Latifah Nurfitriana. 2023. The Challenges of Indonesian EFL Students in UsingEnglish When Taking Part in a Study Abroad Program in the Czech Republic.Thesis. English Education Department, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education. Mulawarman University. Advisors: (1) Dr. Phil. Maria Theodora P., M.Sc. (2) Dr.Yuni Utami Asih, M. Pd.
Studying abroad is well-known for students to upgrade their language skills through unlimited access to the native language. Previous research found that EFL students faced challenges in English-taught study abroad programs in a country where English is not the primary language. This study is aimed: (1) to find out the challenges in using English experienced by Indonesian EFL students during their study abroad program in the Czech Republic; (2) to find out the strategies they employed to overcome the English challenges. This research used a case study qualitative approach, using reflective journals and semi-structured interviews to collect data from participantsrepresenting low and high English proficiency in one specific university in the Czech Republic. The findings revealed that participants encountered challenges in language aspects which are receptive skills, productive skills, and vocabulary. Also challenges in exposure, culture, and motivation. Interestingly, they did not face any challenges in teachers'resources and also benefited from the exposure to English language use, which helped them develop greater English skills. Their strategies were general study, formal practice, resourceful-independent, functional practice, conversational, and creative.The resourceful-independent strategy was employedonly by the low-proficiency participant, and the creative strategy was only by the high-proficiency participant. In conclusion,some challenges in using Englishfaced bystudy abroad students in a non-English-speaking country are similar to the challenges EFL students face when they use English in their home country.Therefore, EFL students who want to join a study abroad program, especially in a non-English-speaking country, are suggested to enrich their advanced English vocabulary and enhance their English-speaking skills by talking with international students around the host university environment.