2024 Orientation Program Welcomes ETAs to Indonesia

The ETAs of the 2024-2025 cohort arrived in Jakarta on August 5. The following morning, they attended US Embassy presentations led by Foreign Service Officers, including security briefings and an explanation of Citizen Services resources. They had the privilege of dinner with US Ambassador Kamala Lakhdhir at her residence. Ambassador Lakhdhir shared stories and wisdom shaped by her time in Indonesia. Robust conversation continued throughout the evening, enriching the ETAs’ understanding of their role in US foreign policy and diplomacy.

The following day, the ETAs were greeted by Indonesian government officials, representatives from the Regional English Language Office (RELO), and members of the AMINEF team—the Fulbright Commission in Indonesia. Through panel discussions, interactive activities, and cultural displays, these meetings gave the ETAs the opportunity to establish connections and gain insights into their roles at school and within their community.

On Thursday, the ETAs traveled to their site placements, where they spent one week meeting with their school and Indonesian counterparts, allowing them to acclimate to their new home. ETAs noted cultural differences and other site-specific considerations that they would later reflect on during a three-week comprehensive orientation program in Yogyakarta.

Following their week at the site, the ETAs traveled to Yogyakarta, recognized as the cultural heart of Java. There, they were immersed in a multifaceted educational experience encompassing Indonesian language instruction, teaching pedagogy, and an exploration of Indonesian culture. Topics spanned cross-cultural understanding, Indonesian history, physical and mental health, educational systems in Indonesia, and much more. Distinguished guest speakers, some of whom are Fulbright alums, such as Dr Baskara Wardaya, S.J. from Sahabat Insan and Sanata Dharma University; Dr Izak Lattu from Satya Wacana Christian University; Dr Samsul Ma’arif from Gadjah Mada University; Dr Sri Rejeki Murtiningsih from the Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta; Dr Kelli Swazey, Fulbright Diversity, and Inclusion Liaison; Grace Wivell, PhD candidate, Fulbright Student Research, Dr Itje Chodidjah, the chief of the Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO; Sakdiyah Ma’ruf, MA; Hafilia Ismanto; Dr Fathur Rohim from the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Cultural, Research and Technology; and a few others enriched the orientation with their expertise, offering local and international perspectives.

During the final week of this year’s orientation, the ETAs were joined by their Indonesian counterparts to complete joint sessions in team teaching. ETAs and their co-teachers collaborated to establish clear expectations, discover potential extracurricular projects, and practice co-teaching. The orientation concluded with a mock teaching activity, allowing teaching pairs to meticulously plan and present a lesson together in a monitored environment, allowing them to develop their co-teaching relationship and address challenges.

Orientation also featured two distinctive educational excursions. In the first week, the ETAs visited Borobudur and Mendut temples. In the final week, the ETAs and their counterparts traveled to Kebonagung village, where they participated in agricultural practices such as field plowing and rice planting. Cultural engagement continued as they enjoyed a countryside bike trip, traditional hat painting, and additional visits to Sojiwan and Ijo temples. Upon finishing orientation, the ETAs and their co-teachers reported a sense of excitement and preparedness for the grant year ahead.

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