Graha Widya Bhakti STIESIA Surabaya: Your Indonesian Education Gateway
Graha Widya Bhakti STIESIA Surabaya: Your Indonesian Education Gateway
Alright, let's dive headfirst into Graha Widya Bhakti STIESIA Surabaya, eh? Buckle up, 'cause it's gonna be a wild ride – think less cookie-cutter hotel review, more a rambling, slightly caffeinated account of a stay.
First Impressions & That Whole Accessibility Thing (The "Ugh, Stairs!… or Not?" Chapter)
Okay, so this place is billed as "Your Indonesian Education Gateway." Intriguing. Does that mean I gotta take a pop quiz on arrival? (Praying it doesn't involve Indonesian verbs, my brain fumbles those something fierce). First things first, accessibility. Super important for anyone, and hey, I’ve got a bad knee – I’m constantly navigating the world like a slightly grumpy, slightly heroic, one-legged pirate.
Accessibility: The good? They actually mention facilities for disabled guests. Hooray! Always a good starting point. But… We need more details! How accessible is it? Are the ramps okay? Elevators reliable? I gotta know! (Because let’s be real, a poorly designed ramp is my personal kryptonite).
Wheelchair Accessible: Crucial. Need specifics! Are all public areas accessible? Rooms? The bathroom? This is make-or-break for many, and a major selling point if done right.
Elevator: YES! I saw it in the list of services. Thank God. My legs rejoice.
Exterior Corridor: Also a plus! Easy access is everything.
Okay, so the bones are there! But details, people, details. I’d REALLY love to know how accessible. Maybe I should call them, and ask a thousand increasingly specific questions.
Rambling on Restaurants, Lounges, and the Quest for Caffeine (The "Fuel Up or Face the Consequences" Section)
Ah, the food situation. A critical component of any hotel experience. Let's break it down:
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges: Hmm. Again, accessibility is key. Is there a step-free route? Enough room to maneuver? I gotta know!
Restaurants: Plural! Promising! Restaurants! We've got a buffet, a la carte, Asian cuisine, international cuisine, vegetarian options… My stomach is already planning its strategic attack.
- Asian Breakfast: Yes, please! My tastebuds are already salivating!
- Western Breakfast: Gotta have my toast and coffee!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop: Essential. Coffee is the lifeblood, the fuel that powers my inner crank (mostly). If there are no decent espresso options, disaster will inevitably strike.
- Snack bar: Always useful for a quick energy boost.
- Poolside bar: Oooooh, a pool… and drinks! Yes, this is heading into 'vacation mode' territory.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: A vast range of options! Including a pool side bar. This sounds amazing!
Alternative meal arrangement: Hopefully, this includes specific requests without a problem.
Internet Access - The Modern Necessity (The "Can't Live Without Wi-Fi" Declaration)
The hotel better have decent Wi-Fi. A dealbreaker, frankly. We're in the 21st century!
- Internet Access: Obviously.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms: Okay! This is already a win. Yes!
- Internet [LAN]: Excellent for those who demand a stable connection (or, like me, suffer from constant buffering anxiety).
- Wi-Fi in public areas: And, you know, in case I need cat videos in the lobby.
The "Things to Do" & "Ways to Relax" Spectrum (The "Spa or Suffer" Equation)
Let's talk about my happy place:
- Pool with view, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: YES! I love pools. Give me a pool with a view and I'll probably never leave the hotel.
- Spa/Sauna, Spa, Sauna, Steamroom: Oh, oh, oh! This is where the inner peace comes. A sauna is a fantastic way to relax.
- Fitness center: Okay, okay. I'll try. I’ll intend to go. Maybe. After a very long nap.
- Massage: YES. I want all the massages. Every single one. Sign me up!
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath: Okay, now we're talking! Luxurious pampering? Sign me up!
Safety & Cleanliness - The "Don't Get Sick" Guide (The "Germaphobe's Delight" or "Nightmare" - depending)
Cleanliness is KING!
- Cleanliness and safety: The essentials! Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, individually-wrapped food, etc.
- Hand sanitizer: Excellent!
- Doctor/nurse on call: Always a good sign of a hotel takes care of its guests.
- First aid kit: Always a necessity.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes!
- Safe dining setup This seems like a given..
- Staff trained in safety protocol Good!
Rooms, Glorious Rooms (The "My Home Away From Home" Dilemma)
Alright, let's talk about the actual rooms. This is where things can get… well, interesting.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes, coffee/tea maker, hair dryer, internet access… standard, but appreciated.
- Air conditioning: Necessary. Especially in Indonesia.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial. Sleep is sacred.
- Coffee/tea maker: Again, essential! I don’t wanna have to leave the room for my caffeine fix.
- Free bottled water: A small thing, but it matters! Hydration is key.
- Ironing facilities: Because I'm a terrible packer and my clothes always look… rumpled.
- Non-smoking rooms: Thank goodness.
- Private bathroom: (Hopefully a good private bathroom!)
- Seating area: Nice for chilling and reading.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Check.
- Additional toilet: A bonus, especially if you're traveling with companions or if you just like your own space in the bathroom.
- Bathtub: A bathtub is a major win! Perfect for a long soak after a long day.
- Bed: Oh this is important! Is it a comfortable bed? Is it a comfortable pillow? Is it a loud AC?
Services and Conveniences - Can They Help Me? (The "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" List)
- Luggage storage: Excellent for pre- or post-check-in adventures.
- Cash withdrawal: Essential!
- Concierge: Hopefully helpful, and patient with my endless questions.
- Dry cleaning, laundry service, ironing service: Because I'm lazy.
- Room service [24-hour]: My midnight snack desires rejoice!
- Car park [free of charge], Valet parking, Airport transfer, Taxi service: Getting around shouldn't be a headache.
- Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Seminars: Okay, so this place is also for business? Fair enough.
- Cash-free payment service: This is an excellent advantage in a cashless society.
For the Kids (The "Are They Kid-Friendly?" Question)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids meal, Kids facilities: Alright! Sounds like this place is ready for the little ones.
Safety and Security - A Must
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms: All very important for safety!
Getting Around - How Do I Get There? (The "Lost and Confused" Survival Guide)
- Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, Valet parking: Transportation offerings. Helpful.
The Anecdote Time: I went on a holiday once, to a place that promised a "pool with a view." The view? A brick wall. Don't let that happen to you. Always confirm the view.
The Quirky Observation: I'd love to see if the hallways are lined with inspirational quotes about education. Because… why not?
Emotional Reaction: I'm already looking forward to the massage. Seriously, I need one.
The Imperfection Revelation: I wish the accessibility details were more specific. Come on, guys, details!
Overall, then? This place sounds like it has a lot going for it. It's got the essentials, it's got the fun stuff, and it seems committed to safety. BUT, the devil is in the details, right? I'm cautiously optimistic.
The Persuasive Offer - My Slightly Imperfect, But Honest, Pitch
**Tired of the same old
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly-organized travel brochure itinerary. This is me experiencing Graha Widya Bhakti at STIESIA Surabaya. And trust me, it's gonna be a wild ride. Get ready for the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the messy, chaotic, and often bewildered truth of my Indonesian university adventure.
Itinerary: Graha Widya Bhakti - Surabaya: A Glorious Mess (and I wouldn’t have it any other way)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Coffee Quest (and Immediate Regrets - Kidding, mostly)
- 9:00 AM: Arrival at Surabaya Airport Juanda (SUB): Oh, the humidity! It hits you like a humid, delicious wall of air the second you step off the plane. My hair instantly frizzed into a halo of… well, I don't even know. Anyway, took a Grab (thank goodness for Grab!) to my hotel. The driver, bless his heart, thought my Bahasa Indonesia was much better than it actually is. I just smiled and nodded, hoping he didn’t notice I was mostly understanding "nasi goreng" and “terima kasih.”
- 10:30 AM: Hotel Check-in (Hotel Name Withheld to Protect the Guilty - It Was Fine, Just Average): Okay, the room's fine. Aircon works. Important. Immediate mission: find decent coffee. I need coffee to function. You know, the kind that doesn't taste like week-old dishwater? Pray for me, Surabaya.
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The Coffee Crusade (and the Discovery of Starbucks): Wandered the streets near my hotel, armed with Google Maps and a desperate hope. Discovered the holy grail… a Starbucks. I know, I know, it's not authentic, but sometimes you just need a taste of home, right? Ordered a venti iced latte. Pure, caffeinated bliss. The barista, a lovely young lady, seemed genuinely thrilled to have a foreigner in her midst. She even tried to teach me a few phrases. My Bahasa game… well, let's just say it needs work.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch - Attempted Indonesian Food (Success!) Brave and hungry, I ventured into a small warung (local eatery) nearby. Pointed at things on a menu I couldn't understand. Ended up with a plate of "Nasi Goreng" (yay, I knew something!) and some fried chicken that was surprisingly, wonderfully, perfectly CRUNCHY.**
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Journey to STIESIA's Graha Widya Bhakti and the Confusion that Ensued: This is where it gets real. Armed with my (probably outdated) directions and a slightly rattled travel buddy, we jumped in a taxi. The traffic was… a whole experience. Think bumper-to-bumper chaos, the kind where scooters weave in and out like maniacs, and the air horn is practically the national anthem. We finally arrived at… somewhere. Looked like a university, but was it the university? The building of interest, Graha Widya Bhakti! This is it! We got out, feeling like survivors, and squinted at the signage. Definitely looked the part.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Orientation (or the Attempt Thereof): "Orientation" sounds so… organized. It wasn't. Found a lecture hall, sat down. Mostly understood nothing. Learned the word "Selamat Datang" (welcome), which I plan to use liberally. The professor, in a beautifully tailored Batik shirt, spoke with such passion. The people were incredibly friendly. Smiles everywhere! Everyone was so welcoming, and it made me feel like I belonged, even if I didn’t understand a single word (besides the aforementioned "Selamat Datang.")
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Graha Widya Bhakti Reconnaissance and the Question of Where to Eat Dinner: Walked around, poked my head in some classrooms, marveled at the sheer energy of the place. Absolutely loved the vibrant atmosphere. I could feel the intellect buzzing (I think…). Now, the pressing question: where to eat dinner? The search begins…
Day 2: Diving Deep into Surabaya - Graha Widya Bhakti and Beyond (and the Sweet Relief found in a Good Pancake)
- 9:00 AM: Coffee, Take Two (Starbucks Again, I'm Weak): Seriously, I can’t quit you, Starbucks. It's a terrible habit, I know, but the reliable caffeine is my only friend right now. Needed a pick-me-up for my class.
- 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Class - Attempting to Learn (Mostly Failing, but Trying): Today’s class on… something! Okay, I think it's about… business? The professor’s enthusiasm is infectious, even if I'm only catching a third of what he’s saying. There were so many students there, the lecture was full, and it was nice to be surrounded by that kind of atmosphere. My attempts to take notes are a hilarious mess of half-formed sentences and doodles of coffee cups.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch - More Warung Adventures (Success! The Best Nasi Goreng Ever!): Found a new warung! Ordered nasi goreng again. This time, it was phenomenal. Seriously, the best nasi goreng of my life. The perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. I practically licked the plate clean. The woman running the warung, an absolute sweetheart, saw my expression and burst out laughing. She gestured for me to take pictures of their food. I was proud.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: STIESIA Exploration - Graha Widya Bhakti Specifics: This is where the itinerary went sideways, in the best way possible. We explored Graha Widya Bhakti with intent. The building and facilities were great, with the typical Indonesian flair. Not many buildings or structures are as modern as what I'm used to. Everyone seemed very excited to see us and help us anytime. Someone showed us their favorite local snack, Rujak Cingur, which if you're a foodie like me, you'll love it!
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Back to the Hotel - The Need for a Nap (and the Questionable Quality of Indonesian Pillows): I needed a nap. The air in Surabaya is… thick. The language barrier requires a lot of mental energy. Also, the pillows at my hotel are suspiciously thin.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Evening and Dinner: I'm going to the local mall, looking for something delicious! I heard there's a popular place for Indonesian cuisine, I am determined to try it!
Day 3: Graha Widya Bhakti and Departure (Bittersweet, Honestly)
- 9:00 AM: The Last Starbucks Run (Don't Judge Me): One last venti iced latte for the road. I might actually miss this caffeine crutch.
- 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Final Class - Goodbye and a Few Tears: The class was amazing. Even though I didn't understand everything, I felt the passion and the energy. Hugs, handshakes, and promises to connect on the internet. The professor gave me a framed photo. I almost teared up - such genuine kindness.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Farewell Lunch (With More Nasi Goreng, Obviously): One last plate of the perfect nasi goreng. A fitting tribute to my culinary journey.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Graha Widya Bhakti - Last Look: We walked around the main building, took some final photos, and soaked in the atmosphere one last time. I'll miss the buzz, the smiles, the chaotic beauty. It's a place that will stay with me.
- 2:00 PM: Depart to Juanda Airport (SUB): A final Grab ride through the beautiful, chaotic city. Bye, Surabaya!
- 3:00 PM: Check in the airport, ready to go home.
Final Thoughts:
This wasn’t just a trip; it was an experience. Graha Widya Bhakti and Surabaya themselves are messy, chaotic, and beautiful. The language barrier was a challenge. The humidity was a constant battle. But, oh my god, the food! The people! The relentless energy of the place! It was overwhelming, exhilarating, and ultimately unforgettable. I came here looking for an adventure. And I got one. And I loved every glorious, imperfect, coffee-fueled second of it. I’ll be back. You can bet on it. Selamat tinggal, Surabaya!
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So, like, what *is* Graha Widya Bhakti STIESIA Surabaya supposed to be anyway? Is it, like, a real school? And, you know, *good*?
Okay, yeah, STIESIA Surabaya (that's the official, boring name) is definitely a legitimate school. Legitimate enough to hand out diplomas and everything! It's a college, specifically focusing on economics and business. "Graha Widya Bhakti" is, like, the name they slap on the building. Think of it as the Indonesian equivalent of, well, *any* college in the world.
Is it "good"? That’s a loaded question! Depends what you're looking for. It's not *Ivy League* good, let's be real. But it’s a solid choice for a local education, especially if you live in Surabaya and don't want to empty your whole bank account. It's all about perspective, isn't it?
What are they actually *teaching* there? Is it just boring accounting stuff? My eyes glaze over just *thinking* about spreadsheets...
Alright, so you're not entirely wrong. There's definitely a healthy dose of accounting, which, let's face it, can be a bit soul-crushing at times. I remember spending a *week* just staring at depreciation schedules and nearly losing my mind. But it’s not *all* that. They have programs for:
- Accounting (obvious one, right?)
- Management (lots of leadership, stuff)
- Economics (macro, micro...the usual suspects)
- And some others, like something with Islamic Economics (if that's your jam).
There's marketing, finance, a whole bunch of business-y things. So, yes, spreadsheets *will* probably make an appearance, but it's balanced with other, arguably more interesting stuff. Just don't go in expecting a degree in, like, competitive napping.
Okay, real talk: what's the *atmosphere* like? Is it super strict and serious, or more chill? I need to know if I can wear my favorite band t-shirt.
Okay, so the atmosphere...it really depends. There are some seriously structured rules. I mean, they had rules about *hair length* when I went. (My hair always caused problems. A little too much, too unkempt.) There’s a certain level of formality you have to maintain, especially with professors. Respect is a big deal.
But it's not *military academy* strict. Students are generally pretty friendly, and there's a good sense of community. You *can* wear your band t-shirt...probably. (Maybe not to a formal presentation, obviously. Use some common sense!. But don't expect you to get away with a Slayer tee on a Monday morning!) There's a real mix – some people are all about the studies, some are really just there to socialize, and most are somewhere in the middle. Think of it more like a bustling bazaar where a university is happening.
What about the *professors*? Are they, you know, actually good? And do they speak English? (Please say yes...)
Alright, the professors... It's a mixed bag, like anywhere. There are some absolute legends. I had one professor who could explain complex economic theories in the most simple, engaging way imagineable. He was a genius. And then, well... there were others. I'm trying really hard to be diplomatic here. Some are super knowledgeable, some are... less so. Some *will* make you want to bang your head against the table during lectures. It happens.
And English? It varies *wildly*. Some professors are fluent, some can get by, and some... well, you'll be learning a lot of Indonesian by osmosis, which is probably a good thing, actually. But if you're relying *solely* on English, be prepared to struggle a bit. And my advice? Learn some basic Indonesian phrases, because you'll need them, and you'll feel much more immersed in your experience.
Is it a "party school"? I mean, are there places to, you know, "hang out" or something?
Listen, STIESIA isn't exactly known for being *the* place to party. There aren't frat houses or wild ragers every weekend. BUT Surabaya is a big city! There are plenty of places to hang out, grab a coffee, study, or even, *ahem*, socialize. The campus itself has a cafeteria (the *warung* by the campus is amazing!), and there are always student events.
Plus, the surrounding area is full of cafes, restaurants, and malls where students gather. Surabaya is a vibrant city, so the "party" is really what you make of it. It might involve more *nongkrong* (hanging out and chilling) than full-blown frat parties, but that's the charm of it, right?
I got my diploma, now what? Is it easy to find a job with a STIESIA degree?
Okay, this is the million-dollar question, isn't it? Finding a job after graduation... it's not always easy, regardless of where you went to school. STIESIA does have a good reputation in Surabaya, and the degree will definitely help. They offer career services and help you get an internship that can give you a leg up.
But let's be real, it's not a golden ticket. You have to work hard, network, and be proactive. A STIESIA degree will get your foot in the door, sure. It's up to you to kick that door down and show them what you've got. That means:
- Building a strong resume.
- Networking (talk to everyone you can).
- Getting some experience (internships are your friends).
- Staying on the ball...always!
What's the *worst* thing about STIESIA? Spill the T, please!
Okay, brace yourself. This is where I get to vent! For *me*, the worst thing was the bureaucracy. The sheer *amount* of paperwork and the sometimes-confusing process of... well, everything, was mind-numbing. Registering for classes, getting transcripts, dealing with anything official... it could be a *nightmare*. I swear, I spent half my time just running around trying to find the right office or get a single form stamped!
And the lack of open discussion! It sometimes feels a bit *too* structured, too afraid to speak your mind. But hey, that's just *my* experience. Your mileage may vary.
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