Day 9
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| Our new friend Dimas! |
Welcome to Jogja and UGM, guys ! Enjoy the trips, the lectures, the workshop, the foods, the friendship....
--Rio Rini Moehkardi, Gadjah Mada University
My last post was a side note on some of the cultural events and places
we have been able to see and experience in Indonesia, which have been
incredible. However, what is even more special about the program is the
conversations and dialogues that have been occurring amongst the
participants now that we have known each other for a few days. It has
been so interesting to hear personal accounts of the varying degrees of
practicing Islam in Indonesia and the different perspectives on American
life. I feel as though we have very open dialogue and have been
learning a lot about both personal and common practices.
An especially
interesting point of contrast is that the four Lehigh participants are
all agnostic, or at least not practicing any religion--this revelation
was met with varying degrees of surprise
from our partners, but was a great conversation starter. Another point I
have noticed is the greater sense of regard and awareness of the events
surrounding WW2 and the holocaust from the American students. This
topic has been referenced various times and is a topic that I look
forward to exploring more over the next few weeks and perhaps
illustrating the American perspective of Judaism, Israel, and the
holocaust which is almost certainly significantly more sympathetic.
So
far Yogya has been a really interesting point of contrast to Jakarta and
I can't wait to see more tomorrow!!!
--Ellie McGuire, Lehigh University
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| Welcome Dinner |
We
took a fifty minute plane ride to Yogyakarta to begin our second phase
of the Indonesia Partnership Program. As soon as we walked out from the
baggage claim, we were greeted by Abe and Arin, committee members from
UGM.
We were driving around Yogyakarta and seeing the new part of
Indonesia with less traffic! It seems as though Yogyakarta has a slower
pace than Jakarta. I am excited to see the differences and similarities
of the places we see! After lunch, we headed to our house where we will
be staying for the week.
We received a briefing about the program, which
I thought was quite informative. I think it also got me more excited
about the activities. Yesterday was simple and ended with a welcome
dinner at the Royal Garden Restaurant- delicious! I am excited to meet more people and talk to them about religion, politics, and culture!
--Theresa Mejia, Lehigh University
-Cindhi Cintokowati, Gadjah Mada University
Welcome to Djokdja yang berhati nyaman. You'll love this city more than you love your boyfriend:-)
--Muhammad Edhie Purnawan, Gadjah Mada University
Our
last morning at the UI Wisma was busy as we all packed and prepared to
leave for UGM. Our orientation in Jogja was amazing and I can’t wait for
all of the activities they have prepared! Ta ta for now!
--Shannon Cassidy, Lehigh University
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