Makassar – The sea, local culture, and the Indonesian language came together to create a memorable learning experience for international students at UIN Alauddin Makassar. Through the program, Pengenalan Budaya dan Bahasa Indonesia bagi Penutur Asing (BIPA), students from Thailand and Sudan explored the rich maritime culture of South Sulawesi during a visit to Kapoposang Island, Pangkajene dan Kepulauan (Pangkep) Regency, on July 18–19, 2026.
Organized by the International Office (IO) of UIN Alauddin Makassar, the program adopted an outing class concept, combining language learning with direct cultural immersion. The activity was attended by the Vice Rector for Cooperation and Institutional Development, Prof. Dr. H. Muhammad Amri, Lc., M.Ag., demonstrating the university’s commitment to strengthening campus internationalization through Indonesian language and cultural education for international students.
Throughout the two-day program, participants practiced their Indonesian language skills in real-life situations while gaining firsthand experience of the daily lives of coastal communities, the richness of marine ecosystems, and the cultural values preserved by the people of the Kapoposang Islands. Their direct interaction with the local community and environment became an essential part of the learning process, enriching their understanding of Indonesia while fostering meaningful cross-cultural connections.
The Head of the International Office, Dr. Serliah Nur, M.Hum., M.Ed., explained that the BIPA program is designed to provide a more contextual learning experience, enabling international students to learn Indonesian not only in the classroom but also through direct engagement with Indonesian culture and society.
“Language learning becomes far more meaningful when it is combined with real-life experiences. Through this program, international students not only develop their communication skills in Indonesian but also gain a deeper understanding of local communities and the rich maritime culture that forms an important part of South Sulawesi’s identity,” she said.
The participants’ enthusiasm was evident in the reflections they shared after completing the program. For them, the BIPA program on Kapoposang Island was more than just a language course—it was an opportunity to experience Indonesia firsthand through its culture, natural beauty, and coastal way of life.
Saadah Hayyida-O, an international student from Thailand, described the program as an invaluable experience.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Madam and all the university leaders for organizing this program. It has given me a truly valuable experience—from learning about the culture of the Kapoposang Island community and discovering many new things to witnessing the island’s beautiful natural environment, which has been well preserved thanks to the awareness and care of the local people. This program has broadened my knowledge and left me with unforgettable memories. I sincerely hope that similar activities will continue to be held in the future so that more participants can enjoy the same meaningful experience. Thank you,” she said.
A similar sentiment was expressed by Muzammil, an international student from Sudan, who hopes the program will be organized again.
“I truly enjoyed this program. Thank you for this wonderful invitation. My sincere appreciation goes to all the committee members, the university leadership, and the Rector of UIN Alauddin Makassar for supporting this initiative. I hope similar activities can be held again in the near future,” he remarked.
Through an experiential learning approach, participants were encouraged to use language as a bridge to better understand Indonesia’s culture, traditions, and community life. The BIPA program represents one of the International Office’s commitments to supporting the internationalization of UIN Alauddin Makassar by providing adaptive, contextual, and culturally oriented Indonesian language learning. It is expected that this experience will not only strengthen the participants’ Indonesian language proficiency but also leave them with lasting memories of Indonesia’s rich cultural diversity throughout their academic journey at UIN Alauddin Makassar.
