STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION ON INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE AT ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF UNIVERSITAS MUHAMMADIYAH YOGYAKARTA
Abstract
This research aims to investigate the opinions of English Education Department (EED) students about their intercultural competence especially in knowledge, skill and attitude. This research was conducted at EED Univeritas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY). This research employed qualitative research and used interview to collect data. There were three students in this research. The participants were EED students’ batch 2013 who had joined student exchange program which in this research means study abroad. The participants were chosen because they had more experience in learning cultural differences. The findings revealed that EED students perceive that their attitude changed and they practiced their knowledge to support the adaptation process. They also used their social skill to support their adaptation process and their respect to people, new habits and traditions. At the end of research, participants perceived that some of them needed more preparation before taking the opportunity of teaching in other country. In conclusion, EED students who have taken student exchange program have better attitudes to encounter the differences of cultural values.