International students in Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) always have numerous opportunities to engage with local communities and immerse themselves in Indonesian culture. One of them is through a recent summer camp organized by private boarding high school SMA Pradita Dirgantara in Boyolali, Central Java, held from August 5-10, 2024.
Bringing the theme “Exploring Culture, Celebrating Diversity”, this summer camp was designed as a cross-cultural event for the students of SMA Pradita Dirgantara. To bring this theme to life, the school invited nine international students from UGM to join the summer camp, where they shared insights about their respective countries and culture through class sessions with the high school students.
The international students not only had the chance to teach and share their own cultures, but also to immerse themselves in Indonesian culture. They participated in a variety of activities, including playing traditional games, learning to play Indonesian musical instruments, making batik, and performing traditional dances. Additionally, they joined local students in group activities such as a fashion show featuring traditional attire and navigating outdoor obstacle courses.
Ahmed Abdallah Faouzi Attia, UGM international student from Algeria who’s currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, said that the summer camp exceeded his expectations. “I thought it’s going to be a simple summer camp,” he said. “But after arriving here, the experience is quite different from other schools in Indonesia.”
The summer camp concluded on August 10th with several artistic performances and awarding ceremonies to celebrate participants’ achievements throughout the program, such as Best Chemistry Group, Most Energetic Group, and many more.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Ari Tarigan, the Managing Director of SMA Pradita Dirgantara, expressed his hope for the continuation of this program. “This summer camp program is not just about sharing knowledge; it’s also a process of cultural exchange that helps shape our skills as global citizens,” Mr. Tarigan said. “I also hope that this program can start lasting friendships between local and international students.”
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