Purwokerto – Three students of the English Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences and Communication (FIBK), Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto (UMP), successfully participated in and completed the International Community Service Program (KKN) in Thailand. This activity represents a concrete step of campus internationalization while providing students with cross-cultural experiences.
For several weeks, the students were actively involved in various social, educational, and cultural activities. They not only taught in local schools but also introduced Indonesian culture in an international environment. This experience helped sharpen their intercultural communication skills, adaptability to new cultures, and teamwork in a global context.
One student shared her experience:
“The most memorable experience for me was when I taught students in Thailand who were very enthusiastic and friendly. Their spirit made us even more motivated to teach every day. The children at the school were very kind and easy to get along with. Some of them even treated us like their own siblings, which touched us deeply as we were warmly welcomed from beginning to end.”
Another student stated that the program gave her more confidence in using English in real-life situations. She felt that communicating directly with speakers from diverse backgrounds significantly improved her communication skills.
Meanwhile, the third student expressed admiration for the environment and culture in Thailand. Shee said the local community was very friendly and open, which gave him a deeper understanding of tolerance and diversity.
The International KKN Program has become a strategic step for the English Literature Study Program of FIBK UMP in preparing its students to face global challenges. Through this activity, students gained not only academic experience but also valuable lessons in leadership, teamwork, and cross-cultural understanding.
With this program, English Literature students of FIBK UMP are expected to be more prepared to become graduates with international competitiveness, global insight, and the ability to contribute not only at the national level but also internationally.