Yesterday, on Monday July 18, the esc Monday afternoon community held a class with Mr. Roberson, a student from Madagascar, Africa. He is studying S2 on State Administration in UGM Jogja because he got a scholarship from the Madagascar Government He’s been in Jogja for almost 2 years. He really likes Indonesian culture. According to Mr. Roberson, Indonesian people are very friendly, especially the Jogjanese. He thinks the Javanese are polite and have very nice communicating skill. Even though he has never met Jogjanese people before he has had no difficulties talking with them because they can accept him very well.
Mr. Roberson thinks that Jogja food is strange, because some of the food is sweet and some is too spicy. In fact, there is also very hot food with lots of chilly. He finds the food difficult to eat because he is used to French food.
He added that in Madagancar, only the women are the ones who cook the dishes. Men are not common in doing the cooking. In fact, in villages, men are not allowed to cook.
When Madagascar people meet a tourist for the first time they don’t usually say ‘Hi’ like what the people do in Indonesia. They just look and stare at each other without saying a word, but they still welcome you.
During the class the students played games and had discussions with Mr. Roberson about different culture. Next week, our community is planning to have a class again with Mr. Roberson and his native friends. We are looking forward to it.
wisnu.doc- july 2011
