Yogyakarta, 08/05/2025 – Amidst the vibrant melodies of bowed strings and profound harmonies, a deeply meaningful cultural event unfolded in “Mini Concert #18: Romansa Svara (Romance of Sound)”. This classical music performance by the Gadjah Mada Chamber Orchestra (GMCO) was held on Thursday, 8 May 2025 at Taman Budaya Yogyakarta. In the elegant atmosphere that enveloped the stage that evening, one figure stood out: Oh Yeonju, a student from South Korea currently studying Indonesian at INCULS, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada.  

More than just a guest or spectator, Oh Yeonju took part as a member of the orchestra, playing the violin with passion and dedication. Alongside young musicians from across Universitas Gadjah Mada and Indonesia, she performed expressive compositions in a concert that showcased not only musical beauty but also reflected a profound cultural encounter.  

Oh Yeonju’s participation in this concert embodied the spirit of inclusivity and cross-border learning. In this collaborative artistic space, differences in background were not barriers but bridges connecting hearts and minds. Music, as a universal language, brought together individual uniqueness in a harmonious unity, creating a learning ecosystem that touched both intellect and emotion.  

“Romansa Svara” was not merely an aesthetic experience but also carried important values of cooperation, mutual respect, and growth in diversity. This was a stage where international friendships were woven naturally, not through diplomatic discussions but through notes flowing in perfect rhythm.  

Oh Yeonju’s story on the GMCO stage served as a reminder that true education extends beyond the classroom. It thrives in interaction, in the courage to try new things, and in openness to embracing differences. UGM, through platforms like GMCO and INCULS, continues to foster inspiring spaces for both local and international students to collectively shape a more harmonious, empathetic, and meaningful world.  

Amidst the thunderous applause that night which resonated as more than just musical appreciation there was a clear message: art can transcend geographical and cultural boundaries, offering hope for a more harmonious world. And among the performers, a South Korean student became part of this beautiful story, a vital note in the symphony of togetherness known as “Romansa Svara”.  

[Public Relation of INCULS, Thareeq Arkan Falakh]

Yogyakarta, May 5, 2025 – As part of their language and cultural studies, students from the Beginner 1 Regular Conversation Class at INCULS visited the historic Museum Benteng Vredeburg in Yogyakarta. Located just north of the Yogyakarta Palace, this historical site has witnessed Indonesia’s journey from the colonial era through to independence and beyond. It offers a unique learning experience for international students who are learning the Indonesian language while also exploring its rich historical and cultural background.

The fort was originally named Rustenburg, meaning “resting fort,” when it was built in 1787. Over the years, it underwent several transformations. Following a powerful earthquake in 1867, it was restored and renamed Vredeburg, which means “peace fort.” A hundred years later, in 1987, it was officially opened to the public as a museum.

During the visit, students explored a series of dioramas showcasing key moments in Indonesian history—from the Dutch colonial period and Japanese occupation to the struggle for independence and the post-independence era. Each section was explained by a museum guide using simplified Indonesian, making it easier for students to grasp new vocabulary related to history and culture.

The students were highly engaged throughout the visit, asking questions about Indonesia’s historical figures and milestones while confidently using the language skills they’ve learned in class. The trip concluded with a group photo in the museum’s courtyard, marking a memorable moment in their cultural exploration.

More than just a visit to a museum, the trip gave students a chance to apply their Indonesian skills in real-life situations while deepening their understanding of the nation’s history. It illustrates how language learning becomes more impactful by connecting it with contextual and cultural experiences.

[Public Relation of INCULS, Karnesti Septianingrum]

Yogyakarta, 15/05/2025 – INCULS (Indonesia Culture and Language Services) is not only an institution dedicated to teaching Indonesian to foreign speakers but also serves as a strategic platform in supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The experience of Rifan Shinji, a 2020 graduate of Japanese Language and Culture, as a tutor at INCULS demonstrates how inclusive and adaptive educational approaches can foster quality education. By prioritizing the needs of international students from diverse backgrounds such as Monash University students who prefer casual conversations or Ritsumeikan University students interested in traditional music, Rifan applies contextual learning methods. For example, UNSW students are taken to museums to understand Indonesian politics, while Kokushikan University students engage directly with local communities to learn about customs. This approach not only strengthens linguistic comprehension but also builds cross-cultural skills, aligning with national principles of education for sustainable development and multiculturalism.

Additionally, INCULS contributes to reducing inequality by implementing principles of equality in learning. Rifan emphasizes that all students are treated fairly without favoritism, even though challenges such as mood differences or language barriers often arise. To address these, tutors use personal approaches, such as sharing meals with students or utilizing translation technology to ensure effective material delivery. However, the fact that all current INCULS tutors are male also highlights potential room for improvement in gender equality, which could be a focus for future development.  

On another note, INCULS plays a vital role in preserving and promoting Indonesian culture. Through language teaching, tutors also introduce the richness of Indonesian culture, from traditional music to local customs. Rifan gives examples of how Ritsumeikan students are interested in learning gamelan, while HUFS students are more enthusiastic about discussing Indonesian pop music. This dissemination of cultural knowledge not only enriches the perspectives of international students but also strengthens Indonesia’s soft power diplomacy on the global stage. The impact is multiplicative, as these students will carry their understanding of Indonesia back to their home countries, creating a broader cultural network.  

To support this strategic role, Rifan suggests the need for infrastructure development at INCULS, such as constructing a dedicated Indonesian language teaching building. Adequate facilities would allow the institution to enhance teaching capacity and reach more foreign learners. By maintaining teaching quality and expanding collaborative networks, INCULS can continue to be a pioneer in Indonesian language education while contributing to sustainable development. Through a holistic approach combining education, culture, and inclusivity, INCULS proves that language teaching is not merely knowledge transfer but also an investment in global peace and progress.

[INCULS, Thareeq Arkan Falakh]

Yogyakarta, 30/04/2025 – As part of a comprehensive intercultural learning experience, students of the Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) program in advanced class 2 from the Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS) of Universitas Gadjah Mada participated in educational visits to two special locations in Yogyakarta: Diorama Arsip Jogja and Space Roastery 1890. This activity was designed not only to enrich students’ understanding of local history and culture, but also to instill important values related to heritage preservation, social responsibility, and community-based creative entrepreneurship.

The journey began at Diorama Arsip Jogja, a visual documentation space located in the complex of the Yogyakarta Regional Library and Archives Agency. More than just a document repository, the Diorama is a visual-based interactive space that displays the key phases of Yogyakarta’s history chronologically from the heyday of Islamic Mataram, the Dutch colonial era, the struggle for independence, to the development of the city in the present. With an array of informative panels, artifact replicas, and well-curated narratives, students are invited to immersively trace the city’s history. For those who come from different countries with different cultural backgrounds, this space opens new insights into the importance of archives and collective memory in the formation of a nation’s identity. Diorama Arsip Jogja does not only present history as something static, but as a living heritage that continues to shape society today.

After exploring the history room, the group continued their journey to Space Roastery 1890, a coffee shop that occupies a heritage building, a former doctor’s house from the colonial era. Here, the old architectural heritage blends harmoniously with contemporary lifestyles. The interior of the building still retains high ceilings, wide windows, and old wooden elements that create a warm and characterful atmosphere. Students enjoy relaxing while sipping quality local coffee, chatting, and enjoying the historical atmosphere that this place has to offer. But this visit was not just a moment of respite; they were also introduced to the coffee roasting process first-hand and the story behind the transformation of this old building into a vibrant and sustainable creative enterprise space. This story shows that preserving architectural heritage does not have to mean freezing the past, but can be the foundation for innovation and local economic growth that is contextual to the times.

Both the archive and the coffee shop represent a connection across time, between a past that needs to be preserved and a future that must be faced with responsibility and creativity. The visit not only enriched the students’ understanding of Indonesian history and culture, but also raised their awareness of the importance of active participation in the preservation of local values, while encouraging the creation of inclusive spaces that accommodate cross-cultural interactions. Through this experience, the students not only learned the Indonesian language, but also absorbed the values that live in the local narrative, becoming a subtle yet impactful form of cultural diplomacy, rooted in a concern for the history and lives of the people of Yogyakarta.

[INCULS, Thareeq Arkan Falakh]

Yogyakarta, 25/04/2025 – The visit of INCULS students from the Indonesian Tourism Specialization Class to Ullen Sentalu Museum opened new horizons in understanding the Javanese cultural heritage that lives and breathes through every corner of the museum. Located in the cool air of Kaliurang, the museum not only presents a collection of historical objects, but also serves as a dialogue space between the past and the present, where students can dive into noble values that remain relevant in modern tourism development. Each exhibition room, from Gua Selo Giri that showcases the palace’s batik to Kampung Kambang that tells the story of the palace princesses’ lives, holds lessons about the balance between preserving tradition and adapting to changing times.

Through direct interaction with museum guides from the local community, students realized the importance of involving the community in cultural heritage management. The way the museum empowers local residents as active custodians of traditions provides a clear example of how cultural preservation can go hand in hand with improving welfare. This experience taught them that authentic cultural tourism should grow from the roots of the community, not just be a show to fulfill market tastes. The students also learned that every batik motif, building architecture, and room layout in this museum contains a deep philosophy of life about human relationships with nature and each other.

The next activity was a session to try the freshly made jadah tempe. Students experienced firsthand the harmony of the savory taste of fermented tempeh with the sweetness of jadah from sticky rice, all wrapped in the fragrant aroma of banana leaves. Through this culinary experience, they understand how traditional food is not just a matter of taste, but also a medium for cultural preservation and local wisdom in processing natural resources. The visit to the jadah tempe producers completed their understanding of the full ecosystem of Javanese culture – from the philosophical values displayed in the museum to the real practices in people’s daily lives.

This direct interaction with traditional food artisans also opened the students’ eyes to the potential of culinary tourism as part of a holistic cultural tourism experience. They saw opportunities to develop tour packages that not only showcase historical objects, but also bring culture to life through sensory experiences such as tasting and making traditional food. This learning further strengthened their understanding of the importance of involving local communities in any tourism destination development, as well as maintaining the sustainability of culinary traditions as a priceless intangible cultural heritage.

This visit was also a living laboratory for students to observe best practices in cultural destination management. They saw how museums are able to create educational tourism experiences without reducing the sacred value of their collections, as well as how technological adaptations are made while maintaining the essence of tradition. This kind of learning shapes the perspective that tourism development must always consider sustainability. Not only in the environmental sense, but also the sustainability of cultural values and economic benefits for local communities. This experience at Ullen Sentalu and the jadah tempe production site is an important foundation for future tourism professionals to build a more responsible and meaningful destination development model.

[INCULS, Thareeq Arkan Falakh]