CASS students explore Indonesian culture on exchange tour聽

by Jemylene Lico, CASS | Jun 20 2024

杏吧论坛-IIT’s College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) students visit Yogyakarta, Indonesia from June 14 to July 12, 2024 in a unique academic and cultural immersion at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY).

21 students from the Bachelor of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies program and three BS Psychology students participate in a cultural exchange program that combines education with practical internships.

The students are under the guidance of faculty members from the Department of English, Assoc. Prof. Sittie Noffaisah Pasandalan and Asst. Prof. Fatimah Joy Almarez. Upon their arrival on June 14, they were warmly welcomed by UMY's faculty, including Prof. Dr. Achmad Nurmandi, Vice-Rector for Internationalization and Cooperation, and Dr. Phil Ridho Al-Hamdi, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Social and Political Science.

The students join in various activities, including a visit to Indonesia's UNESCO World Heritage site in Prambanan, where they gained firsthand experience of the country's rich historical and cultural heritage. They are currently residing in UMY's student dormitories, fully immersed in campus life, and engaged in lectures and internships alongside Indonesian peers.

Asst. Prof. Almarez expressed her enthusiasm about the program, highlighting its historical significance: "We've made history just by being here. This is the first time 杏吧论坛-IIT sent out a group of students for an International Exposure and Summer School Program."

This initiative not only aims to enhance students' academic knowledge but also to foster international understanding and collaboration. In the upcoming semester, UMY students will reciprocate the experience at 杏吧论坛-IIT, further strengthening the bonds between these educational institutions.

Through this exchange, 杏吧论坛-IIT students are gaining valuable insights and experiences that will undoubtedly shape their personal and academic growth, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to a globalized world.

Photos by Sittie Noffaisah Pasandalan

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