In December, ETA Lillian Rhinehart at SMAN 4 Banjarbaru collaborated with the community on two impactful Community Engagement Projects. The first involved hosting a Study Abroad Fair with fellow scholarship and study abroad recipients, including Fulbright Alumni. Together, they hosted a day that included an inspirational Talkshow and workshops about Resume Building, Personal Essays, and Interview Success, aiming to raise awareness about Study Abroad Opportunities in the Banjarbaru and Banjarmasin communities. Notably, students from Lily’s school also had the chance to explore studying abroad and attend the fair. It was truly a success story for all those involved and brought awareness to the power of studying abroad and cultural exchange on a global level!

The second project that Lily was able to complete was a three-week campaign guiding girls aged 15-17 at her school to apply for the TechGirls Scholarship Program, designed for those aspiring to pursue STEM careers. Through workshops, application revision sessions, the girls learning G-Suite navigation, and creating dream boards, an amazing story was created with a remarkable outcome. Five students from SMAN 4 submitted successful applications, marking a historic moment for the school. These girls became the first in its history to apply for the TechGirls program, and ETA Lily couldn’t be prouder of them!

In the spirit of the Fulbright program, December showed the power of community efforts in bringing forth opportunities, highlighting the impact of collective endeavors on the striving toward global dreams and aspirations.

Lillian “Lily” Rhinehart is currently teaching at SMAN 4 Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan.