Sebastian Dittmer Isbye, a student from Copenhagen Business School, described his time in the Global Summer Week (GSW) 2025 program organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM) as an unforgettable cultural learning experience.
Participating in the cultural activities for the first time, he had the opportunity to touch and handle a traditional bow and even try archery.
“I’m happy I got to do this. It’s my first time holding a bow,” Isbye said on Wednesday (Jul. 23).
Isbye admitted this was an experience he would never forget. For him, such a cultural activity would be difficult to find in his home country of Denmark.
The excitement he felt from playing archery was not just about the game, but rather the meaningful bridge it created for him to connect with Indonesian culture on a deeper level. He expressed his gratitude for being able to visit Indonesia through the program.
Even though he initially experienced some culture shock, he quickly adapted after mingling with fellow GSW participants.
“I’m thrilled to get to know Indonesian culture directly. I’m grateful it didn’t take long to adjust,” he explained.
The Cultural and Outbound Activities held at the Prambanan Temple complex, part of the GSW 2025 program, encouraged students to open up and engage with new friends from diverse backgrounds.
The energy and enjoyment were evident among the 56 participants from eight universities across nine countries who joined the event.
The visit to Prambanan Temple was one of the most anticipated moments for many GSW participants. It provided a cross-cultural learning experience wrapped in warmth and camaraderie, sparking meaningful connections between participants and fostering friendships.
Megat Raimi bin Hezree Azwan, a Malaysian student currently studying at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, also shared his excitement. He said he was delighted to meet many new people and explore local culture, which he found uniquely different from both Malaysian and New Zealand cultures.
According to Raimi, Indonesian people tend to be more open and friendly, making it easier for him to build friendships. For him, GSW 2025 was not just a journey to gain academic credits, but also an opportunity to form emotional and cultural bonds with Indonesia.
“Initially, I joined this program just to earn some easy credits. But what I gained was far more valuable: experiencing new cultures and building international friendships,” Raimi said.
A similar impression came from Nurul Natasha binti Ismayudin, also from the University of Canterbury. Although this was her first time in Indonesia, she said that the exploration of the Prambanan Temple complex was one of the activities she had been looking forward to the most. She expressed awe upon learning that this beautiful Hindu temple is still used for prayer today.
“I didn’t expect that such a magnificent structure had once been damaged by the 2006 earthquake. The art and carvings are amazing. Despite the past damage, the temple’s artistry and philosophy are incredibly rich,” she said.
Reporter: FEB UGM/Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Kezia Dwina Nathania