Lembaga Bahasa Hosts Cultural Immersion and Business Consulting Program for Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Lembaga Bahasa Universitas Sanata Dharma (LBUSD) successfully hosted the Cultural Immersion and Business Consulting Program for participants from Swinburne University of Technology (SUT), Australia, from 29 June to 7 July 2026. The program was funded through the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan (NCP), administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The program was designed to provide participants with meaningful firsthand experiences of Indonesian language, culture, and business practices, while fostering a deeper understanding of the Indo-Pacific region. By engaging directly with local communities, industries, and cultural traditions, the participants gained valuable intercultural knowledge and practical insights to complement their academic studies.
Throughout the program, the participants took part in a series of language and cultural workshops aimed at introducing various aspects of Indonesian society. They also participated in three cultural immersion activities, where they experienced traditional batik making, learned about jamu (Indonesia’s traditional herbal drink), and prepared authentic Indonesian cuisine.
To broaden their understanding of Indonesia’s business environment, the participants attended a seminar on Indonesian Business Culture, delivered by Dr. Ike Janita Dewi, a lecturer from the Faculty of Business and Economics, Universitas Sanata Dharma. The seminar explored the cultural values, communication styles, and business etiquette that shape professional interactions in Indonesia.
The academic sessions were complemented by visits to two renowned local enterprises Dagadu Djokdja and Chocolate Monggo where the participants observed how local businesses successfully integrate cultural identity, creativity, and entrepreneurship into their products and business strategies.
At the conclusion of the program, both the participants and the accompanying staff from Swinburne University of Technology expressed their appreciation for the enriching learning experience and the warm hospitality extended by LBUSD. They also conveyed their interest in continuing the collaboration through similar programs in the future, with the hope of involving an even larger group of participants.