Batam, September 29, 2023 – International Students at Batam International University visited Raja Ali Haji Museum in Engku Putri Plain, Batam City. The visit was held in order to explore the culture and history of Batam City from its inception until today. International Students who participated in this visit were 3 (three) Darmasiswa students, namely Anastasiia Paniukova from Russia, Arko Martin from Ghana, and Francis Daniel Mbilinyi from Tanzania. 7 (seven) Exchange students at the Faculty of Computer Science from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) namely Afifah Syaza Huda Binti Ahmad, Izzatul Widad Binti Azman, Muhammad Izzul Bin Roslan, Nur Aishah Humairah Binti Zainol, Nur Aqila Nadzira Binti Shahlan, Nur Fathehah Binti Mohd Aris, and Nur Syafiqah Binti Shamsudin as well as 2 (two) international students in the English Education Study Program namely Pawinee Suksawai and Nantakarn Tohmi from Thailand.

The International Students UIB visit was accompanied by buddies from UIB, namely Nafa Indah Sasmi, Liliyanti Jesika Siongly Siburian, and Nurhayati Balqis, who are UIB students in the English Education Study Program.  

Raja Ali Haji Museum, located in the center of Batam City, is a prime destination for students who want better to understand the history and culture of the Riau Islands. The museum offers a variety of collections covering the history of the construction of the museum itself, the Dutch and Japanese colonial periods in the Riau Islands, Malay history, and the development of Batam City. However, the most interesting is the collection of relics from ancient times in Batam City. The visit began with a competent tour guide’s brief history of the museum. The students listened enthusiastically and asked questions about the rich history of Batam City. They also gained insights into how economic development and infrastructure have changed the face of the island over time.

Furthermore, the students viewed many exhibits depicting the Dutch and Japanese colonial periods in the Riau Islands. They delved into the history of the region by studying historical artefacts, photographs of the era, and relics from the war years. Some students were even surprised by the history they learned, which helped them understand more about Indonesia’s cultural heritage. The exhibition on Malay history was also a highlight. Students delved into Malay traditions, culture, and language through informative exhibits. This helped improve their understanding of Indonesia’s cultural diversity.

One of the highlights of the visit was when the students were invited to see relics from the old days in Batam City. They could see traditional tools, textiles, weapons, and other items used by the locals in the past. This gave them an accurate picture of life in Batam City before modern times.

This is not just another visit to a museum; it is a small step in promoting cross-cultural understanding and knowledge exchange between students from different countries. This kind of visit will continue to happen and enrich the learning experience of international students in Indonesia.