Utilising Sojourners’ Experience In Developing Guidelines For The Internationalisation Of Education Programmes

Introduction- This study was an impetus from the experiences of two Malaysian students
who embarked on a credit transfer programme to Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo,
Indonesia. The programme was to uphold the Internationalisation of Education (ILe) as
proposed by a public university in Malaysia. Oral and written reports presented by
returning ILe students often highlighted the difficulties leading to miscommunication in
mingling with the locals as well as adapting to foreign culture.
Purpose – The aim of the study was to explicate the successes and challenges that the
students had endeavoured during the programme for 6 months
Methodology – The methods employed were document analysis and interview. The data
were collected via learning journal entries which the students submitted through email to
be compiled by the researchers as well as their final report which was submitted at the end
of the programme. In order to triangulate the data, they were then interviewed once they
came back to Malaysia.
Findings –The data from both methods were analysed thematically following Merriam’s
(2009) two-level analysis. Four themes emerged from the data – experiences, public
relations, independence and communication skills. Each of the theme details both
successes and challenges.
Significance – These findings provide input for a draft of guidelines for any faculty or
university to conduct a credit transfer programme in the future.