TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - 13 students from the University of Michigan seemed to enjoy their time observing the election in the polling station 85 in Kampung Nayu, Solo. They are currently enrolled in the Global Intercultural Experience Undergraduates program, a program which aims to learn about Indonesian culture during the summer, including the culture of democracy.
"Our group happens to be in Solo when the Central Java governorship election is going on. So we do not want to miss this opportunity," said a lecturer in the University, Agustini, who is also the head of the group.
The program was scheduled to last for one month. For two weeks, the students will be studying about culture in Yogyakarta and Solo, followed by Bali for the next two weeks. The students come from various discipline of studies, such as international studies, economics, and nerves studies.
During their time in Solo, the group will go to see the batik production in the batik village of Laweyan as well as keris (a traditional Javanese sword) production. "We are also going to visit Mangkunegaran," she said.
The main goal of this program is to introduce Indonesian culture to American students. Agustini said that after the program ends, the students will be required to make videos related to the theme. "They are also required to write in blogs daily," she added.
One of the students, 19 year-old Irene Suh, said that there was a fundamental difference between the Indonesian and the American democracy. She said that the elections in the United States are conducted by scanning the voting letters. "In here, people vote by making hole in the ballot. It is also less formal here, compared to America", she added.
Another student, 20 year-old Lacey Stanage, said that the culture of democracy in Indonesia was as great as the United States, seeing the number of people participated in the election. "Democracy in Indonesia is interesting. Election does not have to be rigid and serious," she added.
UKKY PRIMARTANTYO
