REFLECTION

This interview project really opened our eyes to how the theoretical concepts learned are applied in real life. Before this, we learned a lot about marketing concepts such as the 4Ps (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) in theoretical terms only. However, through the interview sessions with homestay owners, we were able to see for ourselves how those elements are used practically.

The homestay highlights the value of 'product' through a peaceful and simple village atmosphere, suitable for customers seeking a relaxing residence. In terms of 'price', the homestay owner chooses to maintain reasonable rates, budget-friendly, and worthwhile with the amenities provided. 'Place' plays an important role as the homestay's location, which is easy to find and close to basic facilities, is one of the attraction factors. For 'promotion', the homestay owner relies more on digital promotion such as promotions on Instagram, Facebook, and so on. All of this proves that marketing strategies remain relevant and are utilized in their own way.

However, this interview process came with its challenges. The surrounding atmosphere during the session was quite unfavorable, such as being in an open area with many people coming and going, the sound of children, and noise from outside made it difficult to maintain focus. Furthermore, the host's voice was very low, and we did not use an additional microphone, making the video recording difficult to understand clearly. This was one of the main weaknesses in our preparation. Nevertheless, we did not let this situation disrupt the entire session. Although nervous, we maintained our focus on the prepared questions. We helped and supported each other to ensure that the session continued until the end. When there were unclear questions, we politely repeated them, and we made sure all important information was clearly heard.

This experience further strengthens our soft skills from various aspects. Among them are how to work in groups, strategize, control communication in real situations, and learn to stay calm even when the environment is not perfect. Although we felt there were technical shortcomings, such as the absence of a microphone and distracting background noise, we are still satisfied because we managed to gather information that we could not find through internet searches. That was the greatest added value in this project.

Personally, this project has helped us see more clearly that not all businesses need a complex strategy to survive because sometimes, what matters most is understanding the customers and simplicity in approach. We also learned that in any fieldwork, unexpected things will definitely happen, and what is important is how we adapt and maintain the spirit within the group. We hope this experience serves as guidance and strength for future projects, and as students, we are now more prepared to step into the real professional world.