A total of 12 participants of the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship (BSBI) have completed the 3-month learning process about arts and culture in Indonesia at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta (UPNVY). The scholarship programme was organised by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) with the aim of promoting Indonesia internationally.
Apparently, all the participants came from different countries. There are 12 countries participating in UPNVY, namely Romania, Netherlands, Gambia, Mexico, Kazhakstan, Vietnam, China (Hong Kong), Myanmar, Timor Leste, New Caledonia, Indonesia (Makassar), and Bangladesh.
“The goal is that they will one day become friends of Indonesia. During the 3-month process of being close to students, lecturers at UPNVY and interacting with the community, they get to know how Indonesia is directly,” said the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UPNVY, Machya Astuti Dewi, during the closing ceremony of Indonesia Arts and Culture Scholarship 2019 at Campus 2 UPNVY, Tuesday (6/8/2019).
She revealed that this is the seventh time UPNVY has become a partner of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist BSBI participants. He said that for 3 months, the participants not only sat in class listening to lecturers explain, but also made visits to various popular tourist destinations in Yogyakarta.
In fact, the participants also received lessons in Indonesian language and Javanese dance. Both of these lessons were received every day. During the three-month process, the participants became proficient in two Javanese dances and were ready to perform them in Banyuwangi.
“In the morning they learnt Indonesian language and in the afternoon they learnt Javanese dance,” he said.
The participants also visited the Bakpia industry centre in Yogyakarta. They were given the opportunity to make bakpia. She said the participants were also given the opportunity to learn how to make batik, from batik writing, eco printing, to batik jumputan.
“Hopefully, they will be able to promote the culture and atmosphere in Indonesia, especially in Yogyakarta. From the beginning they came with their culture, in three months they became all Javanese,” she said.
One of the BSBI participants from Mexico, Raquel Corona Roldan, said she was happy to have the opportunity to participate in this scholarship. Since the age of 13, she has dreamed of travelling to Indonesia. She said it was not easy to qualify as a BSBI 2019 participant.
“I fell very very very lucky. This is one of the most unique scholarships in the world. I have learnt the meaning of what is the meaning of inter-culturality, (I feel very very very lucky. This is one of the most unique scholarships in the world. I have learnt the meaning of what is the meaning of inter-culturality,” she said.
She also mentioned her favourite foods during her three-month stay in Yogyakarta: tempeh, tofu, nasi uduk, and yellow rice. She said she was interested in Pancasila and Political Science in Indonesia.
Apparently, there are Javanese gamelan and Balinese gamelan groups in Mexico. Her interest in Indonesian culture was channelled by joining the Balinese Gamelan group.
“All my life I want to be here,” she said.