The International Undergraduate Program of the Faculty of Psychology UGM held a two-day Cross-Cultural Understanding (CCU) orientation on August 13–14, 2026, to welcome its incoming exchange students. Designed to ease their transition into a new academic and cultural environment, the program thoughtfully balanced practical preparation with an immersive introduction to Indonesian life, giving students both the information and the sense of belonging they would need for the months ahead.
The first day began with a warm welcoming address from Fuad Hamsyah, S.Psi., M.Sc., Ph.D., who greeted the students and opened the orientation on an encouraging note. This was followed by a session on academic-related information delivered by Yemima Febriani, S.S., who walked the students through the essentials of studying within the program, from course arrangements to campus procedures, helping them feel more confident about the academic journey they were about to begin.
The most memorable part of the day came with the Indonesian cultural introduction led by Metta Rahmadiana, S.Psi., M.Si., Psikolog. Rather than presenting local culture through slides alone, she chose to engage the students directly. She brought a spread of Indonesian dishes and snacks for them to taste, including nasi kuning and kastengel, and even offered them tolak angin, a traditional herbal remedy, to try for themselves. The experience drew genuine curiosity, and the students responded with enthusiasm, asking many questions about the food, its meaning, and the customs surrounding it. It was a lively, hands-on moment that turned cultural learning into something tangible and fun.
The afternoon continued with a faculty tour, giving students the chance to familiarize themselves with the campus and the spaces where they would spend much of their time. The day then closed with safety reminders from Satrio Priyo Adi, S.Psi., M.Sc., ensuring that the students felt secure and well-informed as they began settling into their new surroundings.
The second day took the group beyond the campus for a visit to the Ullen Sentalu Museum, a renowned site dedicated to Javanese art, history, and royal heritage. Guided by a tour guide, the students explored the museum’s collections and learned about the rich cultural traditions of Java. To keep the atmosphere engaging, a mini quiz was held during the tour, and the students embraced it wholeheartedly. Many were eager to answer, showing not only how much they had absorbed but also how comfortable and enthusiastic they had grown over the two days.
The enthusiasm was shared by the students themselves. Marijn, an exchange student from the Netherlands, reflected on the two days: “It was very fun. I think I learned a lot, met a lot of people, and it was great to hear all the information about the upcoming semester.”
The visit concluded with a shared lunch and a group photo, bringing the orientation to a warm and cheerful close. By the end of the two days, the exchange students had gained not just practical knowledge and cultural insight, but also a genuine sense of connection to their new academic home, leaving them informed, welcomed, and excited for the experiences still to come.
Author: Thessalonica Faith Hill Joseph Kurnia
Editor: Sussanti