Turning Hardship into Hope

Yoon Eaindray, fondly known as Yoon, is a second-semester Mechanical Engineering student at UMS. Her journey to Indonesia, however, was not straightforward. Originally a medical student in Myanmar, Yoon had to switch paths due to unforeseen circumstances. Yoon’s story is about resilience, passion for engineering, and experiences adapting to a new country and culture.

Yoon’s initial dream was to become a medical professional. She spent three years in medical school in Myanmar before unforeseen circumstances forced her to make a difficult decision. “Because of the situation in my home country,” explained Yoon, “I couldn’t find any scholarships for my medical study. And, with my situation, the cost of studying for seven years was just too much.”  

The challenging situation did not make Yoon’s spirit waiver. She turned her focus to mechanical engineering, a field that always excites her. However, her choice of study program received much backlash from people around her. “People would ask me why not civil engineering or architecture,” she recalled. In her country, mechanical engineering is traditionally a male-dominated study program. For women to enter those fields is a phenomenon that merits a question. “I don’t care if my study program is mostly men-dominated, I can be the trailblazer here, I followed my heart.” Yoon said proudly.

The former medical student also sees a unique connection between the two fields. “In engineering, if one part fails, the whole machine fails. It’s very similar to medicine, right? When one part of the body hurts, the whole body feels it.” She jokingly said that fixing machines is easier than fixing humans. Hence, she chose mechanical engineering, “I suppose I don’t have regret, after all fixing machines is easier than fixing humans.”

UMS was unfamiliar to her until she was about to apply for the scholarship, bringing it to her attention for the first time. “Honestly, I didn’t know much about UMS,” she admitted. “I was scared it was a scam!” However, Yoon’s initial apprehension melted away after contacting her friends in Indonesia. She was surprised to learn about the scholarship opportunities available at UMS, particularly the IPS scholarship, which was popular among students in her country.

Yoon quickly discovered the benefits of studying at UMS. The small class sizes were a welcome change, making it easier for her to focus on her studies. “The lecturers are much easier to communicate with,” said the Myanmar born student. She highlights the engaging teaching methods employed at UMS: “They use all kinds of media and tools to teach us, and they encourage open discussions.” This engaging learning environment consequently fueled Yoon’s passion for her craft and desire to learn more.

Yoon’s ultimate goal is to work for NASA and become an astronaut. She believes her studies at UMS will give her the foundation to achieve this dream. “After my bachelor’s degree, I would like to pursue a master’s degree and maybe even become a professor someday. I see UMS as the launchpad for my dreams.”

Adapting to a new country presented its own set of challenges. “Mostly when people tell me what’s the difference between Myanmar and Indonesia, I will say it’s like 85% similar,” Yoon said, referring to the cultural and environmental similarities.  

However, the language gap proved to be a hurdle. “I never learned Bahasa Indonesia. I’m trying, but I’m not a language person,” she said. Despite the difficulty, she maintains a positive attitude: “I relish the challenge, so hopefully, I can be more fluent in Bahasa Indonesia.”

The first semester proved difficult, with scheduling conflicts preventing Yoon from enrolling in Bahasa Indonesia classes. Now, with a more accommodating schedule, she is determined to bridge the language gap. 

The language barrier does not hinder Yoon from finding warmth in Indonesia, a fact often encountered by foreigners across regions when visiting here. “The people are smiling at me, and they try to talk to me, to say hi, hello, how’s your day?” She recounted her experiences

Yoon joined the Muhammadiyah English Debating Society (MEDS) to connect with other students. “They also use English, so it’s fine,” she explained. However, language barriers resurface when the conversation shifts to Bahasa Indonesia or Javanese. “When they talk in Bahasa Indonesia or even Javanese, I’m like what? Okay?” Despite the challenges, Yoon finds a sense of belonging in the club. She joined in December and participated in a memorable trip to Tawangmangu with the club members. “We bond and have friendly competition there,” she shares.  

At PESMA, a dormitory catering to international students, Yoon has discovered a new family. “After a long tiring day at the university, when I go back to PESMA, I feel like it’s home,” she says. The friendly environment and the green scenery provide a comforting haven. There, she has built friendships with other international students who understand the challenges of being in a new country.

She also commented on the food in Indonesia, saying that the food here and back home is not that different. “We have nasi goreng. Indonesia has nasi goreng.” Yoon also found es teh, the ubiquitous iced tea quite strange, yet it has grown on her. “Back in Myanmar, we don’t drink tea with ice,” she revealed, “but it grew on me.” Now, it is her go-to beverage for quenching thirst.

As she concluded the interview, she shared a quote that resonates deeply: “I thought it was impossible, but now I will make it possible.” This powerful message inspires aspiring international students, reminding them that anything is achievable with hard work and determination.

Writer: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva