And they’re here! As the Indonesia 2024 SST leaders, my partner Ben & I have been in Indonesia for the past month, meeting with host families, language teachers, lecturers, and other partners. We have enjoyed settling into our house in...
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Indonesia
This blog shares the experiences of Goshen College students during their Study-Service Term in Indonesia.
Over the semester, these students are living with host families, studying Bahasa Indonesian, and learning first-hand in one of the most culturally rich and diverse countries in the world — a place made up of thousands of islands and hundreds of distinct languages and traditions. Their time in Indonesia centers around the theme of peace and reconciliation, exploring how communities navigate cultural and religious diversity while engaging deeply with local partners. From urban study in Yogyakarta to service placements in rural areas, students are weaving together academic learning, language practice, and community-centered service. Through their reflections, readers are invited into the moments that have shaped this transformative journey across Indonesia’s vibrant landscapes and cultures.
- Study Abroad
Chicago to Istanbul to Jakarta to Yogyakarta…..
Study AbroadDeepening Friendships Over Sweet Corn (by Lydia Nolt)
There are only a few kaki lima, or street food stands, near the campus of Universitas Nusa Cendana (UNDANA) where I am located for my service assignment, and outside my neighborhood along the busy coastal road the little mobile stalls...
Study AbroadAt Home Amongst the Trees (by Trey Santiago)
These photos are from a short adventure I had about a week and a half ago with one of the friends I have made here, Titan, and one of the teachers at the university that has been helping me navigate...
Study AbroadBeautiful (by Antoinette Mpawenayo)
During my placement at Interfide, I was given the opportunity to visit some highschools and help with the “The Power of Goodness” program. The power of goodness is a workshop that Interfide does that teaches people how to love your...
Study AbroadDifferent Pace of Life (by Court Templeton)
It’s difficult to pick one experience that sums up my time here in Indonesia. I think the difference between here and the U.S. is the pace of life here in Indonesia. The morning after I was dropped off at STT...
Study AbroadAdventures in Coffee and Kebuns (by Leah Otto)
At this point you are likely wondering “what on earth is a ‘kebun’ “? Well luckily I am here to enlighten you: “kebun” is the Bahasa Indonesia word for farm, plantation, garden, gardener, and many others. It is one of...
- Study Abroad
Meeting My Online Language Buddy In Person (by Aiden Schloneger)
While our SST group was in Philadelphia, we were all assigned Indonesian language buddies to help us practice our bahasa Indonesia. Me and Antoinette were assigned Yaya. We talked to her quite a bit in Philadelphia, and made plans to...
Study AbroadUnderstanding Indonesian Family Values (by Caroline Robling-Griest)
When I was living with my Indonesian host mother in Philly, Bu Wendy, she mentioned that Indonesian parents are generally more strict about their children’s whereabouts. During one conversation in particular I noted that it seemed like Indonesian kids and...
Study AbroadSeaweed Farming & Eutrophication (by Ben Zimmerman)
On Wednesday of this past week during my service placement in Timor I got to visit a seaweed farm. This was an interesting visit and I was able to discuss and learn quite a bit throughout the day. I could...
Study AbroadDiscovering the Joy of Teaching (by Connor Wyse)
These pictures are from my 1st day of teaching English class in Indonesia. I have 2 classes, one lower and one higher level course. I have found as I have begun to teach here that I actually enjoy teaching. It’s...
- Study Abroad
Going to Church and Back on the Island of Sumba (by Brady Woods)
My first day waking up at my SST placement began at 5 in the morning with the sound of a guitar outside my door. It was somber and I threw on a shirt for morning worship and devotions. Though I…
Study AbroadFinding a Home in Philly (by Antoinette Mpawenayo)
The names of the people in the photos are me (Antoinette Mpawenayo), my host grandma in Philly (Popo) and my roommate (Courtney Templeton). The two photos are important to me because they show an amazing relationship that Popo and I...
Study AbroadGardening in Philly – a labor of love and community (by Ben Zimmerman)
As the saying goes it’s always sunny in Philadelphia, however, that doesn’t mean it’s not cold. So, here we are another frigid day, but sunny, in downtown Philadelphia. Now, you may be wondering from the photos why we are gardening...
- Study Abroad
Batik bringing together a family in Philly (by Connor Wyse)
This is a photo of Ben and I with our host parents Pak David and Ibu Eva at the 17 anniversary of PPC (Philadelphia Praise Center). On this day we attended church with our host parents to celebrate the 17th...
- Study Abroad
Joking in Bahasa from Philly (by Brady Woods)
This a photo of my host family I was staying with for the previous 5 weeks. From left to right is Oliver (the baby), Kevin, Sandy, Trey (my roommate), Joy and I. Although I do not have a picture from...
Study AbroadVegetables and Good Fortune at Chinese New Year in Philly
One of the highlights of my SST experience was celebrating Chinese new year with my host family. This was my first time celebrating Chinese New Year, and I didn’t know quite what to expect. Pastor Aldo had mentioned when we...
- Study Abroad
Feeling at Home…with rice! (by Aiden Schloneger)
In Philly, I stayed with Hendy and Marina and their three kids Judah (middle) , Levi (left), and Asher (right). Staying with Indonesian host families was a great opportunity to practice our bahasa and learn more about Indonesian culture before...
- Study Abroad
Chinese New Year, In Philly, with My Indonesian Family (by Trey Santiago)
This initially started off with my host mom, Sandy, asking one evening if my classmate, Brady, and I are going to be busy the following Monday night. I had to regretfully remind her that we were going to have class.…
Study AbroadFood & Love in Philly: thoughts from an Indonesian Immigrant Community (by Caroline Robling-Griest)
During weekly lectures with guest speakers, we learned a lot about how the Indonesian immigrant community supports each other. One of those ways is through food. Sharing meals brings people together and fosters a sense of culture through the traditional...
- Study Abroad
Mutual Cooperation & Interfaith Dialogue in Philly Indonesian Communities (by Leah Otto)
One theme that I have been thinking about following our time in Philadelphia is unity and diversity. The Indonesian community in Philadelphia is incredibly diverse. It is composed of individuals from a broad range of locations and islands, which also…
Study AbroadBalinese Dance in Philly – Preserving and Passing Down Culture (by Lydia Nolt)
About halfway through our time in Philly, in the third week of February, Modero Dance Company began their weekly Balinese Dance classes open to the public. Sinta is the woman who teaches this and a variety of other dance classes...
Study AbroadWe are in Indonesia!!!
So…What have we been doing lately? Well – the blog has been quiet recently because we have been very very busy! We heard February 22nd that all of our visas had been approved to travel to Indonesia! This in itself...
Study AbroadIndonesian culture in Philly
Hello again from Philadelphia! We continue to work and live amongst the gracious and lively Indonesian community here in Southern Philadelphia.
- Study Abroad
Indonesia SST 2022 – an adventure in a COVID World
Welcome to our Indonesia SST 2022 blog, we’re glad you’re here! One of the first questions you might have is – “Why do your photos look like they are NOT from Indonesia?”. This fearless group of Goshen College students is...
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