Sastra Inggris

Universitas Sanata Dharma
Terakreditasi Unggul Nomor 8196/SK/BAN-PT/Ak.Ppj/S/XI/2025
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Swinburne Meets Yogyakarta: Bridging Cultures Through Learning and Exploration

FS x SUT

Yogyakarta, November 19-20, 2024 – The Faculty of Letters at Universitas Sanata Dharma (FS USD) warmly welcomed a delegation from Swinburne University of Technology (SUT), Melbourne, for an inspiring two-day academic and cultural exchange. The program was a celebration of learning, cultural exploration, and camaraderie. Thirty students and lecturers from both institutions participated in the event
The first day started with an insightful lecture by Dr. Sal Clark and Bruce Rickett, titled “Understanding Humans as Refugees and Asylum Seekers: A Political Geography Perspective,” delivered in USD’s Kadarman Room. Attended by around 50 students and faculty members, the session explored global issues such as borders, displacement, and human mobility. Dr. Clark’s thought-provoking ideas sparked a lively Q&A session, with questions from both USD and SUT participants.

English Letters students in a rice field
USD English Literature student Bagus reflected on the experience, saying, “I learned so much from this lecture. It made me think more critically about global issues, especially marginalized people like refugees, and how they impact real-world society. Engaging in meaningful discussions with students from different backgrounds was inspiring, and I could ask more about what our countries should do in response to the refugee issue”.

After lunch, the academic exchange continued with presentations from FS USD students, including Aurel (English Literature), Salma (Indonesian Literature), and Carol (History), who shared their educational journeys and local perspectives. SUT students reciprocated by offering insights into their academic lives in Melbourne. The session buzzed with curiosity as students from both institutions discussed cultural nuances, university life, and even playful topics like Australian slang and Indonesian expressions. Moderated by Bagus (English Literature) and Syerom (Indonesian Literature), the lively atmosphere was further energized with icebreaker games, setting the stage for deeper bonds.

Despite heavy afternoon rain, the cultural exploration of Yogyakarta pressed on with adjustments to the itinerary. The group began at the Sonobudoyo Museum, where they explored exhibits showcasing Yogyakarta’s rich heritage, from traditional artifacts to interactive displays. Following this, they strolled through Malioboro’s vibrant streets, admiring landmarks such as Titik Nol Kilometer, Vredeburg Fort, and Gedung Agung. USD students introduced their SUT peers to local delicacies and cultural trivia along the way. The day concluded with a memorable dinner at Raminten Resto, accompanied by spontaneous dancing and laughter as the group enjoyed live angklung music.The connection among students was evident as students formed bonds through shared experiences, exchanging stories and creating memories that transcended cultural differences. The evening ended with everyone humming to local favorites like Koyo Jogja Istimewa and Rungkad, celebrating the spirit of Yogyakarta and the friendships formed during the exchange.

The second day offered a hands-on exploration of Javanese traditions with a visit to Kebon Agung, a tourism village in Bantul. The group set off early, arriving at a warm welcome with traditional drinks such as wedang uwuh and jajanan pasar, as explained by the village guides. They shared that this village has often been visited by groups seeking to experience authentic Javanese rural culture.

Participants then stepped into the life of local farmers, rolling up their sleeves to plow fields, plant rice, and experience the challenges of farming firsthand. USD and SUT delegates worked together to plant rice, carefully placing 3-4 stalks per mound. Despite the growing heat of the midday sun, they continued their work, even trying to plow the fields with buffalo and traditional plowing equipment. The splashes of mud and the pulls of the buffalo couldn’t dampen their spirits. The activity brought everyone together, fostering laughter and mutual support in the muddy fields.

Afterward, the group enjoyed traditional games with local villagers, trying their hand at egrang (stilts), bakiak (wooden sandals), and batok kelapa (coconut shell balancing). SUT students were especially eager to join in, showing genuine interest and enthusiasm as they played alongside USD students. These activities sparked friendly competition and laughter, further solidifying the bonds formed during the exchange.

The participants of FS x SUT ate the lunch

Following the morning’s physical activities, the group sat down to enjoy a traditional kenduri-style lunch featuring an array of local dishes like orek tempe, bihun, tahu bacem, tempe dan perkedel, sambal, and the centerpiece: a large ayam ingkung. The meal was not only delicious but served as a moment of reflection as participants chatted about their cultural experiences and the journey that was coming to an end. After lunch, they participated in a batik-making session, learning from skilled artisans and creating their pieces of art. Students could design their own patterns or replicate traditional motifs using the canting (batik pen) and dyeing process. SUT students were enthusiastic about the experience, and many proudly displayed their beautifully crafted batik pieces.

As the sky grew cloudy, signaling the end of the day’s activities, the group began their return journey to Yogyakarta. After a brief stop at the Prawirotaman area to drop off the SUT students, the farewell was bittersweet. Though the program had come to an end, the memories and connections forged over the past two days would endure.

As the exchange program concluded, SUT students shared their reflections on the experience. Kory (Graphic Design), a student from SUT, said, “It was such an enjoyable and eye-opening experience. I’ve never had the chance to meet university students from another country before, and it was so interesting to connect and learn from them. Visiting the tourism village today stood out to me—it made me realize just how rich and deeply rooted the culture is in Indonesia. It also made me reflect on Australia. When tourists visit Australia, they often focus on the landscapes and food, but we don’t have as many cultural practices or traditions to share. This experience really made me appreciate how special it is that other countries, like Indonesia, have so many vibrant cultural traditions.”

Another SUT participant, Miranda (Climate and Social Justice), added, “My favorite part of this entire trip was the cultural exchange yesterday. Meeting all of you for the first time and immediately feeling the warmth and friendliness from everyone really stood out to me. Even though we come from very different cultures, it reminded me how much kindness truly matters. I’ve mentioned this before, but in Australia, we typically only learn one language—English—so communicating can sometimes be a challenge. Despite that, the kindness and gestures from everyone here have shown me just how powerful and meaningful non-verbal communication can be. It’s something I’ll always treasure.”

English Letters USD student Christin also shared, “I feel so happy and grateful to have been one of the representatives from the Faculty of Letters chosen to meet our friends from Swinburne University of Technology. The past two days have been an incredible opportunity to bond with one another. We shared our cultures, discussed our interests, and experienced so many new things together. It’s been such a meaningful and memorable journey.”
This enriching collaboration beautifully reflected the Faculty of Letters’ dedication to fostering global partnerships. As the program concluded, students left with a profound appreciation for cultural diversity, strengthened bonds, and a shared enthusiasm for future collaborations between USD and SUT. In the words of a beloved local song, “Ibarat koyo kuthaku Jogja, kowe cen istimewa”—this exchange was as extraordinary and memorable as the city of Yogyakarta.
 
(RBP)

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