Medan, September 26, 2026 — After participating in a series of academic activities, cultural visits, and industry tours, the Malaysian delegation, along with the committee of the International Summer Course 2026, continued their journey by getting to know Medan City more closely through a city tour on Saturday morning.
The activity began with the group departing to the Kesawan area, one of the historical districts in Medan City. From this area, participants engaged in a city sightseeing agenda with an alternating schedule. Some participants traveled using a city tour bus, while others spent their time visiting Senghap 1881 Kesawan to view and choose various typical souvenirs from Medan.
For those participating in the city tour, the journey provided an opportunity to see Medan City from a different perspective. Utilizing a tourist bus, the delegates were taken across various historic areas while receiving explanations about the history and development of Medan City.
This concept of city tourism aligns with the presence of the Medan City Tourist Bus developed by the Medan City Government in collaboration with Bank Sumut as a means to introduce the city’s historical sites and heritage to the public and tourists. The tourist bus is specifically aimed at helping visitors appreciate the rich history of Medan City through a journey across several city areas.
During the journey, the delegates not only viewed the buildings and roads they passed but also listened to stories about the historical places that are part of Medan City’s development.
The experience provided a different perspective for participants who previously knew North Sumatra mainly through Lake Toba, Samosir, and the industrial environment. While previous visits introduced the natural, cultural, and industrial sides of North Sumatra, this city tour brought participants to explore the character of Medan City as an urban space that has grown through a diversity of history and community activities.
While some participants joined the city tour, those who had not yet had their turn on the bus were directed to visit Senghap 1881 Kesawan. Located at Jalan Jenderal Ahmad Yani No. 1, Kesawan, Senghap 1881 is recorded in the Medan City Tourism Office portal as a historic building that has been revitalized and now serves as a center for culinary experiences, a museum gallery, and a center for souvenirs from North Sumatra's MSMEs.
Delegates took the opportunity to look for souvenirs to bring back to Malaysia. Some students were seen discussing with their buddies to ask for recommendations on typical Medan souvenirs worth taking for family and friends.
This simple interaction became an interesting part of the activity. The buddies not only accompanied the journey but also played a role as companions sharing information about food options and souvenirs that could serve as mementos from North Sumatra.
Several other delegates appeared to enjoy the atmosphere while capturing moments through photos and videos. Souvenirs known from Medan include bika ambon, rolled cake, Medan anchovies, passion fruit syrup, and various other culinary products. This variety reflects the culinary richness of North Sumatra, which has long been part of the tourist experience in Medan.
As midday approached, the entire group then moved towards Sun Plaza. The delegates were given time until the evening to walk around, have lunch, and continue their search for souvenirs based on the list they had prepared. The atmosphere was relaxed. After several days of following a series of activities with a fairly packed schedule, the time at the shopping center provided participants with the opportunity to enjoy more free time with their friends and buddies.
For some delegates, the moment also served as the last opportunity to pick up souvenirs before leaving North Sumatra. Not only students, but a professor from the Malaysian delegation also shared their experiences during the trip. When asked about the most memorable experience during the journey to Lake Toba, they mentioned new experiences, beautiful scenery, food, and the cool atmosphere as some of the appealing aspects. However, according to them, the journey to Samosir and the chance to directly see Batak Toba culture was the most memorable part.
“The best part was the trip to Samosir, experiencing the culture,” they said.
Regarding the city of Medan, they viewed Medan as a developing city with quite dense community activities.
“Medan is really progressing; as soon as you arrive, you can see shops everywhere, and the traffic is quite heavy,” they noted.
Culinary experiences also became an unforgettable part of the trip. Among the various foods they tried during the journey, fish with sambal dabu-dabu at Vhi Vhi Restaurant became one of their favorites. When asked about their desires if they return to Medan, they expressed an interest in exploring more historical places in the city. In fact, they have the idea of creating a small game related to these historical sites for future opportunities.
The city tour of Medan completed the experience for the Malaysian delegates during the International Summer Course 2026. After previously experiencing the panorama of Lake Toba, the local wisdom of Batak Toba in Samosir, and the industrial process at PKS Sei Mangkei, the participants were now invited to see another side of North Sumatra through the life and history of the city of Medan.
The journey not only showcased buildings and tourist attractions but also presented simple experiences that created memories: discussing with buddies to choose souvenirs, capturing moments of the trip, enjoying lunch together, and strolling in the city center.
For the Malaysian delegates, this experience became an opportunity to recognize Medan not just as a stopover, but as a city rich in history, culture, cuisine, and diverse community life.
Thus, the city tour concludes the rich series of field visits for the International Summer Course 2026, a journey that brings together learning, tourism, culture, and camaraderie across nations.