Ramadhan is always the awaited month for Muslims every year. While we have already experienced Ramadhan for many years, there will always be new and different things happening for one’s Ramadhan. For instance, this year for Yellow Fellow 2024 who are experiencing their first Ramadhan as Communication Science Students Universitas Padjadjaran. Especially for those who come from another city and live as a migrant student in Jatinangor. They have to adapt their Ramadhan traditions with college life and also manage themselves being far from home.
Adita Maulida is a class of 2024 whose hometown is in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara. This year, Dita has to balance fasting with college, student activity, and organization. She found it more energy draining than her activities at school. At the same time, Dita explored new Ramadhan traditions in Jatinangor that are different from what she does in Bima. As she used to help her mom prepare the food at home, on this Ramadhan, Dita learns how to cook suhoor for herself. She becomes excited to find new recipes so that her menus are varied and not always chicken. When it comes to iftar, she usually buys takjil alone at home. Therefore, Dita is thrilled to do “takjil hunting” with her friends this year in Jatinangor.
Fathi Rayyan Muhammad is a class of 2024 who comes from Tangerang, Banten. As a first-time college student during Ramadhan, Fathi felt quite tired to manage busy classes while joining two Student Activity Units (UKM) in sport. On the other hand, doing Ramadhan far from home makes Fathi discover new different things. He learns to be more aware of his obligations to pray and do other Ramadhan worship. Since Fathi always has home-cooked suhoor, he never misses a suhoor at home. Meanwhile, here in Jatinangor, Fathi has to cook for himself or go out to eat. Sometimes, suhoor becomes optional for him when he doesn’t really feel like waking up. Fathi feels grateful for having friends who always invite him to do suhoor together or just remind him to.
Small routines are what makes Ramadhan special for someone. Although the whole experience is new and needs time to adapt, students are blessed with friends who help and fill their first Ramadhan in Jatinangor. Shout out to all migrant students who are very brave to experience Ramadhan far from home. Just remember that you are not alone and happy fasting, Yellow Fellow! (Ed)