The Mid-Year Enrichment Conference during the second week of January allowed ETA Alexandra Gwynn time to reflect on her Fulbright experience thus far to transition into a purposeful 2019. Alexandra co-led seminars focused on identity and problem-solving that gave space for the cohort to share experiences and brainstorm solutions.

On January 14, ETA Alexandra shared new ideas learned at the conference to her colleagues and students in Malang. Sharing relative information learned regarding the future of Indonesia prompted student discussion about story topics for the 2019 WORDS competition.

In addition, students read and watched videos of local folklore such as “Timun Mas” and “Legend of the Rainbow” during class to better understand story structure. Information about the future of Indonesia along with the art of folklore laid the foundation for students to create their own stories. ETA Alexandra provided daily workshops throughout the final weeks of January for students to edit their writing, illustrate their story, and practice public speaking.

On January 26, ETA Alexandra led a visual storytelling workshop with animation teacher Bu Itha and Pak Arfan. The workshop guided a select group of students from SMKN 9 and a burgeoning production company from Ranu Pani in the process of how to conduct an interview.

Participants learned pre-production skills including subject research and question development, production skills including DSLR and lavalier use, and post-production editing skills. The subjects interviewed, a Sufi dancer and Malang tattoo artist who played the Karinding, provided stories that portrayed a spectrum of Malang’s artistic expression.

Alexandra Gwynn is currently teaching at SMKN 9 Malang, East Java