Helloooo Everyone!!!, My name is Satria Ijlal Mufindra, currently in 11th grade majoring in Network engineer
Our Student Immersion Program officially began on Saturday, 25 July 2026. That day marked the start of an exciting journey for all of us. We gathered at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport before departing for our first destination: Vietnam.
Our flight left Indonesia at around 1:30 AM and arrived in Hanoi at approximately 6:30 AM after a four-hour flight. Although everyone was tired, we were excited to finally arrive. At the airport, our facilitator gave us a short briefing about the schedule, transportation, and what we needed to do during our stay.
After leaving the airport, we headed to our homestay. Since we had traveled through the night, I was extremely exhausted. I took a shower as soon as I arrived and then slept for about seven hours to recover from the journey. In the evening, my friends and I explored the area around our homestay. We bought some food, walked around the neighborhood, and then returned home. It was a quiet first day, so there was not much to do besides reading a book or exploring nearby places.
One of the most interesting activities that week was Sharing with PPI (Indonesian Students Association). We met two Indonesian students who were studying in Vietnam. They shared their experiences about living and studying there, including the culture, daily life, and education system. It was very informative because we learned what life in Vietnam is really like. Interestingly, they also mentioned that they would not personally recommend studying at a university in Vietnam, which gave us a different perspective.
After the sharing session, which ended at around 10:00 AM, we had some free time before heading to Masjid Al Noor for Jumu'ah (Friday) prayer at around 12:00 PM. It was a meaningful experience because it allowed us to perform Friday prayer while being in another country. Seeing Muslims from different backgrounds worship together reminded me that Islam brings people together regardless of nationality. I was grateful to have the opportunity to visit the mosque and pray there with my friends.
Another memorable activity was mini soccer. Since I really enjoy playing soccer, I was excited to join. However, the weather was extremely hot, and the artificial turf became so warm that my feet started to burn. At one point, the skin on my foot peeled off. Even though it hurt, I continued playing because I did not want to stop. Fortunately, it did not bleed, but the pain became worse as time went on. Eventually, I decided to stop playing and rest because I could no longer continue comfortably.
The following day, we had a city tour around Hanoi. Even though my foot was still painful, I joined the tour because I did not want to miss the experience. We visited several famous places, including a museum, the Temple of Literature, and a beautiful lake in the city center. Although I cannot remember the name of the lake, I really enjoyed seeing the historical and cultural landmarks. Walking around the city with an injured foot was tiring, but it was still a memorable experience.
Overall, my first week in Vietnam was a mix of excitement, learning, and challenges. From experiencing a new country and meeting Indonesian students abroad to praying at Masjid Al Noor, playing soccer despite an injury, and exploring Hanoi's historical sites, it was an unforgettable start to the Student Immersion Program. I am looking forward to discovering more about Vietnam and creating even more memorable experiences in the weeks ahead.
I unfortunately can't upload some Photos in the article