Even though it was crowded, the foreign students seemed excited taking Batik Solo Trans (BST) bus.
Photo credit: Facebook/unsinternationaloffice
International Office (IO) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta conducted a city orientation addressed to UNS foreign students on Friday, September 8, 2016 and culture orientation on the day after, Saturday, September 10, 2016. These activities were followed by 44 fresh foreign students coming from 20 different countries who are going to learn in various UNS departments in academic year 2016/2017.
They come from Hungarian, Sieera Lione, Holland, Poland, Philippines, Mexico, East Timor, Thailand, Nigeria, Madagascar, Vanuatu, Ethiopia, Ghana, Laos, Tanzania, South Korea, Vietnam, China, Turkmenistan, and Malaysia. They study at UNS through different programs, such as Darmasiswa scholarship, full scholarship, undergraduate and graduate programs.
The series of orientation is one of services given by UNS through International Office for all foreign students who are going to learn in UNS. “City orientation for UNS foreign students is one of university services,” Taufik Al Makmun explained as the Chief of International Office (IO) UNS Solo.
44 UNS foreign students also tried to ride one of traditional transportations in Solo called becak (pedicab). Photo credit: Facebook/unsinternationaloffice.
“City orientation is basically similar with the other kind of orientation, which aims to introduce their new circumstance in Solo, so that they can do adaptation as soon as possible. By so, it can support their learning system which includes understanding Indonesian culture, especially about Solo and its people,” he continued.
They were asked to enjoy Solo by taking a walk at city walk and visiting some points of interest such as Sriwedari City Park, Radya Pustaka Museum, and Pura Mangkunegaran. Besides, they also got a chance to experience riding a Solo iconic transportation named Batik Solo Trans (BST) bus and becak (pedicab).
“The students have to know well about UNS. Besides, they also have to understand about culture and environment in Solo, so that they can adapt and know its living custom.We hope that they could be Solo emissary since they have experienced living in Solo. Thus, city orientation is important,” he explained.[](wulan.trans.uns.uns.ac.id)