Jihan Ramadhana, a 6th semester student of the Department of Electronics and Informatics Engineering Education from the Information Technology study program, is currently undergoing a student exchange program in Europe, precisely at Daugavpils University, Latvia. This program is part of the cooperation between Yogyakarta State University and Daugavpils University using the Erasmus+ scheme. Jihan got the opportunity to stay and study for one full semester, to be precise in Spring Semester 2024, under the Faculty of Natural and Sciences Daugavpils University in the Information Technology program. Jihan left Indonesia in February and is scheduled to complete her studies in June.

During her studies at Daugavpils University, Jihan was assigned to take 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), which is equivalent to 21 SKS (Semester Credit System). Daugavpils University provided a variety of courses that appealed to Jihan, and she chose to take Object Oriented Programming, Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics, Databases II, Java Programming I, Technical Graphics, English for Information Technology, Data Statistical Processing II, and Fundamentals of AI. As an international student, Jihan also took Latvian language classes, adding a rich cultural dimension to her learning experience.

In addition to academic activities, Jihan also does cultural learning and of course also introduces Indonesian culture, as happened during Welcoming Week. Jihan and other Indonesian students introduced Indonesia to Latvian students and other international students. They conveyed many things about Indonesia, ranging from geographical location, culture, tourist attractions, and other interesting things.

All of Jihan's expenses during her studies in Latvia were covered by the Erasmus+ program, including study fees, monthly living expenses (including dormitory accommodation), and travel expenses. Jihan was not the only student representing Indonesia, she went with two other students. The exchange program also includes students from various other countries, such as Albania, Belgium, Cape Verde, Germany, Georgia, Italy, Lesotho, Philippines, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Slovakia, creating a valuable multicultural learning environment.

To obtain this scholarship, Jihan went through several selection procedures, including taking the English Proficiency Test, in this case, Jihan collected the TOEFL, to confirm her English proficiency, attending an interview, and submitting a study document containing the GPA of her previous courses.

Jihan's experience at Daugavpils University not only opened the door to in-depth academic knowledge, but also broadened her cultural horizons and enriched her international learning experience. With the full support of the Erasmus+ program, Jihan is ready to explore and take advantage of every moment experienced during her studies in Latvia.