USU Language Center Kicks Off 2026 with International Internships Program

The USU Language Center begins 2026 by hosting the International Internships Program, which is attended by four students from Deakin University, Australia, representing various faculties and academic backgrounds. The participants are Rae Gibson, Chelcee Whittingslow, Layla Creek, and Tehya Hillyer.

For three weeks, the students will take part in an intensive Indonesian for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) course conducted at the USU Language Center. The Participant Engagement Manager of International Internships Jakarta, Kamiela Azizah, expressed her appreciation for the USU Language Center’s commitment and consistency in supporting the program.

She stated that the collaboration between the two institutions has been well established since 2025 and is expected to continue in the future.
“We greatly appreciate the USU Language Center’s willingness to continuously open opportunities for collaboration in the implementation of this language program. This program not only provides academic experience, but also valuable cultural experiences for international students,” Kamiela said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the USU Language Center, Roma Loebis, emphasized that the BIPA program is designed not only to improve participants’ Indonesian language proficiency, but also to introduce them to USU’s academic environment and the richness of local culture.

“Through this program, international students not only learn Indonesian, but are also introduced to USU and the diverse ethnic cultures of Medan. This initiative is part of USU’s internationalization efforts as well as cultural diplomacy,” she explained.

The Language Program is expected to strengthen USU’s international network and enhance the role of the Language Center as an inclusive hub for language and cultural services for the global community.