Widani Mawar Zhahira studied abroad at Queen Mary University of London during the autumn semester of the 2023/24 academic year, as a scholarship awardee of the prestigious Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA).

London was not my first choice as a semester abroad destination. It’s a place I have always wanted to visit and it’s on my list as a vacation spot, but I had never considered it as a city for my studies. Of course, fate said otherwise and pushed me towards Queen Mary University of London and I am eternally grateful for it.

I have always wanted to study abroad. Growing up, I saw my aunt leaving Jakarta to go do her graduate and postgraduate degrees in Germany. It was a big inspiration for me as she had to work hard for a scholarship to be able to do so. That’s why I am so grateful for the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) that has enabled me to spend a semester at QMUL.

I chose QMUL because I loved the courses they offered. I was able to take modules outside of my usual area of studies and it really pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I am an English Studies student so perhaps it would have been more fitting to take more English subject modules while studying in London, but I can’t say I regret branching out. I cannot overstate how grateful I am to be learning and engaging in new branches of knowledge. It was a big first for me.

London held a plethora of firsts for me. First time studying politics and international relations, first time living alone, first time having flat mates! Most of all, it was my first time living in a different place for an extended period of time. I was born and raised in South Jakarta and I have never lived anywhere else my entire life. I loved the city. London was such a perfect fit for that reason. I loved the city walks, taking the bus, and riding the tube. It was all so thrilling to me.

It surprised me how easily I adjusted to London when all around me people would go, “be careful about the culture shocks!” London was familiar to me the way I assume all cities are similar to each other. It was like seeing the other side of the coin. The biggest shock to my system was, obviously, the weather. It was raining the first week I was there, followed by a heat wave that peaked at 24 degrees Celsius (in September!). For comparison, in Jakarta I would start reaching for my sweaters and jackets at 26 degrees Celsius. I don’t think there was a day in London where I didn’t wear, or at the very least carry, a jacket. A hit to my tropical sensibilities of wearing t-shirts and jeans everywhere!

Being comfortable with the weather was important for one of the modules I took, London: Walking the City. Every week the walking seminar took us to a different corner of London, complete with specific themes and concepts that were meant to correspond with the area. I loved how this module not only introduced London to me, but how it attached ideas to its different areas which made every week memorable to me. I’m so glad QMUL offered this module and facilitated me to experience London as I would have never have experienced it on my own.

I loved being an exchange student at QMUL because I got to meet so many students from around the globe. It felt like an international community opened itself up to me. It truly feels like I have made meaningful connections during my short time at QMUL.

I might not have known about QMUL before I decided to sign up for the exchange programme but, boy, did QMUL leave an impression that will last a lifetime! Shoutout to my lecturers (it was an honor to be in your classes), all the friends I have made (I’ll cherish our memories till I’m old and grey), my flat mates (Pooley 20 forever), my IISMA QMUL girls (I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you), and Jess Tan from Global Opportunities (thank you for always holding our hand). London, I’ll be back!