Five students from the Korean Language and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, participated in the 2026 Youth Peace & Reunification Golden Bell Quiz (2026 청소년 평화통일 골든벨 대회) organized by the Peace Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) at Jakarta International Korean School (JIKS), Jakarta.
The competition attracted participants from various educational institutions. Beyond assessing Korean language proficiency, the event provided a valuable opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of Korean history, culture, and issues surrounding peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula.
The event commenced with welcoming remarks from the organizers and school representatives, followed by the singing of the Korean national anthem, an opening performance, and several competition rounds for both Korean and Indonesian participants. After preliminary rounds, second-chance rounds, and final rounds, the event concluded with the announcement of winners, a networking session between Indonesian and Korean participants, closing performances, and an award ceremony.
In this competition, Claudia Keishia Piji Swastika, 1st year student, received the Encouragement Award (장려상, 4th Winner). Meanwhile, Irene Xaviera Lovryna, 2nd year student, achieved the Excellence Award (최우수상, 2nd Winner). These accomplishments reflect the students’ dedication and hard work in developing their Korean language proficiency while expanding their understanding of international issues.
Claudia expressed her gratitude for the achievement:
“This was a truly memorable experience, especially because it was my first time participating in an in-person Korean language competition. Although I initially lacked confidence, I am very grateful to have made it into the top four out of approximately 130 participants. This experience has motivated me to continue learning and improving. I would like to thank the Study Program, Professor Alfi, and my family for their trust, support, and encouragement.”
Similarly, Irene shared her appreciation for the opportunity:
“I am very grateful for the valuable opportunity to represent UGM for the first time in this year’s Golden Bell competition. Although I was initially quite pessimistic about being able to memorize all the materials, by God’s grace, finishing in the Top 2 was something I had never imagined. I would like to thank the Study Program, Professor Alfi for trusting me to participate, my fellow participants, as well as the committee members and JIKS teachers who were incredibly supportive. I am proud to have been part of this experience. All the effort, time, and dedication invested throughout the journey were truly rewarded through this competition. I hope this experience will serve as motivation and a valuable lesson for my future endeavors. 그리고, 내년에도 꼭 다시 도전하고 싶습니다. 정말 감사했습니다!”
The participation and achievements of the Korean Language and Culture Study Program students in this competition demonstrate the program’s commitment to supporting academic excellence, foreign language proficiency, and cross-cultural communication skills. Through activities such as this, students not only gain valuable competitive experience but also have opportunities to build networks and strengthen intercultural understanding.
[Eunike Serafia N.S]
