Cross-Cultural Learning: Indonesian Students’ Educational Engagement in Southern Thailand

Abstract

The placement of Indonesian students for Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN—Community Service Program) in Southern Thailand has been ongoing for quite some time. Before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, the number of students sent each year has continued to increase. This can be seen from their regular attendance at the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia (KRI) in Songkhla, especially during Indonesian Independence Day celebrations. This ongoing collaboration cannot be separated from the role of the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Songkhla, which has built partnerships with various institutions in Southern Thailand, particularly Indonesian alumni, local schools, and related officials. This research employs a qualitative method, drawing on various sources about sending KKN students abroad, especially to Thailand. A sociopragmatic approach is used to examine the responses of participating students. Data from different sources and sociopragmatic analyses are then clearly described for readers’ understanding. The findings show that the students have actively promoted the Indonesian language in Southern Thailand. This occurred largely because they taught Indonesian and English at local schools during the KKN program. In addition, they made efforts to understand the local dialect spoken by the Pattani community.