Eight students from Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) participated in an educational community service initiative in Thailand, specifically within the framework of the Education Community Service Program (KKN DIK). This program, which took place over a duration of 25 days from January 13 to February 6, 2026, focused on enhancing educational development for elementary school students at Yanyawit School and Santi Witya Serong School.
Key Educational Activities
Throughout their engagement, the students implemented several key educational activities. A notable initiative included organizing weekly exercise sessions, which featured Indonesian songs aimed at promoting physical fitness while also introducing aspects of Indonesian culture. Additionally, the program incorporated educational outbound activities that focused on subjects such as Islamic religious education, English, mathematics, and sports for the elementary students.
Leadership and Team Composition
The implementation of the program was overseen by Dr. Miftakhul Huda, a supervising lecturer, with leadership provided by Flora, a student from the English Education Study Program. Other team members consisted of Asyifa, Aprilliana, and Nuha (all associated with English Education), as well as Romy Adistia and Istiqomah (representing Physical Education), Nabila Dzaki Nafisah, and Vica Helzi (from Mathematics Education).
Positive Reception and Collaborative Spirit
Feedback from both students and faculty at the participating schools indicated a positive reception to the program’s offerings. Flora acknowledged the support and facilities provided by the schools, which facilitated the successful execution of their activities. Further, Nabila Dzaki Nafisah pointed out the collaborative spirit of the teachers and school administrators, who worked to bridge language barriers to ensure the effectiveness of the KKN programs.
Specific School Activities
At Yanyawit School, regular exercise sessions took place every Friday, along with teaching practices catered to grades 1 to 3. Similarly, Santi Witya Serong School also featured teaching practices, with outbound activities planned for the first week of February 2026.
Broader Educational Impact
Dr. Huda remarked on the value of the KKN experience in broadening students’ perspectives on global educational practices. He emphasized that this initiative enabled students to apply their academic knowledge in a practical context while contributing to the international education landscape.
Conclusion
This initiative not only aimed to foster educational engagement but also provided significant opportunities for teaching experience and cultural exchange for the participating UMS students.
(Source: Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta)
