Community Engaged Learning in Salatiga

This Indonesia 2026 Community Engaged Learning blog series was compiled and edited using excerpts from a photo essay assignment submitted by our students. We hope you enjoy these snapshots from the second half of SST.

Salatiga is a small, compact city of around 200,000 people located in the mountains of central Java. With a mix of Javanese culture, colonial-era architecture, and a laid-back, small town feel, Salatiga is calmer, cooler and quieter than Indonesia’s major urban centers. It is also an Indonesian Mennonite hub, and where our partners at YKPAI are located. We have two students serving here: one on a farm at the Mennonite theological seminary outside of town, and one at a local university in the English department.

JESSE: STT Sangkakala

My service placement is at a Theological Seminary just outside of Salatiga. The schools mission is “Training Witnesses for Christ.” I am living in the dorm with around 20 other students. Around ten of the students work on a small farm located on campus with me. The farm provides the school cafeteria with fresh vegetables and eggs. Sometimes students from the dorm cook meals for themselves using wood fires and ingredients harvested from the farm.

My routine has shifted to a 4:30 alarm by the dorm bugler. The morning starts with morning prayer. After which, I go for a short shift on the farm until breakfast around 6:45. From here I have some free time until we go to work on the farm at 7:30. Usually we work until around 9:30 or 10 and then go in to rest for the afternoon. There is a break during the hot part of the day which is sometimes filled with an afternoon prayer. On Tuesdays the campus does a fast from wake up until 6:30, on these days there is always an afternoon fasting prayer. Work starts again around 4:00 until 5:30 or 6 where we wash up and head down for dinner. Most nights we do devotionals with our dorm groups. Many nights would end on the futsal court. I’ve found soccer to be by far the easiest way for me to connect to my brothers. I’ve always loved sports, here I’m finding a new way it brings meaning to my life.

Image descriptions: Morning at the seminary; Dorm mates; Jesse and his plants; Evening worship and devotions; the outdoor gym where Jesse plays soccer

ELLIOT: UKSW

I’m working at UKSW in the English Department with college students who need help practicing English pronunciation. I rotate between three teachers, and there are usually about 15 students in each class. My role is mostly to help students feel more confident speaking English, especially when they have presentations in class. Lately I’ve been helping students prepare for a role play that they each have to do for their finals.

I’ve been learning a lot more about the culture of Indonesia because many of the students speak English well, so we’re able to have good conversations. I’ve also really enjoyed being a “teacher.” It feels good to help students and see them get better at English. Being able to talk and interact with the students has been my favorite part of my service assignment so far.

Image descriptions: Elliot eating dinner with his host family; Elliot’s extended host family and amazing host dog, Elliot out for coffee