On July 4, 2026, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. For 80 of those 250 years, the Fulbright Program has worked to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries. The Fulbright ETA program in Indonesia continues to be a strong example of this mission in action.
To mark this milestone, AMINEF encouraged the current cohort of ETAs to celebrate with their local Indonesian communities. Below is a selection of those celebrations.
At SMKN 8 Makassar, ETA Sydney Grafals brought Louisiana energy to campus with a Mardi Gras celebration. In commemorating the U.S. anniversary, the school highlighted one state and a cultural tradition uniquely rooted in American life: Louisiana’s Mardi Gras. Grafals integrated Mardi Gras into English classes and hosted a special lunch session on its history and celebrations in the U.S. Students learned about parades, beads, krewes, king cake, and more—connecting Makassar to Louisiana through language, culture, and fun.
A full recount can be found in Purple, Green, Gold, and Grammar: Mardi Gras Comes to Makassar (February Edition of the ETA Monthly Highlights).
Meanwhile, at SMKN 1 Kokap, ETA Jackson Harris collaborated with the school’s English Club to visit classes at SMP N 1 Kokap and SMP N 2 Kokap, expanding English learning beyond the vocational setting. In recognition of the U.S. 250th anniversary, Harris introduced students to American classroom culture and interactive learning styles, highlighting how games and participation support language development in the U.S. The initiative promoted English proficiency, cultural exchange, and community-based learning across Kokap.
A full recount can be found in SMP Classroom Visits in Kokap (April Edition of the ETA Monthly Highlights).
Finally, at SMK Negeri 9 Padang, ETA Aurelia Tan worked with students to lead culinary workshops in English, preparing classic American comfort foods. Students taught their peers the history and recipes for grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, leading three-hour sessions that included introductions, icebreakers, presentations on food history, and vocabulary review activities—impressive work. The workshops were a hit, giving everyone a chance to learn something new while trying American comfort food.
A full recount can be found in Bringing American Comfort Food to SMKN 9 Padang through Cooking Workshops (April Edition of the ETA Monthly Highlights).
Many other ETAs also celebrated the U.S. 250th anniversary at their sites. Explore the articles below to see how:
Victoria – Hula in Bandar Lampung (April Edition)
Ruby – Sprinkles, Stars, & Stripes, Oh My! (April Edition)
Emiko – A Classroom Celebration of Jazz (April Edition)
Andre – Education Abroad Fair (November Edition)
Christina – America 250 Jeopardy Game (January Edition)
Payton – Operation: English, Acquired (March Edition)
Jason – America250 Trivia (April Edition)
