Thirteen exchange students in semester II 2022/2023 at SBM ITB participated in a “Cultural Trip” to Alamendah Tourism Village, Rancabali, Ciwidey (28/1). The event, held by the SBM ITB International Relations Office (IRO), was also attended by several SBM students who became buddies (chaperones) of exchange students.
IRO SBM ITB held this event to introduce the local wisdom of Sundanese culture in Bandung to newly arrived exchange students. This is important so that exchange students can get to know Sundanese culture and customs, which are a part of Indonesian culture.
All students gathered at the SBM ITB MBA Campus at 07.30 WIB and departed by bus. The trip to Alamendah Village took about two hours.
The event was opened with remarks by the Head of Promotion and Creative Economy (Ekraf) of Bandung Regency, Vena Andriawan, and the Head of the Alamendah Tourism Village, Kang Wendiansyah.
The host of the event, Teh Iput, started the event with an activity to break the ice. After the ice breaking, the students were divided into two groups, explored Alamendah and found out about its history, culture, and natural wealth.
They visited a coffee plantation, one of the tourist attractions in this village where various types of coffee grown, such as robusta, Aceh Tengah (Central Aceh). Exchange students also sampled local coffee beans with a distinctive taste while enjoying the scenery.
They also visited a strawberry farm, where they learned how to plant and harvest strawberries.
Later, they visited the cowshed to feed the cows. Unfortunately, they could not milk a cow as the activity is usually done in the morning. They were also taught how to make processed strawberry milkshakes with milk directly from cows.
They were also introduced to “Pencak Silat”, a traditional martial art popular in Indonesia. Exchange students were invited to practice pencak silat directly with Mang Ujang, a pencak silat teacher. They were taught various kinds of movements and techniques that can be used to defend themselves.
This “Cultural Trip” event opened up insights and provided new experiences for exchange students and SBM ITB students. IRO SBM ITB hopes that exchange students have some knowledge of Indonesian local culture and wisdom.
