Korea — The Korean Language Education Study Program, Faculty of Language and Literature Education (FPBS), Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening the internationalization of higher education through its participation in the 2026 Global Humanities Friends Program, organized by Gyeongkuk National University (GKNU), South Korea, on 26–31 October 2026 in Andong and the surrounding area. This international activity is a concrete part of the study program’s efforts to expand its network of academic cooperation, enhance students’ global competencies, and strengthen cross-cultural understanding.
The Global Humanities Friends Program is an international collaborative activity that brings together students from South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan. The program integrates humanities learning, cultural exchange, and the use of digital technology through a series of academic activities and international collaborative projects.
The FPBS UPI Korean Language Education Study Program sent five students to the program: Salwa Nadyah Rachmansyah, Keisya Putri Kurnia, Allisya Nur Azharia, Diah Wulan Suminar, and Falah Shohibul Arfah. They were accompanied by Dr. Risa Triarisanti, M.Pd., Head of the FPBS UPI Korean Language Education Study Program.
The UPI delegation’s participation in the program is part of the study program’s internationalization strategy, particularly its effort to provide students with direct global learning experiences. Through interactions with participants from various countries, students have the opportunity to develop intercultural communication skills, teamwork in multinational groups, critical thinking, and adaptability to an international academic environment.
One of the program’s main activities is its connection with the 21st Century Human Values Forum, which gives participants an opportunity to broaden their perspectives on human values, cultural diversity, and the challenges facing global society. Participation in the forum provides an academic experience that enriches students’ understanding of the relevance of humanities studies in responding to developments in the contemporary world.
In addition to the academic activities, participants have the opportunity to explore Korean cultural heritage in the Andong area, known as a center for the preservation of traditional Korean culture. Through this cultural exploration, students not only study Korean culture theoretically but also observe firsthand how Korean cultural values, traditions, and identities are preserved and introduced in a global context.
Another aspect of the program is the integration of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) into collaborative activities. Participants plan, produce, edit, and present culture-themed videos together with students from various countries. These activities provide a means of developing creativity, digital literacy, and the ability to collaborate in a multicultural environment.
For UPI Korean Language Education students, this experience has strategic value because it gives them an opportunity to apply the Korean language skills and cultural understanding they have developed during their studies in an authentic international communication context.
From the perspective of study program development, participation in the 2026 Global Humanities Friends Program aligns with the FPBS UPI Korean Language Education Study Program’s effort to create a globally oriented learning environment. Internationalization is realized not only through institutional cooperation but also through the active participation of students and lecturers in international academic activities that provide cross-border learning experiences.
The program is also an important opportunity to strengthen academic ties between Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia and Gyeongkuk National University, while opening possibilities for future collaboration through student mobility, academic exchanges, and joint education and cultural programs.
Through its participation in the 2026 Global Humanities Friends Program, the FPBS UPI Korean Language Education Study Program hopes to continue expanding opportunities for students to gain international experience, improve graduates’ competitiveness, and develop competencies relevant to the needs of global society.
This participation also reaffirms the FPBS UPI Korean Language Education Study Program’s commitment to supporting the university’s internationalization through stronger international academic networks, cross-cultural learning, and the development of globally minded human resources.