I found 5 light

it wa the time to get to know them them before i walk together with them on the world of technology

Written by: A participant of OSPEK at IDN Polytechnic July 7–11, 2025

We called this activity “Shine Week.” It was the OSPEK period that we went through for 5 days. During these days, we followed many kinds of activities. From all the activities we joined, many stories were made and many memories were created.

We called this activity “Shine Week.” It was our OSPEK period that lasted for 5 days. Many stories were made from all the activities we did. OSPEK is not just about the word ‘orientation.’ From this first experience, we learn many things. It changes how we see things, helps us make new friends, and gives us a picture of how we will live our future.”

Laughter that brightens my new journey

Five days — I went through those days with many different feelings. There were 62 students who stepped into this building together with me. I saw many unfamiliar faces wearing red and blue caps — used to show the difference between study programs. People came from many different places and regions. We were all here, bringing our dreams and goals. We chose to stay, to learn, and to grow together.

It was not just about getting to know the campus, but also about getting to know myself again.

The First Light — Discovering a New World The morning sun welcomed me through the small window of my rented room. It reminded me to rise and face new things that day. A short trip from where I stayed, I walked along the black asphalt road, surrounded by rice plants ready to be harvested. At the foot of Mount Kuta, there stood a proud brown building — this was the new place where I took my very first steps. IDN Polytechnic — Islamic Development Network

In the campus yard, dozens of students with unfamiliar faces sat with feelings that were probably the same as mine: confused but excited. After receiving our OSPEK name cards, we joined the official opening ceremony, which felt calm and respectful.

We introduced ourselves one by one and shared our reasons for choosing to come to this place. Then came a warm welcome from the Vice Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Abdullah, M.Kom, together with Mr. Gilang Januar. They introduced us to the campus structure, the academic system, and the values that are an important part of student life here.

Mr. Abdullah also reminded us how important it is to build a strong Islamic character in the middle of a fast-growing world of technology. He told us to be ready for many tasks ahead, which are meant to train us for the real working world. I still remember his message: “Get ready to face waves as high as 7 meters in front of you.” That moment made me realize — college is not just about studying, but also about becoming a whole and strong person.

The first day ended with a friendly sharing session led by senior students from each major. They talked about the different tasks they had done, the problems they had faced, and their journey throughout one year on this campus. Was I motivated? Oh, absolutely. My spirit started to burn, but it came with fear and many questions. Can I really do this?

That day passed, and we started to get to know each other. We were not close yet, but I could already feel that we would become friends on the same journey.

Second Day — Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone On the second day, the activities were more intense and interactive. We were given a group task to present the results of our research about the campus, and we had to do it in English. Working with people I had just met only one day ago felt a bit awkward and confusing. This time, my job was to edit the research results and turn them into a video slide presentation.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t too hard. We finished the task well and worked together as a solid team.

Next, we had a session led by our seniors. They introduced what each major will study during our time here. After that, each of us opened our laptops and started a simple project practice, following the example given by the speaker. For my part, in the [your major] major — Design, we used the figma application

The last activity of the day ended with us watching the final semester projects from the senior students. They held an exhibition of various applications made from the collaboration between the UI/UX team and the programmers. Finally, the project was completed within a 2-month deadline, which was quite challenging for them because they were only in their second semester. They shared many difficulties they faced and some important points about the key structure to pay attention to when making a project like this. Once again, teamwork and good communication were the main keys to the success of this project.

Learning is not just about reading some pages in a book. Learning also means how you face situations, change your point of view, and finish what you start. This includes my decision to leave my comfort zone and involve myself in learning new things that were very unfamiliar before.

Day Three — Who Am I On this bright day, we welcomed a meeting with Mr. Boby. He talked about a theme called “Habits and Routines.” He took this topic from two books: Is It Bad or Good Habits and The Power of Habits. These books were written by a famous author from Balikpapan, Indonesia, and became bestsellers. Maybe they should be at the top of your reading list next. The books contain important points about understanding habits and routines that strongly affect a person’s life.

I learned many things from what he explained, like how to tell the difference between habits and routines in daily life, why it is hard to stop bad habits, and how quickly new habits can be formed. He shared a short but powerful message that I still remember: “The key to success is to defeat our biggest enemy — ourselves.”

The session was interactive, with questions and answers, and he gave rewards to anyone who was brave enough to speak. This made the day fun and memorable. He also shared his own experience of becoming brave when speaking in public. He started by choosing to sit in the front row in class and became the first person to take chances whenever the teacher gave an opportunity to answer.

Courage starts when we understand our own weaknesses and strengths. We set realistic goals, think positively, leave our comfort zone, and learn from failure.

Day Four — Journey to the Future Today, our journey began when the sun was ready to rest at the end of its shining hours. We walked about 5 kilometers, passing many curved and rising roads at the corners. We could only remember this trip in our minds because none of us brought gadgets to capture the moment. The journey was accompanied by the sunlight that was losing its strong color, changing into purple that almost mixed with the black spreading across the sky.

The trip was made by 7 groups, each with 9 members. When we reached the final place — the camp location — my tent was at the end of the line. This tent would be our place to sleep that night. We shared laughter, made plans, and lay down as our tired bodies grew weaker.

The warm fire covered our almost frozen bodies. Our laughter echoed around the red light rising like a pyramid. Holding each other’s hands made us confident to stay together until we reached the end of our dreams.

That night was very warm. We shared the food we brought, exchanged stories, and laughed together.

The sky grew darker with its deep black color, and the sounds of the real night creatures began to dominate. That night, we went through many things that would later become stories of our best experiences.

Day Five — Self-Defense Before the sun took over its working hours, we had to stay awake to finish the mission that night. We searched for several places, walking along rocky paths covered with wet red soil because of the night dew. One by one, we completed each task well by following all the instructions given.

As the day changed, we went through that night journey very successfully.

But it didn’t end there. There were still many challenges and games that we had to complete to prove which group was the strongest and most united. Hehe, it was fun but also very serious for us.

Among several competitions, my group managed to win two out of three events. Was I happy? Oh yes, absolutely! It felt like a big pride to be able to work together with strangers I had just met only a short time ago. At first, I was unsure if we could do it, but time after time, God showed me that my doubts were wrong and that we could really work well as a team.

Slowly but surely, one by one, our clothes became covered with a new and unexpected pattern. It spread all over our bodies like the traditional batik clothes from some cities in Indonesia, which are known for their beautiful brown colors. But this time, the pattern was not made with ink or paint — it was made from the thick, wet mud that we had stepped in earlier that morning during our journey.

At first, sitting or lying down on the ground felt dirty and uncomfortable, but after a while, it didn’t bother us anymore. We even started to enjoy the experience. The puddles of water, which normally we tried hard to avoid, became our friends and followed us as we moved around. The mud and water became part of the fun and adventure that day.

This experience taught me a lot about teamwork, courage, and enjoying every moment even when things are not perfect. It showed me that sometimes, the things we try to avoid or feel uncomfortable with can become the best memories and help us grow stronger.

At the end of the event, several prizes were given to the groups. Of course, my group was very happy to receive two of those prizes. It felt like a reward for all the hard work and teamwork we showed during the activities. The event closed with a speech from the chairman of the Student Executive Board (BEM) at IDN Polytechnic. He spoke proudly about our journey and all the challenges we had faced during those few days. He congratulated us for completing everything well and encouraged us to keep working hard in the future.

After the closing, we started our journey back to the campus. This time, we did not walk anymore. Instead, fifteen of us sat together in the back of a pickup truck. The truck moved slowly, carrying our tired but happy bodies. The warm sunlight shone perfectly on the earth, making the air feel bright and alive. The sun was almost directly above us, so the shadows of people were very small and hard to see. It felt like we were sharing a quiet moment with the sun, friends traveling together after a long day.

walking in the open air, feeling the wind and sunlight on our faces, made us feel free and full of energy again. We talked, laughed, and looked at the beautiful view around us. Even though we were tired, this simple ride made the ending of the day very special and unforgettable. It was a perfect way to close a meaningful and exciting week.

Closing — The True Beginning of My Journey

Success is not about where you start, but about how you keep going, survive, and grow stronger every day.

OSPEK has come to an end, but I quickly realized that this is just the beginning of a much bigger journey. This program was not only about getting to know the campus or meeting new people. It was a way for me to understand my true self better.

Before, I was afraid and unsure about many things. But now, I feel that fear is smaller. I have made many friends who will walk this path with me. I have clearer dreams that are built on a strong foundation. And I have gained confidence and determination that I will keep trying no matter what challenges come.

OSPEK is not just an event to open the semester or welcome new students. It is a door — a door that leads us to becoming the best version of ourselves. A door that opens to new opportunities, new challenges, and new hopes.

I am ready to step through that door and continue my journey. I know it will not always be easy, but I am ready to learn, grow, and become better every day. This is just the start, and I am excited for what comes next.

I hope everyone who reads this will also find the courage to face their fears and chase their dreams. Remember, every great journey begins with a single step. Don’t be afraid to start, because the future belongs to those who are brave enough to try.

Let’s keep moving forward together!