Writen by Novia Lestari
In her sand-brown shirt and floral hijab, Syarifah Ismailiyah Al Athas—known by friends as Lya—sat by the window of the Reitz Union food court. Even though Lya had not fully recovered from jet lag after a recent trip back to Indonesia and a 10-hour layover in South Korea, she remained focused. The entire journey took nearly 44 hours. Her eyes were fixed intently on her laptop screen as she prepared for her next class, AI in the Built Environment, in just a few hours. She instantly shifted from academic focus to a warm greeting as soon as she was aware of a fellow Indonesian’s presence. It’s a balanced persona she has maintained well — a PhD student and a community leader.
Back in Indonesia, Lya lived a life grounded in family, art, and scholarship. She was an architecture professor at the Indonesian Islamic University of Yogyakarta. She spent her days with teaching, mentoring students, and developing research, before coming home to a house she designed herself. Lya is many things at once — she plays instruments, sings, designs buildings, and was once a traditional dancer and a choir singer. She carries her artistic side into motherhood and passes the creativity to her two children.
Now entering her third year studying architecture at the University of Florida, Lya still remembers the excitement she felt on her first day on campus. She made her way from her apartment to campus under the late-summer bright sun. The scenery around her, however, was not like what she had imagined.
"The landscape and everything is quite different with the one that I imagine from U.S. campus, and I love it,” she said with a smile. “It’s quite green.”
She immediately fell in love with the campus’ tranquil environment, the way the campus feels peaceful while still being close to the town and all its facilities.
The campus’ tranquility may have made Gainesville feel welcoming to her, but she wasn’t prepared for the life off-campus that could be frightening.
Just two months after settling into her apartment on Southwest Archer Road, Lya had to face one of the most terrifying experiences in her life. It was almost midnight when a violent pounding shook the front door. “Open the door!” someone shouted from outside.
She immediately ran to the living room and found her two other Indonesian roommates there. Confused and scared, Lya called out from inside “Who is it?”
The person did not even bother to answer, the only response was just another round of even louder banging — not just at the door, but at every single window there was. The three then hid into one bathroom, trembling as they called 911. By the time the police arrived at their apartment, the stranger was already gone.
They never find the person, and the unanswered fear stayed in the back of Lya’s mind for a while. “After that moment, I have quite severe panic attack every time I go to the public place including the class, so I have to tell my professor at that time,” she explained.
When she told the professor, he urged her to contact UFPD and continued checking on her even long after that day.
The fear came back when she became a target of a racist outburst on a nearly empty bus. It was only her and another passenger inside. The ride had been silent — no words exchanged, until the man started yelling at her.
“He said something bad about me, and then about my hijab,” she said, choosing not to repeat the words.
She wanted to put the incident behind.
And yet, amid these moments that could have hardened her, Lya found unexpected kindness. Her professors and classmates welcomed her practices with openness.
Before class begins each afternoon, she lays out her small mat in the classroom to perform her Dhuhr salah, the midday prayer that is one of Islam’s five daily prayers. Instead of questioning her practice, her professors and classmates welcome it with an open mind.
“My professor is very communicative and very respectful, and she allowed me to explain what I did,” she said with a smile, knowing that the gesture came not out of obligation, but respect.
Despite the hardships, she still considers herself lucky, supported, and seen. She has received plenty of support from professors, friends, classmates, and people she has met along the way. “I think I’ve found the right people,” she said. “It feels like a pleasure to live in Gainesville.”
Having lived through those hard times, Lya understand how crucial it is to receive support from people around — this realization became one of the driving forces behind her decision to serve as president of the Indonesian student association of Gainesville (PERMIAS). Her goal is to create a home for every Indonesian student in Gainesville and make sure that no one faces hardship alone.
This association brings 37 students together — from undergraduates to doctoral candidates. She was recently elected as the president, but she has begun her contribution as a treasurer since a year ago. During that time, PERMIAS achieved a major milestone — becoming an official student organization under the Student Government of the University of Florida. That recognition gives the opportunity for the organization to grow and strengthen its presence on campus.
For Lya, however, the title as the president is not the point. She refuses to perceive her role as an individual accomplishment. Instead, she sees herself as part of a larger collective effort by everyone in the organization. “We are not personal, we are never personal in PERMIAS,” Lya said, with sincerity in her voice. “But we’re together, we are family,” she continued.
Together, the association has become a safe space for the Indonesian students in Gainesville.
“It is home far away from home,” she said.
PERMIAS Gainesville is a lifeline for students adjusting to life here, offering a range of support — from welcoming new students to organizing cultural events. First Day First is one of the most important programs they held. Gathering new Indonesian students in town for just half a day, the organization provides information and resources that might help a smoother transition and put their mind at ease on their first day in campus.
Cultural pride is also at the center of Lya’s leadership. She has long loved traditional Indonesian dance and music, and she makes sure they are part of PERMIAS’ activities. The association sets up tables to introduce Indonesian culture from traditional instrument made from bamboo called Angklung to traditional hand-printed garments to curious passersby on International Education Day, Homecoming, and other campus events.
In addition, she presented research at a conference in New Orleans, where she incorporated Indonesian genius loci — the spirit of a place — in her architectural studies. “Every time I present my research, I bring Indonesia in my presentation,” her eyes lit up with pride.
Being open-minded is her simple but a heartfelt advice to fellow Indonesian students in Florida. She admitted that many students, including herself at times, feel hesitant to step outside their comfort zones. She urges students to try new things, or to mingle with others. “Just open your mind,” Lya encouraged. Experiencing differences from life in Indonesia, she explained, should not be seen as gaps of uncertainty, but as bridges of opportunity for them. “It’s something new, and it’s a good thing.”
What she hopes above all is that Indonesian students never feel alone. PERMIAS Gainesville is not just an organization but an oasis of shared laughter, struggles, and dreams — a home far away from home that never stops opening its doors.
Learn more about the Indonesian Student Association (PERMIAS) Gainesville on their Instagram @permiasgainesville and connect with Lya on @lya_alatas