Studying All the Way to Uzbekistan, UMS Accounting Student Steps Onto the World Stage

Learning accounting doesn't always mean sitting in a classroom, wrestling with numbers, journals, and financial statements. For Vika Yulvani, a student in the Accounting Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), the learning process instead carried her thousands of kilometers from Indonesia to Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

In early 2026, Vika took part in the International Credit Transfer Program at Millat Umidi University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. From January to May 2026, the student from Pekalongan, then in her fourth semester, attended lectures while also facing the experience of studying in an international environment.

The opportunity became a space for Vika to test her abilities outside the environment she had long been familiar with. Beyond adjusting to a different academic system, she also had to communicate despite language limitations and adapt to social and cultural life in a new country.

Despite the change of country and campus, Vika made sure her international experience stayed relevant to the field she was pursuing. She chose several courses aligned with the Accounting Study Program.

"However, the learning system at Millat Umidi University offered a different experience. Classes weren't only centered on delivering theory, but also included lecture sessions to understand concepts, along with seminars that gave students room to dissect cases and solve problems directly in class," Vika said (1/9/2026).

That approach made Vika increasingly accustomed to understanding material through application. One of the experiences that left the deepest impression on her came from an Entrepreneurship course.

UMS Accounting Study Program student Vika Yulvani. Personal documentation. 

Together with other students, she developed a startup business project. Through that process, Vika learned to understand various business issues more practically, from pricing strategy to risk management.

The experience gave her a broader perspective on accounting. In her view, accounting isn't only about numbers that must be calculated precisely, but is also an important part of a business's decision-making process.

Vika's academic journey in Uzbekistan didn't go entirely smoothly either. A delayed departure meant she arrived after classes were already underway. While other students had settled into the rhythm of the coursework, Vika had to catch up on material she'd missed while also keeping up with ongoing academic demands.

"Other challenges came outside the classroom. English wasn't always a solution when I interacted with local residents. A number of vendors and locals were more comfortable using the local language, so simple activities like buying daily necessities or getting around became part of the adjustment process," she added.

Independence also showed up in daily life, including when it came to meals. To keep costs down while living in Uzbekistan, Vika and her roommate chose to cook for themselves.

"Eggs, cabbage, macaroni, and other easily available ingredients became the go-to choices for daily needs. That simple habit also brought together what she was studying with real life, particularly when it came to setting priorities and managing limited resources," the UMS student explained.

Vika didn't want her four months in Uzbekistan to be remembered only as a story about campus and coursework. Between classes, she used the opportunity to get to know the country that had become her temporary home.

Together with friends, Vika visited a number of historical sites, including the tomb of Imam Al-Bukhari in Samarkand. Encountering places, customs, and communities from various backgrounds gave her a fresh perspective, one not always found in books or lecture halls.

Being in an international environment also built her confidence. Through discussions and presentations, Vika learned to present ideas in front of students from diverse backgrounds.

She didn't only learn to understand academic material in a different context, but also learned to carry herself as an Indonesian student within a global environment.

Before leaving for Uzbekistan, Vika's academic journey had already grown within the UMS environment. As a UMS Accounting student, she worked to ensure that the opportunity to study abroad would still bring value to the field she was pursuing.

Outside her academic activities, Vika is also a recipient of the BSI Scholarship. The various development programs she took part in gave her room for personal growth and pushed her to be bolder in seizing opportunities that could expand her capacity. When she finally arrived in Tashkent, all of that preparation still had to be proven through real experience.

Four months in Uzbekistan ultimately gave Vika an experience that couldn't be fully captured in an academic transcript. For her, big opportunities don't always come when someone feels fully ready. Sometimes, the courage to take the first step is itself part of the process of preparing oneself.

"Never be afraid to take opportunities and step out of your comfort zone," Vika said.

She believes students need to build their academic abilities well while also staying open to new cultures and experiences. That's because the various challenges along the way aren't just things to get through, but also a space for learning to make decisions, solve problems, and recognize one's own abilities.

Writer: Fika Annisa Sholihah

Editor: Maysali Sudarwati

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid