It’s two am and the irritatingly familiar preset alarm of an iPhone pierces the night air. For the first time since late July ETA Conor Jackman is cold, even as he is buried deep in his sleeping bag and in a tent occupied by two others — ETA Gabe Umland and ETA Joseph Miller. Just a few feet away ETAs Janika Berridge and Lucy Srour also begin to stir and prepare for the task ahead.

At 8,530 feet above sea level, the crater rim of Mt. Rinjani is quite literally sitting in low tropical clouds. The summit lies at 12,224 feet making it the second-highest volcano in Indonesia.

Although the task ahead is daunting — climb the remaining 3,600 feet before sunrise — ETA Conor finds solace in the straightforwardness of the task. Place one foot in front of the other and eventually, the summit will bow.

Of course, summit a mountain and the task is only half-done.

Fittingly the Fulbright ETA grant is at the halfway point and ETA Conor is using the holiday break to reflect on the preceding five months. He hopes to identify lessons that will improve his ability to fulfill the program goals and meet the expectations of SMAN 1 Seluma. Perhaps the biggest and most consistent challenge ETA Conor has faced all semester is dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty. Thus, although tired and aching from the previous day’s trek he welcomes the certainty of the climb. Semangat!

Conor Jackman is currently teaching at SMAN 1 Seluma, Bengkulu.