Participating in an outbound exchange at Thammasat University provided many valuable benefits for Amadea Phritadevi, a clinical dentistry student from UGM. Academically, she gained new insights into clinical service standards, the use of modern dental equipment, and a highly structured and sterile patient management system. In addition, she developed intercultural communication skills, learned to adapt to a different academic environment, and expanded her professional network with international students and faculty members. Beyond academics, Amadea also enjoyed experiencing a new campus environment with excellent facilities, while also exploring the beauty of Bangkok and the Rangsit area. She had the opportunity to try local cuisine, explore the city atmosphere, and learn about local culture. “This experience broadened my perspective, both in the field of dentistry and in life in general.”
This program also provides strategic benefits for the faculty. The Faculty of Dentistry UGM gains new insights regarding student learning comfort and the academic system implemented at Thammasat University. These observations may serve as inspiration to continually enhance the quality of education, including curriculum development, facility improvement, and academic administration. Additionally, through this program, the faculty can improve student competency by offering opportunities for personal development aligned with individual interests, encouraging global competitiveness, and strengthening international collaboration. The participation of UGM students in this program also reflects the positive reputation of the Faculty of Dentistry on the international stage.
Unique Experiences
During the outbound exchange program, Amadea gained several meaningful and unique experiences that enriched both her academic and personal development. She had the opportunity to observe and assist in operating radiographic equipment, including orthopantomogram (OPG), periapical, and bitewing imaging. She was also entrusted to perform patient charting in English, using standardized documentation formats applied at Thammasat University, which enhanced her clinical record-keeping skills. Amadea was also grateful to have the chance to engage in direct discussions with a professor from the Department of Endodontics regarding common endodontic cases encountered in Thailand, offering her a broader understanding of case variations and treatment approaches.
On the non-academic side, she also enjoyed the local cuisine served in the university cafeteria, which provided a cultural experience of its own, and joined a campus tour across the expansive grounds characterized by green surroundings and modern facilities. “Another valuable experience was visiting a negative-pressure isolation room designed to prevent external contamination — a facility rarely found in dentistry learning environments in Indonesia,” Amadea shared. Overall, these experiences enriched her perspective both academically and in terms of cross-cultural understanding.
Author: Andri Wicaksono | Photo: Personal Documentation by Amadea
