Two students from the Political Science Study Program at Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), class of 2023, Anindya Khadifah and Afifah Zahrah, undertook a one-month international internship at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in the Philippines, located in Manila.
This program forms part of an effort to strengthen students’ academic experience while providing practical insights into Indonesia’s diplomatic practices at the international level.
The internship program held at the Indonesian Embassy in Manila (9/3) offered students the opportunity to directly observe the dynamics of diplomatic work within Indonesia’s overseas missions.
During the internship, Anindya Khadifah and Afifah Zahrah were involved in various diplomatic activities and public service functions carried out by the Indonesian Embassy in the Philippines.
Both students had the opportunity to observe a range of embassy activities firsthand, including internal coordination processes, services provided to Indonesian citizens, and participation in several initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and the Philippines.
In addition to administrative tasks and an introduction to diplomatic functions, the students also took part in several activities related to soft diplomacy.
These activities illustrated how cultural engagement, dialogue, and social interaction can serve as effective instruments for strengthening Indonesia’s positive image abroad.
Through this program, the students also witnessed the dynamics of diplomatic activities within the embassy environment, including formal meeting forums, community engagement programs, and public events that brought together various international actors.
Such activities represent an essential component of contemporary diplomatic practice, which extends beyond formal political negotiations to include social, cultural, and public communication approaches.
Anindya Khadifah noted that the internship provided new insights into the practice of international relations, which had previously been studied primarily from a theoretical perspective in the classroom.
“Diplomacy is not conducted solely through intergovernmental negotiations, but also through societal interaction, cultural promotion, and cross-community collaboration that contribute to sustainable development,” Anindya explained.
Meanwhile, Afifah Zahrah added that participating in various embassy activities broadened her understanding of the complexity of diplomatic work at the global level.
“Soft diplomacy plays a strategic role in building harmonious relations between countries while also strengthening international cooperation across multiple sectors,” Afifah remarked.
This international internship program is expected to serve as a valuable learning platform for students to develop a global perspective, enhance academic capacity, and gain a deeper understanding of Indonesia’s diplomatic practices in the Southeast Asian region.
Through such experiences, it is hoped that more young generations will be encouraged to contribute to strengthening Indonesia’s diplomatic role while supporting sustainable development at the global level.
