English Literature Study Program, Universitas Brawijaya had done a cultural exchange event with Indonesian Language Study Program of Tianjin Foreign Studies University on 29th October and 12th November 2022 via Zoom Meeting. The purpose of the program is to introduce the culture of the countries and build good cooperation between the two universities. The program was followed by approximately 50 students, with each university sending 25 students and some lecturers. Divided into 2 days program, the cultural event gives an opportunity to both universities presenting the Chinese-Tianjin culture and Indonesia-Malang culture.
On the first day, a presentation in regard to Indonesia’s culture and culinary tourism was delivered by Taufan Hendro Baskoro, S.S. He began by presenting the Malang culture of masks or Topeng Malang and some Indonesia’s culture and cuisine that have Chinese influence such as Chinese architecture in some mosques, Indonesian clothing Baju Koko, as well as traditional food and how they got the Chinese influence. A second presentation was delivered by Dr. Xu Yunyu, M.A. giving a campus tour of Tianjin Foreign Studies University (TFSU) and a brief introduction to the Indonesian Language Study Program of Tianjin Foreign Studies University. She also presented a video of her visiting one tourist destination in Tianjin called Porcelain House, a place full of important Chinese cultural items such as ceramics, crystals, and historical rocks. Three students from TFSU continued by delivering presentations on Chinese culture and traditions such as Chinese literary works, a city named Guizhou that has a beautiful waterfall and famous traditional cuisine, and closed the presentations with a daily routine of high school Chinese students in Tianjin that sparked most discussion in this program.
The second day of the event was focusing on the students’ presentation and highlights about their both cultures. With a total of 12 presentations from both universities, the discussion ranged from Chinese traditional cuisine, martial arts, celebrations, entertainment, and tourist destinations, to Indonesian traditional cultures, well-known tourist destinations from Malang and Indonesia, and a music showcase done by one of the students singing famous Indonesian song. All of the participants showed amusement at each others’ cultures and expressed their wish to be able to experience them [SPEL UB/aaz].
