Ifa Subardan
BA, History, Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta
Ifa’s love for travel and cross-cultural connection began during an internship as a tour guide, where she also wrote her final paper about sustainable tourism. At the time, she was studying Dutch Language for Tourism in Yogyakarta. That journey later brought her to Belgium in 2005, where she joined a summer course in Dutch Language and Culture, her first time in Europe and an experience that opened her eyes to the power of stories, languages, and meeting people from different cultures.
She continued working as a full-time guide for more than 14 years, leading trips for travelers from Europe to explore Java’s landscapes, culture, and everyday life. While guiding, she also finished a degree in History to better understand the traditions and stories of her own country. During university, she worked as a freelance transcriber and translator, often helping with research projects focused on people’s stories and cultural exchange. Her love for travel has taken her to parts of Southeast Asia, India, Taiwan, and Europe, experiences that continue to shape how she sees the world and connects with others.
Ifa first met Dragons as a guest speaker on a panel about women and Islam. After some years of connecting with students and educators through different programs, she officially joined Dragons as an instructor in 2023. She enjoys being part of spaces where people can learn from each other and from the everyday life around them.
She has also supported PhD students during their fieldwork, one doing research on healthcare in rural Java, and another learning from traditional wayang (shadow puppet) makers in Central Java. These projects helped her appreciate the knowledge that lives in small places and personal stories.
Ifa now lives with her sister near the Sultan’s Palace in Yogyakarta, where they run a small hospitality business. She also volunteers with Dapoer Bergerak, a community kitchen that prepares food for those in need. In her free time, she enjoys trying new foods, making things by hand, and sometimes singing, even if it’s just for herself, and not always in tune.