My name is Rainey Windayati. I am a master student in Planning and Management of Coastal Area and Watershed (MPPDAS), Faculty of Geography, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. I have got chance to study abroad at Georg-August-University of Goettingen, Germany during the winter semester on the joint master program in Food Security and Climate Change (MSFSCC). The one-semester mobility MSFSCC program is very well organized by SEARCA and Agrinatura. It was awarded funding by the ERASMUS+ program under its Capacity Building for Higher Education component.
Georg-August-University of Goettingen is one of the best universities in Germany. Regarding the current university experience, the general stereotype of the Germans is usually that they are very well organized and quite punctual. The two areas that certainly are quite challenging for me. I take courses in Sustainable International Agriculture (SIA) program where we attended an excursion and we collaborate in some courses with Kassel University too. Also, I try to improve my knowledge about agriculture which is closely related to my Geography background. One of my favorite courses is Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Service in Developing Country. This course offers deeply understanding of the ecosystem service based on the economic valuation and the policy analysis process in developing countries. This part is closely related to the course in MPPDAS, Institutional and Policy Analysis.
Study in Europe is one of my biggest dreams. I have never been going abroad before, that is why Germany is being my first foreign country. Goettingen is a very nice and safe place to live in. A combination of old and new is found in architectural masterpieces, sprawling urban infrastructures, and also it has beautiful natural landscape. Furthermore, I gain one of the best experiences not only to study but also to enjoy the amazing culture of Europe. One of the most important things to be here, is to speak German. I am trying my best to learn a bit of the language. I got many wonderful friends from different countries during this semester as the university receives many students not just from Germany but from all over the world. So, I would like to say thank you for all support and opportunities from Faculty of Geography, MPPDAS Program, and Bureau of international affairs (BKLN) Faculty of Geography, Universitas Gadjah Mada.