Bali Travel News

56 foreign students from 19 countries are now studying Balinese art and culture at the Indonesia Institute of Arts (ISI), Denpasar. The institute located in the town of Denpasar around 15 minutes from Sanur or around 30 minutes from luxury bali villas in Seminyak. Of those students, 16 chose dance, 23 (gamelan study), 3 (painting), 3 (photography), 5 (kriya) and 6 (art and culture). They were received in person by the Rector of ISI Denpasar together with Deputy Rector, Dean and teaching staff in the meeting room of the ISI Denpasar, Monday (10/9).

Foreign students studying at the ISI Denpasar are recipients of scholarships provided by the government of the RI to foreign communities in an effort to introduce the archipelagic art and culture. Among the 500 foreign students received and who are spread throughout all parts of Indonesia, 56 have determined to study at the ISI Denpasar.

According to Prof. I Wayan Rai S., Rector of the ISI Denpasar, upon attending the education at the only institute of art on this Island of the Gods, they would be provided with special class for the most interested students and also mixed class between the local and foreign students. “By doing so, there will be cultural and language exchanges. They would learn Bahasa Indonesia and even Balinese language, while local students should also learn foreign language in person. At least, local students can speak English,” he said.

During the study at the ISI Denpasar, they are obliged to comply with the prevailing regulations. For instance, they should dress according to the oriental ethic. There are not provided with special accommodation, but stay at the homes of local residents (boarding house), either in Denpasar, Ubud or other places they prefer. The students receiving this scholarship will study for a single year. Upon completion of their studies, they will be awarded a certificate. “The presence of foreign students is very beneficial for Bali tourism as they could indirectly promote Bali in their home country,” he explained further.
To obtain such a scholarship prospective students should register at the Office of Indonesian Embassy in their own country. Then, a selection is held in Jakarta. Having passed the selection, they are given the opportunity to choose their preferred university, spreading out across Indonesia in conformity with their own interests, explained the Rector. “For this period, the selection received many applicants from Japan, that’s why it runs tightly,” he said.
This year has seen the largest number of recipients of scholarship. Based on the data obtained by Bali Travel News, there were 23 foreign students during the period of 2000/2001, 24 students (2001/2002), 18 students (2002-2003), 10 students (2003-2004), 6 students (2002/2005), 13 students (2005/2006), 22 (2006/2007) and 56 students (2007/2008). (BTN/015)