Virtual Student Exchange Program – Universiti Teknologi Mara, Malaysia

    In my last 4^th semester, I applied the Virtual Exchange Program in the Universiti Teknologi Mara, Malaysia offered by International Relations Office (IRO) UMY. I am Shafira Annisa as a student of International Program for Islamic Economics and Finance batch 2019, so I chose the subject that was relevant to my major then I joined the “International Trade” class. Even though the exchange program held virtually, the documents selection and also interview were required. After passing those steps and the applicants was successfully received, I got my Letter of Acceptance from the Universiti Teknologi Mara.  As a student exchange, they sent me and my friends buddies to accompany our journey during the program, for one next semester. The buddies were very helpful, they are active to know about our condition, for instance if it we haven’t registered for the subject, if we haven’t joined for the class group and many others.

    Next to my exchange journey, I joined the class of International Trade IBM 554 – BA246E under Madam Nurul Salizawatee’s teaching. The member of class approximately 30 students including the international student as student exchange. Regarding my experience, it was a delightful path of my study journey cause one of my purpose to join the student exchange program is to feel how the overseas or international education system and culture can match to me well. The teaching style that Madam Salizawatee brought was nice for me and I thought that it was a professional one. I seen an interactive relation between the lecturer and also the students during the class starting from the discussion and how the lecturer encouraged each student to follow the class well, and how the Malaysian students communicate with the international students also how we done the assignments together. Beside the academic purpose, I also get new friends with the different culture because we “the international student” were separated for the assignment group and we gathered with the other students. Other than that, I really appreciated their platform as we had been “myklass”, the platform is having a very nice design that provided a specific information that useful for student and definitely I didn’t have any obstacle in using that platform.

    The systematic teaching style was used, which very supportive for example they have a same set-up reminder before the class start, also the reminder for the presence form and using g-class room for the assignment that have been well settled before. The lecturer also reached the student nicely, gave and elaborated the feedback of our assignment so we can correct it and understand easily about the course and subject given. The final overall score also given transparency and for me it was really strict but good at all. Joining this virtual exchange program in Universiti Teknologi Mara, Malaysia is worth it to try because all the way was so clear also, they communicate with English language well and I appreciated that. Thank You.