Does Student Exchange Program Involve a Nation’s Identity?

GAC027 AE 1: Primary Research Project Report

Does Student Exchange Program Involve a Nation’s Identity?

Student Name: Akbar Muslim Yahya Student ID: 0510125 Teacher: Wahyudi Irwan Due Date: 2nd December 2011 Word Count: 1418

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Table of Contents

Page 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………3 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………..3 Research Methodology…………………………………………………………………………4 Research Finding……………………………………………………………………………….4-6 Discussion………………………………………………………………………………………6-7 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………7 Reference list…………………………………………………………………………………..7-8 Appendices………………………………………………………………………………………8

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1.0 Abstract
This report is made to show the effect of a student exchange program to a society and country. To find out whether there are something influence the nation’s identity or not. In this case, the student exchange program is managed by Budi Mulia Dua School. The program is started by the first visit from Indonesia to Switzerland in October 19th to 30th. There are 5 interviewees that have different backgrounds which are student, teacher, parent, and student exchange organizer. Most of them said that this kind of program is very beneficial and good for Indonesian’s youth characteristics.

2.0 Introduction
Student exchange in this case is a short term visit of students between two different schools and country to learn each other culture, and its be done in a separated time. From the information between Budi Mulia Dua and Frutigen Junior High school, after the visit from Budi Mulia last October, there will be a returning visit to Jogjakarta in 2012. From the research from Internet, it is proven that the amount of student exchange is climbing year by year in over the world. The increase of the economical, knowledge, and security in the world are some of the strongest reasons. The main point of this observation is to know deeper about how people in Indonesia think about student exchange program, is there any worried about the loss of the national identity, is it beneficial or not, and is it drive Indonesian to a better way.

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3.0 Research Methodology
This report was referenced from people opinion by doing interviews. There are 5 Interviewees involved. Those are students, Student Exchange Organizer, parents, and teacher. All of these responding joint the program last October. The questions are made from the needs of the report which is digging the personal knowledge, information and experience from the interviewee. Most of the questions are made to be very general because usually the interviewee will tell a wide explanation. These 5 questions are very relevant to the primary research because it all corresponding and supporting about the national identity. It is great to know the background of the interviewee before or during the interview because it will drive the interview to a deeper topic that that the interviewer interested in. At the end of the interview, the last question is to add the reader knowledge by asking about what is the interviewee suggestion for the better generation. This question is also relating with what is the interviewee expectation.

4.0 Research Finding
Interviewee 1 is Indonesian’s student who joints the homestay in Switzerland last October. He is 17 years old and it is his first time to join this kind of program. His first impression when he heard this program he is so excited and interested. He learn a lot from the trip, he learn many skills such as communicating and life skills. Now, he learnt and respected more about other people, ethnic, culture, behavior, religion, etc. He is very happy to have this opportunity, and would suggest the other student to take this kind of opportunity. This program is very beneficial to build a networking and promoting our country. He love Indonesia even more after he got back, because before he go to Swiss he have to learn every things about Indonesia deeper. He also

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learnt some Indonesian martial arts to be performed there. That is why he said this is incredibly positive contribution for Indonesian identity.

Interviewee 2 is an Indonesian’s dad who has a son that joins the program. He also has some experiences in being a host family from Japan and Czech. From his point of view, student exchange program is very good for a person to build up a friendship and family. He support this kind of program because this program teach his son to be independent and respectful. He said that this event also adding the value of Indonesia, because it increased the quality of Indonesian. He also think that this program also resuscitate the Indonesian of what they have. From all of his experience, he would suggest youths to join such of program because this is very good to build a strong and multicultural character.

Interviewee 3 is a 16 years old girl who has two experiences in student exchange program. She joined student exchange program by Budi Mulia Dua Junior High School to Japan in 2009 and the program to Switzerland this year. From her point of view, student exchange program really involve and beneficial to her life. She found a lot of new stuff that she has never seen before in the other places. Being responsible is one of her biggest issue that she practice while joining student exchange program. She said that there are some differences between countries, she learn how to adapt with the culture. She found that some culture might not accept some of our behavior. She thinks that this program is a brilliant idea, but it is a must for young people to be selective and do some researches before deciding to join a program.

Interviewee 4 is a teacher in Budi Mulia Dua High School and also the Organizer in student exchange program to Swiss. Before this program she has been the coordinator for a study tour to Singapore-Malaysia, the coordinator for student exchange to Prague, Czech and coordinator for receiving students from Czech. She said that she is proud and happy to be involved in these
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programs because she took it as new challenges. As a teacher and coordinator she is prosecuted to be able to manage students, time, budget, detail things and relationship between schools. She agreed that this program is very good for Indonesian Identity. In her experience, in a student exchange program there will be a sieving for the participants before the departure. In the sieving, students are taught to know better about their originality. Students also have to learn and master about their nation and country. This helps the student to decide their own characters and show theirs to the world. She said that all of students have to support their individual value by having positive skills, communicating, and also building a good attitude.

Interviewee 5 is a 17 years old boy who joined the exchange program to Swiss. He said that this program is very good. He meet a lot of new friends there, there are also a lot of unique habits and activities there. The people are very different than Indonesian, but he like it because he can see what make people different and how to handle. Swiss people have a different mindset of how they appreciate their country. He thinks this is because Swiss have already Independent since hundred years ago. That is why a nation’s identity is different from country to country.

5.0 Discussion
From the research from the internet it is clear that the growth of student exchange program is rising approximately around 10% a year [Testimonials and statistics, 2010]. There is also a testimonial that mentioned that exchange program changed their life a lot. Some others said that this is a good way to open the youth eye and mind. The parents from the interview said that although this kind of program is expensive, they will support their children to join this program. Children need some media to find their self and their potential talents. The teacher said that by joining a trip students will meet with the other students so that they will able to compare and find out what activities and hobbies that student in their age do.
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From the result, it is clear that this research has found and answers the thesis statement. We can see that all of the corresponding is agreed that student exchange program does involve a nation’s identity. In a way, this program is driving the nation characteristics into a good way such as building responsible, independent, skillful, friendly, and multicultural individuals.

6.0 Conclusion
In conclusion, student exchange program does involve in a nation character building. From the interview, all of the participants said that the effect of this program is very good and drive the nation to globalization. Which it is a part of the goal of the exchange programs that aiming to build multicultural students. All of the interviewee said that they recommend student to experience this program. It will be so much fun in the program and also a lot of lesson that student can learn. This program is also a great media to find yourself and your potential.

7.0 Reference list
Interviewee 1: Fahreza Daniswara, Student Interviewed at class room

Interviewee 2: Arman yahya, a father of a student who joined the student exchange Interviewed at Komp. Casa Grande 205

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Interviewee 3: Laila Khalida Amal, Student Interviewed at class room

Interviewee 4: Tien Tresnasih, Teacher and student exchange organizer Interviewed at school hall

Interviewee 5: Abiyan Ardan, Student Interviewed at class room

http://www.yourdictionary.com/exchange-student Testimonials and statistics [online] Available at: http://mmlab.itsc.cuhk.edu.hk/eNewsASP/app/articledetails.aspx/422B42770F5276D008CF2F08EABD43A0 Accessed at 2nd December 2011

8.0 Appendices
Question asked: 1. What do you know about student exchange? 2. Do you have or know any experience in this topic? 3. What do you think/ feel about this kind of program? Are you proud of it? 4. What is the relation between this subject and Indonesian’s national identity? 5. What is your suggestion for Indonesian’s youth?

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