1st Semester: Start of Growth
Navigating Research Growth at ICLab
Hello there! I'm Pradipta!
I'm an international student from Jakarta, Indonesia, and I joined ICLab as a Master's student in Fall 2025. This is my first time going abroad (Yes, I didn’t want my first overseas trip to become a tourist). The decision wasn't easy. After years of building products at technology companies, I had a comfortable rhythm, daily standups, sprint planning, and code reviews. Everything was structured, measurable, and predictable. So why leave? I feel like it’s time for me to explore new things at a young age.
From Workplace to Campus: A Mindset Shift
Before coming to KAIST, I worked as a Software Developer at several companies in Indonesia. The environment was fast-paced, structured, and very project-driven. Every task had clear deliverables, deadlines, and teamwork, and time management was key to getting things done.
When I started graduate school, though, I quickly realized I had to shift my perspective. Things at KAIST can feel much more ambiguous. Research directions aren’t always clearly defined from the start, and sometimes you’re expected to build and explore something from scratch with minimal guidance. That kind of independence can be both freeing and a little intimidating.
In the industry, you usually work with others on well-scoped projects with clear goals. In research, you often find yourself navigating uncertainty on your own, figuring out what to work on, how to approach it, and why it even matters. That mindset shift was probably my biggest challenge. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate it. Graduate school is currently teaching me to think more independently, explore new ideas, and get comfortable with uncertainty, and I think that’s a pretty valuable lesson.
Managing Coursework
I was honestly surprised by how few credits we are required to take in graduate school compared to undergrad. I still remember taking 24 credits during my undergraduate years while juggling part time jobs, volunteering, and campus organizations all at once. Back then, I used to wonder where my free time even went. It turns out that in graduate school, that “free time” simply transforms into lab and research work. It’s kind of like full-time office work while also enrolled in the university.
I took 10 credits in my first semester courses, those are the courses I took:
1. Programming for AI: Refresh and strengthening my technical foundation in AI & ML.
2. Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): Diving into the world of user-centered design.
3. MS Thesis Research: Understanding important things to know as researchers.
4. Seminar: Exposure to cutting-edge research topics
Compared to my time in industry, the coursework workload felt quite easy to manage. However, I was surprised to learn that KAIST uses a norm-referenced (normal distribution) grading system. This differs significantly from Indonesia’s absolute grading system, where grades are based on predefined ranges. I think this is why I received an A0 in the HCI for Graduate course when I had initially expected an A+, and why I was unable to achieve a perfect 4.3/4.3 GPA as a result.
I have had many people tell me not to worry about coursework, because in graduate school, research is supposed to be the main priority. I understand why they say that, but in my situation, it does not fully apply. I am on an external scholarship that requires me to maintain my GPA above a certain threshold to keep my scholarship. For me, coursework is not something I can treat lightly and for now maintaining my grades has to come first. Knowing that keeps me grounded and intentional about how I balance research and academic performance.
Research and Lab Life at ICLab
During my first semester, my main research focus was developing a data collection ecosystem for our lab. At that time, I wasn’t assigned any service-related roles, which made my workload more concentrated rather than scattered across different responsibilities. That clarity gave me a stronger sense of structure and better control over how I managed my time.
At ICLab, I found a really supportive and welcoming environment. My labmates come from diverse backgrounds and skill sets, and I’ve learned a lot just from casual chats and small collaborations here and there. What surprised me the most was how understanding everyone was. They respected my beliefs and dietary restrictions (no pork and no alcohol) without ever making it awkward. They were also incredibly patient whenever I asked questions about Korean language or cultural nuances. That kind of consideration made settling in so much easier.
At that moment, there were only 3 international students in the lab, including me. Because of that, there are moments when I feel quite lonely, especially when conversations naturally flow in Korean and I am not always sure how to jump in. A lot of the time, I choose to stay quiet and just listen. In some ways, that has become its own kind of learning experience. By paying close attention, I can pick up small cultural cues and unspoken context from the way people interact with one another. It is not always easy, especially for an Ambivert person like me, but it has helped me realize how cultural differences can shape my experience as a person.
Members also have the opportunity to join the recurring N1 HCI Lunch, where researchers from different labs gather to share a meal and talk about their research, projects, and personal experiences, all in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. I gained a lot of insight from these sessions, and I was truly inspired by how passionate everyone is about their work.
Several months have passed, and I realized that lab life isn't just about research. We:
Eat together – lab lunches and dinners with the professor or lab mates
Coffee chats – casual conversations that spark new ideas
Celebrate birthdays & milestones – because every milestone matters
Project meetings – collaborative discussions that push our work forward
My advisor, Professor Uichin Lee, is incredibly enthusiastic about mentoring lab members. I learned so much during the graduate school book seminar (and other meetings in general), sessions that equipped me with essential skills for research and academic life. While his expectations are high, he genuinely supports lab members in reaching those targets. This combination of high standards and strong mentorship has pushed me to grow faster than I expected.
Year-End party before vacation timeOur research lab usually opens undergraduate internship opportunities every Summer and Winter. During my first semester, I was given the opportunity to serve as one of the TAs and mentors for the internship program. I’m not entirely sure why I was selected for the role (it was sudden), but I chose to do the job anyway. In the end, I’m really glad that everything went smoothly, and I was impressed by how dedicated and hardworking the interns were in completing their projects. We also had a social gathering where interns, lab members, and professors came together to relax and enjoy time with one another, which made the experience even more meaningful.
Beyond the Research: Exploring New Horizons
Since it was my first time living abroad, everything felt like a new adventure. I challenged myself to learn Korean, and although it was tough, I was proud to earn TOPIK Level 1 before the end of my first semester. It was not an easy journey, but being able to read signs, order food, and have simple conversations made daily life feel much more rewarding. I am currently aiming for a higher level. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I will try to do my best to achieve that.
Learning something new is always challenging, so after finishing my work at the lab, I sometimes spent time with international friends outside the lab, whether they were from other countries or fellow Indonesians, to recharge my social batteries. I also did other things such as:
Join KAIST Events from ISSS: A wonderful way to meet other international students, experience Korean culture and foods provided with cheap prices (sometimes even free!).
Explore Daejeon and other regions: Sometimes alone, sometimes with Indonesian friends or international buddies, explore museums, bread, and even hiking. Other than Daejeon, during the first semester, I also visited other places such as Mokpo, Jeonju, Pohang, Seoul and many more. I learned that many regions in Korea have their own specialities.
Experience Korean culture: From navigating public transport to discovering cute cafes.
Lessons from the First Semester
Embrace independence: Research requires self-direction. Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do, take initiative.
Build connections: Your labmates and peers are invaluable resources. A coffee chat can lead to breakthrough ideas.
Step outside your comfort zone: Whether it's learning Korean, joining events, or exploring alone, growth happens when you're uncomfortable.
Be patient with yourself: The transition from industry to academia (or vice versa) is not easy. Give yourself grace as you adapt.
✨ Looking Ahead
My first semester has been a beautiful mix of challenges and discoveries. From adjusting to a new country and culture, to shifting my mindset from industry to academia, to understanding new things through ICLab, every experience has been a stepping stone. I came to Korea to explore new things: research, a new world, new challenges. And so far, it's been everything I hoped for and more. Here's to more adventures, more learning, and more growth in the semesters to come! �