MADE SANTOSO (UNIVERSITAS SINGAPERBANGSA KARAWANG)

INTERCULTURAL BARRIERS AND COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES AMONG INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS STUDENTS MASTERING ENGLISH: KARAWANG INDONESIA CASE STUDY : INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AND GLOBAL COMPETENCIES

This research explores the complex landscape of international communication challenges and intercultural barriers faced by International Relations students at an Indonesian university as they engage in English language studies. Using a combination of survey methodology and in-depth interviews with students, this research seeks to uncover the complexity of these barriers. These findings reveal some of the main challenges students face. Cultural gaps emerge as a significant barrier, affecting interpersonal interactions and educational approaches in academic settings. Additionally, practical English communication experience is needed to improve students' abilities, hindering their ability to participate effectively in international contexts. Additionally, this research underscores students' uncertainty when navigating global scenarios and their difficulty in understanding the nuances of foreign cultures, which significantly hinders their communicative competence. As a result, an essential need arises for curriculum refinement to integrate foreign cultural perspectives and offer more vigorous intercultural communication training. The implications of this research go beyond academia. By highlighting existing challenges, it provides a basis for refining educational strategies. Through targeted curriculum adjustments and comprehensive intercultural communication initiatives, educators can better equip students to overcome the obstacles inherent in international communication and intercultural encounters. Ultimately, this research catalyzes the development of more effective pedagogical approaches tailored to the unique needs of International Relations students who grapple with the challenges of global communication and intercultural complexity.

Assistant Professor Made Panji Teguh Santoso is a dynamic educator specializing in International Relations in Southeast Asia, Diplomacy, and English. With a passion for English in the global world and cross-cultural understanding, he brings rich conference experience, presenting papers and workshops internationally. His classes ignite curiosity and foster global perspectives.