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On our first week in Medan, Indonesia, July 15, 2025, we made sure to settle in by visiting Medan Mall to buy our essentials, things like toiletries, hygiene products, snacks, and other personal needs. After running errands, we had time to roam around the shops, browse through clothes, and even treat ourselves to a few new shirts.
One of the best stops was I Love Medan, a cozy souvenir shop known for its affordable yet good-quality items such as keychains, wallets, bags, and refrigerator magnets. The trip wasn’t just about shopping; it was also our first chance to see more of Medan, interact with locals, and get a feel for the city’s energy.
It felt exciting and refreshing to start our journey this way, taking care of necessities while also enjoying small adventures along the way.
At night, we continued exploring and strolled around to look for dinner. We ended up stopping by Chicken Yummy, a fast-food place that reminded us so much of Jollibee back in the Philippines—not just for the food, but also for the familiar warm and lively vibe. It was comforting to find something that felt like home in a new country.
The whole experience of shopping by day and food-tripping by night made our first week in Medan both productive and fun, giving us a taste of local life while still holding onto a piece of home.
During our stay, we also had the unexpected but exciting opportunity to be interviewed at UMSU FM, the university’s live radio station, it happened on July 18, 2025 inside UMSU. The staff mentioned that their programs are broadcast on different channels internationally, which made the experience even more surreal. Sitting in the studio, wearing the headphones, and speaking into the mic felt both nerve-wracking and thrilling. It wasn’t just about sharing our stories, it was also about representing our school, our country, and the SEA-Teacher program to a wider audience. After the interview, we were also able to roam around UMSU, exploring its facilities and getting a feel of the lively campus environment. It was amazing to see how welcoming everyone was, and it gave us a deeper appreciation of the university’s culture and community.
On July 26, 2025 at OIF UMSU, we had the rare opportunity to visit another campus of UMSU, where we experienced something truly unforgettable, seeing the sun through their powerful telescopes. The staff and students warmly guided us, explaining how each telescope worked and even leading us to one of their largest ones for a closer look at “Mr. Sun.” It wasn’t just a science activity, it was a moment filled with awe, learning, and connection. UMSU didn’t only give us this incredible chance to witness the sun up close, but also the gift of friendship. We met amazing people who made the whole experience special with their kindness, knowledge, and genuine excitement to share this moment with us.
On July 27, 2025, during our leisure time, we visited Deli Park, also known as Podomoro, to relax, roam around, and enjoy different kinds of food. It was a perfect break from our busy schedule, giving us time to bond, explore new places, and taste local dishes. The lively atmosphere of the park, with its variety of food choices and cozy spots, made our visit even more enjoyable.
August 7, 2025, during our last week in Indonesia, we had the chance to visit Lake Toba, known as the world’s largest volcanic lake. On our way, we first stopped at a tea farm famous for producing high-quality black tea, where we enjoyed the scenic view and took some photos.
After that, we headed to Parapat, a beautiful lakeside town, where we sat by the shore, sipped coffee, and captured more memorable moments.
To complete the trip, we rode a ferry from Parapat to Samosir Island, stopping at Tuktuk and Tomok, both charming spots that gave us a glimpse of the island’s culture and beauty. It was a truly unforgettable experience, filled with stunning landscapes and peaceful moments.
And to wrap up our stay in Indonesia, we visited Medan Mall once again, this time not just to shop, but to take photos and spend our last moments with our buddies, Dila and Dwi, both Education students at UMSU. It was a simple yet meaningful way to end our journey, sharing laughs, memories, and heartfelt goodbyes with friends who made our experience in Medan even more special.
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