During the week of March 24, ETA Annie Cowen taught her final English classes at SMA Xaverius Bandar Lampung. For their last meeting, she planned a fun class to celebrate their time together. The class kicked things off with “Two Truths and One Lie,” where students got creative, tested how good their friends were at lying, and learned new things about each other.

After the game, students wrote heartfelt letters to Miss Annie, and she wrote letters to the class. They also played “Miss Annie Trivia,” answering questions about her age, number of siblings, and favorite Indonesian food. Students who answered correctly won American coins. She reflected on the past eight months and the moments that made her time in Indonesia so meaningful. From their creativity to their endless curiosity and the way they filled each day with laughter, her students made a lasting impact on her.

As a thank-you, Annie handed out Dum Dum lollipops and New York City stickers from the US. In typical Indonesian fashion, the class ended with one last group photo.

Annie hopes her students know how much they have shaped her journey, pushing her to grow and see the world differently. She ended the class by saying, “You have given me a home in Indonesia, and now you have a home in America with me.” Though she’s heading back to the US, a part of her will always stay at SMA Xaverius—with the people and experiences that changed her along the way.

Annie Cowen is currently teaching at SMA Xaverius Bandar Lampung, Lampung.