Introducing Japanese Culture, UPBG ITS Welcomes Visit from SDI Al-Azhar Surabaya

ITS Campus, GLC News — The Global Language Center (UPBG) at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) hosted an educational visit for 26 students and three teachers from SDI Al-Azhar Surabaya on Thursday (1/10). Held at the UPBG ITS Building, the program was designed to introduce young learners to international language skills and cultural awareness through interactive activities.

The event opened with a warm welcome from the Head of UPBG ITS, Cahyani Satiya Pratiwi SS. The visit was specifically tailored to offer an enjoyable foreign language and cultural learning experience for elementary students through hands-on activities and an introduction to campus facilities.

UPBG ITS Japanese Language Instructor Anik Amaliyah SPd—affectionately known as Sensei Anik—explained that the learning materials were crafted to be easily understood by children using an interactive listen-and-repeat method. “The students practiced four basic Japanese expressions: greetings, personal introductions, home origins, and thank-yous. Afterward, they crafted newspaper kabuto (samurai helmets) and origami shuriken (ninja stars), as well as trying on traditional yukata,” she noted.

Students of SDI Al-Azhar Surabaya craft paper kabuto and shuriken (left) while student representatives wear traditional yukata at the UPBG ITS Building on Thursday (1/10) (Source: UPBG ITS Documentation)

The atmosphere was lively as students enthusiastically followed each step of the craft workshop and tried on traditional Japanese attire. Before concluding the visit, the group took a facility tour across the UPBG ITS building. The students and teachers explored the Self Access Room (SAR), an interactive learning space equipped with various self-directed language study resources.

Anik Amaliyah added that introducing the Self Access Room (SAR) facility on the first floor was an integral part of the experience. “We introduced the SAR facility so students understand the importance of independent study spaces and develop an early interest in exploring foreign languages,” she added.

This initiative reflects UPBG ITS’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through promoting cultural awareness and language learning, UPBG ITS continues to strengthen educational synergies that benefit the broader community.

The event concluded with a group photo session and a warm farewell, as students shook hands and expressed their gratitude to the UPBG ITS team.

Written by: Dania Alya Nabila Sari

Editor: Unit Pusat Bahasa Global, ITS