Student exchange programs highlight cultural adaptation and personal growth

Personal accounts highlight the diverse experiences of international student exchange programs involving Indonesia.

Talita Faccioli, a student from State High School Enrico Medi in Italy, is currently participating in an exchange program at SMA 17 Agustus 1945 (SMATAG) in Surabaya. She reported experiencing culture shock due to the differences in classroom size—noting that her Italian school typically has 20 students per class compared to nearly 40 at SMATAG—and language barriers when interacting with teachers and peers.

In a separate reflection, Azrul Ananda shared his experience as an Indonesian exchange student in Kansas, USA, in 1994. He noted that while some students, including a peer from Jakarta, did not complete their programs due to homesickness, the experience was a defining moment in his life. He reflected on the challenges of returning to Indonesia and the necessity of re-entering the school system.