My Dedication for Indonesia, My Thankful for United States of America And My Spirit to Make the World Better

Standing beside map of Indonesia

            Happy International Education Week! It was special week for me and other exchange students because that was the time for us to share everything about our home country. In this memorable week, I had planned to do some presentations about Indonesia in my school. A month ago, I went from one class to another class to make some appointments with teachers I knew. My host mother also helped me to find some places outside the school. Finally, I was called by Public Library of Johnston County on November 8, to give my presentation to the kids and their parents. And I definitely arranged my schedule to give presentations about Indonesia in 9 classes. Not only that, I also planned to take some videos about people’s opinion of Indonesia and exchange program. I also planned to make motivation letters and video presented by students of Smithfield Selma Senior High School to encourage Indonesian kids in staying at school for their best education and encourage them to learn more about English and the world overall.

Me and Students of Leadership class

My first day of presentation :)

Actually, I started my presentation on November 8, 2012 in the public library. I started my program at 5.00 pm sharp with for about 20 attendees. There were some kids who came with their parents. By wearing my traditional clothes, I did traditional dance which is called as “Jejer Jaran Dhawuk” to open my presentation. I also delivered an original story from Indonesia called “The Legend of Surabaya”. I made my own character from papers, cardboard, and sticks. After that, I continued to present about tourism places and some cultures from Indonesia. I closed my presentation with danced and sang a traditional song “Manuk Dadali”.

Tari Jejer Jaran Dhawuk

            Then, International Education Week came and I started it by sharing about different ways of using bathroom between Indonesia and USA with my host family. Because on Monday was Veteran’s Holiday, so I spent my time at home with my host family. At that time we had a big discussion about religion and bathroom. Although it was a simple thing to do, but it really open our mind about differences of lifestyle in other places. 

On Tuesday to Friday, I had a whole day of presentations in 9 classes in Smithfield Selma Senior High School. I was very nervous actually, because I thought they would not care about my presentation. But in the fact, they were really excited and attracted with my presentation. I explained them about the location of Indonesia because most of them did not know where Indonesia is. Then I explained about the geographical condition of Indonesia that causes we had two seasons (dry and rainy season). I made my power point about Indonesia that cover all information included general information, education, tourism places, cuisines, cultures and transportation. I also brought map of Indonesia, flag of Indonesia, some handicrafts from Indonesia and traditional clothes from Indonesia. Before I came here, I had made two books that contain pictures and simple explanation about Indonesia’s tourism places, traditions and cuisines. I wanted to make attractive presentation, so I showed them traditional dances and original music from Indonesia. After that, I challenged them to dance with me. I was very glad because they were very enthusiastic to know about Indonesian cultures. My teacher also danced together with us. In English class, I taught them little bit about Bahasa Indonesia and “Aksara Jawa” (Javanese Letter).  Besides present about Indonesia, I told them about every steps and processes I faced to be selected in this exchange program. I also gave them some questions about Indonesia to make it interactive. Then I gave them souvenirs such as key chains from Indonesia to appreciate their enthusiasm.

I explained them about geographical condition of Indonesia

My friends are holding Indonesia's money "Rupiah"

Explaining about Indonesia generally

It's time to interactive quiz :D

Lidya and friend tried to read Indonesian newspaper

More question after presentation

I'm in the middle of my friends :D

It's time to dance Indonesian traditional dance with Alex 

Letter from Tempe for Indonesian kids

Prince with "Udeng Bali"

 

Brionna gives her opinion about Indonesia

 

Tory's opinion about Indonesia

 

"Alamat palsu" Dangdut -Music of indonesia-

During my presentation, I gave them freedom to ask as many as questions they wanted to know about Indonesia. Some of them, they asked me about teenager’s life, Islam, my daily life, about cost of things in Indonesia and so on. In the leadership class, I asked them to write motivation letters for Indonesian kids and encourage them to have higher education and learn more about English. I would give the letters to Indonesian kids especially who don’t go to school because of economic problem in their family. It might a simple thing for us but it will be great thing for them because they get supports from friends from other country, United States of America. Besides letter, I also took videos of my friends. They were from India and they usually speak Punjabi as their first language. In the video, they spoke to encourage Indonesian kids to speak English as our second language. Because the biggest problem most of us face about English is we lack of willingness to speak. Even though we can do writing test of English, but it’s difficult for us to speak. I hope this video can help them although this is only the simple thing I can do for them. Here is the video :)

Message from Navneek for Indonesian students

Avneek spoke for Indonesian kids :D

After my presentation, I also took some videos from my teacher and my friends about their opinion about Indonesia. I hope these can make better understanding between Indonesian and American. By having these presentations, I got many new friends and my teacher also wanted to introduce me to dancing teacher from other schools in order to let me teach Indonesia’s traditional dances in their school. Moreover other teachers also ask me to give other presentation in their classes. I did this as the beginning for me to make piece and better understanding in the world. Although International Education Week had been over, but I will continue to share everything about my culture and learn American culture. Because for me every day is International Education Week.  J