With Indonesia becoming an increasingly popular destination for students, particularly Generation Z, for exchange programs, many students are facing and reflecting on cultural differences in their daily lives and academics. This study aims to explore the daily activities and lives of international students participating in an exchange program at LSPR, and how they navigate challenges and adapt during their six-month stay. This study employs a constructivist paradigm with a phenomenological approach. The research employed in-depth interviews with four exchange students from the Netherlands, Russia, Malaysia, and Tajikistan studying in the Netherlands.

The findings indicate that it is in line with Oberg’s (1960) U-Curve hypothesis, which includes the honeymoon phase, crisis phase, recovery phase and adjustment phase, also reflecting Kim’s (2001) theory of cross-cultural adaptation. During the honeymoon phase, students engaged in minimal research but questioned their experiences with previous students. They expressed admiration for the compassion, kindness, and warmth in Indonesia. However, during the crisis phase, students began to experience challenges such as incompetence, differences in learning styles, and other issues. During the recovery period, students began to understand and develop an understanding of cultural differences in Indonesia. Ultimately, during the adjustment phase, students demonstrated a sense of belonging and security, indicating a desire to return to Indonesia.


Kata Kunci: International Exchange Students, Generation Z, Cultural Adaptation, Intercultural Communication, Culture Shock, Cognitive Dissonance