Higher education often becomes a transformative phase for individuals, connecting them to new challenges, cultures, and experiences, even across geographical boundaries. This holds true for Tashfeen Amir, a Pakistani international student in the Faculty of Medicine, who traveled far from home to pursue his dreams and continue his studies at Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas).
Born and raised in a small village in Punjab, Tashfeen grew up in a family focused on health values. With father practicing homeopathic medicine and mother being a health activist, their support became the driving force behind his aspiration to become a doctor.
Tashfeen’s journey took shape after completing his secondary education in the village and moving to the city. His passion for medicine kept growing, eventually leading him to pursue medical studies abroad.
Indonesia, with its large population and abundant opportunities for medical practice, stood out as the perfect choice. Tashfeen believed that the hands-on experience provided in countries like Indonesia, Pakistan, and India offers more open practice opportunities thanks to the large number of patients.
Getting into Unhas was no easy feat. Tashfeen came across a post by the Indonesian Embassy in Pakistan offering the Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) scholarship under the Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) initiative. He applied and received a recommendation to study at Unhas in 2021. However, since no scholarships were available for medical studies, he had to self-finance his education.
Upon arriving in Indonesia, Tashfeen faced significant cultural and linguistic challenges. Initially concerned by stereotypes of Indonesia as a disaster-prone country, his perception shifted as he prepared for his journey. He began to admire Indonesia’s cultural diversity, warm hospitality, and natural beauty, especially during his initial days in Jakarta.
“So when I came to Jakarta, I stayed some days there. It kind of impressed me. Then the behavior of the people was like a lot better, better than any other countries I have been ever to,” he shared during an identitas Berdialog (Idialog) session, Wednesday (06/26).
As one of the first international students in Unhas’ medical program, Tashfeen encountered challenges related to accommodation and campus integration. However, he noticed that Unhas is improving its academic and social support systems for international students.
Tashfeen observed significant differences between the medical education systems in Pakistan and Indonesia. At Unhas, the curriculum focused on practical, real-world learning through direct integration with hospital practice. Despite occasional language barriers with some lecturers, Tashfeen embraced these challenges as opportunities for growth and to make the most of his time.
Outside academics, Tashfeen actively participated in various student organizations, including the Asian Medical Students Association (AMSA), Makassar Model United Nations (MUN), and Climate Catalysts. Overcoming his initial concerns about cultural differences, the creator of the TikTok account @buledikampus swiftly adapted. He shares his daily experiences and challenges as an international student in Makassar on his personal account.
He found that Indonesia and Pakistan share similarities in language and culture. While Indonesian and Urdu are distinct languages, many words are alike. Furthermore, the warmth and hospitality of Indonesians reminded him of his homeland.
Tashfeen admitted that his experience studying in Indonesia had deeply changed his perspective. He gained not only medical knowledge and skills but also valuable life experiences that helped him grow as a person. Born in 2002, Tashfeen felt that living in Indonesia taught him to be more open-minded and willing to push beyond his comfort zone. The friendships he formed also provided emotional support when homesickness struck.
When asked about his future plans, Tashfeen expressed a desire to return to Pakistan and contribute to its health sector. He hopes to either open his own practice or work in a hospital, confident that the foundation he built at Unhas will serve as a vital asset for his medical career.
Read the original text in Bahasa Indonesia.
Original Writer: Nur Muthmainah
Translated by: Najwa Hanana
