Ana Rosa Otero is a recipient of the Fulbright US Scholar Program Field of Study Biology at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta in 2015.

Physics at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta in 2015.Allen Coleman Price is a recipient of the Fulbright US Scholar Program Field of Study  

Medical Sciences at Universitas Surabaya in 2016.Yashwant Pathak is a recipient of the Fulbright US Scholar Program Field of Study 

Biology at Universitas Tadulako in 2017.Andrew James Henderson is a recipient of the Fulbright US Scholar Program Field of Study 

On the 75th Anniversary of the Fulbright Program, AMINEF recently asked several former US Fulbright Scholars to Indonesia how the Fulbright Program has shaped their perception of Indonesia.  Our thanks to Dr. Ana Otero and her husband, Dr. Allen Price, Dr. Yashwant Pathak, and Dr. Andrew Henderson for sharing their experience during their grant in Indonesia and how their Fulbright experience helped shape and strengthen the bonds between the two nations.  The full interview is below:

What do you think about Indonesia before your Fulbright grant?

Dr. Ana Otero & Dr. Allen Price: Indonesia looked like an exotic country; most Americans think of Indonesia as Bali. We had friends from Indonesia prior to our grant, so we were more aware of the diversity of culture.

Dr. Yashwant Pathak: I wanted to visit Indonesia for a long time but was always hesitating, as the electronic media always talked about ache and the atrocities happening there. Then I met one of the Fulbright fellows from Indonesia at Washington DC. We had a lot of discussions, and he encouraged me to apply for a Fulbright fellowship. My pleasant interaction with this person and his willingness to help out of the way was very contagious.

Dr. Andrew Henderson: Well, I knew a little about Indonesia before my grant. I had visited the Botanical Garden and the LIPI herbarium in Bogor a couple of times before my Fulbright.

Dr. Allen Price joining a local parade with his host community at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (Photo by Dr. Ana Otero and Dr. Allen Price)

What do you think about Indonesia after your Fulbright grant?

Dr. Ana Otero & Dr. Allen Price: Indonesia is a really welcoming country; people are excited to meet Americans. I was a little surprised about that since we do not have a good reputation in many countries.

Dr. Yashwant Pathak: My perceptions about Indonesia started changing right at the airport when I landed in Indonesia in 2017 to start my Fulbright grant. People were so good and so cultured. They were extremely helpful, and that experience remained consistent for the rest of the six months. I traveled in many parts of Indonesia, used many different types of public transport, walked around. No place had I felt unsafe or uncomfortable.

On the contrary, everyone was welcoming with both the hand and heart opened. My colleagues at Ubaya University were one of the best people I found. Since, 2017 after completing my Fulbright fellowship, I have visited Indonesia two to four times a year. I am in close contact with many universities where gave talks and attended conferences. I also helped few Indonesian Fulbright scholars to come to the US and have a host here. I can write pages after pages to describe positive things about Indonesia, the country, and the people.

Dr. Yashwant Pathak with traditional Indonesian dancers (Photo by Dr. Yashwant Pathak)

Dr. Andrew Henderson: I came away with a heightened awareness of the country. Its vast size, its many problems, its vast potential. Apart from the courteous and friendly people, what impressed me most was the high level of biodiversity (especially in Sulawesi) and how poorly known it was. I came away wishing that I had started researching in Indonesia much earlier in my career. There are still vast areas of intact forest remaining, at least in Sulawesi. So much more to learn.

Is there any specific experience you can think of that could highlight the impact of Fulbright on your views about Indonesia?

Dr. Ana Otero & Dr. Allen Price: We developed a really good friendship with the contact at the university that helped us throughout our stay. We spent a lot of time with her, traveled together, she even spent the night with our son when we had to be at a conference. She was instrumental, and she really showed us what Indonesians are like.

Dr. Ana Otero with her Indonesian students in Jakarta (Photo by Dr. Ana Otero and Dr. Allen Price)

Dr. Yashwant Pathak: I had my training at Yogyakarta. There were many people (probably six to seven students and scholars from the U.S.), and we went for lunch at a small warung (shop). All the students picked up their plates and started taking food from the cupboard. We all sat at the table finished the food. In the meantime, the warung owner lady was coming from inside and bringing warm food items. After finishing the lady asked every individual what they ate, we all said, “I took, this, and that.” She calculated the bill in her mind and said, “you pay Rp 30,000.” She did not question our integrity, such a trust. I asked some of my colleagues what would happen if we adopted such a style in our own country, they said there would be no warung at all—incredible experience.

One thing that struck my mind was that I met so many people on the road, in universities and shops. Interestingly, not a single person complained about anything—virtually no complaints. Irrespective of the financial situations, people were very happy and always wanted to share with others.

As a Professor, I interacted with many students from different Universities and was impressed with their inquisitiveness, keenness to learn, and passion for having a picture with us. Having a picture with all different styles is the ultimate expression of their happiness.

Another striking thing we observed was tolerance and unity in diversity between the world’s religions. Indonesia has every religion coexisting peacefully. I think the Muslim world to select Indonesians as their leaders. It will make the world much more peaceful and a better place to live.

To be honest, I envy Indonesians and will never leave for a chance to visit again and again and again.

Dr. Andrew Henderson: I taught a couple of classes at Tadulako University. I remember the students – so young, so eager to learn.

Dr. Andrew Henderson with workshop participants at Universitas Tadulako (Photo by Dr. Andrew Henderson)