EASY CULTURE: Intercultural Communication Adaptation Strategy as Prevention of Cultural Shock Phenomenon for Foreign Students in Medan

Abstract

A significant number of foreign students in Medan City are currently experiencing culture shock. The contributing factors arise from variations in language, misunderstandings in nonverbal cues, preconceived notions, the inclination to assess or interpret communication, and heightened anxiety. Efforts should be made to enhance the effectiveness of intercultural communication. The concept of easy culture is a method aimed at facilitating intercultural communication in order to mitigate the occurrence of culture shock among foreign students in Medan City. Easy culture is a concept that brings together the principles of effective intercultural communication and the integrative communication theory model. The implementation of the Medan culture (M-culture) application and Bank Culture innovation was carefully designed. Next, a thorough analysis was conducted, including an application feasibility test using the SUS (system usability scale) which yielded a score of 83 (grade A, acceptable), regression analysis, and analysis using the SAHABAT concept. The e-Culture strategy has a projected budget of 434,838,000 for its implementation. The implementation of e-Culture involves a series of four stages that span a duration of two years. The stages are described using the PDCA Cycle. This strategy has the potential to contribute towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically goal number 10 which focuses on reducing inequalities. One of the targets under this goal is to facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people. This can be achieved through the implementation of well-planned and managed migration policies.