Yogyakarta, 19th May 2025 – A total of 25 students from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), along with 2 teachers, engaged in a profound cross-cultural experience as part of the Short Term Immersion Programme SUSS x SV UGM. This program, a collaboration between SUSS and Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM), spanned nine days from May 8 to 16, 2025. The activity is part of the Interdisciplinary Global Learning Course (NIE351), which carried the theme “Discovering the Power of Storytelling for Self-Development and Community Building.”
Throughout this program, SUSS participants collaborated with 19 students from SV UGM in various activities designed to integrate academic learning with firsthand socio-cultural experiences. Centered in Yogyakarta, the program explored different aspects of local community life, ranging from cultural visits and art workshops to active engagement with UGM’s community partners. Some significant places visited during the program include Candi Prambanan and Candi Sojiwan, which hold rich historical and cultural value as part of the Javanese heritage; Bumi Langit Institute, which is known as a center for sustainable agriculture education and practice; and Balai Budaya Minomartani, a space for artistic and cultural expression.
Through its immersive approach, the program aimed to build deeper cross-cultural understanding and strengthen international collaboration in a transformational global learning context. Students were encouraged to explore local values not merely as academic subjects, but as dynamic and contextual lived experiences. The theme of storytelling served as the central point of the program, where participants not only learned how to tell stories, but also discovered how personal and communal narratives can serve as tools to develop self-awareness, strengthen social connections, and drive community change.
Interaction among participants unfolded in a collaborative and dialogical way. In every session—be it art workshops, community visits, or group discussions—students shared life stories, personal reflections, and cultural perspectives. It became a valuable opportunity to practice cross-cultural communication skills, deepen social empathy, and cultivate a shared understanding of the importance of diversity in an increasingly interconnected world.
Beyond the academic aspect, the program also strengthened emotional bonds between students from both countries. Participants actively engaged in participatory activities such as creating traditional crafts, watching local art performances, interacting directly with community leaders, and contributing to community initiatives. This holistic experience provided students with the opportunity not only to learn from others, but also about themselves—a process that truly embodies the essence of transformative global learning.