SARAWAK’S rich cultural diversity recently became the focal point for five students from Pusan National University in South Korea.
While experiencing local culture firsthand, they captured its unique heritage in their travel writing and photography.
The students, who were in Miri, enrolled in Curtin University Malaysia’s Winter/Summer Programme in Travel Writing and Photography from Jan 26 to Feb 7.
Organised by the varsity’s School of Pre-U and Continuing Studies and supported by the Higher Education Ministry, the two-week experiential programme combined hands-on training in travel writing, photography and vlogging with authentic cultural encounters across northern Sarawak.
During the first week, the students explored key landmarks in Miri, including the iconic Grand Old Lady (Well No. 1) at the top of Canada Hill, the San Ching Tian Temple, Miri Handicraft Centre, Miri City Fan Recreation Park and Miri Times Square.
Through guided storytelling exercises and visual documentation, they captured the city’s blend of heritage, modern development and multicultural community life.
A key highlight of the programme was a four-hour journey inland to Sungai Asap in Belaga, where the students spent two days and one night at Uma Belor, one of the longest longhouses in Sarawak, stretching over one kilometre.
Living alongside the local community offered rare insight into the rhythms of longhouse life, a press release from the varsity read.
It added that the students participated in traditional dance performances and sampled authentic indigenous cuisine at Uma Badeng.
They also visited Uma Ukit, an architectural marvel recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records for its distinctive rattan-adorned design, an example of indigenous craftsmanship and identity.
The students’ cultural journey included a visit to a tattoo studio in Senadin, where local artist Felix Dixon demonstrated the traditional hand-tapped tattoo technique, highlighting ongoing efforts to preserve indigenous tattoo motifs as living cultural heritage.
Reflecting on her visit, student Kim Da Yeong described Sarawak as “one of the most unique experiences of my life”, adding that she would deeply miss the warmth of its people and culture.
Her fellow participant Park Se Hyun expressed his hope to return to Sarawak in the future to further explore its rich traditions and welcoming communities.
The Winter/Summer Programme underscores Curtin Malaysia’s commitment to global engagement and experiential learning, providing international students with meaningful academic opportunities beyond the classroom while promoting Sarawak as a compelling cultural destination, the varsity said in its March 2 press release.
