Virtual Tour of Lake Toba: Digital Innovation in BIPA as a Strategy for the Internationalization of the Indonesian Language at Yale University, USA

This study aims to explore the development and implementation of a virtual tour of Lake Toba as a digital learning medium for Indonesian language for foreign speakers (BIPA) at Yale University, United States, designed as an integral part of Indonesia's language internationalization strategy and cultural diplomacy. Using a design-based research (DBR) approach, this study combines instructional design stages, the development of interactive multimedia materials based on authentic experiences, and the evaluation of learning outcomes on motivation, communicative competence, and cultural understanding among BIPA students. The developed virtual tour integrates high-resolution visual elements, interactive narratives, short video content, and contextual information, enabling students to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Lake Toba despite being outside Indonesia. The conceptual framework of this research draws on theories of multimodal learning, intercultural learning, and educational technology, applied collaboratively with faculty members and digital media developers. The design-implementation-evaluation process was carried out through a series of stages: needs analysis, development of a virtual tour prototype, limited trials, revisions based on feedback, and full implementation in Yale University's BIPA class. Assessment instruments included a motivation questionnaire, task-based assessment of communicative competence, and a cultural understanding assessment rubric tailored to BIPA learning objectives. This implementation is expected to result in a significant increase in student engagement, as demonstrated by active participation in discussions, enrichment of contextual vocabulary, and improved scores on functional communicative ability tests. In addition, interaction with cultural content presented in an ethical and representative manner is projected to strengthen students' appreciation of Indonesia's cultural diversity. This article also offers theoretical implications related to digital media-based language learning and practical implications for the development of Indonesian language internationalization policies, including recommendations for sustainable, culturally sensitive, and replicable digital content production standards across various international educational institutions.