Yogyakarta

1. Yogyakarta Summer Internship at NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations) Attractions Indonesian - American Cultural Exchange

2. Information about the Summer Internship • I had the opportunity to join a summer internship program through IIE (Indonesian International Education) * • Ten Americans and ten Indonesian students who currently pursue education at US institutions are chosen to work together in different groups to work at different NGOs in three different cities in Indonesia ** • Indonesian language class and cultural class for American students and NGO management class for Indonesian students during the internship • Group activities outside class and NGO to experience new places and cultures and meet new people *** • *IIE can be omitted if it’s irrelevant to the content of the event • **The cities are Jakarta, Bandung, and Yogyakarta. I was placed in Yogyakarta. Partnered with an American student from Colorado to work at Indonesia’s Planned Parenthood Program (PKBI). There were four more people in Yogyakarta group: 2 Americans who go to school in New York and Texas; 2 Indonesians who go to school in Seattle, WA and Portland. They were assigned to help at different NGOs which focus on Indonesia’s economic development, and building economic activities for the neighborhood. • ***We went to a summer camp with hundreds of Indonesian college students. Drove around Yogyakarta with the NGO people. The Jakarta and Bandung groups joined the Yogyakarta group to visit Borobudur, Prambanan, Sultan Palace, Malioboro, and Bali. Some of us also went to Karimunjawa on the weekend.

3. About the NGO • My partner and I did many interviews with the coordinators to really get the big picture of what the NGO is about, things they do, and their achievements • We learned about the marginal communities in Yogyakarta area • We went to their weekly and community meetings * • Interacted with other interns from different country (UK)** • My American partner did a presentation on LGBT issues in America to compare and contrast it to LGBT issues in Indonesia*** • Translated a book published by the NGO to English • *weekly meetings talked about the infrastructure of the NGO. Community meetings are held every couple of months to get feedback from the community (street youths, sex workers, and gay communities) to improve the work of the NGO • **Another intern was from England. He was also partnered with an Indonesian student who goes to college in Yogyakarta. They’re from the British Council Program. • ***My partner (from Colorado) talked about LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) issues in her college, state, and general American cities. There was also questions and answers session. I was obligated to accommodate the presentation by translating English to Indonesian and vice versa

4. Indonesian Language & Cultural Classes for American Students and NGO Management Class for Indonesian Students • The American Students took intensive Indonesian Language class at a language institutions Monday-Friday. * • Cultural classes are also offered for the American Students to take such as gamelan class, batik painting class, cooking class, Javanese dance class, and going to a traditional market to practice their Indonesian and bargaining ** • The Indonesian students took NGO management class with some other Indonesian college students. We were not only able to know more about what NGO is, what they do, and how they operate, but also got to interact with other Indonesian college students. *** • *Indonesian language class were Monday - Friday, two hours each. They also had exams and finals. They received certificates at the end of the language program, which depends on the college they go to, they would be able to get credits for the language class. They learn basic Indonesian grammar, they learned topics such as the school and library, family, friends/relationships, transportation, travel, food and culture. • **The American students in Yogyakarta group took gamelan class, Javanese dance class (they also performed on the farewell party the language institution held for them), and also went to Pasar Tradisional Beringharjo (they went to the traditional market accompanied by the teachers) • ***The NGO management classes were in two different weekends, Friday - Sunday, 8 am - 5 pm. College professors and NGO activists gave presentations during the classes. We also received certificates for NGO management class, which apparently were provided by the University of Indonesia

5. Outside Activities • Java Summer Camp The Yogyakarta group joined this summer camp in one weekend. Met more than a hundred other students who go to colleges in Yogyakarta. There were also a few other foreign students from Europe who joined the camp. Divided into groups and did outbond group activities such as trekking, walking through the rice paddies, bon fire, and presentations. Most of the students can speak sufficient English. They love to try to interact with the foreign students to get to know them better, practice English, and introduce Indonesian culture to them. The food were prepared by the locals. Each groups were assigned to perform things their group members come up with on the stage on the last night of the program.

6. Malioboro A very famous street in Yogyakarta where many tourists go to get souvenirs, and see attractions on weekends (street musicians, dance performances). There is one alley called ‘Sosrowijayan’ where there we can find many affordable and budget hotels where many foreigners stay in. There is also a traditional market (Pasar Beringharjo) and a mall located in Malioboro. Many becak and horse carts lining up on one side of the street. A great place to practice bargaining skills!

7. Sultan Palace Close to Malioboro street. The sultan palace is a small museum-like place where we can see many pictures and personal belongings of the Yogyakarta’s royal family. A great way to learn the royal heritage of Yogyakarta which makes it different from any other states in Indonesia.

8. Borobudur Temple Buddhist temple in Magelang, about 40 minutes aways from Yogyakarta. It was discovered by Sir Thomas Raffles in 1814 after being buried by the volcanic ashes from the eruptions of Mt. Merapi centuries ago. *Keep in mind that they charge a lot higher ticket price for foreign visitors, which is about ten times higher than ticket price for local visitors. **Foreign visitors, be ready to be celebrities!! Many Indonesians like to take pictures with foreign visitors. Consider this as a warm welcome from the Indonesian communities.

9. Prambanan Temple It is a Hindu temple. Do not forget to check the Ramayana Ballet schedule. The Ballet pictures the journey of Rama saving his beloved wife, Shinta from the evil king. * Ramayana Ballet performance starts in the evening. It is an outdoor stage, where audiences can see the Prambanan temples as the background of the stage. The view of Prambanan looks very beautiful at night with the lightings.

10. Alun-alun Kidul (South Town Square) A great place to visit during the night! The main attraction is centered on the big two willow trees in the middle of the square. It is said that people who can walk through the middle of the two trees while blindfolded will have what they wish for come true. Do not miss the chance to bike around the squares with friends at night. There are many three-seat and two-seat bike rentals in the area.

11. Bali & Krimunjawa Some of the intern had the chance to visit Bali over the weekend. Bali is the number one destination in Indonesia. It is famous for the beautiful scenery and Hindu traditions. Karimunjawa (Central Java) has been more and more popular recently. It offers a great marine tour. It is not as commercialized as other popular marine tour destinations in different places in Indonesia.

12. Cultural Exchange • American students experiences: Heavy traffic in Jakarta (they found it really stressful amd chaotic) Different cultural essence (traditions, foods, traditional languages) in each provinces: Jakarta (‘Big city, more international), Bandung (Sundanese), Yogyakarta & Karimunjawa (Javanese), Bali (Balinese, Hindu) Public attention toward foreigners (especially in smaller areas, being called ‘bule’ by many people, and being asked to take pictures with. But they were really enjoying it though) Work phase (more laid back) They love the food (mendoan/tempe goreng, gudheg, avocado smoothie. They loved the street food. It is fine to have well cooked street food, but not raw street food, like fruits (rujak))

13. Indonesian students experiences: Found it hard to explain cultural things to American partners (things that we never really thought of why things are done and how they are done) Indonesian students absorbed some American cultures from being international students in the US for a few years, which brings them into transitions when coming back to the home country. Assimilation is greatly needed to help adjusting the cultural transitions. (such as work phase, Indonesian students have been used to working in the fast phase, time focused environment in the US. And we didn’t really get why the locals really want to take pictures with the bules so badly, but not us!!) Interacting with other Indonesian students who go to college in Indonesia. (Asked many questions about America, the people, the culture, the system, and culture shocks. They are very interested in getting to know different cultures. Many would like to know if things they see on tv (Hollywood movies) are true)