In today’s fast-paced world, having a hobby is not just a pastime; it’s a crucial component for maintaining balance and ensuring personal well-being. Hobbies serve as a positive outlet for channeling energy and reducing stress, offering a much-needed break from academic or professional life pressures. Many people may find themselves overwhelmed or falling into unproductive or harmful habits without a hobby.

Engaging in hobbies ensures that time is spent in enjoyable and beneficial ways, contributing to personal growth and the broader community. Hobbies provide a wide range of benefits, from improving physical health and mental stability to enhancing social skills and expanding creativity. Whether it’s playing sports, practicing martial arts, painting, making music, writing, or learning a new language, hobbies stimulate the mind, encourage self-expression, and develop important soft skills. These skills, such as time management, patience, and problem-solving, are invaluable in both academic and professional settings.

Social interaction is another key benefit of having a hobby. Participating in group hobbies allows individuals to connect with others who share similar interests, fostering a sense of belonging and developing important interpersonal skills.

At Swiss German University (SGU), students have numerous opportunities to pursue their hobbies through various student activity units, known as UKMs. These UKMs serve as communities where students with similar interests can come together, develop their skills, and engage in fun and fulfilling activities. SGU offers a range of options, from sports clubs such as badminton, basketball, football, and martial arts to arts-related activities like choir, music, and dance, ensuring that every student can find a community where they belong.

Some unique UKMs at SGU reflect the diversity of student interests. The Japanese Culture Club offers students the chance to immerse themselves in the rich traditions and customs of Japan, from language to anime and manga, fostering cross-cultural appreciation. For those passionate about healthcare and outreach, Medicus organizes community service projects where students can contribute to public health awareness. The Event Club also focuses on giving back to the community through organizing events that bring people together for good causes, highlighting the importance of teamwork and social responsibility.

For students who enjoy strategic thinking and camaraderie, the Board Games Club is a great place to develop patience and problem-solving skills, while engaging in fun, mind-challenging activities with friends. For gamers, the eSports Club offers a meaningful way to pursue gaming as a hobby, fostering teamwork, discipline, and even opportunities to participate in competitions. It shows how gaming, often seen as a solitary activity, can be turned into a community-building experience that promotes skills like focus, coordination, and communication.

One significant advantage of joining a UKM at SGU is the opportunity to earn CPDP. This system tracks a student’s involvement in extracurricular activities, encouraging active participation on campus and fostering a well-rounded experience that goes beyond academics.

In addition to the personal benefits, hobbies at SGU provide students with opportunities to give back to the community. Through various events organized by the university, students can apply the skills they’ve developed in their UKMs in meaningful ways, contributing positively to society.

In conclusion, hobbies play a vital role in personal development and overall well-being. At SGU, students have the chance to explore and cultivate their hobbies in a supportive and enriching environment. By joining a UKM, students can relieve stress, make new friends, and develop skills that will benefit them both in their personal lives and professional careers. With the added incentive of earning CPDP points and contributing to university events, pursuing a hobby at SGU is more than just fun—it’s an investment in your future.

Contributor: SGU Brand Champion 2023-2024
Abdullah Irsyad Muhtarif – Pharmaceutical Chemical Engineering 2022

SWISS GERMAN UNIVERSITY (SGU) is an international university in Indonesia, was established in 2000 as a joint effort between Indonesia, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. We are the pioneer in offering international curricula in Indonesia. Qualified students can graduate with a Double Degree from Indonesia and Germany, which SGU provides in cooperation with partner universities; surely a valuable tool for your future careers. Ever since its establishment, SGU has been dedicated to delivering quality education in line with international standards and aims to develop skilled professionals who meet the demands of the industry. In order to achieve its objectives, SGU offers quality-oriented learning through 16 Bachelor’s Degree Programs and 6 Master’s Degree Programs ranging from Engineering, Information Technology, and Business to Life Sciences and Social Sciences. Furthermore, with small class sizes, and with English as the medium of instruction, you can look forward to pursuing your tertiary education and degree with full confidence.