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Udayana University Archaeology Student Shares His Experience Participating in the PMM MBKM Exchange Program at the History Program, Faculty of Humanities, UNS
Surakarta – Ridwan Hadist Syahputra, a student of the Archaeology Study Program at the Faculty of Humanities, Udayana University, shared his experience participating in the Merdeka Student Exchange (PMM) program organized by the Consortium of Faculties of Humanities (FIB) across Indonesia under the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Program. For two semesters, from August 2025 to July 2026, Ridwan took courses in the History Program at the Faculty of Humanities, Sebelas Maret University (UNS), Surakarta.
While participating in the program, Ridwan gained a variety of academic and non-academic experiences that enriched his scholarly knowledge and expanded his network with students from various universities across Indonesia. One of the most memorable activities for him was the “Expert Lecture” , a regular event organized by the History Program at FIB UNS that featured academics, researchers, and practitioners from various fields of study. The topics covered were diverse, including local history and national history to contemporary issues, providing him with new perspectives as a student from the field of archaeology. The discussions often went beyond mere presentations of material and evolved into lively question-and-answer sessions between students and speakers, making the forum truly dynamic and interactive.
According to Ridwan, the activity provided an opportunity to better understand the connection between archaeology, which focuses on artifacts, and historical studies that place greater emphasis on narratives, documents, and events.
“Every time I attend the Expert Lecture, I always feel my knowledge has expanded. I realize that studying history isn’t just about memorizing dates and events, but about understanding how those events are interconnected and have shaped society up to the present day,” said Ridwan.
In addition to the Expert Lecture, he also participated in the Alumni Teaching Program (Alumni Mengajar), which connects alumni of the History Study Program at FIB UNS with current students through both online and offline sessions. Through this program, he gained insights into regional, national, and international history, including topics that are rarely discussed in regular classroom lectures. Furthermore, the alumni's experiences in pursuing their studies and building their careers inspired him and broadened his perspective on the opportunities available within the fields of history and the humanities.
Beyond academic activities, the opportunity to live in Surakarta also provided a memorable experience. As an archaeology student, he felt that history and culture are not merely present through the artifacts studied in lecture halls or museums, but are also alive and intertwined with the daily lives of the community. One of the most memorable experiences for him was visiting the Surakarta Kasunanan Palace at night, when the atmosphere of this historic building created a unique impression while showcasing cultural values that remain preserved to this day.
For Ridwan, participating in the PMM MBKM program at the History Department of the Faculty of Humanities, UNS, was one of the most valuable experiences in his academic journey. In addition to gaining new knowledge and insights, the program also provided an opportunity to adapt to a different environment, learn about new cultures, and build relationships with students from various universities.
“This experience has given me a new perspective: that cultural heritage is not just something to be studied and preserved, but also alive and constantly interacting with society in everyday life. I hope more and more students will have the courage to take advantage of opportunities to participate in student exchange programs. Because, ultimately, it is experiences like this that will shape the way we view knowledge, culture, and ourselves in a broader sense,” Ridwan concluded.
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES