Gresik – Exciting news comes once again from the students of Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik (UMG). UMG students had the opportunity to participate in an international program entitled “Celebrating Freedom250 with English – UpSkills II,” organized by MyAmerica Surabaya in collaboration with volunteers and experts from the United States.

The five-week program provided participants with valuable opportunities to improve their English proficiency while expanding their knowledge of American culture through various interactive and collaborative activities with native speakers from the United States.

The program was conducted from May 26 to June 30, 2026, at MyAmerica Surabaya. Participants attended weekly in-person sessions combined with online classes led by American volunteers.

Through this program, students not only practiced using English in real-life situations but also gained valuable experiences in understanding cultural differences, exchanging perspectives, and building international networks while still pursuing their studies.

One of the participants, Risnova Zavir Shohib, shared that the program offered both an enjoyable and meaningful learning experience.

“I was very happy to join this program because we did not only learn English, but also had the opportunity to interact directly with volunteers from the United States and discuss culture and everyday life. The activities were highly interactive, with sharing sessions and games that encouraged us to speak English more confidently. In addition, the online classes helped us learn various idioms and expressions commonly used by native speakers,” she said.

The Freedom250 with English – UpSkills II program was designed to develop participants’ communication skills through active English practice, cross-cultural discussions, educational games, and learning activities focused on American culture and society. Participants who completed the program also received certificates in recognition of their participation.

In this program, 16 students from the English Education Study Program of UMG actively participated in all activities. Their involvement reflects the enthusiasm of UMG students in taking advantage of international learning opportunities to improve their language skills, broaden their cultural understanding, and strengthen their global competencies.

The students who participated in the program were Dwi Putri Pratiwi, Alifa Zaskia Deanti, Lusi Dian Rahmawati, Waenurhasikin Waemae, Fina Maulidah Arja, Marsadatul Ilmiyah, Nurul Fitriyah, Muhammad Aiman Abdillah, Muhammad Abdillah Husain, Muhammad Fatih Hidayatullah, Muhammad Syahril Azhari, Muhammad Raihan Baihaqi, Risnova Zavir Shohib, Amelia Zaskia Nadine, Syaira Rizqi Putra, and Fitri Nawalia.

The International Relations Office (IRO) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik highly appreciates the students’ enthusiasm and active participation in this program. It is hoped that the international experience gained through the program will inspire other students to continue developing themselves through various global opportunities.

The participation of UMG students in this program demonstrates their commitment to engaging in international activities that support academic development, communication skills, and cross-cultural understanding. It also reflects UMG’s ongoing efforts to prepare globally competent graduates who are ready to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.