International Office of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon Strengthens Global Vision Through Local Wisdom, Culinary Heritage, and Team Reflection in Sagarahiang, Kuningan
Kuningan, June 8, 2025 — At 1,130 meters above sea level, nestled in the cool, quiet slopes of Sagarahiang, Kuningan, the International Office (IO) of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon gathered with its Global Engagement Team (GET) for a nature-based Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Led by Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., the Director of International Office, this FGD was designed to reconnect the soul of internationalization with its human roots; community, culture, and care. The event was further enriched by the presence of Mr. Ukad, a highly respected local ecological volunteer and guardian of the Sagarahiang area, and Mr. Sukana, a local site protector, both of whom shared deep insights into the ecological and spiritual landscape of the mountain. Their presence bridged the team’s global vision with a profound sense of place. Together, everyone sat not in a boardroom, but in the arms of the mountain.
Surrounded by trees, clear air, and centuries-old wisdom, the team explored more than just organizational goals, they listened. Mr. Ukad guided the group through various sites across Sagarahiang, explaining their significance not only in terms of biodiversity but also spiritual history. “You can’t separate nature from meaning,” he said softly, inviting the group to observe rather than rush. This interaction reminded the International Office that internationalization is strongest when rooted in respect for the local, its stories, rhythms, and people. It was a rare moment when professional vision met sacred ground.
The FGD itself unfolded organically, shaped by questions like: How do we stay grounded while operating globally? How do we infuse our programs with values, not just checklists? With nature as facilitator, the team shared reflections not typically spoken in office corridors. This pause was not a break from productivity, it was the soil from which new clarity emerged. The International Office, through this initiative, demonstrated that building international futures begins with intimate internal harmony.
No less symbolic was the culinary highlight of the day: sate, grilled together by the team with care and joy. As smoke curled into the mountain air and skewers sizzled over open fire, the familiar dish became something greater, it became a metaphor. Sate, deeply rooted in Indonesian identity, represented how local culture can be proudly served on global tables. It was a moment of togetherness that required no translation. Sharing sate under the trees was not just about eating, it was an act of cultural diplomacy. Everyone had a role: preparing, grilling, seasoning, and storytelling. What emerged wasn’t just food, it was family, forged in fire and flavor. For the International Office, this embodied the values they wish to bring to global partnerships: mutual respect, shared effort, and warmth. The meal became a memory and a message.
As the day matured into golden light, the IO and GET discussed new ideas, revisited old visions, and recommitted to their shared mission. Yet this time, the discussion felt deeper because it had been held in a place that listened back. What had started as a team-building session evolved into a reaffirmation of the office’s identity as both bridge and root: connecting globally, standing firmly locally. The presence of community figures like Mr. Ukad and Mr. Sukana grounded that identity in authenticity.
This Sagarahiang retreat was not an escape, it was a return. A return to intention, to simplicity, to what internationalization should mean. The International Office of UIN SSC continues to lead not only with programs and policy, but with presence and humanity. And as the last skewer of sate was shared beneath a quiet sky, it was clear: this mountain had offered more than scenery, it had given direction.
Author: Resa Diah Gayatri