“It’s hard to describe the fascination that I felt while learning Bahasa Indonesia. As each new word and new sound settled under my tongue and in the back of my throat, street signs and books suddenly came alive. People’s speech became animated as I listened to them day after day. This was my first time learning another language. Meanings of things expanded as I learned new grammars. Spaces that were indescribable became more vibrant as I appreciated their refusal to fit inside syntax. It was a beautiful experience where I gained new words and new experiences for which there are no words.”

– Annemarie Nicole DiCamillo, 2018 Summer Studies Participant

“Before USINDO I was unsure about my future path. I had always had an interest in Southeast Asia, but hadn’t had a lot of exposure to the region outside of an academic setting. …USINDO helped me overcome this in two major ways. First, it gave me experience out in the field through my volunteering program. With SHEEP I was able to go out to villages around Jogja, and, while not explicitly food security projects, each of the projects focused on different aspects of economic development to overcome the challenges faced by the individual villages. Secondly, USINDO allowed me to explore my own network and meet people who work in field related to my interests, mainly through my time in Jakarta over the Eid Break and during the post-program.”

– Jared Schwartz, 2018 Summer Studies Participant

“USINDO Summer Studies has been the experience of a lifetime. I have learned more about Indonesia and myself than I ever thought I would this summer! I’ve come to know some of the most amazing people and seen some of the most beautiful things during these past two months, and I will never forget all of the memories. I will never forget this experience in Indonesia. The people I’ve met and the things I’ve experienced have changed me forever. Thanks for the best summer ever, USINDO Summer Studies.”

– Colton Getter, 2018 Summer Studies Participant