Interns from UPR Reflect on Fieldwork at YTS

In July, YTS welcomed the first batch of nine sociology students from the University of Palangka Raya for their internship. Through this collaboration, the students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in YTS’s field programs across several districts, including Damang Batu, Kahayan Hulu Utara, Miri Manasa, Bukit Batu, and Pulang Pisau. As the internship comes to a close today, the students are presenting and reflecting on what they learned in the field.

Throughout the internship, students gained practical experience in community engagement, participatory planning, and saw how the theories from their courses apply to real-world challenges.

In his closing speech, the head of the Sociology Department at UPR Dr. Joni Rusmanto emphasized that graduates need skills and competencies relevant to both the workforce and society. He also explained that internship programs should be relevant to community needs, so learning is not limited to theory but includes practical skills. He encouraged stronger partnerships with external organizations, such as YTS, to ensure that graduates are well-prepared for real-world challenges.

For many students, this internship was their first experience working directly with rural communities. Putri Diana Situmeang, one of the internship students, said the experience was valuable and gave her new insights. She found the local villagers were easy to engage with. During her fieldwork, Putri observed that not all parents in the village have the resources or time to fully support their children’s education, and this can affect the child’s motivation. Reflections like this show why some children may struggle to continue their education and highlight the importance of understanding these issues directly in the field.

With this first batch internship coming to a close, we appreciate the students’ participation and the chance to learn together in the field. We wish them well as they continue their next journey.