In June 2024, Leni, an English Literature student from the 2020 batch at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), embarked on a journey that enriched her experiences through the Global Experience (GEx) program organized by the National University of Singapore (NUS).

This program held from June 2nd to 28th, 2024, with the aim of introducing NUS students to the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia through visits to creative artists in Bandung and Yogyakarta. In Bandung, the activities took place at various locations such as Navetta, Dago Pojok, Cibunut Creative Village, and Omah Budaya Cigondewah. In Yogyakarta, they visited places like IVAA, Cemeti Art Institute, Street Art Tour, and Heri Dono Studio. The program consisted of one professor from NUS, one student assistant from NUS, 15 NUS students, and two student assistants from UGM. Leni was lucky to receive this valuable opportunity.

Leni joined the program after meeting Prof. Kiven during the 2023 Cultural Exchange, an annual collaboration between the UGM English Literature Program and NUS. Before the Cultural Exchange began, Leni was asked to assist three professors from NUS, including Prof. Kiven, in their preliminary survey in Yogyakarta. During the survey, they visited the Tactic Plastic community, a group of artists who create art from plastic waste. A few months later, UGM students who participated in the Cultural Exchange had the chance to visit Singapore and study at NUS, with one of the lectures delivered by Prof. Kiven. During this time, Prof. Kiven invited Leni to join as a fixer or liaison to help communicate with the artists in Yogyakarta for the GEx Bandung-Jogja program.

While working with the NUS team, Leni experienced a high level of professionalism. They highly valued punctuality, adhered to the schedule, and had detailed and clear work contracts. Prof. Kiven and the NUS students left a very positive impression on Leni due to their appreciative, caring, and understanding attitudes, and they never judged her shortcomings. From this experience, Leni gained many valuable lessons and the opportunity to build and strengthen her international network.

Through this program, Leni learned that seemingly ordinary things around her, such as artists, actually play a significant role in society. Art as a medium of expression often becomes an effective tool to deliver social issues. Moreover, in Singapore, artists are not as free as in Indonesia due to many regulations that restrict them, making the art in Indonesia feel more honest. This realization made Leni appreciate the freedom that can still be enjoyed in Indonesia, a great blessing often taken for granted.

Leni strongly encourages her fellow students to join and engage with international communities. She believes that such involvement can enrich one’s perspective on social phenomenas around us. Although geographically close, Singapore and Indonesia have culturally different habits and traditions. In conclusion, Leni believes that being involved in international communities can provide valuable insights that serve as a crucial life resource.

Photo 1: Leni with NUS Students at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM

Vienna, Austria—On June 29, 2024, the University of Vienna, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and the Austria-Indonesia Fellowship Association held an international workshop titled “Insular Southeast Asia,” initiated by Dr. Gabriele Weichart with the support of ASEA UNINET. The workshop aimed to bring together scholars and students in the social sciences and related fields, focusing on the islands of Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei, and Timor-Leste). Participants were invited to share their latest research, research experiences, and explore new areas and opportunities for future projects in research, teaching, and other collaborative models.

Three lecturers from the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, contributed to the workshop. Prof. Dr. Bambang Hudayana, M.A., and Gabriele Weichart (University of Vienna) presented a project titled “From cash crop to lifestyle: the long history of coffee in Indonesia,” Dr. Sita Hidayah, S.Ant., M.A. presented a brief project titled “Participatory Digital Ethnography Learning Center: teaching e-fieldwork, digital ethnography and collaborative research at UGM,” and Wahyu Kuncoro, S.Ant., M.A. presented a brief project titled “Nurturing the future: pesantren, piety, and ‘good citizen’.” In this workshop, Dr. Sita Hidayah, S.Ant., M.A. served as an organizer from Universitas Gadjah Mada along with Gabriele Weichart, Sanderien Verstappen, and Daniela Paredes Grijalva from the University of Vienna.

Author: Daiva Keefe Kalimasadha

For the first time, the Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM conducted a field trip to visit Korean companies in Indonesia. This activity was organized to conclude the Comprehensive Korean Language 2 (Korean Business) course in the Spring Semester of 2023/2024. The event was held over two days, Tuesday-Wednesday, June 25-26, 2024. It was attended by 31 students and one accompanying lecturer, Mrs. Alfiana Amrin Rosyadi, S.S., M.A., who teaches the Comprehensive Korean Language 2 (Korean Business) course. The visit included several companies, namely PT Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia, Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) Indonesia, and Bank Shinhan Indonesia.

The event began on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, with all participants and the lecturer gathering at Cikarang Station, Bekasi, to head to the first destination, PT Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia. The journey was made by bus and took approximately one hour as the destination was located in an industrial area quite far from the urban area.

The agenda at PT Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia started with an Alumni Talk, featuring an introduction to the company and a sharing session by the company and several alumni from the Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM who work there. This was followed by a group photo and the presentation of a souvenir from the Korean Language and Culture Program to PT Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia. The event continued with a factory tour guided by a company representative. During the tour, participants had the opportunity to see firsthand the process of manufacturing and assembling cars produced by PT Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia. The visit ended with the distribution of souvenirs from PT Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia to the participants.

On Wednesday, June 26, 2024, all participants traveled together to Lotte Mall Jakarta to visit the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) Indonesia. The event opened with a welcome speech from Mr. Kim Young Soo, the regional director of KOCCA Indonesia. This was followed by a company introduction and a sharing session by the company. Participants then had the opportunity to tour the KOCCA Indonesia office. Additionally, all participants had the chance to experience Korean culture, both popular and traditional, provided by Korea 360. Korea 360 is a KOCCA product aimed at introducing Korean culture to the world through creative content. The event concluded with a group photo and the presentation of a souvenir from the Korean Language and Culture Program to KOCCA Indonesia, as well as the distribution of souvenirs from KOCCA Indonesia.

The final destination of the visit was Bank Shinhan Indonesia. Here, participants listened to a presentation about Bank Shinhan Indonesia by its principal director, Mr. Koo Hyung Hoe. After Mr. Koo Hyung Hoe’s presentation, the event continued with a group photo and the presentation of a souvenir from the Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM to Bank Shinhan Indonesia. The company then provided further presentations about the company and Campus Hiring. This was followed by a Q&A and sharing session with alumni from the Korean Language and Culture Program at UGM who work at Bank Shinhan Indonesia. The visit concluded with the distribution of souvenirs from Bank Shinhan Indonesia.

This industrial visit was made possible through the cooperation between the program and its relevant partners. It serves as a means for students to gain knowledge about the career paths available to them, enabling them to apply this knowledge when they enter the workforce.

Photo 1.1: Korean Language and Culture Program Visited PT Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia

Photo 1.2: Korean Language and Culture Program Visited Shinhan Bank

The UGM Arabic Literature Student Association (Ikmasa) held SANJUNG (Ikmasa Visits) on Sunday, June 30th, 2024. This event took place in Room 709 of the Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. This event was a collaboration between Ikmasa and the Student Association of Arabic Language Education at Muhammadiyyah University of Yogyakarta (HIMA PBA UMY).

The event was attended by all members of the UGM Arabic Literature Student Association (Ikmasa) and the Student Association of Arabic Language Education at Muhammadiyyah University of Yogyakarta (HIMA PBA UMY).

The event began with an opening by the MC, followed by remarks from the HMP Chair, and presentations of each HMP’s work programs. It continued with departmental sharing sessions, where participants gathered with their respective departments, and concluded with the symbolic exchange of souvenirs and a group photo at the UGM rectorate.

It is hoped that through SANJUNG (Ikmasa Visits), the bonds of friendship will be maintained, fostering a sense of togetherness and cooperation among all participants.