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As part of the 2025 World Friends Korea – ICT (WFK-ICT) Volunteers Program, Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) and Kyungpook National University (KNU), South Korea, carried out a memorable cultural exchange activity at SDN Nangkaan Bondowoso. The visit, held on August 15, 2025, became one of the program’s highlights, showcasing the spirit of friendship, education, and cultural sharing between Indonesian and Korean participants.
The WFK-ICT 2025 program, which runs from 11th to 20th August 2025 at Polije Campus 2 Bondowoso, combines technical projects in smart city development with community and cultural engagement. While the program’s academic focus lies in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the cultural exchange components such as school visits provide equally valuable experiences for both local communities and international volunteers.
At SDN Nangkaan, the volunteers from KNU and Polije were warmly welcomed by enthusiastic elementary school children dressed in their scout uniforms. The atmosphere quickly filled with laughter and joy as the students and volunteers engaged in interactive games, educational activities, and storytelling sessions. These simple yet meaningful interactions created a bridge of understanding between different cultures and generations.
For the Korean students, the visit offered a rare opportunity to experience Indonesian culture at the grassroots level. They were able to observe how local children learn, play, and express themselves, gaining a deeper appreciation for Indonesian traditions and daily life. For the Indonesian children, meeting international volunteers became an exciting moment that broadened their horizons and introduced them to the value of global friendship.
Teachers and faculty members from both institutions highlighted the importance of this cultural activity, noting that learning does not only happen in classrooms or laboratories but also through human interaction. “Exchanges like this nurture empathy, openness, and respect—qualities that are essential for young leaders in the global era,” one of the Polije faculty members remarked.
The visit also demonstrated how international academic collaborations can bring positive impacts to local communities. Beyond developing prototypes for Smart City solutions, the WFK-ICT program showed its human side by touching the lives of children in Bondowoso, inspiring them to dream bigger and believe in the power of education and cultural exchange.
KNU volunteers expressed their gratitude for the warm hospitality they received in Bondowoso. They shared that the experience at SDN Nangkaan was one of the most memorable parts of their journey, as it allowed them to connect with the community in a personal and meaningful way. Many of them expressed hopes to return to Indonesia in the future for continued collaboration and cultural engagement.
As the WFK-ICT 2025 program continues, the visit to SDN Nangkaan Bondowoso will be remembered as more than just a school activity. It became a living example of how technology, education, and culture can intertwine, building stronger people-to-people ties between Indonesia and South Korea. Such connections are the true foundation for sustainable cooperation and mutual growth in the years ahead.