By Alexia Hernandez
To hone cross-cultural skills, Silliman University (SU) physical therapy (PT) students engaged in an educational exchange from Oct. 21 to 30 at the Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI) in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The program included lectures, clinical visits, and interactive sessions to foster knowledge-sharing between the two institutions.
Delegates from SU were Joshua James Despi, Janna Mari Digamon, Danielle Allana H. Alambra, Raneeh Sophie Marie A. Borromeo, Alexandhra Chrisel L. Cadayona, Aida Alexi B. Castro, Maria Patricia T. Cayongcong, Sebastian Eric Flores, Jannah Nicka Japole, Regine B. Ojastro, and Joy Angel A. Pinili.
The exchange program opened with a welcoming and signing ceremony between the two universities, officially establishing the partnership.
Moreover, the Sillimanians participated in a campus tour and engaged in cultural activities led by UKI’s PT department and students.
Despi expressed his learnings on both the similarities and differences in PT practices of the two institutions.
“During my stay in Jakarta, I learned so much about Indonesian culture[…] the clinics we visited displayed a lot of similarities with our hospital visits here in the Philippines,” he said.
Despi also shared “unique approaches” they encountered, particularly in one clinic that integrated pilates into PT, which he said, “Helped me enrich my knowledge as an intern.”
Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise that involves slow, precise movements paired with deep, and controlled breathing.
Meanwhile, Digamon highlighted the program’s academic value, particularly in enhancing her understanding of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF).
“The PNF lecture, in particular, surpassed my hopes, as it clarified both the theory and the practical applications in a way that I hadn’t fully understood before,” Digamon said.
She added that experiencing different teaching methods, such as the use of background music during lectures, broadened her perspective on how varied teaching styles can influence learning experiences.
PNF is a stretching technique used to enhance flexibility, strength, and muscle coordinations useful for athletes, dancers, and individuals recovering from injury.
Participants also acknowledged some challenges encountered during their stay, particularly with language barriers and climate adjustment.
Despi described the language barrier as “the most difficult challenge” they faced during the entire trip, “I am glad this did not affect the wholesome cultural exchange between the Silliman and UKI students,” he added.
Furthermore, Digamon found adapting to Jakarta’s intense heat and humidity “physically demanding,” especially during outdoor activities such as campus tours.
SU IRS faculty Erwin F. Arapols, Cyflor E. Putong, Blair Dennise D. Banzuela, Roselle Franz B. Felisilda and Alexa C. Tiu led a workshop titled “Muscle Performance Training for Football Players.”
