Fostering Intercultural Communicative Competence through Indonesian–Japanese Exchange

As higher education institutions intensify internationalization efforts, developing students' intercultural communicative competence (ICC) has become a strategic educational priority. This study aimed to explore the intercultural communication experiences of students participating in a two-day Indonesian–Japanese Cross-Cultural Exchange Program organized by Universitas Darma Persada and Kanto Gakuin University. Employing a qualitative descriptive design, data were collected from 14 undergraduate students through open-ended questionnaires and analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Four major themes emerged: (1) positive intercultural learning experiences, (2) increased cultural awareness and understanding, (3) enhanced awareness of the relationship between language and culture, and (4) recommendations for future exchange programs. The findings indicate that authentic face-to-face interaction fostered openness, communication confidence, intercultural awareness, and critical reflection while enabling students to challenge cultural stereotypes through meaningful engagement. Unlike previous studies that have predominantly focused on virtual exchanges or long-term study-abroad programs, this study demonstrates that even a short-term face-to-face exchange can significantly contribute to the development of ICC. These findings offer practical insights for higher education institutions seeking accessible, sustainable, and experience-based internationalization strategies through short-term intercultural exchange programs.