First Impressions
Hello everyone,
Now that the U.S. host school visits and homestays have begun, we would like to hear from BOTH Indonesian and U.S. teachers on your initial impressions (of your immersion experience in U.S. schools for the Indonesians and of your Indonesian visitors’ first week at your school for the American teachers) and anything else you wish to share from the experience thus far. Please share your experiences under COMMENTS, which you will find at the end of this posting.
Feel free to respond to other people’s posts with questions and/or comments.
October 21st, 2008 at 6:46 am
Aloha….
It was a very long journey,we flew for about almost 14 hours from Honolulu to North Carolina.
In early morning we were already going to school and started to have school touring and class observation.The activity ended at 4 and we directly having a group meeting to share of what we have done during all the day long.
It was very suprising us,when some of teachers of Terry Sanford School, The School Board of NC,the principal and the member of Parents Teachers Association invited us to have a wonderful dinner. Indonesian and American Flag were put on the vase tightly.
Thank you very much.
October 21st, 2008 at 7:29 am
Hi everyone, how’s evrything? hope good. It’s a nice first day being in Terry Sandford high school N.C with Sandra. Formerly I thought that it’d be very hard to get used to with American host family but evantually I could make friends with them. It’s pretty chilly around N.C so we’ve got to use two or three jacket. that’s all for now and hope you are all have great first impression.
October 21st, 2008 at 7:34 am
Hello Every body
I am Irfan and Muslich now stay in Professor Nancy Home, She is a Human Development Professor of Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Really, we feel enjoy here and spend our first day in Florida well. Btw, Professor nancy has facilitated us with a great facilitation. So, we didnt find any problem since our arrival to Florida. For our friend from Indonesian Teachers, we need to share with your experience in a first day in your host Families.
Thank you
Mahalo
Irfan
October 21st, 2008 at 7:56 am
Hi. This is Solahuddin the participant visiting Perkin Elementary school St. Peteresburgh Florida. I am here with Mr. Dayat. It is a great experience to visit such a beautiful and very nice school. the classes, cafetaria, hall, dance room, theatre etc are all well oraganized. the facilities are very complete and use high technology. I wish I could have such good things in Indonesia.
In the first day, we joined a field trip to gateway organic farm with kindergarten students. I went there with Mr. Ron. he was accompaniying his daughter cate and another three kids Abigail, E J and Sorry I forgot the last one. We went from school at nine and returned from the farm at 11.30. For me it is a nice field trip, I could see, smell and taste various vegetales. The bad things is we didn’t bring any food or water. You can guess what happen then.
Returning from the field trip we joined the spanish class with Mrs. Rosado, You know what the students were very interested to know many things about Indonesia about food, currency
October 21st, 2008 at 8:16 am
The surprised experience I feel in Scardale New York. While the wether is very cold but the welcome is very warm both from the school or homestay. These make me confortable. But more important than that, The school teacher, principal and the staff have acccepted me as their own part of the school community, they told me the cuurriculume, the school management, teir culture in teaching and learning. I hope these will push benafitial influencies to my school building and improvement in the future time.
thank
Fathurrofiq
principal of nurul hidayah
surabaya,, east java
October 21st, 2008 at 10:06 am
Hi everybody! We had a very smooth trip back to Indianapolis, with no difficulties.
Our first day at Lawrence North High School was a busy one! We started the day with a breakfast reception hosted by our Principal, Steve Goeglein and his administrators. LNHS shirts, lanyards and other gifts were given to our Indonesian guests. Then Principal’s Student Advisory Panel students provided a complete tour of LNHS, and some classroom visits were made.
In the afternoon, a personal visit and welcome to the office of Lawrence Myor Ricketts’ office was made, and our guests received keys to the city of Lawrence (which is a suburb of Indianapolis). (Next week, we have an invitation to the Mayor of Indianapolis Ballard’s ofice.)
Later in the afternoon, a private meeting and welcome with the Superintendent of schools, Dr. Michael Copper was held, and our guests received Lawrence Township Schools brief cases as a welcome gift.
After a brief opportunity to rest after a busy day, we were taken by limousine for a wonderful tour of downtown Indianapolis, with a stop on the city center circle for photo opportunities.
We then proceeded to one of Indianapolis’ best restaurants for dinner with representatives from both lawrence Central High School and Lawrence North High School.
We are looking forward to a full schedule of school and cultural visits over the next two weeks. Our best wishes and regards to all program participants.
Beth Williams, School Psychologist
Indonesian participants: Tanti, Fauzan and Chusnu
October 21st, 2008 at 10:48 am
Wow, it’s great. Now I can say why American people are able to say much in this world today. It is because of their amazing education. The educators really know how to prepare their students for their future. They really provide the students with a lot of engagement, exposure, and support. I really envy this. I am dreaming to have the same way to do. Oh god, when I can apply it for my students.
October 21st, 2008 at 11:11 am
At the first day… I have an observation class and welcoming party. There were many people coming at the welcoming party. On that ocassion, I personally talk with a principal and with a manager of global studies about sister school, she was very deligted to maintain its relationship
HERE WE ARE…A WONDERFUL DAY IS COMING:
I’s unbelieveble !!!MasyaAllah… I TEACH THE PRINCIPLE OF ISLAM AND THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF ISLAM. The management of school asks me to teach the subject in two different classes. I spoke and taught for about 2 hours! Many American students are very interested in my teaching, Subhanallah… they asked me many questions about Islam. ALHAMDULILAH, Allah leads me to answer all the questions. I really felt at home when I was teaching them, making them laugh, smile and respect to each and other. Finally, ALLhamdullah, they are very glad and gave a big hand at the end of my class. As a token of my relationship, I stuck an Indonesian currency on the wall class magazines. Mrs Murphy, a history teacher, was surprised and very grateful because she likes much collecting currencies from many other countries.
Allhamdulliah, I TRULLY BELIEVE that all the things happened to me is because of your sincerelly prayer for me to ALLAH. Allah heard your prayer and makes everything well done.
Thank you very much.
October 21st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Sorry to stop writing because I have to observe classroom activities. Now I want to continue.
…about food, currency, Indonesia on the map, language etc. I taught them how to count using Indonesian language by singing a song. and they liked it.
For our lunch, Mrs. Rosado bought us seafood sandwich, to my surprise, it’s a very big one. ‘Everything is so big here’ I said to some people in the lounge room ‘big school, big building, big airport and big sandwich’ I continued.
After having rest for a few minutes we watch PE class. In this session students can choose any activities and exercises they want; gym, soccer, etc. what made me surprise was the girls played soccer because in my school it’s a special sport or activity for boys.
After getting involved in school activities, our host teacher brought us to Walmart to buy something for food at school, of course it was a good time for me to get a phone card because I needed it to call my family. then we went to the beach where ‘Rays’ (Florida baseball team winning the league) would celebrate their success to be numero uno in the league.
Wow, this is the best time to see how people here celebrate something, so many people carrying their familes including their babies to such a place without feel of fear and they still keep the place clean after having a very big party. We enjoyed the scenery and the party from the fifth floor. It is the top of the building, while enjoying food and drinks. unbelievable we could have a photo with the Mayor and the singer.
About 7.30 PM we left the beach, however our host family were not at home, they will be there at 8 o’clock so we went to Mcdonald. My host teacher bought me hot chocolate and black raspberry bread, then we went to a one-dollar store, then went home.
Our host family is very nice. They have a young girl ‘Lisa’ we often get involved in a very nice talks; about religion, belief, music, food and so on. Last night we stayed late to play card (remi), she invited us to play.
I like the kitchen very much. It’s very modern and very compact. The best place in the house is the kitchen, and we spend almost our best time in the kitchen. Oh, I wish I had such a nice kitchen.
October 21st, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Hi, call me Dayat. I am here in Florida right now. In Honolulu, we can find Waikiki beach, but in Florida, we have FIER. Why, I know Pier, cause I went on a trip there yesterday with my host school. I like it here. My host school and family are very interesting. They are so friendly, familiar and nice. Something make me so surprise, I find the school here is different than my school in Indonesia. I am sure not just only with Pondok Peseantren Al-Ihya, where I teach, but with the big part of schools in Indonesia, so so different…………………………..
But it’s ok cause our purpose to join this program We want to know about something which is useful for our education in Indonesia, especially in our Pondok Pesantren. For EWC, thank for all.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Hello, I am Muhyi….ALOHA!!!
I’m here with my friends in New York, how is everyone? New York is very wonderful!!! Although here it is very cold even more at night, and we have to wear many clothes, it is very nice and interesting.
We stay with host families, every one of us stays in different house but we meet together every morning at school. My host family is very kind and so are the teachers and staff in Scardale High School.
The first day at school we have a meeting with school principal, teachers and staff. We have a very full schedule, which begins at 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. every day. Going around the school, shadowing students, visiting many classes, job-shadowing teachers and attending student and teacher meetings and holding discussions with students and teachers.
We are at Scardale High School [and are able to visit] different classes every day. We’re able to learn much here.
Thanks. See you [back in Honolulu] in November. We miss you always.
Aloha
Mukhyidin Sumedi
October 21st, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Hi everybody!
I read a lot of nice news from you all. It’s all amazing things that we can share our experiences in visiting different schools at different places in USA. We should agree to what Muhammad Ali said America in almost aspects is as diverse as its large number of its states and people.
I myself found such things as I already visited two different schools in my second day visit, although in some ways they have the same teachers and the same curriculum. It has convinced me that we have to empower students instead of forcing them to do what we want them to do because they are a unique creature.
Furthermore, as with the host families and schools, since the early hours, I feel as if I am at my home. Every one here is so generous to welcome us and works hard to provide all things that we need as a guest with a mission. Thus, in this opportunity, I would say thanks to all teachers, students, [and] host families in Eugene for generously welcoming us. Of course, I should also thank all staffs at the East-West Center for sending me to this wornderful and beautiful place.
Best
Didin
Director of Pesantren Al-Mutawally, Kuningan, West Java
October 21st, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Wow, as you can tell above, I have set the internet up for my guests to use in their gathering room. Besides being shocked by the cold weather (that has unexpectedly come upon the area), I think they are adjusting very well. We also arrived without checked luggage. The time between arriving in LA and leaving for Atlanta was too short and our bags did not make it onto the plane with the very short layover at LA. We received our bags at school on Monday. We did have a great covered dish welcome dinner for them last night(Monday 20th). Matt Freidrick from NC Center of International Understanding in Raleigh was even able to attend. We will be the feature story in the next issue of the CIU newsletter. We had many Muslim parents and community members at the dinner which gave them a grand welcome and self assurance that they were not alone in Fayetteville. Each was given a basket of “made in the Carolina” goodies.
Muhajir did a great job explaining the history of Islam to two AP World History classes, today. They have been visiting classes, looking at textbooks, writing down ideas, and yes taking photos. We are having a great time!Let’s hope it gets warmer in NC, we miss the warmth of Hawaii.
October 21st, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Salam
Hi…we’re here…I don’t wanna be lost. Mr. Sofwan, Mrs. Ida, and I live in Connecticut, in a community between Boston and New York. It’s amazing u know. We live with different host families, and we begin our activity from 6.00 am to 4.00 pm. We are at the Metropolitan Learning Center (MLC). We observe classes and learning process. I am sure that “experience is the best teacher.”
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:22 am
Greetings from Scarsdale, NY. Things are going quite well with our visitors. The days have been filled with visiting classrooms, meeting with teachers and administrators and helping our Indonesian friends cope with the cool temperatures here in New York. (We all miss the Hawaian weather.) The rest of week will include a meeting with the Consul General from the Indonesian Consulate and a concert at Carnegie Hall on Friday night.
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:08 am
Aloha for everyone
I am Mohamad Avicenna reporting from Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii. I am here with my partners Zaki, Chusna and Avi. We are the only group that visit the Big Island, since most the participants visit the mainland US. In Hilo, we are staying with an American Muslim family, Laila and Syarif.
The Big Island of Hawaii is a beautiful island. It has beautiful beaches, mountains, forest, ect. People here are multicultural. They are really polite, kind, and care to us.
I would like to deliver my warmest gratitude to all the teachers (especially for Mr. John Thatcher and Ms. Grace Chao) and students at Hilo Connections Public Charter School. During our stay in the school, we have visited many classes and places. We join classes from kindergarten through high school. We observed many subjects (Hawaiian language, Japanese, Chinese, English, Math, Robotics, and Social Studies). We also visited many places, such as Lyman Museum, Lilioukalani Park, Coconut Island and Walmart (of course shopping lah…hehehe)
I am also thankful to host families in Hilo for their hospitality to welcoming us. They make us feel at home. Since they are also Muslim, they really know what we need.
Last but not least, I also like to thank to all staff in the East-West Center to arrange us to visit this wonderful and beautiful island.
May Allah Swt reward all of your kindness.
Mohamad Avicenna
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:01 am
Alhamdulillah, thanks god. I have very good impression in my first day in Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis. First, everybody that Mrs Beth Williams introduce to us give warm welcome to our group. They are all very educated, professional and polite. They are very welcome if we have any question and fully pay attention. I never imagine that they will accept me in very warm welcome like this. We meet Mr. Goeglein, the Principal who always has a time for us. Mr. Copper the superintendent, a very educated person and very interested in the follow up program like a sister school with our school. Mr. Paul Rickets the Mayor of City of Lawrence, Indiana, who has a nice smile and invited us to attend a soccer game at Lawrence Community park, and moreover let us enter all offices in Lawrence if we have questions or problems. I am really in honor here. It’s too much. I cannot describe in English how happy I am. Second, we are accompanied by the best students to get school tour, Bobby the wrestler, Johnny the football player, Morgan the swimmer, Ashley the cheerleader. Nice students. They explain proudly about their school. Third, we live in a very understanding, tolerant, polite and educated family. Mr Chris and Mrs. Beth Williams. It is a representative of a happy and successful family of America. They keep their dogs and never let them enter the house. Third, thanks to Mrs. Rachel Layman, the best teacher who takes me on a city tour by a limousine and have a dinner in India Restaurant. My dream comes true to feel how is in a limo. It is all too much for me. Thank so much to you all. Even though everybody speak so fast and use idioms, I will learn fast how to understand the real English as well as the culture.
Once again thanks
Chusnu Yuli Setyo
SMU Darul Ulum and SMPN 4 Lamongan
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:01 am
Hi. This is solah reporting on what we did on our second day.
On the second day, I had classroom observation. I joined grade four to see how the class is run. At nine, students have music class in the music room. The class divided into two groups, thirty minutes learning the organ and another thirty for something like a gamelan. They were preparing for a Halloween song. They will have [a Halloween] party in the next few days.
Returning from the music room, the students learned science. Something interesting I found in the class is when the teacher gave project of research for students to read more about “erosion and deposition,” first five minutes the teacher asked them to find the information from their textbook and after that they were asked to use the Internet to find the information. To be continued….
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:25 am
Hi everybody,
It’s good to hear from you again. In New York I stay with my new family Sarah and her daughter Catherine. As a host family, they are very nice. They reflect American people generally. Our house is far away from Scarsdale school, approximately it takes 30 minutes by car. But it’s so nice, along the way to school we usually have discussions. Sometimes after the school we go to a store or market to buy what we want to get for dinner and breakfast. I really enjoy staying with them. Sarah loves to learn many languages, including Indonesian, so in our spare time she usually asks me to teach her Indonesian. Conversely, I often ask her a lot English. By the way, all of Scarsdale’s teachers are very nice, we are (the group of seven teachers: Mudrik, Rusydi, Haidar, Mukhyidin, Muhammad, Fathurrofiq, and me Ali) really appreciate visiting this great and beautiful school. Thanks for giving us some souvenirs, they are unforgettable things for every time of ours. Especially for John Harrison….Wow, you are like a brother to us, guiding us (the seven “blind” people) patiently and with full responsibility from Hawaii to New York and until we meet all good guys in Scarsdale School. Thanks for everything.
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 am
Greetings, everyone, from the U.S. State Department in Washington, DC. I am a program officer in the Office of Citizen Exchanges, within the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Our Bureau manages a broad range of academic, professional, cultural and sports exchanges (for example, the Fulbright Program and the International Visitor Leadership Program that are designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other nations. It is my office that has provided the grant support to the East-West Center for the P4S program, and have been working closely with the East-West Center staff on this program. I am very pleased that our Indonesian colleagues have arrived in the U.S. and am enjoying reading the blog entries as you have started your programs across the country at American schools and staying with American families.
Many thanks to all of our Indonesian colleagues for your participation in this program, as well as to the Americans who are serving as hosts and facilitators. I look forward to meeting several of you early next week, when I will be in New York and Connecticut.
To learn more about the State Department’s exchange programs, please visit http://exchanges.state.gov/. In particular, I welcome all of you to check out “Exchanges Connect,” the new social networking site that the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has established to create an online community of people dedicated to bridging cultures and making a positive difference in the world: http://connect.state.gov/. It’s a site where you can interact with others who share an interest in international exchange–as well as to post photos, videos or write about your experiences.
I hope everyone continues to enjoy the program, and thanks again for your participation.
Warm regards,
Adam Meier
Program Officer, Office of Citizen Exchanges
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
U.S. Department of State
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Even so tired after long flight from Honolulu to Tampa, Florida, and so homesick, we feel very happy because Mr. Donald Morrison [of Tampa Prep] gives us full access to know what we have planned to know. And we feel as in our home. Up to now we have visited two schools with impressive memory and active learning in the classroom.
Yours, Ahmad Izzan, Mahrus and Imran
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Hi all friends
I am Fauzan from Islamic High School for Girls Meulaboh Aceh, I would like to share with you all that I am really impressed with American people, especially with my host family. I stay with Chusnu and Tanti in Beth’s house. The family welcomes us very warmly. It is great to hear that Beth said “our house is your house.” I am also impressed with the host school, which has a large number of facilities, including sports, music, information and technology facilities, from swimming pool to orchestra theater. All classrooms are equipped with multimedia facilities and teachers make use of a lot of pictures and materials to engage the students spirit to be success in the future. Above all, the most impressive thing for me at the school is the school environment and the well-educated human resources that welcomes us openly. The principal, teachers, staffs and students prepared the best for us. They welcome us not only through their smiles but also through their preparation. Every day we can read in the school electronic banner “Lawrence North High School welcomes Indonesian visitors and enjoy your stay.” Finally, I am really pleased that during my visit to Indianapolis, I can say directly to American people, “Thank you for all of your donation after the Tsunami-earthquake to Aceh people. We never forget it.”
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:25 pm
How surprising it was ! again I was invited to teach Islamic history and Islamic studies for the third time. Subhanallah, many questions are addressed by the students, around 20 of them.
I attracted the students’ attention by giving a small gift, an ethnic ring for those who asked the question to me. Even when the gift ran out, the students remained very curious and kept asking me many questions.
Why do Muslims worship towards Ka’bah? What are the differences between Syiah and Sunni? Why do Muslim women cover their head with hijab? What do the Muslim worship for? Why are the stones in Jerusalem historically meaningful for islam? And many other questions.
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Welcome back to North Carolina with me Pe’i, Mr. Muhajir, Mr. Ron and Ms. Ulfa. We are all happy on this third day of our homestay. I also feel glad with Sandra and our “host school” in Terry Sanford High School for serving many things that we all really need.
After having discussion in history class about Islam with American students we were picked up by Ms. Ulfa’s host family and now we are together cooking there. Unfortunately, Mr. Ron couldn’t join us there because he went home early with his host family.
I really hope all P4S participants feel comfortable with all your host families. That’s all brief report from North Carolina. See you and have a nice stay.
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Hi everyone! Our trip back to Ann Arbor, Michigan was very smooth. It is cold here, temperatures have dropped to freezing at night…quite a shock I think. We have had a very busy week with more to come. Right now all four Indonesian teachers are attending a Graduate class in DIVERSITY in Detroit at Wayne State University. I am a little worried that my group is TOO busy. So far this week they have visited another middle school in Ann Arbor, met with the curriculum coordinator for literacy and social studies, met with the superintendent and the person who manages all the building facilities for the school district. They have made six presentations to 7th grade classes and observed an 8th grade science class and two 8th grade social studies classes. They also made a short presentation at our staff meeting this afternoon. Tomorrow there will be more time for observing and then we are having a potluck at Scarlett Middle School for our Arabic-speaking families and we have about 40 people who plan to attend. We went to buy some halal meat on Monday and the shop owner was so impressed with the whole idea of the program that he gave us 4 lbs. of lamb! It is a very busy time at school because we have the State tests this week. They end tomorrow. We LOVE having guests in our school. The students have lots of questions and all the teachers want the guests to go to their classrooms. They may need to stay until December! I think they are afraid that there will be no time for sightseeing and I have promised to fit some of that in soon.
October 22nd, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Greetings from sunny South Florida!
Lena, Nuning, Veri and I made the long trek across the continent safely and with much anticipation. At the airport, we were greeted by my husband and other host family members. A casual reception at a host home allowed us to relax and enjoy each other’s new company.
The first day at St. Jerome School was incredible. Our guests were welcomed by all the faculty at an informal breakfast. The day continued with a tour of the campus and a lengthy dialogue with the middle school students in the afternoon. Everyone is enchanted with their warmth and eagerness to learn.
Day #2 included more middle school observations, including computer, Spanish, art and music classes. They spoke at length with my principal regarding discipline and fundraising strategies. After school they met with middle school teachers and discussed curriculum and methodologies. Their insight inspires us!
Today was a fun day.. a guided tour of the city of Ft. Lauderdale, courtesy of a councilwoman (who graduated from St. Jerome years ago). They rode in a police patrol boat along the Intracoastal Waterway and visited City Hall. They even were recipients of the “keys to the city”!
Veri has gotten “World Series fever” and attended his first NBA Miami Heat game. Lena and Nuning have bonded quite well with their host families. I am so happy that they are here and can benefit from their experiences.
I wish all of you best wishes as you continue with your homestays.
Wendy E. Lockard
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Hi, Lena’s here..
It’s kind of hot here in Fort Lauderdale, but still it freezes me at night. I live with the Pelzer family, parents of one of the students in St. Jerome. Nuning stays with one of the teachers, and Mr. Veri stays with Wendy, the teacher who picked us up in Hawaii.
The school is great, the teachers are fabulous, and the kids are amazing. They even welcomed us in Bahasa Indonesia and showed us the wall magazine they wrote in Bahasa Indonesia. Also, some of the kids were memorizing numbers in the Indonesian language!!
They asked many questions when we discussed and talked about Islam and Indonesia. They asked about why we are wearing a jilbab, are we waiting for Muhammad’s coming, and a lot questions that we can not even imagine. We observed the classes and working on it, talked to the counselor of the kids, and many things.
On the 3rd day, the Vice Mayor came and took us on a trip of Fort Lauderdale. She took us to the water treatment plant, fire department (and they took riding in their fire truck!), executive airport, to have a lunch in the Cozy Fish restaurant by the seaside, to ride on a police boat for 2 hours around the canals leading to the sea, and took us to the city hall where we got the key to city. Wow…! I was very excited!
Oh yeah, the host families are good and nice people. They even tried hard to make some halal food for us.
Alhamdulillah…
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Fort Lauderdale is in Florida.
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:27 am
Dear participants,
Hope you are all fine. I am so grateful to have the chance knowing all of you. How is the program? Thanks so much to Pak Muslich who always sends me updated stories which are really interesting to read. I wish I could receive more from others!
Enjoy your program and come back with many unforgetable experiences.
Best,
Reni
Cultural Affairs Assistant
US Embassy Jakarta
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:21 am
from to be continued
Each student has a computer. they look very familiar with the internet. every students browsed the internet to find information about ‘weathering’. Some of them started to write the information on paper, some printed the picture they got from internet, and some painted the illustration. The class looks very alive.
Another things I got here is about substitute teacher. Perkins has about fifteen substitute teachers. They are paid $ 90 dollar if they take over the teacher who is absent at a certain day. So it’s 99.9 % impossible the class without teacher.
The students here don’t have to buy books because school have provided everything. The school lend the students text books they need. and those books are stored in the classroom. They may take it home if they have home work. The book can be used for five to seven years.
One more thing is about reading aloud. The teacher will read a story book for students. She read it dramatically, sometimes she turns the lamp off to give horror effect. for a long story book, the teacher will finish it more than two months. The aim of this activity is to give students opportunity to listen to good pronunciation, enjoy good stories, and grow creative ideas etc. I was surprised some of the students give massages voluntarily to teachers. The teacher said they do it because they like the teacher very much.
Bye for now.
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:27 am
Today is the fifth day for me to stay with host school and family in Florida. I have met some American people, teachers, students and the others. I have also visited some nice places here.
Like what the other friends said, America is unique and such an interesting country. I never imagine that American living style like this before; now I know about America more….
The school, college and the institute here have good programs, planning and preparation.The teachers of America have good preparation on teaching, organizing students and managing the classroom and providing homework for their students; very very good.
The students here always seem active to join all the school program, something makes me so surprised, how the students here have good behavior, attitude, performance and being familier with the others.They really become themselves.
About my host school teacher Sandra Rosaldo, she is one of important teachers at this school and the other ones because sometime she teaches at the otherschool too. Actually she is a Spanish language teacher. Sandra always picks me up early in the morning each day and accompanies me to my host family in the afternoon or sometime in the evening. She is really a good host school teacher for me because she is always responsive to my needs. I like her so much.
My host family, Ms Joan, is very familiar; she is one of the teachers at another school so she knows about America in all aspects. She always tells me about something, American cultures, American habits and the the likes. She really makes me like living at my homestay, all the things I like………………
Today I’ll visit another school. I promise that I’ll give you all further imformation from Florida….Gracias.
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:01 am
Assalamualaikum ww.
Dear all participants,
We would like to thank Susan and Jeri for giving us shelter here in Ann Arbor, Michigan. A pecaceful and lovely town. It looks adoarable when all the trees turn red.. The temperature here is lovely, although it has sometimes dropped to minus 2C degree. Frost is everywhere. Time has passed by so fast, we already missed Ms. Namji and Donna as well as Bryan.
Our program, as scheduled by Susan, went so smoothly. We gonna visit kindegarten, elemetary schools, middle Schools, high schools as well as universities. Nonetheless, we are headquartered at Scarlett Middle School. Basically, we visit to those institution to explain our education system or precisely Pesantren. More importantly, we also come here to explain in general about Islam. Thank you, Mr. Ali, for the slides.
We have extra tickets for a football game at Michigan; we are so excited. You’re all cordially invited, so for free ticket, contact Mr Agus for inquiries
To be continued….
October 23rd, 2008 at 1:04 pm
i enjoyed every time i stayed in US, but i miss my baby..he’s about to walk by him self now!!
October 23rd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
You know I have a big story to tell about my experience in Fort Lauderdale. I live with a friendly family Diana and Buddy, and their daughter Heidi. We have become good friends. You won’t believe when we got here. They treat us like we’re big respectful guests. Oh, its a pleasure. And this morning, the vice mayor took us for a wonderful city tour and we’re welcomed so friendly in the city hall by the entire staff. Wow, it’s amazing and we’ve got the key to the city. And the Saint Jerome Catholic school, they are so fabulous. The students can speak Indonesian language and we learn a lot of things there. We have big lunch every day because every teachers and parents love to cook for us. It’s very nice. We’re going to be busy for this two weeks, because you know, a lot of offers came, and we’re booked already. Thank God. We’re blessed to be here. Thanks East West Center.
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Hi,
I am Sofwan.
After accepted many provisions about teaching methods and cross cultural understanding, I, Media and Ida have a chance to apprentice for learn and share at Metropolitan Learning Center Interdistrict Magnet School for Global and Internasional Studies in Hartford, Connecticut, USA (www.crec.org).
Refer to many activities that I’ve seen, such as school and class management, student discipline, town meeting, meeting with special education and support staff, and how to handle guests. I think this school is very professional and also suitable to have an international school standard.
There are several focuses that the school pay more attention: career center, teacher standard capacity and sending students to overseas, appropriate to the school mission of “developing strong intrapersonal and interpersonal skills to be prepared citizens of the international workplace”
Also the teachers are very welcome to us. We could entering the classes to observe the lesson.
I ,myself, stay with Caroline, a senior MLC teacher. Her husband is also a teacher. This family is very kind and very respectful to the guest. So I feel at home during my stay with Caroline’s family.
See you.
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Yes, as you said guys there are many destinations to visit. Wow, we come to USA not just visiting the schools of ours, but more than that, we get many things. I love this program. Thanks Namji, Donna, Bryan, Cheryl, Muhammad Ali and others for arranging and managing this challenging and beautiful program. Hi, is there anybody who wants to join us tomorrow? We are going to New York City, the place that I always dream to come after Mecca.
Mahalo
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Hello Everybody…
Assalamualaikum.
It was our fourth day staying in Bradenton, Florida. For four days, We visited Eckerd College and joined many classrooms Lecturing from many professors in various disciplines. Really, we’re very excited and enjoyed our tour. We found the modern college with the complete facilities and equipment which is well known by Private Liberate College. The students were very motivated and curious to know everything. We always involved in serious discourse about many subjects, such as human development studies, political science, ecotourism studies and sociology. What we can learn from this service learning is how both professors and students well prepared attending the classrooms. And today-the fourth day- we spent time with Professor Mohamed Olimath. He was very nice professor. We share each other in the classrooms about Islamic banking. Btw, Professor Nancy did exellent job for us. She always introduced us to her colleagues and makes us very happy and feel a honour for the big family of Eckerd College. In our spare time we enjoy ping ping, shopping, watching TV, etc. Really, they are a very kind family. They have facilitated us with our needs such as internet access and others.
Dear friends…
Thats what we can share with you all within these 4 days. Let we know your experiences tour in US mainlands.
Thank You
Mahalo
Irfan Helmy and Muslich
Participant in Bradonton, Florida.
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Hi all,
I’m Muslich and I’m very OK!!!!
Everything is so nice. So, I can’t express it just by e-mail…he3x..see you for the next e-mail.
Muslich
Bradento, Florida
October 24th, 2008 at 4:38 am
Salamat Sore,
I’m the Assistant Cultural Affairs officer here at the US Embassy in Jakarta that works on the exchange programs and I had the pleasure of meeting most of you who came to Jakarta for your visa interview. Thank you for your stories, these are very interesting. Also, thank you to Pak Muslich for sending e-mails to Reni, Shita and I. As Reni mentioned, your personal insights are very interesting and we’d love to hear more from all of you. But we know you are busy, so we’ll read your experiences on this blog as well.
Take care,
Aroosha
October 24th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Salam
Hi there..
Our first day was spent at Clague Middle School, one of five public schools in Ann Arbor. They warmly welcomed us and walk us throughout the school. The next day, we visited Scarlett Middle School, which is the primary host school of our program. We also, in the same day, have a chance to meet Mr. Chuck Hatt, Curriculum Coordinator Literacy and Social Studies and Dr. Todd, the Superintendent of Ann Arbor Public Schools.
We’re all impressed and amazed with what they have. We discussed a lot of education policy and curriculum as well as financial system in that district. The facilities provided for the student were so fascinating.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Slamat pagi,
Headline news from North Carolina!
Four of us were interviewed by local newspaper at the Airborne Museum in Faytteville, N.C., and it is now to be the headline in it. We are all happy because the existence of Islamic boarding school educators are greatly welcomed and recognized by the society of N.C.
I hope that the stereotype image of Muslims can be well clarified and corrected now. Moreover, we also can take a lot of advantages about education that we are all now observing and learning.
I also want to say “How are you, Mrs. Reni, and how is Indonesia?” “Hope well and thank for everything you gave before departing to U.S”
That’s all for now and see you all.
Thank you.
Mahalo, tp ga’ mahal2x bngt lhooo. He…2x
M.Ridwan Syapi’i
October 24th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Yeah, now I remember you Aroosha, the first American woman that I met at the US Embassy in Jakarta. I think you must miss your beautiful country, as I also miss my Indonesia. Wow, we really enjoy participating in this program. Thanks, Aroosha, Reni, and Shita…You are very kind and helpful. See you all in Jakarta.
Warm regards,
Ali
October 24th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Hi, here’s me again. We are learning CPR today and still working on it. Yesterday, we went to the mounted police of Florida, and saw all those big horses (wow..I mean that is BIG). After that, we went to Fire Dept and we rode on the fire truck again — on an emergency call!! Even me and Pak Veri slid down the pole just like you watch on TV! That’s high man! They are so nice and warm….When we shook hands with the policeman, the policeman told me that my hand was so small but it is so tough and almost broke his hand because I shook him too hard
October 24th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Hi all, Assalamualaikum..
Today iam, media & Mr Sofwan manaf went to mosque to do Friday prayer & visit Primary School at Medina Islamic Centre. iam very happy because we have new friend from Srilangka and she will tell to her friend from indonesia to contact me later.
Last night we saw Soccer game at University of Connecticut and we met snow and….Media was Frozen hehehe…
Oh ya.. at nex tuesday. We aarange to run teleconference between MLC & Student of Darunnajah Jakarta (Sofwan’s School
October 24th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Hi, here am I, Didin N. Rosidin, reporting our first week activities at The International High School at Eugene, Oregon.
During these five days of visit, we have done a number of activities including observing classes with all different teachers and students along with, of course, making detailed notes, chating with teachers and students, collecting data and information as well as, more importantly, making a lot of photographs.
In the meantime, we also enjoyed some shows and playes carried out by students like volly ball games, American Football training and dance performances.
Tho host families are excellent in providing us. We are introduced to many kinds of foods with a variety of taste. It’s amazing you know to be here with such wonderful people welcoming you.
Because now, I have to go with my host family to dinner and then see the theater play at the school, I have to stop my first week report.
Best
Didin
October 24th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Hi Everyone,
We are certainly missing the weather in Hawaii. It has been cold here this week dipping down to 29 degrees F at night! It has been a busy week for our visitors. They have been to a global studies class, English and an ELL class. Today they visited our career Technolgy department observing nursing, carpentry, culinary and childcare classes.
Saturday we plan to visit Boston Quincy market, Harvard and MIT.
During the week we took a short trip after school to the beach and the salt marches on Cape Cod it was really too cold and windy to stay for very long, but it was fun to see.
Wishing everyone a wonderful week to come!
Patty
October 24th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Dear all,
This morning Nancy-my host gave scoring to my comment in the weblog. Sadly, she gave me “bad boy”, he3x….coz I just gave little comment in the weblog. So, please to follow carefully what I will tell you later.
Firstly, what I did in my homestay is really real-dialogue between me, myself and my host. I learn many things, such as how to take breakfast, lunch and dinner using American way. Then, also how to make a coffee, cake, washing plates, glasses, etc by automatic machine. Really that I felt enjoy even for some cases I felt so difficult. But I’m sure that in the future, this program is very useful for me.
I did dialogue by doing together, not only from talking or reading the books. I was thinking that my host, Nancy also learn from us. We found in many aspects is different. So, everything is becoming nice and more.
Nancy’s family has two nice dogs. Do you know what happened? He…3x. In the afternoon when I and Helmi went to college, both dogs get more space. But, in the evening and night, when we go home, they will be imprisoned by Nancy. He..3x
I, myself is still traumatic with Indonesian dogs. They ever beat my feed. Oh…So, I’m very afraid with dogs. However, Nancy told me that American dogs are very different. They want to know and close to their guest. So, when they are trying to close with us, they actually want to become our friend.
I was thinking that East-West center, for the next time can organize Indonesian and American dogs together in critical dialogue. How is it?He3x..I will be happy to become event organizer for this. Mutual respect and understanding among others is really important.
Secondly, I did friday prayer in al-mu’minun mosque, close to eckerd college. I met many african-american people there. I found many different things and their religious practice. Then, I do realize that we need not only inter-faith dialogue among people whom come from different religion, but also intra-faith dialogue among people whom come from the same religion.
Thirdly, I got learning point. I can feel it, how actually becoming minority in the middle of the majority. Really very different. So, what we do need is really real respect and understand each other.
Fourthly, I got homesick now, after finishing my jetlag…I’m still awaiting for nice day after homesick when I’ll feel enjoy with manythings here.
See you all,
Muslich in Bradenton
October 24th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Hi everybody! I hope your sharing and learning have been very meaningful so far. I am a big fan of Namji and have been involved with some of the AsiaPacificEd program activities during the past few years. Sorry that I won’t be able to meet you in person. I direct the Asian American Studies Program at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, and am also a Professor of Education working closely with K-12 schools and immigrant/refugee communities. Namji suggested that I post some information here about work i’ve had a hand in, though the leadership has come from Dr. Rajini Srikanth and Dr. Elora Chowdhhury who are close faculty colleagues at my university…
In September 2007, we convened a conference titled “Engaging Islams: Feminisms, Religiosities, and Self-Determinations.” The conference was funded by a Ford Foundation grant of $100,000. We brought together 29 scholars and activists from around the world to discuss the subjects of Islam and feminism, Muslim identity, democracy, religiosity and secularism, and women’s role in the construction of civil society. The heterogeneity of Muslim societies and Muslim identities was an essential point we wished the conference to convey. The dialogues were spirited and frank. Attendance at the conference was impressive, with an average of 70 attendees (UMass Boston faculty, staff, and students, and members of the wider community) at each session of the 5-day conference. For further details on the participants and their presentations, please visit our website at http://www.engagingislam.umb.edu
To carry the energy of the conference into the K-12 space, we hosted a one-day workshop. We wished to assess the nature of the interest among middle- and high-school teachers in the issues that were raised at the conference. We combined teachers from two Islamic schools in the area, Al-Nur and Al-Hamra, and public school teachers from Quincy, Cambridge, and Boston. It became apparent that there was much interest about Muslim women and their assertion of identity, voice, and autonomy. The January 2008 workshop was in the nature of a pilot to help us decide how best to go forward and strengthen our connections with the K-12 system.
Maybe some of you might be interested the follow-up for this effort?
Also, for your information, we sponsor a symposium each year that is organized by and for Asian American and Pacific Islander high school youth in the Boston area. The 2008 Coalition for Asian Pacific American Youth (CAPAY) symposium is scheduled for Nov 20th. See: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=44379618336&ref=mf
Best wishes to you all. pk
October 24th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Salam.
Nice to hear you are well and can do something positive.
Zaki, Fahrudin, and I are at Attleboro High School, Providence, Massachusetts, the spirit of America.
Zaki was sick for 2 days, cold. But he iswell now.
I hope you understand well about best practices in learning and school management, we are going to share in Hawaii next Monday.
Thanks to EWC, U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, U.S. Government, and American people.
October 25th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Greeting from North Carolina.
This is a wonderful program! The EWC managed the program from the first selection until the program was running, that our host school prepares everything for us day-to-day to give us good learning experience; that home stay families prepare everything to make us feel at home. I love this program!! Thanks to Namji, Muhammad Ali, Donna, Bryan, Saiful, Cheryl, and others for managing this challenging program.
Everyone here (Home stay and Host school) is so generous to welcome us and works hard to provide all things that we need as a guest with a mission. Especially, I would say thanks to Sandra William for helping me to understand many thing and all teachers in Terry Sanford High School, students, and host families (Mrs Khan and family) for generously welcoming me.
Here, now that I know, the student have a global studies curriculum and they have an amazing book. They really are learning about global studies!. So, if it is possible. I really want strongly to obtain these books (each for a subject) for my school Pesantren Pabelan, Central Java so I can learn “how to learn” about global study with my colleagues teaching in Pesantren Pabelan.
I hope, someone can help me with this.
I hope, this program will continue so other pesantren teachers in Indonesia can get a good experience.
Thank you for everything!
Ulfa Najib
Pesantren Pabelan/
105 Bryce Creek Ln
Fayetteville, North Carolina.
October 26th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Assalamualaikum wr.wb.
Aloha. I’m Sumadi. I, Tata, Jauharoh, and Umar are at Ross School in Hamilton Ohio. We are very happy because we have found many experiences in educational system which is different and more exciting than in our schools. All of this we have found will be good for our effort to increase the quality of our education (teaching methods, school management, student activities, and creativity of students, confidence of students).
Thank you to my host, Nancy and her family. Thank you, EWC, for your good, valuable, and high quality of program which can increase the quality of our educational system.
Mahalo
Sumadi
at Kentucky now
October 27th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Aloha!
My visit to Scarsdale Schools has made me conscious of the value of reaching people across cultural and other divides, such as religion. The school district is very professional. Its mission is to support each student’s individual development, enabling youth to be effective and independent contributors in a democratic society and an interdependent world. I hope to apply these ideals in developing my Pesantren.
The Scarsdale community is welcoming, humble, helpful, and open-minded. Their motto is “to thine own self be true.” The same motto is also known among Muslims, such as “Kullun Ya’mal ‘Ala Syaqilatihi,” but in reality, it’s difficult to find this ideal being applied, including in Pesantren, but we should do this.
Something that I have seen at Scarsdale to be admired are its dynamic and dedicated teachers, academically focused students, no discipline problem, moving class, and instruction informed by “best practice” research. The school activities are also supported by parents and the community. These are all very valuable things that I have learned and hope I can apply in developing my school.
As with the other Indonesian educators who are with me at Scarsdale, I’ve enjoyed getting to know my host family and have appreciated their kindness. Even though my host family is Jewish, we are able to discuss about our religions and accept our differences with open mind.
I think we can take back many good experiences from our visit to the USA.
Thanks!
Rusydi Sulaiman from Scarsdale School District
October 27th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Hi, I am Nelly. I am in Eugene International High School Oregon. Staying here for one week makes me realize how rich Indonesia is. We have many traditions, many different languages, ethnic clothes, ethnic food, and so many different things in Indonesia. Maybe we do not have facilities like here, but I think we also have hard work spirit, and that is most important. I really love Indonesia. Everyday, we observe classes. We learn about how Americans teach and how the students study, and yes, it is very different. The students have spirit to be free to do everything. They are confident, so they can ask much and talk much in the class. And I really am surprised with the design of the class. It is different from most schools in my home town. Here, many things are hung on the wall: maps, students’ creations like pictures, etc., hang everywhere. I think it is like in the kindergarteen class, and it is very interesting for me. Most midle and high school classes in my hometown, there are designated places to put and hang things so classes appear clean and tidy. Here, it’s very very different. There is more emphasis and appreciation for creation, creativity, etc.
Ok, I think enough for today; next time I will write again. Lena, I know you must miss your baby because I also really miss my family.
October 27th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Oh, I have met two Indonesian people here in Eugene. One teaches at Churchill H.S. She is from Jakarta, and the second is from Lombok.
October 28th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Yesterday, we visited John Hopkins Middle School and Lakewood High School. We discussed differences in education in America and Indonesia. We discussed teaching methodology, teacher preparation, learning materials, curriculum and more. We also spoke with students and teachers about our cultures. They really want to know more about Indonesia.
John Hopkins M.S. is one of the advanced schools in Pinallas County, Florida. It has amazing facilities and technology for preparing students for their future. All the teachers are highly skilled and well prepared, and all the students here seem to have good behavior and performance. And they are motivated to learn.
Lakewood High School (Center for Advanced Technology ) is a very large and nice school. It has a good program to prepare their students for the future with modern facilities and technology. Students are supported well educated and knowledgeable teachers. Lakewood students and teachers and students also have many questions about Indonesia, about our education, religions, and Indonesia’s diverse cultures. They are very eager to know more about Indonesia.
October 28th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Hi, everybody. How are you? I would like to report on our activities in Florida. While in Florida, I had a chance to visit Eckerd College. There, we got to discuss Islamic banking with Eckerd students of Prof. Ulaemat (a Muslim scholar from Jordan), who teaches politics. He was very hospitable and generous in all ways. Mr. Helmy, Muslich, Ahmad, and I did our best to share with his students what we know about Islamic banking. We also visited an English language class for foreign students, where we met students from many different countries. It was a valuable experience for me to see a class like this.
October 28th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Alhamdulillah…Praise be to God the all mighty.
We are (Sofwan Manaf, Neng Ida Nurhalida, Dadang Media Laksana) come to you with the latest news.
Metropolitan Learning Center is an amazing school. Today, we held teleconference with Indonesian students in Darunnajah Islamic Boarding School (my school) in Jakarta Indonesia. It was very exciting….amazing activity. And, also today, we met Adam Meier, Program Officer from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. We discussed many things about the program and activities.
The teleconference activity took place from 8.00 to 9.30 am. Five American students, Indonesian teachers, MLC teachers, and also Adam Meier joined this activity. Thanks to Mr. Noury, Director of Technology, who facilitated and organized this program successfully.
The Indonesian and American students were very interested to join this program. They shared and asked questions to each other about school activities, subjects, extracurricular activities, and so on. The Indonesia students also asked about Barack Obama and John McCain, the U.S. presidential candidates and also about the current financial crisis.
Afterwards, we met with American teachers, Adam Meier, Daniel Gregg (state social studies curriculum specialist) to discuss program, etc.
So, the students (American and Indonesian) will continue their communcation via email. And we have sent emails to Indonesian students, and through our ongoing exchange, we hope to contribute to “mutual understanding and cross-cultural exchange” between Americansand Indonesians. Thank you so much for your good cooperation.
October 28th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Hi My Friends,
We are very happy here. One news that I have to share with you: We had a special meeting last Friday. The acting Indonesian Consul General and Mr. Samsi Ali, the Imam of the New York City Mosque, came to visit us at Scardale. The meeting was also attended by Scarsdale teachers. We talked about Pesantren and Islam. They were very appreciative and open-minded. I also had a chance to share personal insights about Scarsdale, Pesantren, our similarities, differences, and lessons from our visits we can apply to our Pesantren when we return to Indonesia. You can read more about the visit at the Indonesian Consulate General website.
Ok, thank you so much, and enjoy your visits.
Yours,
Rusydi Sulaiman
October 29th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Assalamualaikum
Hello Everyone,
What we can learn from visiting U.S. schools and colleges is the high curiosity of the students. It should encourage us as teachers how to build this curiosity in our students. What I saw in the classroom is how the American students feel free to ask questions and to interrupt the teacher during lessons. To me, this is the good habit in learning. So, our responsibility in our schools is to treat students to be confident during learning process. The point is the curiosity of learning is one of the important success factors in learning.
In addition, learning should be interesting for the students. It means that the teacher should know and understand what the students want. This condition will makes the students more engaged even though they have to learn or memorize much of lessons or subjects.
Also, we found that sharing our knowledge of Islam is very useful for American students. Through our discussions, they are able to understand that Islam and Muslims are not as they imagined before.
Thank you.
Mahalo
Irfan Helmy
Bradenton, Florida
October 30th, 2008 at 7:39 am
This is what I learned from visiting Eckerd College.
Service Learning Center (SLC) provides Eckerd students with opportunities to learn by living and working with the community (which may be local or global). Students do many things to learn from the community. It was truly amazing. Students get involved in cultivating land and farming, collecting fire wood from the forest, helping people in need, etc.
This program has tremendous outcomes — building good relationship to the community, giving social awareness to the students, and also bridging or connecting academic knowledge and what is out in the real world.
Career Resources provides students with information about internships — at companies, schools, nonprofits, etc. This program is compulsory for some the students at Eckerd College while others take it as an option.
A requirement of the internship is a final report from the students about their internship. Then, their professor and supervisor will grade them based on their competency in their jobs, and the students receive credits from this program for their study.
Students taking this as an optional study do so to improve their ability, skills-competency without getting a score for their credit in study.
Both choice above, in fact give very much benefit for their students. They can implement what they know from their study and also learn many things from the institution.
Career resources center will give them suggestion and correction to their all submission-application to get good institution for their internship. Hemmmmm….
Is it possible for me taking internship in Eckerd College?….
Muslich
Pesantren Al-Muayyad Windan, Solo, Indonesia
Cellphone: +62-8156731484, e-mail: muswindan@yahoo.com
October 31st, 2008 at 12:39 am
Salam,
I am visiting Berkeley High School (BHS) in California. It’s a very big school with around 3000 students and more than 200 teachers. BHS has great facilities and services. Here are some of the facilities and services in this school:
The Career Center is a place where students can go to get information on careers, two and four year colleges and universities and career colleges, study, get tutoring help, or eat lunch.
Food Court
Health Center
Counselors
Parent center
Support provider
The Jacket-School newspaper
Library
And many more…
I visited Comparative Studies (beliefs and cultures) class this morning. It was very interesting. Mr. Liu, the teacher of this class, gave me a chance to talk about Islam and pesantren in front of the students, and the students have many questions.
I also visited a computer class where students learn programming languages. The class is an optional, but many students interested to join this class.
I’ll visit this school for two more days, and see what else I can learn….
salam,
Zaki Mubarok
November 1st, 2008 at 8:41 am
Hello Friends!
So, we are in Scardale District New York. On Friday morning (October 31), Kyai Mudrik and I, representing our fellow pesantren educators at Scarsdale, were interviewed by the Voice of America (VOA) Radio in Washington DC (mbak Utami). We were asked about the goal of the EWC’s P4S program, our experiences during our school visit and homestay; aspects of best practices in teaching/learning process and things related to the education system we found to be similar, common, or different. A lot of different things about our program.
In the afternoon, from 1.30 to 4.00 pm, VOA Television crew came to Scardale and covered our activities and our discussions with Scarsdale teachers about Islam, Pesantren, and Scardale. Then, everyone one of us (Muhyiddin, Rafiq, Lathif, Haidar, Ali, Mudrik, and Rusydi) was interviewed by the VOA. Said Mbak Retno (the reporter): This program will be on air in JTV, TPI and VOA Metro TV in a few day later.
That’s all from us for now. I look forward to staying in touch with Scarsdale teachers and hope that we can help bring Scarsdale students and our students in Indonesia together.
Mercy and barakah would be on us, amin.
Rusydi Sulaiman
November 1st, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Hello to Everyone. I am Professor Nancy, the one to whom Muslich and Helmy refer in their writing. They have been guests in my home and at my school, Eckerd College. Muslich and Helmy have visited many classes at Eckerd, and my own students have told me how much they have enjoyed learning from these men. It has been a wonderful experience for me and my family to have Muslich and Helmy stay here. We have had the opportunity of many good talks and equally many good laughs. Tomorrow early in the morning we have to drive them to the airport. I wish we could just keep them, but I believe our friendship will endure and we will see each other again, maybe in Indonesia! This is a great program, and I hope it is one of many that will bring this great sharing of culture together.
Nancy Janus
Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida