Strengthening Global Connectivity Through Cultural Exchange

01.08.2024

Strengthening Global Connectivity Through Cultural Exchange

On July 21-28, the 1st Summer School "Strengthening Global Connectivity Through Cultural Exchange" took place at Universitas Tidar in Magelang (Indonesia), a sister city of Tula.

As part of the cooperation agreement between the two higher education institutions, representatives of Tula State University took part in Summer School. Tula State University was represented by the head of the International Relations Office Daria D. Kultygina and students of Hotel Business Program of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Department of Institute of Pedagogy, Physical Education, Sports and Tourism Yaroslav Fomichev and Dmitry Kharlanov.

One of the purposes of their visit to Univeraitas Tidar was to share the information about Tula State University and its educational programs with the colleagues and students from the partner-university. The prospects are promising: inviting Indonesian students to study at our university, exchange programs for teachers and students, as well as discussing the possibility of opening a Russian Corner at Universitas Tidar, similar to the Russian House.

The program of the Tula residents' stay in Indonesia was full of different events. Together with other participants, they immersed themselves into the culture, traditions, customs and language of this amazing country, they visited museums and temples. Our representatives visited the campus and laboratories of Universitas Tidar as well.

All the participants of Summer School, like the hosts, presented their countries and cities. Darya D. Kultygina introduced the participants of Summer School and students of Univeraitas Tidar to Russia, the city of Tula and Tula State University. She told them about the history and the present day of our university, its infrastructure, educational programs, bright and vibrant student life.

- Indonesia is a multi-confessional country. But most of its residents are Muslims. Indonesians are very open, kind, always ready to help, - Darya D. Kultygina said. - We made many new friends, including teachers, staff and students of Universitas Tidar. During these seven days, we managed to get into the spirit of this country, feel the originality and color of its culture.

According to Darya D. Kultygina, Indonesia has amazing tea. Its taste is special, deep and very rich.

Traditional soto soup resembles our noodles. Instead of bread, Indonesians eat rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is not enough rice for all the inhabitants of the country, so they buy it from abroad.

The local snake fruit salak got its name due to the similarity of its skin to the scales of a snake. It tastes like a hard pear.

Indonesian cotton, batik, is very popular. Residents of this country wear clothes of traditional batik colors every day.

Boys and girls from the age of 12 move around the city on motorcycles. Cars are not in high demand in Indonesia due to their high price and very narrow roads.

— Our impressions from the trip are only positive! — Darya D. Kultygina said. — The host party did their best. Both teachers and students organized Summer School with all their heart. Its program was very interesting and exciting. And we are grateful to Tula State University for the unique opportunity to visit Indonesia!

Tatyana Krikunkova