Exchange Program Research Articles

The Role of Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Program on Students' Soft Skills: An Observational Study of Students in Jambi City, Indonesia

The Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program was launched by the Indonesian government with the aim of improving the quality of higher education and preparing graduates who are competent in the world of work. One important aspect that is expected to be improved through this program is student soft skills. This research aims to examine in depth the role of MBKM in the development of student soft skills in Jambi City, Indonesia. This research used an observational approach involving 350 students from various universities in Jambi City who participated in the MBKM program. Data was collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and questionnaires. Data analysis was carried out qualitatively and quantitatively to explore a comprehensive understanding of the impact of MBKM on student soft skills. The research results show that MBKM has a significant role in improving the soft skills of students in Jambi City. Participation in various MBKM activities, such as internships, humanitarian projects, and student exchanges, provides opportunities for students to develop communication skills, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity. Apart from that, MBKM also helps students increase their self-confidence, independence, and ability to adapt to new environments. The MBKM program has proven effective in improving the soft skills of students in Jambi City. These findings provide empirical evidence that supports the importance of the MBKM program in preparing graduates who not only have academic competencies, but also the soft skills needed in the world of work. The implications of this research can be used as a basis for developing higher education policies that are more effective in improving the quality of graduates.

Disenfranchising the marginalized: the intersectionality of politics of distraction and English-medium education (EME) in Pakistani educational policy

ABSTRACT The historical Hindi-Urdu language strife intensified after the Indian ‘Mutiny’ in 1857 played a pivotal role in shaping the two-nation theory, culminating in the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. Under English colonial rule, English language education became synonymous with power and job opportunities, creating divisions within the Muslim community over language preference. Analyzing Pakistan's language education policy through Farley, Leonardi and Donnor's (2021) five components of education policy distraction framework provides a structured approach to evaluate its impact on social mobility and English language education access. The analysis highlights the distractors of English-medium education, which include hierarchical multilingual policy, prioritizing English as the official language, using limited budgeting excuses for not professionally developing public school teachers, reliance on traditional English language teaching methods, and treating English as merely a subject. The findings emphasize the need to reform Pakistan's language education policy to address socioeconomic disparities, promote equitable access to English language education and mitigate the distractors. Recommended reforms include reviewing the advantage of English Medium Education (EME) over public education, increasing funding, enhancing the professional development of English language teachers, drafting and implementing language policies, encouraging public-private teacher exchange programs, and introducing teacher certification and capacity-building initiatives.

Developing pre-service teachers’ intercultural communication competence: Learning through extracurricular informal digital learning of English

Intercultural communication and language proficiency have become increasingly essential in preparing Indonesian EFL pre-service teachers (PSTs) for cultural diversity. Indonesian EFL PSTs only communicated English to people with the same majors or educational background. This study explores the implication of developing PSTs’ intercultural communication competence (ICC) at one of the universities in Indonesia that designed and implemented informal digital learning of English (IDLE) as an extracurricular program. Thirty-seven university PSTs from various multicultural backgrounds with insufficient overseas experiences (such as exchange programs or internship programs) participated in this study. We conducted the study –for one semester during the pandemic, where the PSTs mainly communicated in online environments. Combining the analysis from observations, artifacts, diaries, and interviews, this study reports that engaging in extracurricular IDLE potentially unlocked PSTs to 1) become aware of the value of their own cultural background and biases in developing their perception of other cultures and 2) evaluate their English language choices that potentially affected on how they addressed some topics and interpretation with overseas friends (OFs). Furthermore, this study provides insight into the benefits of implementing ICC for PSTs, especially in language development, and how they perceived this as a motivation for designing their future classroom practices.

Evaluation of Asian Students Exchange Program (ASEP) in The Range of Building A Generation of Youth with A Global Vision

The exchange of information and culture through student exchange programs is becoming increasingly important in this era of globalization. One of them is the Asian Students Exchange Program (ASEP), which aims to evaluate the Asian Student Exchange Program at Al Azhar Islamic Middle School 9 Kemang Pratama Bekasi. Research methodology using the CIPP. Methodology is carried out to analyze the effectiveness and sustainability of the program. Through the Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) approach, the evaluation provides a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of the program, from the initial context to its long-term impact. 2) The Input Aspect indicates that the implementation guidance, program management, and participant preparation have been done well. The guidelines are available complete and understandable, the management of the program is organized effectively with clear task division, and the participant is prepared with the required qualifications. 3) The Process Aspect, in which the ASEP (Asian Students Exchange Program) program implementation is generally good enough but still needs improvement in some aspects to provide optimal benefits. 4) The Product Aspects, ASEP Program found that the participants showed a good level of independence during their homestay in Taiwan and confidence in their English presentation. As for the conclusion of the research results based on analysis and interpretation that the implementation of the ASEP (Asian Students Exchange Program) program is generally good enough but still needs improvement in some aspects in order to provide optimal benefits for schools that have this excellent program.

The Value of International Exchange Programs for Physician Assistants: Surveying a US-Netherlands Advanced Practice Provider Exchange Program.

International exchange programs between physician assistants (PAs) and other advanced practice providers (APPs) from different countries can facilitate opportunities for global health training and experiences. This article examines a survey of 5 PAs, 4 nurse practitioners, and 1 certified nursing specialist working in the United States (US) about their experience collaborating in an international exchange program with APPs in the Netherlands. Ten APPs in the United States anonymously answered an 8-item survey on their experience in an international exchange program with APPs in the Netherlands with a 100% response rate. The survey contained questions regarding the impact of the program on cultural competence, professional development, and perception of health care systems. All respondents agree or strongly agree that the program contributed to APP growth in cultural competence and professional development. Eighty percent of respondents found APP practices in the United States compared with the Netherlands to be somewhat or extremely similar, with differences noted in training and education, patterns of utilization, and roles in procedures. Free responses indicate APPs are used similarly in the Netherlands and the United States, while APP training models and health care infrastructure in the 2 countries have notable differences. Survey results examined in this article underscore how an international exchange program can not only enrich individual professional paths but also positively contribute to the broader global health care landscape. The lessons learned, shared experiences, and insights gained have the potential to shape health care practices on an international scale, fostering a collaborative and interconnected future for health care providers worldwide.

Host perspectives on international fieldwork placements for U.S.‐based genetic counseling students

AbstractGenetic counseling students from the United States are often interested in international summer fieldwork placements, but little is known about the hosts' perspectives when considering such requests. We sent out surveys to 132 international genetics providers (genetics clinics and genetics programs), to identify advantages, barriers and expectations for U.S.‐based genetic counseling students seeking a fieldwork placement. Twenty‐seven (20.4% response rate) participants from 14 different countries shared their experiences and views. Providers placed higher emphasis on teaching and benefits to students (95.2%) rather than intrinsic benefits to their programs (90.4%). Lack of American Board of Genetic Counseling's (ABGC) reciprocal recognition (30%) and cost of training (25%), were rated as the strongest barriers to hosting U.S.‐based students. Surprisingly, ‘Language Barrier’ (20%), although mentioned in open‐ended comments, was not ranked highly as a barrier. When asked about expectations of students, active participation in student‐led counseling sessions under supervision was encouraged by a majority of participants (55.6%). Where most genetic counseling literature is U.S.‐centric, this study reports on insights gathered from international genetics providers. Our study encourages U.S.‐based programs to consider these findings when designing exchange programs and international fieldwork placements.

Precarious labour geographies of working holiday makers: querying sustainability

The boundaries between tourism and migration are blurry. This blurring has been beneficial for the governments of wealthy countries enabling them to import a large and flexible temporary workforce that can be directed toward regions and industries where there are labour shortages. Such is the case with the Australian Working Holiday Program (AWHP); a historically tourism-focused cultural exchange program that began in 1975. Since the 1990s, the Australian Government has leveraged the AWHP to support several of Australia’s critical industries. This has been achieved through the tweaking of mobility infrastructures that link Working Holiday Makers’ (WHMs) ability to stay in Australia to employment conditions. Such conditions increase precarity among WHMs, directing them towards remote regions and industries where there are evident labour shortages. While these mobility infrastructures significantly benefit Australia’s economy, they result in WHMs being highly vulnerable to exploitation. Such vulnerability is layered with WHMs from less wealthy, non-English-speaking countries facing the highest levels of vulnerability. This study investigates the way mobility infrastructures in the AWHP influence WHMs’ mobilities, as well as how such mobilities are experienced in uneven and unjust ways. There is urgency to interrogate the role that such programs play in contributing to unjust mobilities, and to query the attendant implications for sustainability.

Makna Toleransi dan Persepsi terhadap Keberagaman Indonesia Melalui Kegiatan Modul Nusantara Pada Mahasiswa PMM 4 Inbound Universitas Jember

The Nusantara Module is one of the compulsory courses for students who take part in the Independent Student Exchange program. The content of the Nusantara module is social contribution, diversity, inspiration and reflection. The purpose of this research is to find out how tolerant and perceived Indonesian cultural diversity through Nusantara module activities for PMM 4 Inbound students of Jember University. The research method used is a qualitative research method, using the theory of symbolic interactionism of George Herbert Mead's thought. The results showed that the Nusantara Module course has a role in increasing the cultural tolerance attitude of inbound students of Jember University through; first, respecting and respecting diversity; second, preventing the emergence of ethnocentrism and in the Nusantara Module there are symbols used by Inbound students in interacting in order to implement tolerance attitudes and values.

The Role of the Independent Student Exchange Program in Increasing Student Tolerance Attitude

The Role of the Independent Student Exchange Program in Increasing Student Tolerance Attitude

Staphylococcus aureus carriage and prevalence of skin and soft tissue infections among people who inject drugs: a longitudinal study

People who inject drugs are frequently colonized with Staphylococcus aureus and have an increased risk for skin and soft tissue infections. This longitudinal study aims to describe S. aureus carriage in this group and the risk for infections during a 1-year follow-up. We included 61 participants from the Malmö Needle Exchange Program. Mapping of S. aureus carriage was conducted by screening cultures every third month and S. aureus growth was semi-quantified. Data regarding infections and living conditions were collected from structured interviews. Statistics included univariate analysis with the Fischer’s exact test, univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression. S. aureus carriage was detected in 46–63% of participants, and 75% reported one or more infections during the study period. Self-reported infections were associated with carriage in perineum (OR 5.08 [95% CI 1.45–17.73]), in skin lesions (OR 1.48 [95% CI 1.21–1.81]), and unstable housing situation (OR 12.83 [95% CI 1.56–105.81]). Thus, people who inject drugs are frequent carriers of S. aureus and report a surprisingly high prevalence of skin and soft tissue infections. Homeless people and those with skin carriage seem to be at highest risk. Effective clinical interventions are needed, aiming at preventing infections in this vulnerable group.

VSEMERA: pilot project assessing health profession students’ experiences in an international virtual research program

BackgroundThe “Virtual Semester for Medical Research Aachen” (vSEMERA) is an international, interdisciplinary, virtual education program developed for health profession students. The first edition (2021) was hosted by the Medical Faculty of RWTH Aachen University (Germany) in cooperation with Centro Universitário Christus (Brazil) and Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Peru). The primary aim of the 12-weeks program was to provide students with skills in health science research and prepare them for scientific career paths.MethodsvSEMERA was built on a virtual learning platform, the “vSEMERA-Campus”, designed to foster students’ learning process and social interactions. Maximum flexibility was offered through synchronous and asynchronous teaching, enabling participants to join via any device from any part of the Globe alongside their regular studies. For the program’s first edition (September - November 2021), health profession students from Germany, Brazil, Peru, Spain, and Italy filled all 30 available spots. Satisfaction, quality of the program and courses offered, as well as perceived learning outcomes, were examined using questionnaires throughout and at the end of the program.ResultsThe program received a rating of 4.38 out of 5 stars. While it met most expectations (4.29 out of 5), participants were unable to attend as many courses as intended (2.81 out of 5), mainly due to scheduling conflicts with the home university schedule (46%), internships (23%), and general timing issues (31%). Participants acknowledged considerable improvements in their scientific skills, English language skills, confidence in scientific project management, research career progression, and enthusiasm for a scientific career.ConclusionsvSEMERA represents a promising example of an online international learning and exchange program using pedagogical and technological elements of virtual collaboration and teaching. In addition to advancing future vSEMERA editions, our results may offer insights for similar projects that address the targeted integration of scientific research education into an international, digital learning environment.

Identitätsarbeit und Rollenverständnis durch persönliche Narrationen in Virtuellen Austauschen zwischen deutschen und israelischen Studierenden

Digitalization is essential in daily life, especially in education, and has been further emphasized by the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020. Schools and universities are demanding digital development. To date, little progress has been made in virtual and transnational exchange programs for foreign language student teachers from diverse cultural backgrounds. These learners could greatly benefit from enhanced development of foreign language and intercultural communicative competencies (O’Dowd 2006, 2021). A group of Israeli and German students took part in a four-week virtual exchange project. The students collaborated on concepts for their future foreign language classroom, drawing from their (digital) pandemic experiences. Zoom meetings were recorded and multimodally transcribed for research purposes. The essay provides insight into a conducted PhD research project analyzing online personal narratives resulting from given impulses and assigned tasks. Using a phenomenological approach, an example sequence was selected. The findings will illuminate the discourse development of participants' secondary conversations („off-task-talks“) and their (situated) concept of roles and identities presented in the discourse.

Multifaceted challenges and opportunities: Chinese exchange students’ experiences in the U.S. transnational online learning ecology

Transnational distance education has become an emerging trend in promoting academic collaboration and exchange during and after the pandemic. Guided by the learning ecology framework, we conducted mixed methods research by distributing an online survey to Chinese students (N=51) to collect quantitative and qualitative data. This helped us deeply understand their experiences and perceptions of a cross-cultural online learning environment in the United States. We applied multiple regression and thematic analysis to analyze quantitative and qualitative data. The merging of both types of data analysis indicated: the confirmation of the importance of English learning resources, the transformation of online learning practices, the insufficiency of students-to-instructors interaction, discordance of technological self-efficacy and the disadvantages of technology-assisted instruction, and discordance between the usefulness and difficulties of learning activities and assessments. We further discussed appropriate strategies and techniques to promote online teaching and learning excellence in transnational distance education.

Culture Shock Dan Adaptasi Studi Fenomenologi Pada Peserta Program Pertukaran Mahasiswa Merdeka Batch 3 Di Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha

This research aims to gain a deeper understanding of the experience of culture shock and adaptation experienced by participants in the Merdek Batch 3 Student Exchange Program at Ganesha University of Education. The method used in this research is a phenomenological approach, which provides space for participants to describe their experiences in depth and subjectively. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with exchange program participants, which were then analyzed using a phenomenological approach. The results of this research show that exchange program participants experience various stages in their adaptation process, starting from the initial culture shock to finally being able to adapt to the new environment. In addition, this research also identifies factors that influence the participants' adaptation process, such as differences in language, system education, cultural values, and social differences. These findings provide valuable insight for universities and other educational institutions in providing effective support for student exchange program participants. This research is expected to provide a better understanding of the culture shock experience and adaptation of student exchange program participants, as well as provide recommendations for educational institutions to improve their exchange programs.

CAMPUS Asia 확장사업에서 문화적 친밀성 기반 참여동기가 교육 만족도를 매개로 범아시아 공동체 의식 형성에 미치는 영향

Initiated in 2010 as a student exchange initiative between Korea, Japan, and China under the auspices of the their respective leaders, the CAMPUS Asia project was expanded in 2021 to include ASEAN countries, with the objective of cultivating a pan-Asian higher education community that extends beyond East Asia. This paper investigates the impact of students’ cultural affinity-based motivations for participation on the development of a pan-Asian community identity, and explores the role of educational satisfaction as a mediating variable. Utilizing descriptive statistics, simple regression, and mediation analysis techniques, this study analyzes survey data collected from 157 participants of the CAMPUS Asia Plus program, spanning from September 2021 to December 2022. The findings reveal that cultural affinity-based motivations significantly contribute to students’ perceptions of a pan-Asian community. Additionally, educational satisfaction was found to partially mediate the relationship between cultural affinity-based participation motivation and the sense of a pan-Asian community. These results offer critical insights into student selection and program management strategies that could enhance the efficacy of the CAMPUS Asia Plus project in achieving its educational and policy objectives.

Student Leadership Qualities through Academic Sports Diplomacy and Qualities

This research investigates the field of academic sports diplomacy, with a specific emphasis on the leadership abilities and levels of involvement exhibited by student-athletes. By conducting a thorough analysis, this study reveals valuable insights regarding the evaluation of leadership skills in student-athletes across different dimensions. These dimensions encompass modeling the way, encouraging the heart, enabling others to act, challenging the process, and inspiring a shared vision. Furthermore, this study investigates the level of involvement of student-athletes in academic sports diplomacy. This includes activities such as student-athlete exchanges, international sports competitions, cultural sports exchange programs, international sports projects, and cross-country competitions. The research emphasizes a positive relationship between leadership abilities and involvement in sports diplomacy initiatives, emphasizing the significance of leadership training in promoting active engagement. Furthermore, this study illuminates important challenges encountered by student-athletes, including limitations on time, gaps in awareness, the necessity for skill development, the juggling of competing priorities, the importance of cultural comprehension, and the significance of collaborative efforts. The results of this study provide valuable insights for the creation of strategies and programs that aim to empower student-athletes in their role as effective representatives of sports diplomacy. These initiatives seek to foster cultural connections and inspire positive global transformations.

Bilgi Çağında Ülkelerin Uluslararası İmaj İnşası: Araçlar ve Pratikler

This study examines the tools and practices of image management in international relations. It emphasizes that in the 21st century, with the influence of globalization, the image of countries has gained importance in the international arena. The aim of the study is to draw attention to the importance of creating a positive international image for countries and managing this image effectively. Conceptually, image and image management are defined, and their roles in international relations are discussed. Among the tools of image management, propaganda is criticized for its one-sided and oppressive structure, while public diplomacy and soft power are considered important for mutual understanding, conveying values, and creating a positive image. The study then examines the practices of image management, such as student exchange programs, hosting international organizations, international broadcasting, language and cultural institutions, international visits, and development aid. These practices provide countries with the opportunity to introduce themselves, convey their values, interact with other societies, and create a positive image. Therefore, the study emphasizes the necessity for countries to approach image management in a rational and sustainable manner. In this regard, the study employs qualitative research methods and evaluates the findings from a historical perspective. Keywords: Image, Image Management, Image in International Relations

Developing critical consciousness for culturally responsive teaching: an international teacher exchange program

ABSTRACT The increasing diversity of the student population in classrooms across the United States demands the adoption of pedagogical principles based on the concept of culturally responsive teaching. This study adopts the notion that culturally responsive teaching only becomes possible when teachers implement self-reflection and critical consciousness. Using a qualitative approach, the authors aimed at examining the effects of an international professional development experience on a group of elementary teachers from the United States and Costa Rica with a focus on their perceptions about linguistic and cultural diversity in schools. The analysis of the interviews and reflective journal entries revealed that participation in an international teacher exchange program prompted participants to examine their personal beliefs about education and question, not only their own instructional practices, but also broader school systems and policies related to language, culture, and ethnicity.

Adaptasi Dan Fenomena Culture Shock Pada Mahasiswa Pmm (Pertukaran Mahasiswa Mardeka Mandiri) Di Universitas Muhammadiyah Pringsewu

Exchange students can be said to take place in an area that is temporary, moving and living in an unknown place, student concerns when each lifestyle is handled differently from culture shock to the culture of the new environment from the previous environment. Therefore, adjustments are needed to be able to adapt and communicate effectively with the surrounding community. Where cultural and environmental differences that will be faced include speech, behavior, language, food, weather and lifestyle. This research uses a qualitative research method with a phenomenological approach with data collection techniques carried out by interviewing 5 students from outside Lampung Province (Pringsewu). The results of this research show that the participants experienced 2 types of culture shock faced by students. First, language is the first inhibiting factor in communicating, language is important in effective communication, and participants barely understand and are not used to conversations using Javanese. This is because most of the Pringsewu community uses Javanese rather than Lampung. Second, the environment, which is the culture shock factor for PMM students, namely in terms of weather, time of day and the lifestyle of local residents. Adaptation efforts are made by increasing intense interaction, studying and understanding the language and culture of the local community. That way we can interact and relate to other people better, understand how they think and feel, and build better relationships. The ability to communicate effectively and understand an individual's culture and personality greatly influences the results which depend on each individual's competence.

Evaluating the Impact of a Sino-Portuguese Exchange Programme on Portuguese-major Students Personal Development in Chinese Higher Education

This dissertation investigates the impact of a Sino-Portuguese exchange program on the personal development of Chinese undergraduate students majoring in Portuguese who have participated in the programme for a semester or a year. Generally, students aim to enhance language proficiency, expand cultural perspectives, and establish new social networks during exchange study. However, the topic of what specific activities during exchange study made the students more competent was less discussed. Therefore, to better understand the role of exchange experiences, the research adopts a qualitative approach grounded in interpretivism, utilizing semi-structured voice interviews with seven participants. and the thematic analysis is adopted to process the interview transcripts, the findings demonstrate overall positive attitudes toward the program. Notably, socio-cultural immersion significantly improved exchange students oral expression, increased social resilience, enhanced independence, and greater cultural awareness. This study offers insights into Chinese students' international exchange experiences in higher education and it can probably contribute to improving the design, operation, and management of exchange programs.