Another international story is unfolding at Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik (UM Gresik)! On October 15, 2026, students from Cambodia arrived in Gresik to begin their academic journey at UM Gresik for the 2026/2027 academic year. Their arrival brings new faces, experiences, and aspirations to campus, adding another exciting moment to the university’s growing international community.

Meet Hor Leanghour, Lath Marita, and Bou Sreynan, who will pursue their studies in Pharmacy, English Education, and Nursing, respectively. Although they share the same home country, each student has chosen a different academic path and brings personal ambitions to their educational journey in Indonesia.

For Hor Leanghour, studying Pharmacy offers an opportunity to explore the world of medicines, pharmaceutical science, and healthcare. The field requires an understanding of how medicines are developed, used, and managed to support patient health and well-being. Meanwhile, Lath Marita will study English Education, a field that connects language, communication, and teaching. Her studies will provide opportunities to explore English language learning and the role of education in helping people communicate across cultures. Bou Sreynan, who will pursue Nursing, will focus on a field centered on patient care, health education, and supporting the well-being of individuals and communities. Their different academic interests bring a variety of perspectives to the university’s international student community.

Starting university life in another country is more than simply entering a new classroom. It means discovering a different environment, adapting to new routines, communicating across language barriers, and building friendships with people from different backgrounds. For international students, even everyday experiences can become valuable lessons, from finding their way around campus to discovering local food and learning about Indonesian customs.

For Hor Leanghour, this new chapter offers an opportunity to grow academically while experiencing life in Indonesia. “I am happy to have this opportunity to study in Indonesia. I hope to gain new knowledge, experience a different culture, and make many new friends during my time at UM Gresik,” he said.

Lath Marita also looks forward to experiencing university life in a new environment. “I am excited to meet new people, learn new things, and improve myself through this experience,” she shared.

Meanwhile, Bou Sreynan hopes to make the most of her academic journey at UM Gresik. “I hope my time at UM Gresik will help me gain valuable knowledge, discover new experiences, and build meaningful friendships,” she said.

Beyond their individual academic goals, the students’ arrival creates opportunities for cultural exchange within the campus community. Indonesian students can learn about Cambodia through conversations and shared activities, while the Cambodian students can discover Indonesian culture through direct interaction with their classmates and lecturers. These everyday connections can help students understand that cultural differences are not barriers but opportunities to learn from one another.

The presence of international students also brings a broader perspective to campus life. Group assignments, student activities, and informal conversations can become spaces where students exchange ideas and discover different ways of approaching academic and everyday challenges. These experiences contribute to a learning environment that extends beyond textbooks and lecture halls.

The arrival of the Cambodian students also highlights the role of the International Relations Office (IRO) in supporting UM Gresik’s international engagement and facilitating connections with students from different countries. Through international student mobility, the university continues to open opportunities for cross-cultural learning and academic experiences that reach beyond national borders.

As the 2026/2027 academic year unfolds, Hor Leanghour, Lath Marita, and Bou Sreynan begin a journey that combines academic learning with cultural discovery and personal growth. Their time at UM Gresik will give them opportunities to develop knowledge in their chosen fields, build new friendships, and create experiences that may shape their perspectives long after their studies.

UM Gresik warmly welcomes Hor Leanghour, Lath Marita, and Bou Sreynan to its academic community. Their arrival marks another exciting moment in the university’s international journey and reflects the value of bringing people from different backgrounds together through education.