Building Leadership and Skills through International Community Service: Lessons from Hat Yai, Thailand

This international community service program aims to implement the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework, focusing on five dimensions: competence, confidence, character, connection, and caring. The methods combined interactive workshops, structured presentations, group discussions, practical simulations, and cross-cultural approaches involving Indonesian and Thai facilitators. The program was conducted at Sangkhom Islam Wittaya School, Hat Yai, Thailand, with teachers and students as participants. Observations showed significant improvements in attitudes, skills, and knowledge, with the highest achievement in attitudes, confirming the effectiveness of cultural exchange. These findings imply that cross-cultural learning can serve as a holistic and inclusive strategy for youth development, strengthening both personal growth and global competitiveness.