E-Prosiding Persidangan Serantau Manasik Haji 2025 (MANASIK2025)

MANASIK2025 Putrajaya, Malaysia, 7-8 Oktober 2025 659 However, the 2025 International Internship Evaluation Report shows that some students still face various challenges during the program, particularly in mastering Arabic communication — especially the ‘amiyyah dialect — cross-cultural service ethics, and crisis management in the field. This research is motivated by the need to evaluate in depth how such internship experiences impact students’ competencies. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of strengthening the capacity of mutawwif, yet they have not specifically examined the process of professionalism formation through students’ direct experiences during overseas internships. Therefore, this study emphasizes students’ experiential narratives in managing tasks as mutawwif and tour leaders, as well as their influence on strengthening both technical and interpersonal competencies. Based on the conceptual framework of experiential learning (Kolb, 1984), direct experience is considered the primary source of learning. In this context, students’ experiences function not only as work practice but also as a medium for transforming knowledge and professional attitudes. The purpose of this research is to examine students’ experiences and evaluate the strengthening of their competencies through internship programs in Makkah and Madinah. The scope of the study includes the roles, challenges, achievements, and impacts of the internship experience on the quality of umrah services. It is expected that the findings of this study can serve as a reference for curriculum development and professional mutawwif training programs based on field experience. LITERATURE REVIEW The literature review on students’ internship experiences in the field of Hajj and Umrah management covers several main themes such as professional development, experiential learning, competency strengthening, and the importance of internship programs in higher education. This section reviews studies and theoretical frameworks relevant to the objectives and findings of this research. 1. Experiential Learning and Competency Strengthening Learning through experience is very important because it allows students to directly observe and practice what they have learned. One of the learning models, namely Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model, states that the learning process takes place through four stages: 1. Concrete Experience, 2. Reflective Observation, 3. Abstract Conceptualization, and 4. Active Experimentation. In this program, namely the internship in Mecca and Medina, the model is highly relevant to the Hajj and Umrah management major, because through this program students can directly practice the theories they have previously studied. According to Sari (2022), learning through direct field practice enables students to better understand the cultural and spiritual dynamics in pilgrimage services. This is an important aspect for students to be able to act professionally as muthawif and tour leaders. This type of learning not only strengthens students’ technical skills but also develops interpersonal and spiritual competencies. 2. The Role of Muthawif in Worship Services A muthawif has a very important role in ensuring the comfort, smoothness, and solemnity of worship for pilgrims. Basri (2020) states that a muthawif is not only someone who assists pilgrims in carrying out rituals but also serves as a spiritual educator who provides an understanding of the