Persistent in Learning and Teaching to the Far Country, Pak Ibek Embarks on a Brilliant Journey Again
Dr. phil. Subekti W. Priyadharma, M.A. or familiarly called Pak Ibek is a lecturer with more than twelve years of teaching experience at the Faculty of Communication Sciences, Padjadjaran University. Pak Ibek earned his bachelor’s degree in the Communication Management study program at Fikom Unpad, then his master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Erfurt, Germany. He has served as a lecturer at Fikom Unpad since 2009.
(Source: https://instagram.com/pa_ibek)
Mr. Ibek’s years of teaching experience have not stopped him from continuing to learn and try new things. In March 2023, he had just left for Germany to teach at the University of Erfurt. He got the opportunity to be contracted as a guest lecturer for one year through DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) or the German Academic Exchange Service.
Although it sounds “coincidental”, Pak Ibek’s preparation for this program has been carried out since one year ago. The process of becoming a guest lecturer is time-consuming. The University of Erfurt had to submit a proposal to DAAD for approval and Mr. Ibek also participated in making the contents of the proposal. Preparing documents, the process of making, and preparing the content of the proposal was not in vain, because Mr. Ibek was also painstaking in preparing this until finally the submission was approved in December 2022.
“Opportunity yes” We can’t know when an opportunity like this will come again. I am flexible and open to new challenges and opportunities that we have never tried,” said Mr. Ibek when asked why he wanted to return to Germany and take the opportunity to be a guest lecturer at the University of Erfurt. In addition, he also wants to be able to share the experience he has gained for the benefit of Fikom Unpad later.
(Source: https://instagram.com/pa_ibek)
Mr. Ibek currently teaches for several courses, two of which are courses on media in Southeast Asia and development communication and social change. During his time as a guest lecturer, he taught at the Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree levels with students coming from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some students are international students from outside Germany. This has been an interesting new experience for Mr. Ibek in teaching as a lecturer.
There are differences that Mr. Ibek faced while teaching in Germany and Indonesia. Some of them are about learning materials that are more detailed and detailed, so he has to prepare them in advance with more detailed and complex preparations. In addition, interaction between lecturers and students outside of class also takes place via email.
Of course, there were challenges that Mr. Ibek faced while teaching in Germany. Some of them are the differences between the learning process in Indonesia and Germany that require him to adapt to new circumstances and bureaucracy. In addition, the rhythm of work is also different. He had to adjust to the usual work rhythm there, as well as the differences in work ethic and culture which became one of the main challenges.
Remarkably, the challenges and the various familiarizations that had to be made did not prevent him from continuing his journey in Germany. Not only teaching, she also recognizes that this experience is a new experience for her, she applies the idea of learning new things continuously, because in fact the teaching process is part of learning itself. Also check out Mr. Ibek’s introductory interview on the University of Erfurt website, here. (JJC)
