On October 8, 2024, IISMA award winners studying at Korea University rolled out Culturise: Nusantara during the school’s International Student Festival, sharing Indonesian heritage with a wider audience. The hands-on program brought together students from all corners of the campus under one theme—diversity, tradition, and good old celebration.

Visitors to the Indonesian booth tasted klepon—soft rice cake balls oozing palm sugar—and refreshing herbal drinks while trying classic ring games and a lively trivia quiz that whisked them across the archipelago. The crowning moment was a Tari Saman dance from Aceh, whose sharp syncopated claps and fast turns earned the team first place in the festival’s on-stage competition.

Joined by the Korea University Buddy Association (KUBA) and a cheerful squad of Indonesian exchange students, the stand also showcased colorful batik swatches, wayang kulit puppets, batik keychains, and a batik coloring experience that caught the eyes—and questions—of passers-by.

Culturise: Nusantara did more than exhibit cultural artifacts; it built a sense of pride and solidarity among Indonesian students abroad. The event helped increase awareness and appreciation for Indonesian culture within an international academic environment, fostering friendship and mutual respect among students from different countries. It also served as a cultural diplomacy effort that allowed Indonesia to shine through vibrant storytelling, performance, and warmth.