Medan, August 15, 2026 — Students of the English Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), participated in an international educational exchange through the “Educational Visit and Cross-Cultural Discussion: Pertukaran Pengalaman Pengajaran antara Guru Turki dan FKIP Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara.” The event was held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the FKIP UMSU Hall.
The activity brought together Turkish teachers and the FKIP UMSU academic community to exchange experiences and perspectives on teaching and education. The official invitation described the activity as a forum for exchanging teaching experiences between Turkish teachers and FKIP UMSU and invited the leaders of FKIP study programs to participate.
For students of the English Education Study Program, the event provided a valuable opportunity to engage directly with educators from Türkiye and gain a broader understanding of English language teaching in another cultural and educational context. The interaction also allowed students to practice authentic English communication while learning about teaching experiences in a country where English is taught primarily as a foreign language.
Vice Dean III of FKIP UMSU, Dr. Mandra Saragih, M.Hum., emphasized that the activity should not be viewed merely as an educational visit, but also as an opportunity to develop future international collaboration.
“This is also an opportunity for us to build collaboration with schools in Türkiye. In the future, we hope our students can have opportunities to undertake KKN Internasional there, similar to the collaborations that have already been established with several schools in the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia,” said Dr. Mandra Saragih, M.Hum.
He explained that establishing connections with schools and educational institutions in Türkiye could potentially provide wider international learning experiences for UMSU students. Such collaboration would allow students to experience different educational environments and develop their professional and intercultural competencies.
The Secretary of the English Education Study Program, Selamat Husni Hasibuan, Ph.D., who was also present at the event, expressed his appreciation for the faculty leadership for organizing an activity that provides students with opportunities to learn directly from international educators.
“We are grateful that the faculty leadership organized an activity like this because it provides our students with a space to learn more about English language teaching in a country where English is still taught as a foreign language, or TEFL,” said Selamat Husni Hasibuan, Ph.D.
He further encouraged students to take advantage of the interaction not only to learn about English teaching practices in Türkiye but also to explore potential professional opportunities after graduation.
“Our students can also learn more about the possibility of teaching in Türkiye after graduating from the English Education Study Program at FKIP UMSU. Experiences like this can broaden their perspectives about where their English teaching careers can take them,” he added.
For the participating students, the activity was more than a formal academic gathering. It provided an opportunity to communicate directly with international educators, exchange perspectives on teaching and learning, and gain insights into English language education in a different cultural context.
The participation of English Education students in this activity also reflects the importance of international exposure in preparing future English teachers. Beyond language proficiency and pedagogical knowledge, future teachers need intercultural competence, confidence in communicating with international communities, and an understanding of diverse educational contexts.
Through activities such as this Educational Visit and Cross-Cultural Discussion, the English Education Study Program continues to encourage students to expand their academic and professional horizons. International encounters such as this can also become a starting point for future collaboration in international teaching programs, KKN Internasional, student mobility, teacher exchange, research, and other academic initiatives.
For the English Education Study Program at FKIP UMSU, the activity reinforces an important message: learning English goes beyond the classroom. It is also about connecting with the world, learning from different cultures, and preparing future educators to teach and work in an increasingly global community.
