One Step Away to Inauguration 2024: UIN SSC International Office Highlights Students’ Final Reflections
Cirebon, September, 2024 — On the second morning of Inauguration 2024, the campus of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon was alive with the elegance of tradition and the weight of reflection. Eleven international students stood in calm anticipation just outside the hall where they would soon be formally welcomed into the academic community. Dressed in traditional Indonesian attire—men in refined batik, and women in graceful kebaya—the students gathered not only to mark a ceremonial milestone, but also to look back on their journey with open hearts. “This moment is not only about tradition—it’s about recognizing growth, courage, and the friendships these students have built,” said Lala Bumela, Ph.D. Director of the International Office and Partnership. “Before they step onto the inauguration stage, we want to give space for their voices to be heard.” The gathering was intimate, filled with soft conversation, shared glances, and quiet pride—a space where each student stood tall, bearing the richness of their stories.
These eleven students came from across three nations: the Philippines, Thailand, and Sudan. From the Philippines came Baby Farhana Lumaguinding Tunggay, Raquema Bonggoan Moten, Aleenor Sharif, Tony Samula Guiaman, Wasseyl Ibrahim, and Prince Adzhar Dauran. Thailand was represented by Adam Saraeh, Safi’e Lauree, Balkis Song, and Asia Samang. Sudan was carried with grace by its sole representative, Khaleed. In the bright morning light, their presence was not just diverse—it was deeply symbolic of what UIN SSC had come to stand for: openness, pluralism, and unity in difference. Baby Farhana stood confidently in a striking red kebaya that shimmered under the light, her hands gently folded as she looked toward her peers. Beside her, Raquema wore a soft blue kebaya, calm and thoughtful. Their appearance was not just beautiful—it was meaningful. Each thread, each color choice, each style represented adaptation, learning, and respect for the culture they had embraced.
I came here not knowing what to expect,” said Baby Farhana, her eyes reflecting both emotion and growth. “But now I feel I have two homes—one where I was born, and one where I found myself again.” Her voice did not tremble; it resonated, full of the weight that comes with genuine self-discovery. As she spoke, Raquema reached out and gently squeezed her hand—a silent affirmation that they had walked a shared path. They had navigated language barriers, cultural adjustments, and the challenges of distance from their families. Now, wearing their kebaya with grace, they stood not as guests but as individuals who had planted roots in Indonesian soil, who had found belonging in a new land and a new community.
Tony Samula Guiaman, standing beside the group of male students in neatly pressed batik, spoke with warmth and clarity. “We came from different countries, but we’re leaving this stage as one family,” he said, his tone carrying both gratitude and conviction. “This batik isn’t just fabric—it’s memory, effort, and gratitude stitched into one.” His words captured something larger than the moment: the journey of becoming part of something unfamiliar, of learning and stumbling, of laughing through the awkward stages of culture shock, and finally, of feeling at home. For Tony, and for so many others, what began as a temporary academic journey had become something life-shaping. The batik he wore was a symbol, not of formality, but of a newfound identity that was no longer fully foreign or fully Filipino—but something beautifully in between.
Then came Khaleed, dignified in his patterned batik and gentle in his expression. As the only student from Sudan, his experience was marked by both solitude and strength. And yet, in the short months he had been part of the UIN SSC community, he had built bridges of friendship and resilience. “This isn’t just a ceremony—it’s a mark of transformation,” he said, his voice low but steady. “In this outfit, I carry not only my dreams but also the kindness of everyone who guided me here.” There was a deep stillness after he spoke—not the silence of awkwardness, but of reflection. Everyone around him knew that transformation was not always loud. Sometimes, it was quiet. Sometimes, it was simply showing up, again and again, until the unfamiliar became familiar, until strangers became mentors and peers became family.
As the ceremony time approached, the International Office carefully captured the moment in photos and videos—not just for documentation, but to honor the human stories behind the formalities. These weren’t just students posing in traditional dress; they were young people standing with dignity, resilience, and hope. “This is what internationalization truly means for us,” said Lala Bumela, Ph.D smiling as he watched the group line up. “It’s not just about having students from different countries—it’s about making them feel seen, valued, and part of something real. That’s the legacy we want to build here at UIN SSC.” With those words, the students began walking toward the hall—not just stepping into a ceremony, but stepping into a future where they would carry Indonesia with them wherever they went. Their voices, clothes, and reflections blended into one living narrative: a story of belonging beyond borders.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir