Welcome to the first edition of the Fulbright ETA Monthly Highlights from the 2018-19 cohort! Twenty-two new English Teaching Assistants arrived in Indonesia on July 22, 2018. They were welcomed by the American Indonesian Exchange Foundation (AMINEF) – the binational Fulbright Commission for Indonesia – and received a security briefing from US embassy personnel before heading to their sites. During their first week at site, ETAs moved into their new homes, were welcomed by their host schools, observed classes and explored their local communities.
After a week, the ETAs gathered again for a two and a half week orientation held in Sentul, West Java. The 2018 Fulbright ETA Orientation held at Pusat Pengembangan Strategi dan Diplomasi Kebahasaan (PPSDK) was a chance for ETAs to receive tools and skills to navigate their 10-month grant period in Indonesia. Through a host of sessions, the ETAs were given opportunities to think, learn, discuss and ask questions about Indonesian and American culture, education, health and lifestyle. In addition, a significant portion of the orientation was dedicated to Bahasa Indonesia language learning. There were many highlights of orientation but ETAs really enjoyed meeting the Deputy Chief to the US Mission to Indonesia Heather Variava, visiting local markets to practice Indonesian language skills, interacting with Fulbright ETA alumni and learning practical teaching activities to use in the classroom. At the conclusion of orientation, ETAs cited feeling supported by their peers, prepared for co-teaching in the classroom, excited to build relationships with community members and ready to truly begin their grant experience.
August was the first full month in Indonesia for the ETAs. On August 16, ETAs and their co-teachers headed back to site just in time for Indonesia’s Independence Day festivities and Eid al-Adha. This month’s monthly highlights reflect ETAs participating in big community events, building connections with their host communities, and co-teaching their first lessons.
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Independence Day Celebration – Traditional Javanese Style
ETA Sabrina Verleysen was invited to partake in Indonesia’s Independence Day Celebrations in her local community of Demak, Central Java. Both Sabrina and ETA Sarah Wozniak had the incredible opportunity to be styled in traditional Javanese formal attire including hair and makeup styling by two very talented local beauty artists and formal attire shop owners… Read More.
Debate!
Over last weekend in August, ETA Alexander Lopez-Perez joined the students of MAN 2 as they competed in the 8th annual Green Festival and Competition (GRAFIC) held this year at SMAN 5, Bukittinggi. In groups of three, students from across West Sumatra gathered in SMAN 5 to compete in the regional English Debate Competition, which.. Read More.
A Week of Independence
This month was full of celebration in the town of Gresik, but one of the most exciting experiences this month for ETA Elizabeth “Liz” Wallace was celebrating Independence Day with her community. The celebrations went on for an entire week and Liz was warmly invited to get-togethers all over the city. For two evenings in.. Read More.
Familiarity in Eid Celebrations
The night before Eid al-Adha, ETA Neelam Vohra was asked to stay at a fellow teacher’s house, so she could more easily attend Eid prayer with the teacher’s family the next morning. While showing her how to cook a traditional Indonesian meal, the teacher and Neelam talked about Indonesian Eid traditions as well as how.. Read More.
A Prank to Rule Them All
Due to apparent vigorous Facebook stocking, ETA Gordon “Peter” Bensen quickly realized there was no way he was hiding from his 23rd birthday. When August 28 rolled around, he figured something was in store, but not this. At 11 am, Peter and his co-teacher were recapping how their first 11th grade lesson had gone, when.. Read More.
Indonesian Independence Day
August 17, 2018 marked Indonesia’s 73rd Independence Day. Friday morning, ETA Amanda Cahn’s celebrations commenced at her school SMA Don Bosco in Padang, West Sumatra. Students and teachers took part in the flag raising ceremony, which included patriotic chants and songs. After the ceremony, Amanda returned to the orphanage where she lives to play traditional.. Read More.
Jammin’ at the Jamboree
During the last week of August, ETA Ryan Ulrich was invited to the 13th Jamboree Pursuit of the Hizbul Wathan Scouting Movement in Muhammadiyah Wotan, Panceng, Gresik. Ryan observed the carnival competition at Muhammadiyah Wotan, where students crafted miniature floats and dressed up in zany outfits. The students of Muhammadiyah Wontan road their carnival floats.. Read More.
A Colorful Anniversary
August 30, 2018 marked the 54th anniversary of the founding of SMAN 1 Demak. The festivities were full of energy, food, music, and color. At 6 am, ETA Sarah Wozniak, students, and teachers gathered at the school gates for a walk around the neighborhood. Sunglasses rapidly became necessary both for the weather and for the.. Read More.
A Promising Start for the English Club
After his first week back in Sangatta Utara—a week filled with Independence Day activities and Eid al-Adha celebrations—ETA Brian Miner was excited to start teaching and meeting with the school’s English club. The first English club meeting held on August 24 was a great success. The classroom where the club was held was so packed.. Read More.
Celebrating Eid al-Adha
ETA Caroline Kim’s community extended an invitation for her to attend Eid al-Adha, or “Festival of Sacrifice.” In reverence of the story of the prophet Ibrahim’s act of supreme faith, the men roped the ankles of the first of five cows, hummed prayers over her big belly, and brandished a blade to her throat. As.. Read More.
