Grit and Perseverance Brings Basheer to UMS

Basheer, an international student from Yemen, doesn’t shy away from adversity. In a country ravaged by war for eight years, he found his path, not hiding from challenges but facing them head-on. “When you are faced with adversity,” he says, his voice filled with determination, “you need to change your mindset. You have to adapt.” This philosophy fuels his journey at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), where he seeks education and the opportunity and knowledge to rebuild his war-torn nation.

Born in Yemen during the era of war, He understood that education was key to making positive changes and helping rebuild his country. He said, “We have been at war for eight years. I need to change things, maybe not much, but I can certainly try.” After finishing high school, Basheer decided to take a leap of faith and study abroad. “I think I need to broaden my horizons. I was hoping that by studying abroad, I could gain the knowledge to help me rebuild my country, especially in chemical engineering, maybe make a power plant, or find alternative energy sources, who knows?”

When Basheer first arrived at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), he was excited but also nervous. He had left his home country of Yemen to pursue a chemical engineering degree at UMS. Basheer knew he would face challenges adapting to a new culture, pursuing his academic goals, and finding community at UMS. However, he was determined to make the most of his educational journey and contribute to his home community.

Basheer was impressed with the academic environment of UMS; he found it very dynamic and collaborative. As a chemical engineering student at UMS, Basheer loves practical experiences, especially in the laboratory. “I crave practical experience, so I really love it when we study at the laboratory.” 

The chemical engineering student also highlighted the quality of lecturers at UMS. “The lecturers here are very kind. If we ask, they give very detailed answers, it is really good because we are students and need all the knowledge, curiosity means we are interested in studying,” said Basheer. 

Basheer feels gratitude toward UMS as the university has provided him with resources and a platform to study and learn from the best. “UMS is very accommodating for us. I came here through the IPS Scholarship, which greatly helped my financial situation, not to mention the living space UMS provided through PESMA.”

Halfway through our interview, we learned that Basheer was a model for the university calendar. Basheer’s face lit up with a smile when we pointed that out. “Yeah, it was me! I love socializing with people, so when UMS asked me to be a model, I was giddy.” It was the thing that stuck with us about Basheer, he was very open to us, as if we had been friends for a long time. Basheer said that his personality has helped him in his journey abroad. “You know, being an international student, you are bound to feel homesick. It is important to always stay connected with people, and that’s something I enjoy doing. It helps me alleviate that homesick feeling.” 

Despite the demanding academic schedule, Basheer remains remarkably open and sociable. “Our schedules are tight, but I always find time to socialize with my friends. Believe me, it helps me stay focused. It helps me relax.” he affirms, highlighting the significance of balancing academic rigor with the joy of human connection. 

One UMS event that stood out to Basheer was the cultural festival, where he could mingle and socialize with other international students. It also allowed him to spread awareness about Yemen’s cultures and traditions. “As we know, UMS has many international students. They make this festival to let Indonesian people see the cultural differences. For example, what are the differences in the food, what we wear, and sometimes our traditional music too” said Basheer, beaming with a smile.

Adapting to life in another country presented its own set of challenges. Yet, Basheer met these challenges head-on by studying Bahasa Indonesia at BIPA. “Oh, I was shocked when I came here because every day we eat rice! I got a stomach ache the first month I was here. It was so bad. Luckily, UMS provided me with medicine,” said Basheer when asked what surprised him the most about Indonesian cuisine. After that stomach ache, the chemical engineering student gradually incorporated Indonesian dishes into his diet and grew to love some of them. “I really like nasi rendang and ayam geprek!” He said with excitement.

Basheer also discovered the warmth and kindness of the Solo community. Despite the language barrier, the people of Solo were always willing to help, offering directions, recommendations, and friendly smiles. He enjoyed exploring the city’s rich cultural history, finding excitement in its historical sites, bustling markets, and vibrant street food scene. “The Solo people are the kindest I have ever met. They are willing to help even though they don’t understand what I’m saying.”

Basheer’s journey to rebuild his country inspires those who dare to dream and the enduring pursuit of one’s dreams, even in the face of challenges. For future international students considering UMS, Basheer’s message is one of encouragement and hope. 

“Don’t perceive differences as a barrier. Don’t navigate your learning journey alone. UMS is here to provide support when you need it. Stay hopeful, persevere, and continue to fight for your future.

Writer: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva