GRESIK, Indonesia – Internationalization is more than studying abroad. It is about crossing borders with purpose, building meaningful connections across cultures, and creating a positive impact through education. Reflecting this commitment, Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik (UMG) officially sent off 12 students from the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) to participate in the International Teaching Practice (PLP) and Community Service (KKN) Program in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The official send-off ceremony was held on 30 July 2026 at the UMG Meeting Room, marking the beginning of a month-long international academic and community engagement experience scheduled from 3 to 28 August 2026. The participants include five students from the Elementary School Teacher Education Program and seven students from the English Education Program.

Throughout the program, the students will conduct teaching practice at Sanggar Belajar Al Amin Sentul and Sanggar Belajar At Tanzil, two learning centers dedicated to supporting the education of children from Indonesian migrant worker families in Kuala Lumpur. Beyond classroom instruction, they will also implement a variety of community engagement initiatives, including literacy development, educational mentoring, character-building activities, and community empowerment programs designed to address the needs of the local Indonesian community.

For Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik, the initiative represents more than an international mobility program. It reflects the university’s vision of internationalization that emphasizes meaningful collaboration, intercultural learning, and sustainable social impact.

According to Paulina, S.Pd., M.Pd., Head of the International Relations Office (IRO) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik, meaningful internationalization is measured not only by the number of students who study abroad, but also by the positive contributions they make wherever they go.

“Internationalization is not simply about sending students overseas. It is about preparing them to thrive in multicultural environments, communicate across cultures, and use their knowledge to make a meaningful contribution to society. We hope our students return not only with international exposure, but also with broader perspectives, stronger leadership, and a deeper sense of responsibility as future educators,” she said.

She added that programs like this provide valuable opportunities for students to experience cultural diversity firsthand while strengthening essential skills such as adaptability, collaboration, critical thinking, and intercultural communication.

“Education has the power to connect people beyond geographical boundaries. Through this program, our students are not only teaching, but also learning from the communities they serve. They gain new perspectives, develop empathy, and build relationships that reflect the true spirit of global citizenship. This is the kind of impactful internationalization we continue to foster at UMG,” Paulina explained.

The International PLP and KKN Program is supervised by three faculty members who are simultaneously conducting an International Community Service Program as part of UMG’s commitment to integrating education, research, and community engagement through international collaboration.

Meanwhile, Dr. Nur Fauziyah, M.Pd., Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, emphasized that the program is designed to prepare future educators who possess not only strong academic competence but also global awareness and social responsibility.

During their placement, students will gain firsthand teaching experience while working closely with Indonesian children living abroad. This experience allows them to understand diverse educational contexts, apply innovative teaching practices, and develop the flexibility needed to become professional educators in an increasingly interconnected world.

The program is also carried out in collaboration with the Muhammadiyah Special Branch (PCIM) Kuala Lumpur, strengthening institutional partnerships while expanding educational and community engagement initiatives for Indonesian communities in Malaysia.

As UMG continues to expand its international network, initiatives such as the International PLP and KKN Program demonstrate the university’s commitment to creating meaningful global opportunities for its students. Rather than viewing internationalization as student mobility alone, UMG embraces it as a platform for knowledge exchange, intercultural collaboration, and community empowerment.

Through this initiative, the twelve FKIP students are not only representing Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik on the international stage, but also serving as young ambassadors of Indonesian education bringing knowledge, compassion, and a shared commitment to making education more accessible and impactful across borders.