On Saturday, 2nd November 2024, International Students of Universitas Andalas took part in a field trip to Bukittinggi which aimed to introduce West Sumatra culture and tourism as well as to increase familiarity and cohesiveness between fellow international students who were studying at Universitas Andalas. 

This activity was attended by around 60 international students and accompanied by 6 people from the international office. International students are invited to visit the Tourism Village/Nagari Sanjai, Bukittinggi. While at Nagari Sanjai, students were given an introduction to Minangkabau culture, such as wearing traditional Minang clothing, playing traditional musical instruments, tasting traditional food, eating 'bajamba' which has typical Minangkabau philosophical values, and getting to know the traditional kerupuk sanjai processing process.

Apart from that, international students are also invited to visit the Fort de Kock Fort and the Kinantan Zoo. There international students can see traces of the history of the Dutch colonial period, get to know the animals in Indonesia and there is also a Rumah Gadang which is a traditional Minangkabau house. Not only that, they can also see the natural beauty of Bukittinggi such as Mount Singgalang, Mount Marapi, and the Sianok Canyon.

Then, this activity closed with a group dinner accompanied by a welcoming speech for new international students at VOCA Cafe Bukittinggi. This dinner event was also interspersed with entertainment in the form of a quiz with prizes and closed with a group photo.

It is hoped that with this activity, international students can increase closeness and solidarity between fellow students and between students and the international office as well as increase international students' knowledge and love of Minangkabau culture.