The Impact Of The M-Jet Hybrid International Student Exchange Program With Kanda University Of International Studies, Japan And Kuala Langat Community College

Abstract

The M-Jet Hybrid International Student Exchange Program with Kanda University of
International Studies (KUIS), Japan and Kuala Langat Community College (KKKL) was held
on 5th June 2022 at the Malaysia Tourism Center (MaTiC). This program is an invitation
from the Chiba Prefecture Commerce, Industry and Labor Department Education
Interexchange Team, Japan. It is an online Japanese and Malaysian cultural exchange
program. The problem identified at the early stage by the researcher was that the participants'
English proficiency was moderate, and showed a lack of confidence in communicating. In
addition, the selected participants experienced mixed feelings about participating in this
program because they had a load of assignments and other commitments in several projects
in college. The main objective of this study is to see the impact of this program on
respondents, including emotional factors, skill improvement factors, value factors and
suggestions for program improvement. This study is a combination of a quantitative and
qualitative study. The quantitative method was through the distribution of questionnaires to
twenty-two (22) respondents online. Meanwhile, qualitative research was conducted based on
observations and interviews. The findings of the study showed that all the factors examined
exceed the average value of 4.00, which is the overall average for the emotional factor (4.70),
the skill improvement factor (4.38) and the value factor (4.69). While observations and
interviews showed that the emotions and skills of the respondents are tested where the
challenges and obstacles before the program takes place can be overcome with excellence and
success. In conclusion, this program has had much positive impact, not only strengthening
the relationship between educational institutions in Malaysia and Japan but also promoting
cultural diversity and the education system of both countries. Hence, it promotes friendship
and close cooperation between students and educational institutions of different countries.