Welcome to the December edition of Monthly Highlights for the 2018-19 cohort of Fulbright ETAs in Indonesia!
For the ETAs, the month of December marks the midway point of the grant. Schools are winding down or not in session at all. This gives the ETAs a chance to reflect on the past semester and develop goals for the approaching semester. Many of the ETAs were visited by family members and or were able to take time to travel. Seeing Indonesia outside the context of their immediate sites allows ETAs to have a broader understanding of the archipelago.
In this month’s edition of Monthly Highlights, ETAs discussed introducing their family to community members, focusing on projects outside of school, and bonding with teachers and students outside of the schoolyard. Click through their stories to see what the ETAs were up to during the month of December!
Many thanks to all of the ETAs for their wonderful stories and photos.
Be sure to get next month’s newsletter and be on the look out for our special edition Best of Fulbright ETA August – December 2018 that compiles best articles from August – December 2018.
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Solving Problems Two at a Time
On December 2, ETA Andrew Shifren attended an exciting community event. The Labuan Bajo mayor’s office, in conjunction with the Indonesian Ministry of Environment, organized a trash pickup and dental hygiene event. Although the topics didn’t seem particularly closely related, trash on the beach and tooth decay are both problems in Labuan Bajo. Why not.. Read More.
A Time for Rest and Celebration
December was still a very busy month for MAN 1, despite formal class time having finished at the end of November. After two weeks of testing, the students hit the ground running with productions for a variety events from a band competition to a special ARATAMA event where they showcased a variety of student accomplishments.. Read More.
Celebrations!
If there is something that Indonesia knows how to do really well, it is most definitely celebrations! During the second week in December, ETA Riley Heist’s school in Samarinda held their annual school anniversary party. Riley started noticing students planning the different events a few months prior. As the week in December unfolded, Riley was.. Read More.
Fun Making Bakwan!
A few days before Christmas, ETA Emma Barnes had the chance to spend some quality time with her counterpart, Emmy, and her sitemate, Anna. The day’s activities included getting a traditional Indonesian massage and learning how to make bakwan, a fried vegetable patty typically served as a side dish with a main course. Emma very.. Read More.
Welcome to West Sumatera!
In the first semester, ETA Sophia Lopresti worked with the students of SMAN 11 Padang to write and perform their own poems. When her family made plans to visit SMAN 11, ETA Sophia asked her students to write short speeches with the prompt “what do you believe is most important for visitors to understand about.. Read More.
Mom Visits
A December highlight for ETA Anna Ringheiser was being able to show her mom her school and community in Temanggung. Anna got to give her Mom a tour the school and classrooms, introduce her to Anna’s counterpart, and even attend a wedding. It was great for Anna to be able to share some of what.. Read More.
A Wonderful Life
They started cooking at 4 o’clock for a 5 o’clock party. Flour was clumped on the ground like snow, Indomie was sticking to the walls, and knives were being tossed around the kitchen. ETA Kiyoko “Kiki” Nakamura loves throwing parties but misjudged how long it would take to cook enough food for 50 people. Luckily,.. Read More.
Dear Santa
ETA Caroline Kim had the opportunity to observe the December testing period at MAN Model 1 Manado. She is awed by the resilience of her students, who take up to 20 subjects in any given semester. Caroline’s observations have led to some interesting conversations regarding the commonalities and differences between the educational system of Indonesia.. Read More.
Wedding of the Year
ETA Neelam Vohra was thankful for the month of December and the time she had to regroup, reflect on the past five months here in Indonesia, and create a new set of goals for the next five. This month also allowed Neelam to explore Bangka island more, from the northern to the southern tips. However,.. Read More.
Monkey See, Monkey Take
While on December holiday in Bali, ETA Ryan Ulrich decided to visit the Monkey Forest of Ubud, located in the central part of Bali. The forest is both the natural habitat and sanctuary of the Balinese long-tailed monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Ryan, having been in Indonesia for some time now, had yet to see any monkeys,.. Read More.
