Studying in Indonesia to Become a Better Educator
On Indonesian Independence Day 2022, I landed in Banda Aceh. Soon after, I was sharing Australian Anzac biscuits with new friends at the OIA USK Mini Bazaar.
How did an Aussie girl happen to be giving out ANZACs in Banda Aceh, you may ask? The story goes back a long way! In 2011, I gained fluency in Indonesian on a student exchange at UGM, Yogyakarta. In the following years, I used my knowledge of Indonesian language and culture as a Primary and Secondary School Indonesian teacher in Australia, sharing many songs, games and food with Aussie kids.
Throughout my teaching career, Indonesia had given me so much; I wanted to give something back. In 2019, I stopped teaching children and moved to Riau to work as an English Centre consultant. I was working with teachers, writing curriculum and facilitating training programs in Sumatran businesses.
I realised I needed to do further study, to work more effectively with schools and teachers. Remembering beautiful Achenese beaches from past holidays, I started looking at Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK). The staff at the Office of International Affairs (OIA) were so helpful and welcoming, I knew I’d found the right university. Beyond my expectations, I was also awarded a scholarship to this Western-most city of the Indonesian Archipelago, to take a master’s degree in Education Administration.
The OIA staff were invaluable in helping me settle in and liaise with authorities. Their office is my ‘second home’ in Banda Aceh, and it was there the OIA volunteers invited me to join their Mini Bazaar. It was a great experience, making connections and devouring yummy food!
As for my studies, I’ve enjoyed the collegiality in my class of 18 students of all ages and backgrounds. It’s a nice change from online learning or lecture halls filled with students of different majors. We’re all taking the same major, so can bounce ideas off each other as we tackle issues faced by educator leaders today. My classmates also help me understand local wisdom – and are patient in dealing with my strange ways!
My lecturers are friendly too, as well as very knowledgeable in their fields. They balance challenging and stimulating topics with relatable discourse as they make connections between the learning material and their students.
At first, I thought it might be difficult to live in Aceh as a foreigner. I even had misgivings about coming, wondering if I could fit in or be accepted. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the welcome from the citizens of Banda Aceh. They’re friendly and very happy to chat about nearly anything. Of course, the natural beauty of Aceh province is wonderful too, and being able to visit mountains and beaches in my free time is a bonus of living here!
I would highly recommend studying at USK to anyone who wants to be immersed in a new culture, new learning styles and a new way of seeing the world! Come and study in a culture that values community and togetherness!
