A total of 12 participants of the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship (BSBI) have completed the learning process about art and culture in Indonesia for 3 months at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta (UPNVY). This scholarship program is held by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) which aims to promote Indonesia to the international arena.

Apparently, all participants came from different countries. There were 12 countries participating in UPNVY, namely Romania, the Netherlands, Gambia, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, China (Hong Kong), Myanmar, Timor Leste, New Caledonia, Indonesia (Makassar), and Bangladesh.

"The goal is that they can be friends of Indonesia one day. During the 3 months of processing, they were  closed to the students, lecturers at UPNVY and interacting with the community, they became acquainted with Indonesia directly”, said UPNVY Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Machya Astuti Dewi, during the closing ceremony of Indonesia Arts and Culture 2019 Scholarship at UPNVY Campus 2, Tuesday (6/8/2019).

He revealed that this was the seventh time that UPNVY has become a partner of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist BSBI participants. During the 3 months activities, the participants did not only sat in class listening to the lecturer explain, but they also visited various popular tourist destinations in Yogyakarta.

 In fact, the participants also received lessons in Indonesian Language and Javanese dance. Both of these lessons are received every day. During the 3-month process, the participants were apparently adept at dancing two Javanese dances and were ready to perform in Banyuwangi.

"That morning they (participants) learned Indonesian, and they learned Javanese Dance in the afternoon", he said.

The participants also visited the Bakpia industrial center in Yogyakarta. They were given the opportunity to make bakpia. He said that the participants were also given the opportunity to learn to make batik ranging from written batik, eco printing, and jumputan batik.

"Hopefully, they will be able to promote Indonesian culture and atmosphere, especially in Yogyakarta. They came here with their culture, then they became all Javanese within 3 months", he said.

One BSBI participant from Mexico, Raquel Corona Roldan, said that she was happy to get the opportunity to join this scholarship. The reason was that she has dreamed of being able to go to Indonesia since the age of 13 years. She said that it was not an easy thing to be able to qualify  to be the BSBI participants 2019.

“I fell very very very lucky. This is one of the most unique scholarship in the world. I have learned the meaning of what is the meaning of inter-culturality", she said.

She also mentioned various favorite foods during her 3 months in Yogyakarta, namely, tempeh, tofu, uduk rice, and yellow rice. This woman claimed to be interested in Pancasila and Political Science in Indonesia.

Apparently, there are groups of Javanese gamelan and Balinese gamelan in Mexico. Her interest in Indonesian culture made  her join the Balinese Gamelan group.

"All my life I want to be here", she said. (asa/ adn / adv)

https://kumparan.com/tugujogja/mahasiswa-fari-12-negara-pajar-budIndonesia-indonesia-di-upnvy-1rc5Hst5V34