The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM welcomed Hesti Aryani, S.S., M.A., an alumna of the English Literature Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, who is now the Senior Business Development Manager at JANZZ Technology Switzerland and Director of PT JANZZ Technology Indonesia, a BIPA instructor at the Indonesian Embassy in Bern, Switzerland, and a member of the APPBIPA Germany executive board for the promotion of the Indonesian language in Europe. Before returning to Switzerland that afternoon, Hesti took the time to visit the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM, where she received a warm welcome from the faculty leadership. Hopefully, Hesti’s visit to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences will help expand international networks and enhance the soft skills of UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences alumni.
Hesti Aryani, S.S., M.A.’s Journey to Success:
After graduating from high school in 2007, Hesti Aryani went on to study at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta, majoring in English Literature. While a student at UGM, Hesti was active in student organizations and participated in youth exchange programs to Russia (2010) and Thailand (2011). Shortly after earning her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Hesti began her professional career as an instructor of English and BIPA (Indonesian for Foreign Speakers) at Chiang Mai University, Thailand, in 2012. At the same time, Hesti pursued her graduate studies and earned a Master of Arts degree from the English Language and Communication program at the Faculty of Humanities, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.
Hesti’s career journey has taken her to study, work, and live in various countries for over 15 years, spanning from Asia to Europe. Her teaching experience later expanded to the international level, including serving as a lecturer at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, where she taught the course “Sprachkurs Indonesisch.” Since moving to Switzerland in 2019, Hesti has continued the mission of the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture to globalize the Indonesian language and culture through various language and cultural training programs at the Embassies of the Republic of Indonesia in Bern and Warsaw.
Armed with an academic background in language and literature, education, international communication, business development, and technology, Hesti joined a Swiss IT company in 2022 as an Ontologist (an expert in Artificial Intelligence) to develop artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the field of human resources. Currently, Hesti has been entrusted with the role of Managing Director for the company’s representative office in Indonesia. In carrying out her current role, Hesti not only leads the company but is also involved in the development and training of AI systems to provide solutions that benefit the modern workplace—one example being her active advocacy for the importance of human intelligence in AI technology development and regulation at the United Nations (UN) in Geneva.
Hesti Aryani’s Journey in Teaching Indonesian to Foreign Speakers (BIPA):
For Hesti Aryani, teaching Indonesian to foreign speakers (BIPA) is not merely a profession, but a calling to introduce Indonesia to the world. A journey that began more than a decade ago has taken her to teach in various countries, build an international network, and earn awards for her dedication to Indonesian language education.
This journey began in 2011 when Hesti visited Thailand as part of the ASEAN Youth Friendship Network program. Recognizing market demand amid preparations for the ASEAN Economic Community, Hesti seized the opportunity to open the first BIPA class in Northern Thailand. In collaboration with the Language Institute at Chiang Mai University, she also initiated the establishment of the Indonesian Corner—a space serving as a hub for language learning, culture, and information about Indonesia, supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Bangkok. This initiative became a key milestone in the development of Indonesian language education in Northern Thailand.
This experience further strengthened her resolve to develop BIPA professionally by participating in a BIPA teacher certification training program with APBIPA Bali. After returning from Thailand, Hesti joined INCULS (Indonesian Culture and Language Learning Service) and the Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (PSSAT) at Gadjah Mada University as a BIPA instructor. These experiences enriched her understanding of cross-cultural teaching strategies and the needs of adult learners from various parts of the world.
In 2019, Hesti continued her international career when she was given the opportunity to teach Indonesian as a Foreign Language (BIPA) at the University of Zurich (UZH) in Switzerland. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully adapted her teaching methods to an online format that was interactive, creative, and still focused on real-world communication.
This dedication earned her national recognition when Hesti received the Best Online BIPA Teaching Award from APPBIPA Pusat, an acknowledgment of her innovation and the quality of her online Indonesian language instruction. This award serves as proof that digital transformation can be an effective means of expanding access to Indonesian language learning worldwide.
Outside the classroom, Hesti actively contributes to the international BIPA professional community. She is a member of APPBIPA Germany, collaborating with Indonesian language teachers across Europe to share best practices, develop academic networks, and strengthen the presence of BIPA on the international stage.
His commitment to language diplomacy is also reflected in his official appointment as a BIPA instructor by the Language Development and Guidance Agency of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia. In this capacity, she was entrusted to teach at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Bern, Switzerland, and later at the KBRI in Warsaw, Poland, introducing the Indonesian language to diplomats, students, professionals, and the international community as part of Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy.
Now, after more than a decade of dedicating herself to the world of BIPA, Hesti’s journey has expanded beyond teaching. With a background as an educator, linguist, and artificial intelligence (AI) practitioner, she is actively developing innovations in language learning, the digitization of education, and the use of technology to expand access to the Indonesian language on a global scale.
For Hesti Aryani, every BIPA class is a space for diplomacy. Every word learned becomes a bridge between nations. And every student who successfully speaks Indonesian is a new ambassador who carries stories about Indonesia to all corners of the world.
Author: Unit PkM, Alumni, dan CDC Fakultas Ilmu Budaya UGM
