Mount Bromo trip deepens UTAR students’ understanding of communication across cultures
PETALING JAYA: For most students, learning takes place in lecture halls. But for Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) student Syabil Aufa bin Shahir, one of the most meaningful lessons came before sunrise on the slopes of Mount Bromo in East Java.
The Bachelor of Corporate Communication (Honours) student from UTAR’s Faculty of Creative Industries was part of a Malaysian delegation participating in the International Student Excursion (ISE) 2026, a regional programme hosted by Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo (UMSIDA), Indonesia.
The initiative aims to extend learning beyond textbooks by providing students with direct cultural exposure and cross-border academic exchange across Southeast Asia.
Syabil said the experience offered valuable insights into how communication is shaped by cultural context.
“Interacting with people from different countries helped me understand how culture shapes communication and connection. It’s something you can’t fully grasp from textbooks alone,” he said.
UMSIDA Business, Law and Social Sciences Faculty’s Dean Dr Poppy Febriana said such programmes are designed to bring students closer to the realities of the region.
“When they engage across cultures and institutions, they develop not only knowledge, but also the ability to navigate differences and build meaningful connections,” she said.
Over several days, students from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines engaged in discussions, shared activities and community immersion experiences. At the Tengger highlands near Mount Bromo, they observed how local traditions, spirituality and environmental stewardship are closely integrated into daily life.
The programme also included participation in the International Conference on Public Administration and Policy (ICOPAPER) 2026, held at the Rembang Regency Regional Secretariat, where students interacted with local government leaders on issues involving governance, communication and digital trust.
Beyond academic participation, students produced tangible outputs such as short-form video content and academic papers, linking field experience with communication practice. These activities helped strengthen skills in public relations, content creation, media production, cross-cultural communication and digital storytelling.
UTAR’s Mass Communication Department’s Head, Dr Kenneth Lee Tze Wui said experiential learning plays a key role in preparing students for the communication industry.
“Students need to move between contexts, understanding people on the ground while also being able to analyse and articulate what they observe. When exposure and reflection come together, learning becomes far more meaningful,” he said.
He added that lecturers are encouraged to design learning opportunities that connect students with communities, industries and regional partners.
A similar impact was reported by past participants, including Sau Zhi Xin, who said a previous exchange programme in Bali helped her apply communication skills more confidently in cross-cultural environments.
The initiative reflects a broader shift in higher education towards experiential and regional learning, as universities prepare graduates for an increasingly interconnected world where cultural awareness and adaptability are essential alongside academic knowledge.
For Syabil, the experience reshaped how he views his field of study.
“It’s one thing to study communication. It’s another to experience it across cultures and contexts. That’s when it starts to make sense,” he said.
UTAR’s Bachelor of Corporate Communication (Honours) programme is designed to prepare graduates for careers in corporate communication, public relations, media and broadcasting, advertising, branding, digital content creation, journalism, event management and strategic communication across industries.
The university offers more than 140 programmes across multiple disciplines, including business, accounting, engineering, information technology, social sciences, creative industries and health sciences.
UTAR will be hosting its Open Day on May 16–17 and May 23–24, 2026, from 9am to 4.30pm at its Kampar and Sungai Long campuses. More information is available at www.utar.edu.my or via its campus contact numbers.
