A total of 14 international students studying in Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) had the opportunity to engage with students from the Islamic Center Bin Baz (ICBB) during the Bin Baz Cultural Fest, held on May 17 to 18, 2025.
Bin Baz Cultural Fest is an annual event that celebrates the rich diversity of cultures from around the world. The cultural fest aims to foster intercultural understanding among students and the wider community, provide a platform for cultural expressions and appreciation, and strengthen community bonds through cultural exchange. This year’s event brought together participants from diverse backgrounds in a vibrant and educational atmosphere.
The event was held separately for male and female students across the two days. During the interactive talk sessions, UGM international students delivered presentations about their home countries, which offered insights into their cultures, traditions, and personal experiences. In return, ICBB students actively engaged with the guests, asking questions ranging from their favorite Indonesian dishes, cultural festivities back home, and even their study experience in Indonesia.
Following the talk sessions, the international students were given the opportunity to enjoy a cultural exhibition and presentation hosted by ICBB students. The exhibition featured booth decorated with national flags and accessories from various countries, accompanied by fun and interactive games. Meanwhile, the cultural presentations showcased five student groups sharing interesting facts about selected countries, ranging from historical figures to pop culture references.
Not only enjoyed the event, but the international students were also invited to act as judges and select the best group presentation. This created an engaging interaction between ICBB and UGM international students, allowing them to learn and appreciate each other’s culture in a spirit of mutual respect and curiosity.
As a reflection of the school’s rich Islamic values, the female international students were asked to wear a hijab during the event as a sign of respect and modesty. For some, it was their first experience wearing one, but it was embraced positively.
“I feel so pretty wearing hijab,” said Tirsa Merari Carcamo Bonilla, international student from Honduras who is currently studying in UGM with Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) scholarship. “Also, I would like to say thank you to everyone involved in this event. Today was really fun, and I learned a lot!” she added.
Representatives from Islamic Center Bin Baz also expressed their gratitude and appreciation towards UGM international students’ enthusiastic participation in the event. “Thank you to OIA UGM and the international students! The Bin Baz Cultural Event became more than just an event, it became a shared celebration of diversity, learning, and friendship,” said Ustadzah Vedra, one of the Bin Baz teachers.
The Bin Baz Cultural Fest is not only a festive occasion, but also serves as a meaningful bridge between cultures which fosters understanding, respect, and lasting connections. Both OIA UGM and Islamic Center Bin Baz are hopeful that this event will become a start of a fruitful and ongoing collaboration, potentially growing into a model of intercultural engagement and educational exchange.
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