UNS — Ten students from the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta participated in the Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) at Yale University. This internship program is a collaboration among Universitas Negeri Semarang (Unnes), UNS, and Yale University, that will run for three months through an online program.
Nine out of ten selected UNS students are from Indonesian Language and Literature Education (PBSI) FKIP UNS; Ain Nur Safira, Aisyah Salma Rasyidah, Cindy Laila Indahsari, Esti Yulandari, Kenes Ratu Pawestri, Lailatul Karimah, Nanda Yogi Zaliarisma, Nuri Puji Hastuti, and Umi Zulaihah, and one from Master Program in Local Literature FKIP UNS; Ajeng Sekar Mayastuti.
The program provides learning experiences for students at Yale University regarding the Indonesian language and culture. “The learning process was delivered in case and materials in four language skills based on Indonesian language and culture,” Dr. Kundharu Saddhono, S.S, M.Hum., the coordinator and supervisor of the program, explained.
Nuri Puji Hastuti, one of the participants in the program, stated that the internship aims to teach the Indonesian language and introduce its culture while providing training on the Indonesian language for Yale University students. “By participating in BIPA Internship Program, hopefully (we) could contribute in introducing Indonesian culture through Indonesia language,” she added.
This opportunity also benefits the interns to interact directly with Yale University students. “The system, because we are interns, we will be a peer tutor. Each intern will be paired with Yale University students and interact through Zoom,” Cindy Laila Indahsari, one of UNS interns, stated.
Dr. Kundharu hoped that the internship program could positively impact PBSI at the international level. “Hopefully, this program could help to achieve international exposure of PBSI,” he added.
Dr. Kundharu added that other BIPA internship programs are currently prepared in Thailand, Japan, India, and Bangladesh. After Yale University, another BIPA internship program will be opened at Harvard University. “Hopefully, our students could teach Indonesia language in various countries. Therefore, more international students could learn the Indonesian language and culture. This program could elevate the dignity of Indonesia language, culture, and UNS image as Indonesia language teachers in the world top university,” Dr. Kundharu concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Lina Khoirun Nisa
Editor: Dwi Hastuti