The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UNAIR hosted a student visit from Phillips-Marburg Universität, Germany, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. The event, held in the Adi Sukadana Hall, was titled “International Visit & Cultural Discussion from Phillips-Marburg Universität”.
Phillips-Marburg Universität sent 33 of its students to learn about Javanese cultures in Surabaya. The agenda was also attended by the Student Executive Board (BEM) of FISIP UNAIR, aiming to build a global network with foreign students.
The event served as a platform to acquaint the visitors with Surabaya’s culture and wisdom, with a special emphasis on showcasing local traditions, particularly the Javanese script or Hanacaraka. It provided the German students with an opportunity to delve into the cultural ethos of Java.
Dhahana Adi, Cultural Program Assistant at Wisma Jerman delivered a welcoming speech. “This visit marks the first encounter at FISIP as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FISIP UNAIR and the University of Marburg. Surabaya Cultural Odyssey serves as a platform for foreign students to learn about Surabaya’s culture and wisdom. I hope for more collaborations in the future, especially with the Goethe Institute,” he said.
The students visited the Ethnographic Museum and the Center of Death Studies at FISIP UNAIR. The next agenda was elaborated by International Relations lecturer Probo Darono Yakti, S.Hub.Int., M.Hub.Int.
“The visit will take place in Surabaya, we will engage with the local communities and learn traditional arts,” he said.
The German students are introduced to various cultures in East Java, ranging from Reog, pencak silat, “Rek Ayo Rek” song, to wayang. The excitement continues as the students dance together to “Gemu Fa Mi Re” and “Kewer-Kewer”. Furthermore, they also played traditional games with other FISIP students.
For the following activities, a tour of Surabaya to introduce the city to the German students, followed by cultural practices at the Balai Pemuda has been scheduled. The German students eagerly embraced the opportunity to interact with their peers from FISIP UNAIR. They are eager to learn about the local culture during their stay in Surabaya.