Parapat, September 23, 2026 — The activities of the International Summer Course 2026 continued with a trip to Parapat on Wednesday. Not just a journey to the next activity location, this trip became an opportunity for the delegation of students and lecturers from Malaysia to get to know the landscape, cuisine, and atmosphere of North Sumatra more closely.
The group, consisting of the entire committee and the delegation of students and lecturers from Malaysia, began gathering at the Faculty of Economics and Business USU since the morning. After preparing for the trip and enjoying breakfast together, the group departed for Parapat around 08:30 AM.
The journey then featured a stop at one of the orange orchards in the Kabanjahe area. At this location, the delegates had the opportunity to experience something different from the academic activities. They were allowed to pick oranges directly, capture moments through photos and videos, and taste the freshly picked fruit.
This experience became one of the highlights for the Malaysian delegates as they not only saw the agricultural produce of North Sumatra, but also directly interacted with local activities that are part of the daily life of the community.
The atmosphere of the journey was warm and full of enthusiasm. Inside the bus, the committee and delegates enjoyed the trip while listening to music together. Not only did they choose songs typically played by the committee, but the Malaysian delegates were also given the chance to request their favorite songs, making the journey even more interactive.
This interaction was further enhanced by the role of buddy students who accompanied the delegates throughout the trip. One buddy provided explanations about the areas the group passed through. Thus, the journey became not just a transition from one place to another, but also a space for the delegates to get to know the environment and regions they traversed.
After enjoying the atmosphere of the orange orchard, the group continued their journey to Vhi Vhi Restaurant for lunch. On the way to the location, views of Lake Toba began to emerge from the heights of the road, especially as the group approached the Parapat area.
The sight of the blue-green expanse of Lake Toba immediately caught the delegates' attention. They appeared eager to capture the scenery through photos and videos. This moment became one of the experiences that showcased that the International Summer Course 2026 offered not only academic experiences but also opened up opportunities for participants to directly appreciate the natural wealth and culture of North Sumatra.
Upon arriving at Vhi Vhi Restaurant, the group enjoyed lunch with a variety of traditional dishes that blended Indonesian flavors, ranging from dabu-dabu fish, sweet and sour shrimp, fried chicken, grilled tilapia, to various vegetable dishes.
After lunch, the delegates and organizing committee captured their time together through a photo session with the backdrop of Lake Toba. The vast expanse of the lake added to the journey and provided an opportunity for the Malaysian delegates to enjoy one of the main attractions of North Sumatra.
After that, the group continued their journey to the accommodation in the Parapat area. Throughout the trip, the camaraderie among the committee, buddies, and Malaysian delegates grew through conversations and various light activities during the journey. The group also made brief stops as needed before finally proceeding to their place of stay.
The journey to Parapat became an important part of the International Summer Course 2026, as it combined academic experiences with direct experiences of getting to know North Sumatra. From picking oranges in Kabanjahe, enjoying traditional Indonesian cuisine, to witnessing Lake Toba for the first time, the trip provided a space for the Malaysian delegates to see another side of North Sumatra through a closer and more personal experience.
More than just traveling to a destination, the shared time during the trip strengthened interactions between USU students and the Malaysian delegates. The simple moments created during the journey became part of a cross-cultural experience that is hoped to leave a positive impression on participants throughout the International Summer Course 2026.