Nonverbal Communication Styles Of Internship Students From Muhammadiyah University Of Sidenreng Rappang In Taiwan: A Qualitative Study Of Their Influence On Workplace Interaction

Wirnayanti; Sam Hermansyah; Buhari; Sitti Aisa

Authors

Wirnayanti Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidenreng Rappang,Indonesia
Sam Hermansyah Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidenreng Rappang
Buhari Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidenreng Rappang
Sitti Aisa Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidenreng Rappang

Keywords:

:. Nonverbal Communication; Intercultural Communication; International Internship; Workplace Interaction; Indonesian Students; Taiwan.

Abstract

This study explores the nonverbal communication styles employed by Indonesian internship students from Muhammadiyah University of Sidenreng Rappang during their workplace experiences in Taiwan and examines their perceived influence on intercultural workplace interactions. Using a qualitative research design, three internship students were purposively selected based on their direct experiences of communicating with Taiwanese supervisors and coworkers. Data were collected through online semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the interactive qualitative analysis framework of Miles and Huberman, involving data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings identified several forms of nonverbal communication, including hand gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, smiling, nodding, body movements, and physical demonstrations. Participants demonstrated different communication preferences. Participants 1 and 3 actively integrated gestures and physical demonstrations with verbal expressions to communicate workplace instructions, whereas Participant 2 relied more extensively on digital translation assistance. Nonverbal communication was perceived as facilitating task comprehension, expressing attentiveness, demonstrating politeness, and establishing positive interpersonal relationships. Nevertheless, culturally influenced interpretations of nonverbal cues occasionally produced communication difficulties, particularly when nodding was interpreted as complete understanding despite uncertainty. Participants addressed these challenges by observing colleagues, requesting clarification, learning basic Mandarin expressions, demonstrating workplace procedures, and using translation applications. The study concludes that effective intercultural workplace interaction depends not only on the use of nonverbal expressions but also on contextual interpretation, communication flexibility, and verification of intended meanings. The findings offer practical implications for intercultural communication preparation and international

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