Sanata Dharma University Hosts 4 Darmasiswa Students
YOGYAKARTA (14/09/26) – Darmasiswa, a program of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikdasmen) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offers students from various countries the opportunity to study the Indonesian language, arts and culture. As it has been for years, Sanata Dharma University became one of the hosting universities. The students studying here are Ranlapas Panyawai from Thailand, Magdalena Galiano from Argentina, Randriamiarinisa Kantonirina Sarobidy from Madagascar, and Le Ngoc Khanh Thuy from Vietnam. This program gives international students a positive impact by enriching their academic and personal experiences, while also strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between Indonesia and the students’ home countries.
This year’s implementation of the Darmasiswa Program is consistent with that of previous years. Darmasiswa’s awardees will participate in classroom learning while also undergoing a dynamic process with the USD academic community. During the first six months, they will explore Indonesia’s cultural diversity, including the Indonesian language, traditional arts, and local traditions. Moreover, they will have the opportunity to enroll in ongoing courses that align with their interests and talents.
The students will start their Bahasa Indonesia class at Sanata Dharma University Language Institute (LBUSD) this September. This course is an integral part of their curriculum, designed to give them the basic language skills they need to gain insight into Indonesian daily culture. In addition, the students are encouraged to join Students Activity Unit (UKM) or Student Club like Karawitan (Traditional musical instrument of Java), Grisadha (Traditional dance club), Community Service Club, and Lens Club.
A special orientation for Darmasiswa Program awardees was organized by the International Office on September 14, 2026, to help them adapt to the campus environment at USD and the surrounding Yogyakarta region. The orientation also covered important information about immigration and residence permits required during their stay in Indonesia. To help them become more familiar with the USD campus environment, they were also taken on a brief tour around the campus, following a route around Campuses 1 and 2 of Sanata Dharm
The Darmasiswa students shared their impressions of their experience in Indonesia after joining the Darmasiswa program. Ranlapas Panyawai, who goes by Eng, after recently graduating from university, sees this program as a great opportunity for young people. She said, “The Darmasiswa Scholarship is a great opportunity for young people who want to learn about culture and gain life experiences in a country with such incredible linguistic, cultural, and ethnic diversity.” She has also felt a warm welcome since arriving at USD, so much so that she is confident, “these 10 months will be one of the best chapters of my life.”
On the other hand, for Magdalena Galiano, or Magui, her interest in Indonesia began through her studies in International Relations. She explained, “After studying the country through books, I wanted to experience Indonesia from within, learn its language, and engage with its culture through everyday life.” Since arriving in Yogyakarta, what has impressed her most is the friendliness of its people. “I have encountered an incredible sense of hospitality, solidarity, and willingness to help,” she said, adding that “smiles are never missing.” She has also been interested in observing Indonesian social customs, from the ways people greet one another to how they show respect.
With the enthusiasm brought by Eng, Magui, and Tasya, the three of them are expected to be able to make the most of their learning experience during their time studying in Indonesia.
(RAC/ATL – BKHI)