Community Engaged Learning in Yogyakarta

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.

One of our SSTers stayed in and around Yogya for his service assignment. He was able to experience a variety of locations: assisting with teaching at a Muslim Pesantran, participating in an owl conservation project near Mount Merapi, and an extended stay as a volunteer at Bumi Langit, a permaculture learning center with an organic restaurant and communal living space in the mountains outside the city.

ELI: Bumi Cendekia

Bumi Cedenkia is an Islamic boarding school in the countryside of Yogyakarta. The school is committed to providing students with a broad worldview that connects their Muslim faith to values of environmental sustainability, peace, and justice. Classrooms are integrated with both males and females studying together. At the high school (SMA) and middle school (SMP) I usually help teach English, but also science and math. I have met with many of the SMA students from the eco-piece club about waste management. 

Throughout my time here so far I have learned a lot more about Indonesian Muslim culture. I have seen many parallels between Muslims and Christians. Overall I feel like Muslims are very similar to Christians especially when it comes to the people. They are always welcoming and hospitable, they love to crack jokes and are some of the most amazing people that I have met.

Image descriptions: Eli with host family, including Pak Ubaid (in red), a principal at Bumi Cendekia.

Image description: Eli with the local farmer who hosted him, and Pak Lim Wen Sin, founder of the innovative owl conservation project near Mount Merapi that provides nesting habitat for owls who in turn control pests on local farms.

ELI: Bumi Langit

Image descriptions: Eli giving a tour of the gardens at Bumi Langit; Eli with farm tools; Eli with Krisna, farm manager and member of the founding family’s second generation living at the farm.