AGE NEWS – American Corner Surabaya, in collaboration with the United States Consulate General, successfully held a “Guide to US” Sharing Sessions at Al-Irsyad Senior High School Surabaya. This event aimed to introduce and aspire high school students to pursue education-development opportunities through student exchange programs.
Education is one of core values that American Corner upholds, this value has formed the foundation of the “Guide to US” initiative. Through various student exchange programs, the US Government has actively supported global human resource empowerment. Among these, the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (KL-YES) program stands out as a flagship initiative, alongside TechGirls. Both are fully funded US Government Programs offered to global students around the world. These programs provide excellent chances to broaden students’ horizons and gain invaluable overseas education experience.
Circumstances in Accessing Student Exchange Programs
While US Government-backed student exchange programs represent a significant opportunity for Indonesian students, access to information still remains a major challenge. Many students are unaware of these programs due to lack of information. Local institutions often fail to provide guidance or facilitate partnership with US exchange programs. In addition, information about KL-YES and TechGirls are limited and published through social media, without comprehensive outreach. As a result, despite the undeniable value of these programs, many students faced lack of necessary resources to navigate the application process successfully.
“Guide to US” as a Pathway to Introduce US Student Exchange Programs
Guide to the US was organized to bridge the gap of information as primary challenges faced by high school students. The session, led by Puguh Susetiyo from the US Consulate General, provided students with detailed insights into the administrations and application process required by US Government-hosted student exchange programs. Highlighting on KL-YES and TechGirls programs, Guide to US gives comprehensive understanding related to document requirements, the interview process, and what students need to be prepared before their departure. Moreover, the session provided students with a step-by-step guide on how to prepare for the exchange program. Concluded with an interactive Q&A session, Guide to US allowed students to ask questions, clarify doubts, and share concerns regarding the exchange programs. Puguh Susetyo also shared some motivational insights and encouragement for students to bravely pursue their dreams, emphasizing the importance of character development in this journey.
Engaging Students Through a Talk Show Format
In order to maximize student engagement, the American Corner designed the “Guide to US”” in an interactive talk show format. Recognizing that the target of the audience was high school students, the talk show proved to be an effective method to maintain attention and interest. Lasting around two hours, Guide to US successfully delivered substantial information about the student exchange program through engaging and informative manner.
Attended by 160 students, this event provides students to demonstrate their enthusiasm through insightful questions and eagerness to share their perspective. By the end of the session, American corner also featured Virtual Reality (VR) tools, which gave Al-Irsyad’s students a realistic view of the study environment in the US. This technological approach enhanced the students’ understanding of what studying in the US might feel like, increasing their excitement about pursuing education abroad.
By providing valuable information and fostering an interactive learning environment, Guide to US helped bridge the information gap between US Government student exchange programs and high school students in Surabaya, particularly those at Al-Irsyad Senior High School. This program is expected to inspire students in pursuing higher education opportunities in the United States, encouraging them to reach their academic and career development.
