KUCHING: Santubong Village Homestay cemented its role as a cultural learning hub by hosting the 2025 International Student Mobility Programme, welcoming students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Indonesia’s College of Teacher Training and Education (STKIP) Persada Khatulistiwa, Sintang, for six days of immersive cultural and community activities.
Running from November 9 to 15, this marks STKIP’s second visit to Santubong, signalling strong confidence in the village as a vibrant, hands-on learning space.
During the programme, students stayed with host families, engaging in cultural, culinary, heritage, and social activities such as preparing traditional spicy porridge, visiting historic sites, joining communal events, and sharing informal moments with their hosts, reflecting the spirit and strength of the local community.
Santubong Penghulu, Suhaili Kipli, described the programme as a meaningful platform to strengthen cross-cultural ties.
“Programmes like this not only introduce our culture to international students but also strengthen bonds between Malaysia and Indonesia,” he said.
“The students are celebrated as part of the family. They are no longer just guests but members of the Santubong community.”
Cooking the spicy porridge gave students hands-on experience of traditional culinary techniques passed down through generations, alongside insights into the social significance of this iconic Sarawak Malay dish.
Participants also visited Santubong’s historic sites, famed for their archaeological records and heritage value, allowing them to appreciate the village’s position as one of Borneo’s early centres of civilisation.
The closing event on Friday at Wak Aji Homestay featured a Sarawak Malay Gendang performance, symbolising the friendship and appreciation of the local community towards the visiting students.
The Dean of Faculty of Education, Languages and Communication at UNIMAS, Dr Dilah Tuah, highlighted the effectiveness of the homestay model as a learning approach.
“Santubong is more than a destination; it is a living classroom. Students experience culture firsthand rather than just reading about it,” he said.
“This model empowers cross-cultural education and strengthens ties between universities, communities, and international partners.”
