BOLD Series 2026 Brings Global Learning Experiences Across Campuses
Jakarta, 8 June 2026 – In today’s interconnected world, success in the workplace depends not only on technical expertise but also on the ability to work in a culturally diverse environment (Gan and Kang, 2022). At BINUS University, to provide a world-class education rooted in Indonesia’s diversity and wisdom, our Internationalization team organized the BOLD (Building Opportunities for Learning & Dialogue) Series as a platform for international and local students to bring them closer through intercultural exchange by sharing their life, learning, and cultural experiences.
As part of the BINUS Festival (BIFEST) and International Seminar Series 2026, held from 28 April to 3 June, “Be BOLD: A Journey Across Countries,” a program under the BOLD Series, was held across BINUS University’s satellite campuses in Bandung, Semarang, Malang, and Medan.
Featuring inbound exchange students, the series offered authentic stories of studying and living in Indonesia, from overcoming cultural and academic adjustment challenges to receiving support from their iBuddies, student peers who help new international students adapt to campus and daily life. They also spoke about collaborative learning at BINUS and their experiences exploring Indonesia’s vibrant cultures and breathtaking natural destinations. The series reached an inspiring finale at BINUS @Malang, where a BINUS STAR student who had previously embarked on a study-abroad journey joined the discussion, creating a unique exchange between inbound and outbound mobility experiences and motivating fellow students to pursue global opportunities.
“Through the BOLD Series, we aim to make international exposure more accessible to students across campuses. By connecting them with peers who have participated in international mobility programs, we hope to inspire and encourage students to explore global opportunities, gain cross-cultural insights, and develop a broader worldview,” said Seruni Rami Devitoyani, International Student Mobility – Inbound Section Head.
What is it like to study in a different country or adapt to a new academic and cultural environment?
Whether it was adapting to life at BINUS as inbound exchange students or embracing new cultures and academic systems abroad as BINUS STAR, these students enthusiastically shared a wide range of experiences throughout the series. Here are some of the stories and insights shared during each campus session.
BINUS @Semarang: From Expectations to Experiences
(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
As part of the international seminar agenda for the Even Semester 2025/2026, the Be BOLD: A Journey Across Countries session at BINUS @Semarang held on 28 April, featured two inbound exchange students, Akira Clarissa Rikels from Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands, and Zarina Albertova from Ma’mun University, Uzbekistan. The sharing session shared by these students was so interesting because both of them have the same academic background in Economics. For Akira, who studies Commercial Economics in the Netherlands, joining a semester exchange program at BINUS University provided an opportunity to explore courses in International Relations, a field she hopes to pursue further for her master’s studies.
“One of the things I enjoy most about participating in this exchange program is the opportunity to explore International Relations firsthand before deciding to make a final decision on my future academic direction,” shared Akira.
The program also offered Akira a chance to connect with Indonesia on a more personal level. As a half-Indonesian who had only visited the country briefly in the past, she was excited to spend a longer period here, allowing her to gain deeper insights into the culture and develop a stronger connection with her heritage.
(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
Whereas Zarina shared that the exchange experience turned out to be more challenging than she had initially expected. While she looked forward to meeting new people, experiencing a new culture, and studying at BINUS University, she reckoned that adapting to a new environment was not always easy.
“I felt so excited to come to Indonesia for meeting new people, experiencing a different culture, and studying at BINUS University. But reality was not always what I expected. I got sick shortly after arriving, felt lonely at times, and found it difficult to adapt to certain aspects of daily life, including the food. Although those moments were tough, they helped me grow. I learned how to handle challenges by myself, become more resilient, and gain confidence in living independently,” she explained.
Despite those initial challenges, the experience gave Zarina a greater appreciation for cultural differences and the opportunity to share more about her own background.
“As an Economics student from Uzbekistan, a Central Asian country with more than 2,500 years of history, I can introduce to my peers about my homeland and how its long-standing traditions have shaped the nation’s values, education, and way of life,” she added, describing Uzbekistan’s clean and safe environment, harmonious society, and strong appreciation for learning, culture, and intellectual growth.
(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
By sharing their backgrounds, motivations, and experiences adapting to life in a new country, Akira and Zarina sparked an engaging discussion with the audience. Among those eager to learn more was Demario Vela, a Digital Psychology student, who asked how long it had taken them to adjust to life in Indonesia. While Akira shared that she needed about two months to adapt, Zarina explained that the adjustment process had taken longer because many things still felt unfamiliar to her. Their different experiences served as a reminder that every international mobility journey is unique with no standard timeline.
Through this sharing session, the students were able to hear personal stories about studying, living, and adapting to life in a different country. While the transition may not always be easy, the experiences shared by Akira and Zarina showed how studying abroad can foster resilience, independence, and lifelong learning.
BINUS @Bandung: Lessons that Lead Abroad
(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
On the same day that the Be BOLD session took place in Semarang, another edition of the series was held at BINUS @Bandung – Paskal Campus as part of BIFEST 2026. In line with this year’s theme, “From Vision to Impact: Youth Collaboration for Inclusive and Resilient Futures,” the event provided a platform for inbound exchange students to share their international learning experiences and cultural perspectives.
For this session, Thierno Ousmane Sow from Institut Mines Télécom Business School, France, and Tura Lebu Tokan from RMIT University, Australia, were excited to share their stories.
Currently pursuing business studies in France, Thierno introduced students to the country’s higher education system that allows students to spend their first two years studying general business subjects before selecting a specialization in their final year. With plans to pursue his specialization in Information Systems, he views international exposure as an opportunity to strengthen his academic knowledge, intercultural understanding, and professional development. Before arriving at BINUS University, he had previously completed internships in both Malaysia and Greece. With current experience of studying at BINUS, he found noticeably more collaborative learning experiences.
“What I enjoy most about studying at BINUS is the interactive learning environment. There is a strong emphasis on collaboration and group discussions, which makes classes more engaging. I was also surprised by how approachable the lecturers are. In France, the relationship between lecturers and students tends to be more formal, whereas here the interaction feels much closer,” described Thierno.
(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
Differently, Tura’s story offered a unique perspective shaped by his connection to both Indonesia and Australia. With a father from Flores Timur and an Australian mother, he has always been curious about the diversity of Indonesian cultures. Supported by the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan Scholarship, he chose BINUS University as his study abroad destination to pursue courses in International Relations while deepening his understanding of Indonesia.
The session became even more engaging when the discussion shifted to scholarships and studying abroad opportunities. Curious about the application process, Bran, a Computer Science student, asked how as students we can stay motivated when scholarship opportunities are highly competitive, and rejection feels almost inevitable. In response, Tura spoke openly about his own journey. While acknowledging how competitive scholarship applications can be, he encouraged students not to be discouraged by setbacks.
“It is natural to worry about rejection, especially when the competition is strong. But every application teaches you something new about yourself and helps you prepare better for the next opportunity,” he said.
(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
For Tura, the experience of studying abroad has extended far beyond academics.
“Getting to know my peers through ‘nongkrong bareng’ has been one of the most valuable parts of my experience at BINUS. Those informal engagement by sitting together and sharing conversations had given me a deeper insight into Indonesian culture and helped strengthen my intercultural communication skills. Studying International Relations here also allowed me to see how concepts such as collectivism and individualism are reflected in everyday life,” he added.
Through the stories shared by Thierno and Tura, our students were inspired to consider their own study abroad journeys. Their stories not only showcased the academic, cultural, and personal benefits of studying abroad but also encouraged students to pursue their own global opportunities, including scholarships and exchange programs.
BINUS @Medan: When One Semester was Not Enough
(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
The excitement of BIFEST 2026 continued at BINUS @Medan on 19 May, with the Be BOLD: A Journey Across Countries session once again giving students the opportunity to explore international learning experiences through the eyes of inbound exchange students and reflect on the possibilities of their own study abroad journey.
This session welcomed Nishida Hana from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan, and Bogdana Irina Dimofte from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania, who reflected on their year-long journey at BINUS University and living experience in Indonesia. What made the discussion particularly interesting was that both students had decided to extend their exchange program for their own reasons.
(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
Hana was the first to share her story. During her first semester at BINUS, she was the only Japanese student among around 60 exchange students, and she initially felt isolated and struggled to adjust. Through frequent interactions with iBuddy volunteers and friendships with both local and international students, she gradually felt more at home at BINUS. As her confidence grew, she became more active in class and more comfortable engaging with lecturers, staff, and fellow students.
Among the challenges Hana encountered was adapting to academic work in a different language. Rather than letting this discourage her, she actively sought support and worked hard to improve.
“At first, I struggled with some of the writing assessments because of the language difference. I practiced more, asked my lecturers for help, and gradually improved. Receiving a good exam result was a proud moment for me because it showed that my efforts had paid off,” said Hana.
As her confidence grew, Hana began spending more time outside the classroom with her peers. Through these interactions, she became more confident in using Bahasa Indonesia for daily conversations.
“I started learning Bahasa Indonesia before coming to Indonesia because there are many Indonesian students at my university in Japan. They were always kind and welcoming, which made me interested in learning more about the language and culture. After arriving at BINUS, the friendships and communities I found here made me want to stay longer and continue my exchange experience,” she added.
(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
Unlike Hana, whose decision was shaped by the connections she built during her exchange, Bogdana’s motivation to extend her stay was largely academic. As a Business Administration student, she is particularly interested in Southeast Asia’s societies, industries, political stands, and emerging business opportunities, making Indonesia an ideal place to deepen her understanding of the region.
“I chose BINUS University because of its strong reputation and the wide range of courses offered in English. Studying here has given me the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Indonesia’s economy, culture, and social dynamics, which are quite different from what I am familiar with in Romania and other parts of Europe. Through this experience, I have gained valuable insights into how business and society interact in a diverse and rapidly growing market,” explained Bogdana.
To explore another side of the exchange experience, the moderator asked Bogdana whether she had ever struggled with self-doubt or imposter syndrome during her time at BINUS. Interestingly, she shared that she had rarely felt that way, largely because she enjoyed being part of BINUS’ diverse international community and embraced the opportunity to adapt to a new academic and cultural environment. Although she remained aware of her identity as a foreign student in Jakarta, she saw it as a unique perspective rather than a disadvantage.
The experiences shared by Hana and Bogdana served as a reminder that growth often begins outside our comfort zone. Although studying abroad comes with uncertainties and challenges, their stories showcase that resilience, curiosity, and a supportive community can turn those challenges into meaningful learning experiences. Hopefully, their journeys will inspire more BINUS students to explore international opportunities and embark on their own global learning adventure.
BINUS @Malang: Exchange Experiences from Multiple Angles
(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
For the final stop of BIFEST 2026 at BINUS @Malang on 3 June, the Internationalization team brought a new speaker to the Be BOLD session by featuring not only two inbound exchange students, Jakub Piotr Jessa from the University of Warsaw, Poland, and Dimas van Zijl from Hogeschool Van Amsterdam, the Netherlands, but also a BINUS STAR, Wachyu Nurachman Djohans, who had previously studied abroad at Hanze University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. With Wachyu joining the session, their stories offered a well-rounded view of exchange experiences.
The discussion began with Wachyu Nurachman Djohans, or Joe, who reflected on his study abroad experience at Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands. Describing it as a life-changing experience, Joe shared how the university’s learning environment encouraged active participation, independent thinking, and open discussions between students and lecturers.
“At Hanze University of Applied Sciences, learning is much more self-directed. Rather than relying primarily on lecturers to deliver the material, students are expected to take ownership of their learning and manage their own schedules. What I enjoyed most was the balance between academic life and personal life, which gave me the opportunity to explore the local community while becoming more independent, open-minded, and confident in communicating with others,” he shared.
(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
While Wachyu offered insights into what it was like to study in the Netherlands as an international student, Dimas provided a local perspective on living and learning in the country. Having grown up in Haastrecht, a small Dutch village of around 3,000 residents, before moving to Amsterdam for university, Dimas shared how his own journey shaped his understanding of diversity, culture, and education in the Netherlands.
“Moving from a small village to Amsterdam was a significant change for me. The city introduced me to people from many different cultures and backgrounds, and those interactions helped me become more open-minded and appreciative of different perspectives,” he reflected.
This background helps him further study at BINUS University. The transition from the Netherlands to Indonesia brought new challenges for Dimas, particularly during his first few days in Jakarta. Feeling lost at times, he intentionally pushed himself to be more social and open to new experiences. This approach helped him quickly build friendships, integrate into the local community, and gain a richer understanding of Indonesian life. His growing network even introduced him to opportunities to collaborate with Indonesian national footballer Ole Romeny, helping him broaden his professional network and explore potential business ventures.
“Indonesia has exceeded my expectations in many ways. Honestly, I don’t want to go back yet,” he joked.
(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
Closing the session, Jakub reflected on how studying at BINUS enabled him to connect his academic interests with practical learning. As an International Relations student, he viewed Indonesia not only as a place to study abroad but also as a valuable field for exploring migration-related issues and community engagement.
“I chose Indonesia because of my research interests in migration. Over the past two semesters, I have been fortunate to receive strong support from the academic staff at BINUS. I have also had opportunities to work with refugee communities through volunteering and research projects. Those experiences have been some of the most meaningful parts of my exchange journey,” Jakub emphasized.
As the Be BOLD sessions concluded their journey across four campuses, they brought together a rich collection of experiences from students who have studied across borders. Through stories of adaptation, academic exploration, research opportunities, personal growth, and intercultural exchange, both inbound exchange students and BINUS STAR offered valuable insights into the realities and rewards of international education.
Author: Mita Adhisti | Editor: Aninda Rahmasari
