Forget your typical, dry academic webinars. The latest Q-MASH (Quarterly MPBI Alum Sharing Hours) session was more of a digital "family reunion" filled with raw honesty, laughter, and a healthy dose of inspiration. Hosted by the Master’s Program in English Language Education (MPBI) at Sanata Dharma University, the event wasn't just about updates; it was a celebration of a major milestone: 10 years of academic excellence.

A Decade of "Beautiful Numbers"

The program’s head, Markus Budiraharjo, kicked things off by highlighting some "pretty" statistics. Since its inception, MPBI has grown steadily, reaching a total of 151 alumni. The program maintains a high standard, boasting a perfect graduation rate for the class of 2023 and an impressive record of students finishing in under two years. But beyond the data, the focus was clearly on the people. To keep this community tight, the program officially introduced Pamsada (Perkumpulan Alumni MPBI Sanata Dharma), with Thomas Wahyu Prabowo Mukti stepping up as the very first chairperson.



From Anxiety to "Just Starting"

The heart of the evening featured two "transformational" stories from alumni Krismalita and Yunika. Krismalita (Lita), class of 2019, got real about her "early days jitters". She admitted to feeling constant anxiety and a lack of confidence compared to her peers, especially when faced with the program’s heavy emphasis on student-centered learning and critical reading. Her turning point? A student retreat (makrab) where she realized she wasn't alone in her struggles. Her takeaway is now a mantra for many: "You do not need to be confident to start. You just need to start".





Yunika Upa echoed these sentiments, describing her journey as a move from "academic culture shock" to resilience. Coming from Sulawesi, she initially doubted if she could survive the program’s rigorous reading loads and fast-paced deadlines. Today, she credits those "endless" MPBI tasks for her current strength in her career, noting that the program prepares you for challenges you can't even predict yet.





The MPBI Secret Sauce: Grit and Support

What makes this program so intense? According to the chatbox buzz, it’s a mix of "endless" challenges and equally "endless" support from the faculty. While courses like "Issues in Language Teaching" were voted as some of the most challenging, the real battle was often "against oneself".

The alumni also spoke highly of the transformative approach, where lecturers validate the professional experiences students bring to the table. For some, like Maria Putri, the journey was even more profound, leading to a form of psychological recovery and a sense of peace with their own progress, even if they felt they were "late" to the game. She beautifully described this late-blooming passion for academic writing as a response to "getaran cinta" (the vibration of love) from her studies.



Navigating the "Imposter Blues"

The session also served as a mentorship clinic. For current students like Chelvino, who worry about their "value" in the job market, the seniors offered some "tough love" and wisdom. Victory Cahya Adi reminded the group that value is often seen more clearly by others than ourselves and that the key is to accept the challenge and enjoy the process. Swanti added that MPBI graduates are essentially built for the "high-level" world of international schools because they have already been trained in Grit, Growth Mindset, and Teacher Identity.





The night ended with a digital group photo, with everyone holding up 10 fingers to celebrate a decade of MPBI. It was a brief, 75-minute reminder that while the journals are hard and the deadlines are fast, the roots of this community are incredibly resilient.