UMS KKN Students Carry Out International Education Program in Thailand

Eight students from the Education Community Service Program (KKN DIK) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) carried out their KKN activities at two schools, namely Yanyawit School and Santi Witya Serong School, Thailand. The KKN program was conducted over 25 days, from 13 January to 6 February 2026, with a focus on education and the development of elementary school students.

During its implementation, the KKN students carried out several main work programs. The first program was weekly exercise sessions accompanied by Indonesian songs, aimed at improving students’ physical fitness while introducing Indonesian culture. The second program consisted of outbound activities for elementary school students, designed in an educational manner by integrating four subjects: Islamic religious education, English, mathematics, and sports.

This KKN activity was supervised by the field supervising lecturer (DPL), Dr. Miftakhul Huda, S.Pd., M.Pd., The KKN team was chaired by Flora from the English Education Study Program, with members Asyifa (English Education), Aprilliana (English Education), Nuha (English Education), Romy Adistia (Physical Education), Istiqomah (Physical Education), Nabila Dzaki Nafisah (Mathematics Education), and Vica Helzi (Mathematics Education).

Flora explained that other activities carried out by the students included a teaching practice program, in which they were given the opportunity to teach elementary school students directly for one hour each day.

“Alhamdulillah, the students and teachers were very enthusiastic about our KKN program. This was evident from the facilities and freedom given to us to carry out all of our work programs. The school was also very supportive of the programs we implemented; all teachers and school administrators were very friendly and always provided full support to us,” said Flora on Monday (26/1/2026).

Students at Santi Witya Serong School studying Islamic education in the classroom.

Meanwhile, Nabila Dzaki Nafisah revealed that full support was also evident in the friendly and cooperative attitudes of the teachers and school administrators. “Despite the language differences, the school continues to make efforts to understand and accommodate the needs for implementing the KKN programs,” she said.

Through this KKN activity, she continued, the students gained various valuable experiences, particularly in teaching and interacting with international students.

At Yanyawit School, the programs that have been implemented include weekly exercise sessions held every Friday on the school field, as well as teaching practice for elementary school students in grades 1 to 3.

Meanwhile, at Santi Witya Serong School, the program that has been carried out is teaching practice at the elementary school level. The outbound activity is planned to be conducted in the first week of February 2026.

Miftakhul Huda, as the field supervising lecturer (DPL), stated that this KKN provides new perspectives and broadens students’ insights into educational systems and practices at the global level.

“This program also serves as a platform for students to apply the knowledge they have gained during their studies and to contribute directly to the international education sector,” he said.

Writer: Maysali Sudarwati

Editor: Fika Annisa’ Sholihah

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid