To welcome international students in the fall semester of 2023, the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), held a Cultural Immersion Day (CID) activity. This activity was held on Friday (11/8) as an event to introduce Yogyakarta culture and a momentum for international students to get to know each other. This time, the CID activities occurred in several places, including Embung Kaliaji, Omah Salak, Nawang Jagad, and Kembangarum Tourism Village. The international students gathered at FEB UGM and departed by bus to the activity location.
The first destination visited was Embung Kaliaji, an artificial reservoir tourism area at the foot of Mount Merapi. In this place, the students, accompanied by the Kembangarum team, tried Jemparingan, a traditional Javanese archery activity typical of the Mataram Kingdom. In carrying out this activity, they wear Surjan clothes, Yogyakarta traditional clothes with ‘lurik’ (striped) motifs. To release an arrow, it takes sufficient concentration and optimal energy so that the arrow goes right on target. The international students were enthusiastic about doing this, considering it was their first time trying Jemparingan.
The next destination was Omah Salak, an educational tourist attraction in Kenteng Hamlet, Wonokerto Village, Turi District, Sleman, Yogyakarta. In this 27-hectare garden, visitors can find various salak (snake fruit), including bali snake fruit, semeru snake fruit, gading snake fruit, manggala snake fruit, pondoh hitam snake fruit, and others. The international students tried to pick the salak fruit directly from the tree, peeled it, and then ate it. Even though it was their first time trying it, they admitted they liked salak. This was because salak has a delicious and sweet taste, coupled with the textured flesh of the fruit.
After exploring Omah Salak, the group continued their journey to the next destination, namely Nawang Jagad. This place is a new tour located in Padukuhan Kaliurang Barat, Sleman, Yogyakarta. The tourists usually camp while enjoying the natural panorama around the campground. Meanwhile, international students claimed to be amazed by the natural beauty there. They also captured the moment set in Mount Merapi by taking selfies and pictures with friends. Next, the groups headed to their final destination, the Kembangarum Tourism Village. In this place, the group enjoyed lunch together.
Reportage: Adella Wahyu Pradita
