The six-month international internship undertaken by Erin Dwi Tiyas Agustin, Muhammad Faqih Zahirulhaq, and Nayla Rizqen Ermelia at Laguna Redang Island Resort, Malaysia, from May to October 2026, stands as a heartwarming testament to our students’ readiness to step into the global workforce. As students of the Applied Foreign Languages Study Program at the Vocational School of Universitas Diponegoro, this milestone is not a stroke of luck. Rather, it is the beautiful fruit of a systematic character-building journey—one carefully nurtured through their academic curriculum and their active involvement in student organizations.
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry needs, particularly in hospitality and tourism. Through the Hotel Management course, students gain a holistic understanding of hospitality operations, from department management and guest service standards to seamless cross-unit coordination. Complementing this, English for Hospitality empowers them to communicate professionally and confidently in an international service context. These subjects provided a solid foundation that Erin, Faqih, and Nayla directly drew upon during their hands-on roles in the Kitchen and Food & Beverage departments.
Beyond technical and language skills, building a professional character requires a touch of heart and strong values. The Professional Ethics course instills essential values of integrity, responsibility, and service excellence. This ethical grounding becomes a reliable compass when students face real-world challenges that demand discipline, honesty, and trust. Furthermore, the study program regularly hosts hospitality seminars featuring industry practitioners. These inspiring sessions broaden our students’ horizons, transforming textbook theories into meaningful, contextual insights about the real world they are about to enter.
True growth, however, extends beyond formal academics. Active participation in student organizations gives students a vibrant space to develop teamwork—a crucial skill in any professional setting. Within these student communities, they learn that achieving a common goal requires empathy, clear communication, and the ability to navigate diverse perspectives constructively. Organizing events and managing responsibilities instill a sense of professional commitment and consistency that no classroom can fully replicate.
These deeply ingrained values came to life during their internship. Working in the Kitchen department, the trio collaborated closely with the kitchen team to prepare ingredients, maintain hygiene, and follow strict culinary standards. Meanwhile, in the Food & Beverage department, they engaged directly with guests, serving food and drinks, managing service areas, and handling POS cashier systems. The demand to work structurally, punctually, and with a genuine heart for guest satisfaction beautifully reflects the professional character they built back home.
Immersing themselves in a multicultural environment at Laguna Redang Island Resort further highlighted the importance of a strong character in the global workforce. Interacting with local staff and serving international guests pushed them to actively use Malay and English. This experience not only sharpened their cross-cultural communication but also boosted their adaptability and confidence in delivering world-class service.
This inspiring journey was made possible through the generous support of the World Class University (WCU) funding by Universitas Diponegoro. Each student received a grant of IDR 5,500,000.00 to assist with their departure logistics. This support is a clear reflection of Universitas Diponegoro’s commitment to nurturing its students. Ultimately, integrating structured academic learning with vibrant organizational experiences proves to be an effective strategy in shaping competent, adaptive, and globally competitive graduates.