Volume 24. Issue Spring. Life Chapter: Indonesia*

It was March 30th 2017. I remember that day clearly. That morning I was proctoring the Texas English STAAR state test. I sat for a quick second with my phone during a restroom break. I had a feeling the email was coming soon. The email I longed for that would determine the next chapter of my life. I knew it was soon but I did not know when.

“Fulbright Application Status” the email read. My eyes slowly blossomed. The first word stood out: Congratulations! I kept reading the email thinking it was some mistake. But no…I made it. Ami**, I made it!

I MADE IT! I was selected as a recipient of the Fulbright grant to Indonesia!

I told everyone. I sent text messages, emails, phone calls, made Facebook posts, Instagram posts, tweets, Whatsapp messages, honestly everything. I received the Fulbright grant to teach English in Indonesia. I thanked everyone for their guidance and support along the way. I would not have imagined being accepted into the Fulbright program without all the support from Penn State University’s Fellowship Office, Teach For America-Houston staff and corps members, my colleagues at Sharpstown High School and all my friends who willingly provided feedback to my application. I am here because of you. Thank you!

In a matter of a few short months, I was in Washington D.C. for the Fulbright Pre-Departure Orientation for East-Asia Pacific. I was just as excited as I opened my email informing me of my acceptance into the program. I vividly remember walking up to the Fulbright registration and meeting this one girl whose name tag said “Indonesia.” I was nervous to make the first move and say “hey.” I did notice her from the Fulbright Indonesia Facebook group we have. We didn’t end up talking until we took the elevator and I asked her “Where are you going for your Fulbright grant?” even though I knew the answer. We chatted for a bit until we departed ways. She would later sit next to me at the formal Welcoming Dinner. I still remember her as my first Fulbright Indonesia friend.

The Fulbright cohort to Indonesia is AMAZING. I love these people and am so happy we are on this once-in-a-lifetime journey together. The 19 of us immediately clicked off the start. It was so easy for me to start a conversation with everyone. We are also a diverse group: four of us identify as Muslims, and nine of us identify as a person of color. Each one has such a unique journey that bought them to Fulbright that is inspiring to hear. There are aspiring journalists, teachers, future diplomats, and future doctors. I hope to feature a few on my blog in the coming months. You will most definitely hear from my Gorontalo sitemate, Ian, who also hails from Houston (HTOWN!!).

 

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Fast-forward a week before my grant start date, July 23^rd, and here I am scrambling for last minute supplies and clothes, medicines, oleh-oleh and kenang-kenangang (to be discussed in a future post), and anything else I find suitable for my new life in Indonesia.

That’s all for now as I go back to packing! The next blog post will detail what I have done since Pre-Departure Orientation and the events of my last week before my grant start date.

Until then, Sempai Jumpaa!**

*Volume 24 refers to my age. Issue Spring refers to the season in which I found out my acceptance.

**Ami means mother in Urdu.

***Sempai Jumpaa means see you later in Bahasa Indonesian.

Special thanks go to my former Dean of Science at Sharpstown High School, Mrs. Alexander; my Manager of Teaching Leadership Development at Teach for America-Houston, Ms. Milton; one of my favorite undergraduate professors, Dr. O’Hara; and Pennsylvania State University’s Fellowship Office. And finally, to my students at Sharpstown High School. They were the crux of my grant essays and I am forever thankful for what each student has taught me. Shoutout to Sharpstown Apollos!