From February 17–20, 2025, ten high school students and their Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) gathered in Jakarta for the National WORDS Storytelling and Storybook Competition. Held at @america, the competition and its accompanying activities have long been highlights of the program, offering students and ETAs the opportunity to bond over shared interests and unique experiences. The ten storybooks the participants produce will be printed by AMINEF and gifted to the students and their respective schools, enriching English language resources for future learners.
WORDS is a national English language competition that brings together one student from each ETA host school. It follows a storytelling and storybook format, with entries centered on a specific theme—in 2025, the theme was “Tradition.” Participants were asked to share their thoughts and interpretations of tradition in Indonesia through their stories.
Before competing at the national level, each participant entered and won their local school competition, an event organized by their ETA in collaboration with local English teachers. ETAs spent weeks recruiting students, hosting brainstorming sessions and workshops, assisting with story development, and providing feedback on performance. Despite the challenges, both ETAs and students found the local WORDS competitions to be memorable and rewarding experiences. (Check out the January edition of the Fulbright ETA Monthly Highlights for reflections on these local competitions!)
At the national competition, every student represented their school with pride. The storybooks were beautifully illustrated, and the performances on stage were as diverse as they were captivating. Friends, family members, and teachers from across Indonesia tuned in via @america’s live-streaming platform to support the participants from afar.
The judging panel included:
- Melarissa Sjarief, screenwriter and Fulbright Master’s Degree Scholarship Program alumna
- Ahmad Fuadi, writer, novelist, social entrepreneur, and Fulbright Master’s Degree Scholarship Program alumnus
- John Colombo, clean energy investment manager and former Fulbright ETA
- Loyce Arthur, emeritus associate professor at the University of Iowa, costume designer, and US Fulbright Scholar
Four students received special recognition for their outstanding performances:
- First Place: Eugenia Sharron Wijaya from SMA Xaverius Bandar Lampung
- Second Place: Nikita Kuorifai from SMKN 5 Pontianak
- Third Place: Cornelia Luna from SMA Santo Paulus Pontianak
- Honorable Mention: Callista Nathaniel from SMAN 1 Manggar
Eugenia, the first-place winner, shared, “… the WORDS competition is an amazing opportunity for students to express their creativity and show the world their abilities to create and inspire other individuals.” Her sentiment was echoed by many participants, who agreed that the event exceeded their expectations.
During an additional day in Jakarta, students and ETAs immersed themselves in cultural activities, visiting the Indonesian United Nations Office, Monas, and the National Museum of Indonesia. ETAs also organized additional programming during free time. Though many students wished the program lasted longer, everyone left with new memories, friendships, and a deep appreciation for the experience.
