English in Focus; Sharing Session

Yesterday was invited by my friend, Mbak Anis, as the chairman of Monthly English in Focus, to deliver and share about my experience in International Conference. Basically, I was not really suitable to do that since I am still learning as well, as a novice presenter/researcher. Anyway, I was really honored to be among them sharing the experience. This might be as the motivation to write again and again. 

Two months ago, I attended the International in Melaka, Malaysia. It was my first experience to join the event. The event was conducted by University Putra Malaysia, one of the state university in Malaysia. The theme of the conference was about ‘language, literature and culture’. Before presenting it, I had to fulfill the requirement such as conference fee, paper, and also the accommodation. In addition, the fee was not cheap, it cost USD 170 (more than two million rupiah). I had to save my living allowance strictly in order to pay it. The most important thing was preparing the accommodation such as airline ticket, hotel, and the amount of money that I had to bring for living there. 

Along with Awardee LPDP UPI

Q & A were available at that time. Some of my friends asked me about the situation, how I could be as a solo traveler, interesting places, and so on. 

Here, I would like to share some tips that might be useful for you;

1. Making that you have a research paper that will be submitted.
2. Consider whether the conference is indexed, trusted or even reliable for your own interest. In my personal view, it is okay for you to submit or join the conference, which is hosted by the faculty or university. It would be worth. But, if you want to attend the prestigious one, Scopus-indexed conference could be a good choice.  
3. If you are selected and accepted as the presenter, you are supposed to give your best performance, particularly in presenting the paper. Clear presentation is suggested 
4. Your itinerary is also important as you would be in abroad. This could help you direct your activities or your destination you want to visit. I am sure, you will not attend the conference only. But, you might also visit interesting places there.

Make friends as many as possible. Use this moment to have a research network related to your area of study.

6.     If you are as solo traveler, means that you have to arrange all the things. In other words, if you are in a group, making sure you communicate well with your partner.

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Lastly, if you have a friend who can be contacted there, it would be better. He/she could help you. 

All in all, attending a conference is really important as it can be as a benchmark to improve our research. Further, we can learn many things there such as research, network, and also culture. However, good preparation is necessarily needed, especially the research paper. This opportunity is supposed to drive our motivation to read, write and discuss more about the research. Lastly, those who don’t try yet, you may invest everything related to research and save money to join it. I am still learning also. Therefore, let us learn and succeed together.