Surakarta, August 26, 2025 – Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), through the Directorate of Reputation, Partnerships, and International Affairs (DRKUI), in collaboration with the Language Development Institute (LPMB), successfully organized the Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) Immersion Program in Bayat District, Klaten Regency, Central Java. The four-day program, held from August 26–29, 2025, offered international students an integrated language-learning experience combined with direct participation in cultural activities within the local community.
The program was designed to provide UMS scholarship recipients with the opportunity to practice their Indonesian language skills in real-life contexts while introducing them to Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage. Participants engaged directly with local residents, attended learning activities in schools, and took part in various cultural workshops—making their language learning more meaningful, practical, and immersive.
The series of activities began with an opening ceremony at SMP Muhammadiyah 7 Bayat, followed by a traditional batik-making workshop, highlighting Indonesia’s UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage. On the second day, students learned how to make blangkon, the traditional Javanese headgear, and explored the philosophy and local wisdom behind it. The third day featured a gamelan music workshop, where participants were introduced to traditional instruments and the harmony of Javanese music. The program concluded with angklung and karawitan (Javanese traditional music ensemble) sessions at SD Muhammadiyah Bayat and SMP Muhammadiyah 7 Bayat, creating a warm atmosphere of cultural collaboration between international students and local pupils.
A total of 20 international students from 12 countries—Syria, Pakistan, Uganda, Egypt, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Sudan, Mozambique, Yemen, Timor-Leste, Somalia, and Tanzania—joined the program. They represented both undergraduate and postgraduate programs at UMS. The students departed together from Pesma KH. Mas Mansyur in Surakarta and stayed in Bayat for the full four-day agenda, which combined academic, social, and cultural activities. As part of their reflection, each participant was required to write a testimony in Indonesian, sharing their experiences, impressions, and insights throughout the program.
Through this initiative, UMS reaffirmed its commitment to promoting campus internationalization while serving as a bridge for cultural exchange. The BIPA immersion program not only strengthened the participants’ Indonesian language proficiency but also provided them with a deeper understanding of Javanese traditions and local life. This experience is expected to help the students gain confidence in using Indonesian in daily communication and inspire them to become cultural ambassadors of Indonesia when they return to their home countries.
