Thanh Nyugen
2023 WISLI Indonesian Student
Why did you choose to study at WISLI? What motivated you to choose our program?
I took a class on Indonesian history for my graduate school coursework and got interested in learning the language. Being relatively late to the game, I wanted a fast-track introductory level Indonesian language course, which is what the SEASSI summer program offers.
How has learning a less commonly taught language enriched your personal and professional life?
I made new friends and learnt to enjoy music in a language that I’m not yet familiar with.
What about WISLI/UW-Madison stands out to you?
All the teachers and students are really passionate and the approach is very communicative. I also got to know a lot of people who had different backgrounds with and motivations for studying the language.
How do you plan to apply proficiency of your target language and cultural skills to your personal/professional journey?
I want to be able to communicate and read in Indonesian well enough to travel and do research in the country.
What were some of the highlights of your program? What events did you particularly enjoy?
Our teachers in the program held “Selamatan” at the beginning of the program and “Syukuran” to celebrate its conclusion. On these occasions we feasted on Indonesian food and learnt about the meanings of these ceremonies.
What role did the WISLI Tuition Scholarship play when you were making decisions? How would you encourage other students who might be interested in the scholarship to apply?
The WISLI Tuition Scholarship helped me attend SEASSI with the tuition cost fully covered. I would encourage everyone interested in participating in a language program at UW-Madison to apply for the scholarship with confidence as this is a valuable source of support for you.
What advice would you give to students who want to study the same language as you?
I think Indonesian cinema and literature has a lot to offer, and making a goal of being able to understand them in the original language helps sustain my motivation through introductory level communication.
What is your favorite expression in the language you studied this summer?
I appreciate the fact that Indonesian, like Vietnamese, has four different words for rice.