Sanata Dharma University Host Five Darmasiswa Students
YOGYAKARTA (5/09/24) – Darmasiswa, a program by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudsritek) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign affair, was once again held this year. As it has been for years, Sanata Dharma University became one of the hosting universities. Among the students studying here are Le Thuy Quynh from Vietnam, Thanitta Sookklam from Thailand, Yui Kobayashi from Japan, Tvrtko Balic from Croatia, and Zhang Fei from China. This program offers the opportunity to students from different countries to learn Bahasa Indonesia, Indonesian art, and culture. The international students’ participation not only enriches their academic experience, but also strengthens their cultural and diplomatic relationship with Indonesia.
Keeping with the tradition, this year’s Darmasiswa students will study and engage with Indonesian culture for 10 months. During that time, they will come in contact with various aspects of Indonesian culture such as, Bahasa Indonesia, traditional art, and the local customs during their first semester. Meanwhile, the students would be able to be a sit-in student according to their field of expertise. Previously, they also underwent an orientation by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudsritek) in Jakarta on 29-31 of August 2024.
The students will begin their Bahasa Indonesia class in Sanata Dharma University Language Institute (LBUSD) this September. This class is a core part of their program which aims to equip them with the necessary language skill to explore the daily culture of Indonesian.
The students are also invited to participate in Students’ Activity Unit (UKM) or Student Club such as Karawitan (Javanesse Traditional Instrument), Mapashada (Environmental and Adventurer), Grisadha (Traditional Dance Club), Community Service Club, Soccer, and Lens Club.
The International Office of Sanata Dharma University also held a special orientation to introduce the Darmasiswa students to their lives in Indonesia, especially in Yogyakarta, and specifically in the Campus of Sanata Dharma. The special orientation was held on the fourth of September 2024 in the Kadarman Room, Fourth floor of the Central Building. This orientation also includes several Immigration administrative material and stay permits. Hopefully, the Darmasiswa students would be able to better adapt to their daily lives. To familiarise themselves with their learning environment the students went on Campus tour across the first and second campus of Sanata Dharma University.
During the orientation the students share their excitement learning in Sanata Dharma University. Le Thuy Quynh said that “I am very happy to be here, because of the comfortable and conducive conditions. I also dreamed to visit places like Merapi mountain and the City of Bandung”
It is no longer a secret that Indonesia has always been a centre of attention due to its beauty. “I am thrilled to be in this program because I want to visit some places around Yogyakarta and Indonesia. Meanwhile, I want to visit other universities to practise my Bahasa Indonesia skill” Said Zhang Fei excitedly.
Recommended by her lecturers, Yui Kobayashi mentioned that she can wait for the Bahasa Indonesia class, so that she could speak Indonesian like the locals. With the same spirit ,Thanitta Sooklam is also fired up to make new friends.
Meanwhile, Tvrtko Balic shared his interest toward Yogyakarta, the city rich in culture Yogyakarta, and Sanata Dharma University status as the only Jesuit University in Indonesia. He also hopes that he would be able to enrol in a Theology class which is in line with his field of interest, philosophy.
With everything prepared, both in or outside their class, the Darmasiswa students are expected to be able to maximise their experience during their stay in Indonesia.
(AZD/ARP – BKHI)
