Socio-Cultural Integration of Darmasiswa Students through Exploration of Cirebon Gastronomy and Public Spaces

The Darmasiswa program at STMIK IKMI Cirebon not only focuses on the academic curriculum in the classroom, but also initiates an experience-based learning process through direct interaction with the sociocultural environment. One form of implementation of this internationalization vision can be seen from the activities of foreign students in using their free time to explore crucial points in the city of Cirebon. This activity functions as a crucial non-formal learning instrument for international students to understand the complexity of community structure and local wisdom empirically. One of the main focuses in this exploration is a visit to Kasepuhan Square, which represents a historical public space with high philosophical value. At this location, students carried out participatory observations while enjoying ketoprak, a typical culinary commodity which is a symbol of local Cirebon gastronomy. This activity provides an opportunity for students to learn how culinary traditions survive amidst the flow of modernity, as well as directly experience the social atmosphere that was formed at the center of the city's historical civilization. The success of this cultural assimilation process was supported significantly by the active involvement of local students from STMIK IKMI Cirebon who acted as cultural facilitators. This assistance ensures that every interaction, from negotiations at the night market to casual dialogue in public spaces, proceeds with an appropriate understanding of the context. This collaboration between international and local students creates an inclusive educational ecosystem, where the exchange of global perspectives and local values ??occurs naturally and sustainably. The exploration continues into the evening through dinner at a local bakmi stall, which reflects the consumption patterns and lifestyle of urban Cirebon society. The choice of location for the people's stall as a place for interaction shows Darmasiswa students' efforts to integrate with the reality of everyday life of local residents. This experience provides in-depth insight into microeconomics and community friendliness which is the foundation for foreign students' comfort while studying in Indonesia. Comprehensively, this series of off-campus activities emphasizes that cross-cultural education at STMIK IKMI Cirebon is dynamic and goes beyond textual boundaries. Through activities touring the city and tasting various authentic culinary delights, students not only get relaxation amidst their academic schedule, but also build social capital and strong cultural memories. This ultimately contributes positively to strengthening the image of the institution as an educational center that respects diversity and is able to integrate local potential into the international arena.