A total of 22 international students participated in the Cultural Immersion Day (CID) on Friday, February 7, 2025. This event was part of the Orientation Day series designed to give international students a first-hand experience of Indonesian culture.
The day started with a visit to Embung Kaliaji in Turi District, Sleman Regency. Upon arrival, the organizers introduced participants to various traditional Indonesian snacks and invited them to taste the delicacies. After enjoying these local delicacies, the students tried their hand at traditional archery, known as jemparingan. Unlike modern archery, jemparingan is performed while seated and requires participants to wear traditional Javanese clothing, adding to the authenticity of the experience. Each participant could shoot 3-5 arrows during the activity.
After the traditional games, participants toured the Turi area in vintage Volkswagen (VW) cars, with Omah Tani as their final destination. Omah Tani offers an agritourism experience where visitors can pick salak (snake fruit) directly from the trees.
From Omah Tani, the journey continued with a scenic walk along the river, allowing participants to enjoy the fresh air and natural beauty of the surroundings.
The VW cars then took the group to a photo spot with a breathtaking view of Mount Merapi, providing the perfect backdrop for capturing special moments. The trip continued to Kembangarum Tourism Village, Turi District, Sleman Regency.
Upon arrival in Kembangarum, the students could taste fresh coconut water harvested directly from the trees. After enjoying lunch, activities continued with a batik-making workshop showcasing one of Indonesia’s most famous cultural heritages. The organizers held this session at Rumah Batik Sekar Turi, where students could choose between the batik cap (stamp batik) or batik tulis (hand-drawn batik) techniques.
The CID event received positive feedback from international students. Tresna Elaïa PIERRAS from the University of La Rochelle expressed her enthusiasm for the experience.
“I was excited to try one of the traditional painting methods on fabric. The patterns created by batik are beautiful. I enjoyed sharing this moment with all the participants,” said Tresna.
Jade Petit from TBS Education, France, shared a similar sentiment. She appreciated the opportunity to learn about Indonesian culture through the CID program at FEB UGM.
“I have gained a deeper understanding of Indonesian culture. The activities here are quite different from those in France, which excited me to try something new,” she explained.
Lou-Ann BONNET from ESC Clermont Business School also shared her impressions of the CID program, saying she gained new insights, especially about life in Indonesia. Meanwhile, Agathe BLANCHARD, also from ESC Clermont Business School, found the experience equally enriching. Through CID, she could interact with the warm and friendly Indonesian community and learn new things about the local culture she had never known.
“Before, I had little knowledge of Indonesian culture, but today’s activities have given me a deeper understanding,” concluded Agathe.
Report by: Orie Priscylla Mapeda Lumalan
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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