In June 2018, I had a great opportunity to participate in SCORE IFMSA exchange program. I joined the program and went to Indonesia after I finished my first year of medical study in my home country, Thailand. The research project “Elaborating potential effect of Nutmeg Extract as Antisarcopenia agent” which I participated was held by Padjadjaran University, Bandung, a top university and well-known medical school in Indonesia. In the following paragraphs, I would like to share my experience there.
In this paragraph, I would like to tell the story of my research experience. I learned and did the research in the university’s central laboratory in Jatinangor. The first time I came to the laboratory, I was so excited. That is because the laboratory has high quality, high-technology tools, and people’s devotion to doing scientific research. The research project I participated was about sarcopenia, a degenerative loss of mass, quality and strength of skeletal muscle associated with aging. The aim of the project is to test the potential of nutmeg extract as antisarcopenia agent by dividing rats into two groups and treating a group of rats nutmeg extracts free safrole and myristicin for ten weeks. After that, 82-weeks rat was sacrificed and their soleus and gastrocnemius muscle were collected for gene expression study using these following laboratory techniques: RNA extraction, PCR for gene expression and Western blot for protein levels. I learned all about these techniques, cell culture techniques and scientific writing under the great care of my mentors. The project was completely designed and I was assigned to extract protein from the gastrocnemius muscle using Western blot technique. That was a truly great experience I could improve my laboratory skill by doing it myself under the guidance of professionals. Furthermore, during staying in Indonesia, I was given another great opportunity to participate in BIPSC 2018 to join the symposium and Western blot workshop. I deeply appreciate this generosity since I have never attended a seminar this big before. I was excited to see many talented, active researchers who have never stopped doing research and updated all new information to improve patients’ health. The seminar was well-arranged and has great potential.
Also, my overall experience in Indonesia was impressive. First, the hosts took care of me truly nicely, both my mentors and friends. They made sure I was safe and comfortable. Moreover, they provided me with the best facilities and activities. Second, it was so nice to explore the beautiful, and culture-rich country. I had the opportunity to travel twice in Indonesia. I went to Yogyakarta and Bali by myself and I joined the host’s social program: a trip around Bandung. I traveled myself by train and I was impressed with how comfortable and clean the transportation was. I was also impressed by the availability of grab car in Indonesia, which was all the time in every town, making commutation much more convenient. Every place I visited was stunningly beautiful. I enjoyed Indonesian savory food, beautiful souvenir, and cultural dancing I have explored. Anyway, what I was impressed about most is that people were so kind. Whenever I got into trouble, I received help from my mentors, my friends, and other people around there. Third, in my opinion, I am more like a grown-up after going exchange. While I was staying in Indonesia, different from staying at home, I needed to do things myself so that I needed to be more responsible; I explored people, places, and culture, which are different from those in my home country, and learned to be more open-minded. I must say that I truly appreciate every experience I had in Indonesia.
In conclusion, in the above paragraphs is my fantastic experience exchanging with IFMSA and CIMSA in Indonesia. I am deeply grateful to Prof. Dr. Unang Supratman who hosted me well and let me use the central laboratory to complete the project, Dr. Ronny Lesmana, and Dr. Hanna Goenawan; Dr. Edward Jaya Hadi who was so kind to me and are devoted and caring mentors. I also truly appreciate the generosity of Dr. Theodorus Alvin Susetyo and Teh Susianti who taught and helped me so much in the laboratory. I would also like to thank Teh Mia and Teh Nurul who helped me doing laboratory works. Furthermore, I must not forget to say that I am totally thankful to my contact persons: Mr. Deinra Aufa Mahda and Miss Imelda Laurensia, and every other CIMSA FK UNPAD members who have done so much for me. Without them, my living in Indonesia would be harder and much less wonderful. Also, I would like to thank the NAFI, Mr. Kurnianto SM for helping me participate in this project of Padjadjaran University. Lastly, I have to thank IFMSA and CIMSA, and Padjadjaran University for providing this excellent exchange program and research project and all the wonderful thing and precious memory.
