendships that she made there will last.

“Because I’m truly happy that I could learn a lot and meet new people from a variety of cultural background,” she concluded. (*)

Author: Ainul Fitryah
Editor: Nuri Hermawan