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INDONESIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES IN STUDYING AMERICAN CULTURE THROUGH ZOOM AND ONLINE INTERVIEW
(1) Universitas Kristen Maranatha, Indonesia
(*) Corresponding Author
Abstract
Studying American culture can be challenging for Indonesian university students due to the geographical distance that limits opportunities for direct cultural experiences. This study explored students’ reactions to and perceived benefits of learning American culture through Zoom meetings and email interviews. Using a qualitative approach, the study was conducted from September 2023 to January 2024. 25 university students participated in two Zoom meetings (60–80 minutes each). Each meeting featured one American speaker who discussed American business conditions or politics. Afterwards, students completed a four-question open-ended questionnaire. They also conducted group email interviews with Americans about education, ethnic and racial diversity, or leisure activities. At the end of the semester, students completed a five-question open-ended questionnaire about the email interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings showed generally positive reactions to the Zoom meetings. All students reported new knowledge about American business and politics. By doing the email interviews, students experienced two benefits: gaining new knowledge (88%) and communicating with Americans (12%). Challenges included unstable internet connections and delayed email replies. The findings highlight the potential of combining synchronous and asynchronous digital communication to complement classroom materials with first-hand cultural perspectives.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.24071/ijiet.v10i2.9424
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