Becoming a primary school teacher in an increasingly connected world of education demands that students go beyond learning in the classroom. They need to engage directly with different academic environments, test their ideas alongside students from other countries, and learn to communicate across cultures.

Students of the Islamic Elementary School Teacher Education Program (PGMI), Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training (FITK), UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta gained this experience through the International Student Academic Experience (ISAE) 2026 at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

During the program, PGMI students did far more than make an academic visit. They brought research findings on a range of primary education issues to present at the International Paper Presentation forum alongside IIUM students. They were welcomed in person by Prof. Dr. Suhailah Hussien, Dean of the Faculty of Education at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), as part of the academic gathering.

Six pairs of PGMI students then presented their work: Okta Vitriani and Hayati Azizah; Siti Fatimah Azzahro and Alya Raihan; Nashhatu Karimah Alfya and Laili Umu Hamidah; Adi Suryadi and Galuh Kaninahapsari; Najwa Nabila Ashar and Salisa Nur Muyasaroh; and Hanifatul Munawaroh and Magfiratunnafisa.

The topics were diverse, ranging from understanding of plane figures and mathematical disposition, psychoeducation and children's social-emotional development, kinesthetic motor skills among second graders, cognitive development of above-average students, and students' emotion regulation in relation to device use and experiences of bullying, to social distraction and task persistence among lower-grade students.

For the PGMI students, the forum offered an experience different from academic presentations on their own campus. They were expected to present their ideas systematically, communicate in an international forum, and open space for dialogue with perspectives from a different academic environment.

Head of the Undergraduate PGMI Program at FITK UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Dr. Luluk Mauluah, said ISAE is also designed as a space for students to encounter different cultures. During the program, PGMI students performed several Indonesian art forms, including the Eastern Archipelago Creative Dance (Tari Kreasi Nusantara Timur), the Dayak Dance, and the Sinanggar Tulo Dance.

In her view, cultural exchange is an important part of students' experience in an international setting. "Students bring not only their academic identity but also Indonesian culture. This is an opportunity for them to learn to communicate and interact with a different environment," she said.

The academic and cultural experiences went hand in hand. Through the paper presentations, students learned to bring issues in primary education into a broader academic conversation. Through cultural exchange, they learned that interaction across countries is built not only through academic language but also through the ability to understand and respect differences.

Two PGMI FITK UIN Sunan Kalijaga lecturers, Dr. Andi Prastowo, M.Pd.I. and Dr. Endang Sulistyowati, M.Pd.I., accompanied the students throughout the program.

ISAE 2026 is thus part of PGMI students' learning process that extends beyond the classroom. Students engaged directly with an international academic forum, met students from different educational environments, and learned to carry Indonesian primary education issues into a wider conversation.

For PGMI UIN Sunan Kalijaga, this kind of experience adds another dimension for a future primary school teacher: teaching ability is built not only through mastery of content and methodology, but also through breadth of perspective, the courage to share ideas, adaptability, and the skill to interact in an increasingly connected society. (humassk)