Semarang – The Covid-19 pandemic is still ongoing since the first positive case was announced in March 2020. Many activities have been carried out online to minimize the spread of the virus, including the student service program – Kuliah Kerja Nyata(KKN). Diponegoro University, which has made KKN activities an annual routine agenda for students in groups in various placement areas, now has to rack their brains.

No need to linger, the university finally sparked a new concept in the form of online KKN with the headline “KKN Homecoming”. It can be seen from the name, this KKN is carried out in the area where each student lives while still implementing strict health protocols.

Syahrul Sahrila, a Communication Science student of class 2017 who is still carrying out his KKN duties took the time to share experiences. According to him, the KKN system during this pandemic was deemed ineffective and less standardized in all regions. This assumption is not without reason, because there are often differences in assignments or orders from lecturers between one student and another in different areas.

“Besides, lecturers often use the time to discuss outside productive hours. For example at 10 in the evening,” added Syahrul.

Based on personal experiences and stories from friends, this KKN activity is more textual-based on applicative. Nevertheless, Syahrul admitted that this was natural because KKN was individual.

Then, this individual KKN system is quite difficult for KKN participants. because the workload and innovation are borne by the students personally. On the other hand, it becomes a plus point because it is difficult to reach friends from one area in a far and different place,” said Syahrul.

The contribution he made during the KKN was actively participating in activities such as youth organizations, RT / RW neighborhoods, and sub-districts in the area where he lived. Syahrul admitted that the activities that are often carried out are direct or indirect socialization regarding the Clean and Healthy Lifestyle (PHBS) or the dangers of Covid-19.

Everything that is planned must have advantages and disadvantages, as well as KKN Online. Syahrul felt that on the one hand he was facilitated in several ways, such as not needing to make very significant changes because he was an individual who did not allow significant changes after the implementation of KKN. On the other hand, he finds KKN Online very troublesome because he has to do many draining things as a result of being done individually: such as taking care of correspondence, permits to village and city government officials, individual documentation, and lecturers who are difficult to discuss.

Even though it was done online, the Department of Communication Science did not just act out of it. According to Syahrul, the department continues to accompany and guide KKN participants online.

“The support department is to provide advice to students of this faculty in making policies for the programs they make. The rest, KKN participants do exploration, “concluded Syahrul.

Reporter: Rahma Kurniasari

Writer: Dinda Khansa Berlian