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Open to experience: RI student in RP
Rizal Library at the Ateneo de Manila University is, to all appearances, just like any other building at the Philippine university, located in Loyola Heights, Quezon City
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Rizal Library at the Ateneo de Manila University is, to all appearances, just like any other building at the Philippine university, located in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
Nothing about it leaps out at the eye, but if one thing makes the library different from the other buildings on campus, this would be the number of visitors it receives daily.
Almost every day from 8 a.m. through 9:30 p.m., the library is teeming with students employed busily, yet quietly, with their work. They come to the library to browse either the Internet or the thousands of books in its collection.
RI STUDENT IN RP: Lilik (second left) chats with fellow graduate students on the grounds of Ateneo de Manila University, where he is pursuing Master in Journalism. (JP/Kurniawan Hari)
One of the visitors is Lilik Mardjianto, an Indonesian national who is studying journalism at the 150 yearold university.
“I like the atmosphere here. I like the Internet facility. Students only need to show their ID card to utilize the facilities,” Lilik said.
Like Lilik, many students usually come to the library after classes. They can consult a vast array of books, journals and other publications in pursuit of their studies. Those who have their own laptop can access the Internet through the university’s WiFi connection.
The WiFi, however, is only available in select areas on campus.
“It would be great if the university expands the WiFi connection so that students can access the Internet from anywhere on campus,” said Lilik, who graduated in 2006 with an English degree from Yogyakarta’s Sanata Dharma University.
He decided to pursue a Master at Ateneo after learning that the university was one of the oldest tertiary institutions in the Philippines.
“I believe that Ateneo is managed with an excellent spirit of learning. I am glad to be here,” said Lilik.
He added that the learning environment at Ateneo was better in comparison to his alma mater. Students can be seen milling around at the library and sitting on the benches in the campus park, discussing their fields of study.
Born in Ambarawa, a hilly town in Central Java, Lilik said it was easy to find food – a student’s staple – on campus. The university has several cafeterias, and those at the Cervini Gonzaga building and the Institute of Social Order provide a variety of sustenance for students.
“I think it will be better if the cafeterias also serve halal dishes, given that many Muslims also study at the university,” he added.
Ateneo is run by a Jesuit association, but is a nondenominational institute.
Still, Lilik is happy in the Philippines because he can find rice everywhere.
“I’m Javanese, so I feel that a meal isn’t really a meal without rice,” he said. “But sometimes, it’s difficult to find vegetable dishes.”
While at Ateneo, Lilik boards at the university’s student dormitory, which he said had better conditions than the boarding house where he used to live in Yogyakarta.
“The shower rooms and the toilets are clean. That’s enough (for me),” said Lilik.
Asked if he had any advice to share with other Indonesian students looking to study abroad, Lilik replied that they should make an effort to build good ties with their fellow students and their professors.
An open mind is also a must: “They should try all new things and be open to everything.”
Lilik said he felt lucky for his experience, and that he had fun while studying.
“It’s because my Filipino friends are friendly and helpful. They take me around and have even taught me some words in Tagalog,” he said.
