March 2025 Edition
Welcome to the March edition of the Fulbright ETA Monthly Highlights! This month, as Indonesian students prepared for midterms and Ramadan, ETAs found meaningful ways to engage with their students and communities. Since some high schools in Indonesia may engage in different activities or reduce their classroom activities during Ramadan, this period presented a unique opportunity for ETAs to connect with their communities outside the classroom. From wrapping up Community Engagement Projects and leading final English lessons before exams to immersing themselves in cultural events and local Ramadan traditions, they made the most of this busy season.
We’re also excited to share a special feature on a new ETA initiative—Ramadan Bliss. Learn how ETAs used additional funding to strengthen community connections and engagement during the holiday season.
Read on to see what the ETAs have been up to!
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During the week of March 24, ETA Annie Cowen taught her final English classes at SMA Xaverius Bandar Lampung. For their last meeting, she planned a fun class to celebrate their time together. The class kicked things off with “Two Truths and One Lie,” where students got creative, tested how good their friends were at.. Read More.
Last day of classes with the ETA at SMK5 Pontianak!
ETA Hira Baig‘s last week of school at SMKN 5 Pontianak was the week of March 17. For her final class, Hira shared stories about her life in the United States with each of her six classes. The students were excited to see pictures of Hira during her elementary school days, photos of snow and.. Read More.
English Club: A Journey in Words and Friendship
ETA Brady Allen hosted the final English Club meeting on February 26. English Club had been one of Brady’s favorite activities since arriving at SMKN 1 Kutalimbaru, and he loved interacting with the dedicated students who attended. Since this was the final meeting, Brady wanted to celebrate and reflect with all the students and teachers.. Read More.
Advanced English Class: Creating Short Films
To finish the year, ETA Kylie Eiselstein was delighted to share her expertise in film and media with her co-teacher, Ibu Ika, in their Year XI Advanced English classes. Students were asked to create a short film about a social issue they see in their communities or at school and produce a five-minute film. Kylie.. Read More.
Iftar with the Local Orphanage
In her final month, ETA Hannah Semmes welcomed new faces and said goodbye to familiar ones. Amid Iftar (breaking fast) celebrations with friends and the community, Hannah and her English Club visited an orphanage to celebrate Iftar with the children living there. SMAN 10 students demonstrated leadership by teaching the children how to introduce themselves.. Read More.
A Flight of Dreams and Farewells
During her last week at school, before departing from SMA N 1 Tomohon, ETA Alyssa Guiang led a special activity with her classes involving paper airplanes, favorite memories, and dreams. Alyssa began by explaining the activity to her students. She told them that it was her last week in the classroom with them and that.. Read More.
ETA Adeena Ali‘s final project at SMAN 2 Tanjung Pandan, the “Words on Wall” mural, vibrantly and meaningfully brought together students’ creativity and dreams. Designed by the English Club and students, the mural was painted on the school canteen wall, blending graffiti art with language learning. The mural’s theme focused on “dreams,” encouraging students to.. Read More.
As ETA Maria Osman‘s time at SMK Abdurrab Pekanbaru came to an end, she marked her final week with a heartfelt letter-writing activity. After completing their final unit on recount texts and taking their last exam, students were invited to write farewell letters to Maria. They shared advice, favorite memories, and personal reflections on their.. Read More.
As the students trickled into SMAN 1 Manggar’s assembly hall, they clumped together in groups of five to twenty, each surrounding a pile of fried snacks, cakes, and sweet drinks in shades of pink, orange, and blue. At the front of the room, teachers laid out their feast. It was the day before the school.. Read More.
Ramadan Bliss, a New AMINEF Initiative
The Ramadan holiday season in Indonesia offers ETAs a variety of unique and exciting opportunities to engage with their communities. With some schools changing their activities for part or all of the month, ETAs had an opportunity to increase their broader cultural and community engagement. The goals of the Fulbright ETA program in Indonesia are.. Read More.
