I Putu Gede Eka Praptika, often called Tude, is an outstanding alumnus of the Tourism Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM. Graduating with the Cum Laude distinction, this 2019 graduate is now pursuing a master’s degree at University College London (UCL), one of the world’s top universities. His journey serves as an inspiration for students to optimize their potential and achieve success on a global scale.
Born and raised in Peliatan Village, Ubud, Bali, one of Indonesia’s prominent tourist destinations, Tude grew up in an environment closely connected to the tourism industry. However, instead of continuing his undergraduate studies in his homeland, he chose the Tourism Program at UGM to broaden his perspective and understand the sector from a more academic and multidisciplinary viewpoint.
His learning process was not easy, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic transformed the dynamics of classes into online learning. Thanks to UGM’s full support, particularly in providing online educational facilities through guidance from faculty and staff at the Tourism Program, he was able to adapt and seize the opportunity to continue developing. Additionally, the university’s attention extended to student welfare, including access to food assistance, ensuring that students could stay focused on their studies despite social restrictions during the pandemic.
Amid the limitations caused by the pandemic, Tude saw it as an opportunity to learn and develop his own capacity. During this time, he participated in various student organizations and academic competitions. One of his notable achievements was winning a gold medal for Social Science and Humanities Research Presentation and a silver medal in the Poster category at the National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS 34).
In addition to competing, he was involved in various research projects, both individually and collaboratively, and actively published his work on various academic platforms. His consistency in creating work led him to become the 2nd place winner of the UGM 2022 Outstanding Student Award, after previously being named the Outstanding Student of FIB UGM.
Tude’s achievements are also closely linked to the learning process and guidance from faculty members at the Tourism Program at FIB UGM. For Tude, his academic experience at the Tourism Program provided insights beyond theory. He emphasized that the courses offered were highly relevant to the industry’s development and innovation-based. “I used to enjoy how the theories taught in class could be directly developed into real projects, like PKM,” he said. This reflects the synergy between the Tourism Program’s management and UGM in striving to implement SDG 4: Quality Education.
Beyond academic quality, Tude also appreciated the dynamic and supportive study environment at the Tourism Program. “What I like about the (Tourism) Program at UGM is how supportive the relationship is between new students and senior students, supported by Himapa. The interaction (srawung) is fun and supportive,” he said. Even after graduation, the support from faculty and alumni continues, including in helping students secure study or career opportunities, both domestically and internationally. He hopes that this synergy will continue to grow so that more graduates can contribute and develop according to their interests.
Before continuing his master’s studies at UCL, Tude had direct experience in tourism research and business. This experience further reinforced his view that the UGM Tourism Program’s curriculum not only provides a strong academic foundation but also equips students with practical skills aligned with industry needs. His knowledge gained during his undergraduate studies also proved relevant when he continued his master’s degree. Discussions with faculty and senior students during his studies became crucial in understanding the complexities of global tourism.
For students who are still uncertain about the prospects of studying tourism, Tude emphasizes that this field offers vast, multidisciplinary opportunities. “Tourism is not just a service industry but also an economic, social, and conservation driver supporting sustainable development. Both academics and practitioners play crucial roles in understanding and managing this sector with a critical and managerial approach,” he explained.
With the challenges and opportunities in tourism, he hopes that more students will be interested in contributing to the tourism world, not only as practitioners but also as thinkers and innovators who bring positive changes to society and the environment.
[Editor: Popi, Author: Alif, Photo: Tude]
