Emphasizing Cross-Cultural Learning, UMN Exchange Students Participate in Ramadan Celebrations and The Holi Festival

Tangerang, (March 16, 2026) – A total of 34 UMN international exchange students participated in a series of cross-cultural learning activities. The students not only learned about Indonesian culture during Ramadan but also participated in the Holi Festival. 

UMN’s international exchange program does not focus solely on students’ academic aspects. Instead, the program emphasizes cross-cultural learning as a means to develop the cultural skills and perspectives of international exchange students.

On Friday, March 6, the students attended a Kolak cooking class, which was not merely about cooking. This cooking class also provided the students with cultural knowledge and insights into Indonesian culture during the month of Ramadan.

The Kolak cooking class attended by UMN exchange students (Doc. UMN)

“I’m happy to try cooking traditional Indonesian food, especially takjil. This is my first time making kolak. Before this, I had only known and tried a few Indonesian dishes; I think through this cooking class, I’ve come to know more about traditional Indonesian foods that aren’t found in India,” Vishal Bagga, an exchange student from Chitkara University, India, said.

It wasn’t just about cooking takjil; Vishal also participated in the takjil distribution activity. For him, this was his first time experiencing and learning about Ramadan culture in Indonesia.

In addition to cooking kolak, the students also personally distributed the takjil they had prepared to the community in front of the UMN campus. This activity serves as an effort to understand cultural values and foster tolerance among international students.

UMN exchange students distributing takjil in front of the UMN campus (Doc. UMN)

“I’m no stranger to Ramadan because we also celebrate it in Kazakhstan. However, this is my first experience participating in Ramadan celebrations in Indonesia, and I’ve been able to observe and participate firsthand at UMN,” Assan Ayanat, an exchange student from East Kazakhstan Technical University, said.

For Ayanat, the class on preparing takjil and distributing it was a valuable experience for learning about a new culture. Ayanat expressed his opportunity to learn more about the diverse array of traditional Indonesian foods.

The Holi Festival attended by UMN exchange students (Doc. UMN)

In addition to learning about Indonesian culture, the students also participated in the Holi Festival on Saturday (March 14, 2026). The Holi Festival is an Indian festival of colors that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, unity, shared joy and a fresh start.

The Holi Festival was attended by all international exchange students and held on the UMN campus. This cross-cultural learning experience provided students with a valuable opportunity to directly experience the diversity of traditions from various countries.

By Rachel Tiffany | UMN News Service

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora

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