Introduction
There is a growing interest to study and learn a foreign language for a
myriad of reasons. One is for globalization because proficiency in other
languages is a vital skill that gives one the advantage to engage with
the world and compete in the global economy. When one learns to speak a
foreign language, it helps connect with other peoples, it eases
understanding of their culture and able to form meaningful
relationships. One can able to use it as advantage as far as cultural
and linguistic issues in the English language classroom [1].
In studying a foreign language, the increased communication skills can
be beneficial in the global job market plus the ease of travel because
of the navigational skills one has learned. Furthermore, some
literatures suggest foreign language study enhances both cognitive
development and academic achievement. A person familiar with the
language and culture of the foreign place can communicate more
effectively with people of other countries and culture, thus become more
effective problem-solvers and interact more meaningfully to pressing
issues [2]. Learning a foreign language also eases
internationalization efforts of an institution of higher learning by
integrating it with other disciplines [3].
The outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic has halted international mobility due
to travel restrictions and lockdowns. However, internationalization
found a new way through the use of Internet which shifted the process
from face to face to virtual or online. Even if international mobility
is hampered, the other streams of internationalization can flourish
during this pandemic times, that is, internationalization at home or
campus-based Internationalization. In a higher education institution,
one of the internationalization at home initiatives is introducing a
foreign language in the curriculum [4].
Fun Bahasa Indonesia and Cultural Course (FBICC) is one of Sepuluh
Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Global Engagement’s programs
which gives an opportunity for global citizens to learn Bahasa Indonesia
and cultural understanding. ITS, one of the leading technological
universities in Surabaya, East Java proposed FBICC for the advantage of
global citizens to learn Bahasa Indonesia and its culture since
Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia and one of the
world’s 20 largest economies [5]. FBICC is held virtually free of
charge which is open to the public, college students, lecturers, and
professionals throughout the globe.
There are 11 session meetings in the entire course and each session is
conducted for two hours per week via Zoom application which has started
in March up to May. The learning sessions were organized in terms of
learning Indonesian Greetings, Introducing oneself, others and family,
stating direction, going around and other daily activities. In the
middle of the course, a virtual tour of the city of Surabaya is
scheduled and at the 11th session is the final test. A
successful participant will be given a certificate of participation. In
2021, the number of online participants to the program rose to more than
400 which is more than 150 percent increase from last year’s
participants. Of this number, more than 80 percent are from the
Philippines.