The Master’s Program in Social Welfare kicked off the academic year with a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) entitled “Dynamics and Reintegration of Returned Migrant Workers in Yogyakarta.” This activity is part of a Participatory Action Research (PAR) initiative that emphasizes direct engagement between faculty, students, and the target communities. The discussion focused on the experiences and challenges faced by female migrant workers after returning to their hometowns.

The FGD took place in several villages in Kulon Progo Regency, one of the well-known bases of migrant workers in the Yogyakarta Special Region. Through this activity, faculty members and students sought to explore the social, economic, and psychological dynamics experienced by returnees during their reintegration process. The participatory research also aimed to identify empowerment strategies that are relevant to the needs of local communities.The activity was coordinated by Ms. Rofah, lecturer in Social Welfare, who highlighted the importance of participatory research. “This activity is not merely an academic study, but a platform to listen to the voices of migrant workers and connect them with more inclusive empowerment efforts,” she explained. The direct involvement of both faculty and students in the field is expected to strengthen the tradition of collaborative research that brings real impact to society.

Held from August 20 to September 3, 2025, the activity involved two first-cohort students, Haddat Alwi and Ravika Sari, who actively participated in data collection, group facilitation, and community reflection. “We learned a lot about the realities faced by returned migrant workers, especially women, who often encounter double challenges when they return to their villages,” said Haddat Alwi.

Ravika Sari added that the experience broadened her perspective as a future social worker. “Engaging directly in the field made the theories we study in class feel more tangible. We were able to listen to the stories of migrant workers and their families and witness how they strive to rebuild their lives after returning,” she said.In addition to dialogues with returned migrant workers, the FGD also included perspectives from families, village leaders, and local government officials. This provided a more comprehensive picture of the challenges faced by returnees, ranging from economic issues and social relations to access to public services. The preliminary results of the FGD will serve as the basis for further PAR activities, which are expected to produce policy recommendations that are more supportive of returned migrant workers, especially women, in Yogyakarta.