The Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) always has its own stories for its awardees. Ariel Maresca, one of Diponegoro University’s Applied Foreign Languages students, who received IISMA Co-funding had the opportunity to study for one semester at Daegu Catholic University, South Korea. For Ariel, one of the memorable experiences was when she had the opportunity to introduce Indonesian culture at the host university. Here is Ariel’s story in cultural activities.
Together with fellow awardees at Daegu Catholic University, IISMA awardee from Diponegoro University, Ariel Maresca from the Applied Foreign Language study program, actively contributed and supported the event. The collaboration of awardee students of the IISMA (Indonesian Student Mobility Awards) program, held an event entitled CULTURISE (Culture United for Reconnection, Inspiration, Sharing and Empowerment) at the Daegu Catholic University hall of the Korean language learning department building. Carrying the theme of cultural harmony, this event is part of a series of IISMA activities in the mission to introduce Indonesia in the international arena, especially in each campus that is targeted as an IISMA awardee. Preparations were made for a series of events quite carefully and in a fairly short time. This event was also supported by the Korean Language Learning Department at DCU, who provided assistance, venues, and administration.
In preparation, each task has been divided in organizing and running this event, including the contribution of Diponegoro University students, who strengthen the bond of friendship, which is the documentation section and guides the session of trying on batik clothes and taking pictures together. Through a series of activities, the event itself was not only attended by international students, but also involved lecturers and professors from Daegu Catholic University who also enlivened and showed enthusiasm and appreciation for Indonesian culture. Taken from the theme of the event, the name Indonesia Day was made as the title of this event. With a vibrant, enthusiastic atmosphere and a sense of community, Indonesia Day succeeded in creating a space for a warm and meaningful cultural exchange. “This event not only introduces Indonesian culture, but also has the element of building bridges of friendship between students from various countries”, said the IISMA student’s representative awardee.
Through CULTURISE, it has been shown that culture can be a powerful tool in uniting differences and strengthening relationships between nations. Indonesia Day is also expected to be an unforgettable moment for all participants and provide inspiration to get to know Indonesia better. The Indonesia Day event, as the name implies, was made with a series of activities such as an introduction to Indonesia presentation, a Balinese Janger dance performance, trying traditional Indonesian games to trying on batik clothes and taking pictures together. Together with other fellow awardees, we invited international students, several lecturers and professors who enlivened the event and as a form of participation, and appreciation.
The event began with a traditional dance performance by IISMA Daegu Catholic University awardees, the Janger Dance from Bali, which was performed at the beginning of the event as part of the opening ceremony. This dance uses a typical property in the form of a traditional Balinese fan, with clothing costumes and batik cloth. The performance was successfully demonstrated and received a lot of applause and good comments.
Furthermore, a presentation about Indonesia was held which contained content in the form of general knowledge about Indonesia where interesting facts about Indonesia were conveyed, as well as showing various cultures in Indonesia, languages spoken, traditional food and clothing, some traditional houses in Indonesia, famous tours in Indonesia to interesting quizzes and prizes, for participants who answered questions about Indonesia that had been presented. This presentation was carried out using 3 languages in the presentation content, namely, English, Chinese and Vietnamese, while the language introduction used verbally in the presentation, used English.
The next part of the Indonesia Day program was a session to try out traditional Indonesian games. This activity began with a demonstration by the IISMA awardees, who showed how to play, typical Indonesian games. International students seemed very enthusiastic about the session and were interested in trying traditional games such as bola bekel and gasing. Together with being guided by the IISMA awardees in trying the game of bekel ball and gasing, the international students became more enthusiastic with Indonesian souvenirs given as additional prizes for participants who tried the game. In addition, the awardees also distributed Indonesian snacks and candies, which added to the unique experience for the participants. As a closing and memento, participants were able to write down their messages and impressions about the Indonesia Day event, the messages were written on sticky notes that will be attached to a large cardboard board.
The board contains heartwarming and uplifting messages and impressions of the IISMA awardees, such as “Organizing an event like this is not easy and they did very well”, “these students are busy but they managed to do it in a short time”, said a message written by a lecturer. “I got to know a lot about Indonesia”, ‘I LOVE INDONESIA’, ‘I hope to visit Indonesia one day’, ‘The event was fun, interesting, and the dances were cool’, said an international student. This event provided an unforgettable moment of togetherness, this event became one of the most memorable moments during his education at Daegu Catholic University as an IISMA awardee and is expected to leave a deep impression of the warmth of Indonesian culture in the hearts of lecturers, professors, and international students.
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