Gastrodiplomacy initiative sharpens students’ communication skills and leadership qualities
Communication Science students at Universitas Sumatera Utara participated in a unique gastrodiplomacy initiative on November 29, 2025. Led by M Khalish, the event aimed to demonstrate how communication transcends words, using food, culture, and shared experiences to connect people globally. Students explored leadership, teamwork, and cross-cultural understanding through practical activities and expert discussions.
The program, Leadership Out Loud, encouraged students to apply communication and leadership skills in real-world scenarios. They worked on decision-making, managing group dynamics, and collaborating in teams. The initiative also aligned with global goals, supporting SDG 4 (quality education) through hands-on learning and SDG 17 (partnerships) by fostering cross-cultural and institutional cooperation.
Gastrodiplomacy took center stage as a means for nations to share identity and culture through food. The Consulate General of India in Medan contributed by discussing diplomacy and cross-cultural communication. Students examined how symbols, traditions, and shared meals can convey messages more powerfully than words alone. The event's theme underscored communication as a bridge between cultures, helping build long-term understanding. By linking theory with practice, the program provided students with a deeper understanding of global communication—beyond just speaking and listening.
The initiative offered students practical experience in leadership, teamwork, and cultural exchange. By using food and diplomacy as tools, they witnessed firsthand how communication shapes international relationships. The program's success reflects its alignment with global education goals and real-world application of communication skills.
Read also:
- Executive from significant German automobile corporation advocates for a truthful assessment of transition toward electric vehicles
- Crisis in a neighboring nation: immediate cheese withdrawal at Rewe & Co, resulting in two fatalities.
- United Kingdom Christians Voice Opposition to Assisted Dying Legislation
- Democrats are subtly dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Here's the breakdown
