INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AMONG INDONESIAN AND KOREAN STUDENTS THROUGH VOLUNTARY WORK PROGRAM IN SMART EKSELENSIA INDONESIA

Abstract

Intercultural communication is a communication process which consists of interpersonal interaction
and interpersonal communication done by some people who have different cultural background (Liliweri, 2003,
p.13). Some problems which inhibit intercultural communication process are physical, cultural, perceptual,
motivational, experiential, linguistic, and non verbal (Chaney& Martin,2004 p.11-12). This paper purpose is to
analyze the intercultural communication among Indonesian and Korean students during voluntary work in
Smart Ekselensia Indonesia. There are 11 Korean senior high school students with 2 teachers and 1 nurse
visited Indonesia from October 26th to November 2nd, 2011.
The results of the study shows that 83% of Indonesian students convinced that English helps them a lot
while 65% mentioned they increase their motivation to learn English. There are 57% of the students improved
their speaking skill, 52% improved their listening skill and 53% improved their grammar. On the contrary, their
reading and writing are not significantly improved.
There are 64% always communicate orally with the volunteer while 69% sometimes use body language.
53% Indonesian students convinced that they have misunderstood Korean students' statement because only 68%
of Indonesian students understood those Korean pronunciation.There are 37% of Indonesian students still
communicate with Korean by email. Based on the interview, Indonesian students give positive opinion about this
program and it should be hold once a year because they learn Korean culture indirectly through this program.