UNAIR NEWS – Broadening global perspectives does not always take place within the classroom. Cross-cultural interactions often serve as the defining experiences that shape how students view the world. This was experienced by the students from the Department of Business, Faculty of Vocational Studies (), ¶«¾©ÈÈ (UNAIR) during the International Lecturer & Student Exchange Programme ¶«¾©ÈÈ–Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Malaysia, which ran from Sunday, June 14, 2026, to Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Five students from the FV Department of Business participated in the program, namely Muhammad Dien Adrian, Mohammad Riza Ismoyo Sugiyantoro, Filia Dikmah Rahmawanti, Dwija Padmanegara Amin Koedbi, and Vio Aldi Saputro. They represent the Marketing Management, Accounting, as well as Banking and Finance study programs. Dien explained that the event brought together Indonesian and Malaysian students in various activities designed to encourage cross-cultural understanding.
Archipelagic harmony on the international stage
Throughout the program, the UNAIR students introduced the diversity of Indonesian culture through various artistic performances. They opened their performance with the song “Ibu Pertiwi,” followed by a demonstration of the martial art pencak silat and a creative contemporary dance that blended cultural elements from various regions, such as the Kecak Dance, Cik Cik Periuk, Sinanggar Tulo, and Ayo Mama.
According to Dien, each performance did not merely showcase Indonesia’s cultural wealth but also carried a message regarding the importance of unity in diversity. “Through every movement, we wanted to show that diversity is a strength capable of uniting people. We also wanted to fulfill our role as cultural ambassadors for Indonesia on an international level,” he stated.
In addition to showcasing Indonesian culture, the UNAIR students actively engaged in discussions with UiTM students regarding various aspects of daily life. They shared stories about language, culinary traditions, and popular music, which share many similarities between Indonesia and Malaysia. “These interactions created a warm atmosphere while strengthening the bond between students from both countries,” he explained.
Learning beyond the classroom
The student mobility program also featured a variety of academic and non-academic activities that encouraged peer-to-peer interaction. Participants took part in campus tours, joint lectures, academic discussions, and joint sports activities or “bersukan.” Through this series of activities, students had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the academic environment at UiTM and expand their networks with local students.
Dien noted that these diverse activities enriched his understanding of the culture, educational system, and community life in Malaysia. According to him, the experience highlighted the importance of openness, mutual respect, and the ability to adapt to an international environment.
“The opportunity to network with students from another country has broadened our perspectives on diversity. This experience has also honed our adaptability and shaped a more inclusive global mindset,” he concluded.
For context, the five students participated in the program alongside 15 other students and three lecturers from the FV UNAIR Department of Business in various academic and cultural exchange activity series at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia.
Author: Maia Chaerunnisa
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
