Most of these Indonesian young students brought big question
marks and curiosity along with them to United States. They wanted to know how
United States looks like. What is religious pluralism? How is the democracy
process in United States? How does the religion affect American’s lives despite
the separation between state and religion? Is every rumor about United States
they hear true? Does it look exactly the same like what the American’s movie
showed? These curiosities supported and encouraged them to go 14077.52 km away from their country to find the answers and
also find something valuable for their life.
Departed on
January 12 afternoons from Indonesia, 20 Indonesian students went to United
States without no one accompanied them except the other participants whom they
never met before for about 24 hours long in plane and another 24 hours in the
airport. Experiencing 2 days journey with people that you really don’t know
well and experiencing lost a day ( because the time difference, we departed
from Japan in the afternoon and we arrived at United States in the afternoon
again) really make us tired. Fatigue and jetlag suddenly lost because at last
we arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the place where we would spend 4
weeks there, well even though we got surprised with the cold of winter (our
first time “feeling” winter, except Jijo) we’re still happy! The air was so dry
that our lips and skins are chapped, if you’re curious how winter feels, you
could try it by putting yourself into refrigerator with 1 degree Celsius
temperature. We even have felt the cold of minus 3 degree Celsius. Amazed, happy, and unbelievable made our lips
keep smiling. We still didn’t believe that we were at United States!
Arriving at
the United States on January 30, 20.20 P.M (Philadelphia’s time), we were
welcomed by 2 staffs from Dialogue Institute and ICCE, Dr. Julie and Mr. Per
whose laugh and smile warmed us and made us feel we had already being part of
their big family. We stayed at Inn where is located in Temple University (
which is our host university) area. The lecture, group discussion, and most of
the class activity are done in Temple University, one of well-known and big state
university in Philadelphia. Better get ready for the amazing 5 weeks ever!!!!
:D
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