The Central Luzon State University through the International Affairs Office has kicked off its first Cultural Exchange Program with Universitas Semarang in Central Java Province of Indonesia.

Four students from the Bachelor of Arts in Literature program namely Mr. Jose Emmanuel Mico, Mr. Nathaniel Piedad, Ms. Lorraine Fabros, and Ms. Ferdinne Julia Cucio were selected to participate in the first edition of Marching the Javanese Vibrant Program which will run from May 6 to 27, 2025.

The cultural exchange is designed to provide students with exposure to Indonesian language, literature, arts, and cultural practices. As part of the program, CLSU students will take part in Bahasa Indonesia bagi Penutur Asing (BIPA) classes, attend workshops on traditional Indonesian music and dance, and participate in cultural activities such as batik-making, museum visits, and field trips to Surakarta and Semarang.

The itinerary also includes interactions with local artists and media, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary learning.

The bilateral agreement with Universitas Semarang was initiated by Dr. Emil F. Ubaldo, Chief of the Mobility and Intercultural Exchange Unit in 2024, building on the success of a CLSU student’s participation at the University Mobility for Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) Discovery Camp held at ITS Surabaraya and Universitas Semarang.

While this inaugural program involves students from the BA Literature program, the cultural exchange initiative is envisioned to include students from other academic programs in future editions, aligning with CLSU’s broader commitment to fostering international collaboration and equitable cross-cultural learning opportunities for the student body.

After the program, the student participants are expected to lead a seminar, in collaboration with the International Affairs Office (IAO) and the Department of English and Humanities, to share their experiences and insights and foster cross-cultural learning opportunities.

This year’s committee for this outbound mobility program include Dr. Parsons N. Hail (Director, International Affairs Office), Dr. Emil F. Ubaldo, Dr. Mercedita M. Reyes (Head, Department of English) and Ms. Patricia Anne Martinez (IAO Coordinator, College of Arts and Social Sciences).