Building Bridges and Breaking Bread: My Unforgettable Experience at Uhamka Boarding School
- GEOMARI IVERSON ACHACOSO
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
There is a unique magic that happens when different cultures collide, exchange stories, and share spaces. Recently, we had the incredible privilege of engaging with the vibrant community at Uhamka Boarding School. What started as an educational exchange quickly blossomed into a beautiful journey of friendship, laughter, and mutual learning.
Here is a look back at the unforgettable highlights of our time spent with the wonderful students and faculty.
1. A Taste of Home: Sharing Culture Through Food
They say food is the universal language of love, and we took that quite literally! We wanted to give the Uhamka students a genuine taste of our culture, so we rolled up our sleeves and turned the kitchen into a culinary cultural exchange.
We prepared a feast featuring some of our traditional favorites:
Chicken Adobo: A savory, tangy staple that had everyone asking for seconds.
Tinola: A comforting, ginger-infused chicken soup perfect for warming the soul.
Lumpiang Gulay: Crisp, golden vegetable spring rolls that disappeared from the plates in minutes.
Agar-Agar: A sweet, refreshing jelly dessert to perfectly cap off the meal.
Seeing the students' faces light up with the first bite was absolutely priceless.
2. Riverside Adventures and Local Markets
Our immersion wasn't just limited to the campus walls. We got to experience the local lifestyle firsthand!
Exploring the Irrigation Canals: We joined the students for an afternoon walk to explore the river-side irrigation system. It didn't take long for us to give in to the temptation of the cool water—we jumped right in and enjoyed splashing around with the kids.
Market Runs with Mentors: To prep for our activities, we headed out to the local market accompanied by our amazing mentors. Navigating the bustling aisles to buy our daily necessities was a masterclass in local culture and a lot of fun.
3. Smashing Barriers Through Sports and Games
Nothing builds camaraderie quite like teamwork and a little healthy competition.
Spiking it on the Volleyball Court
During extracurricular hours, we joined the students on the sports field. Volleyball was the main event! The energy was electric, the rallies were intense, and despite the sweat, every missed serve and epic spike was met with cheers and high-fives.
Surviving the Night: The Werewolf Game
As the sun went down, the strategy games began. We were introduced by the students to the Werewolf game. It was a night filled with playful accusations, dramatic defenses, and bursts of laughter as we all tried to figure out who the secret wolves were.
4. Connecting with the Faculty
Our engagement wasn't just about playtime; it was also a deeply enriching professional experience. We had the honor of sitting down for a wonderful lunch with the Uhamka faculty.
Over delicious food, we held insightful consultation sessions. We discussed specific concerns regarding teaching methods, exchanged pedagogical philosophies, and explored innovative ways to keep students engaged in the modern classroom.
5. Bridging the Language Barrier
"Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going." — Rita Mae Brown
Of course, communication could have been a challenge, but we were determined to bridge the gap. We made a conscious effort to incorporate Bahasa Indonesia into our daily conversations.
From a simple "Terima kasih" (Thank you) to throwing in local slang during volleyball matches, our attempts at the language were met with warm smiles and enthusiastic mini-lessons from the students. It proved that a little effort goes a long way in making genuine connections.
6. Farewell Party
At our UHAMKA Boarding School farewell party, we enjoyed fun and meaningful moments. A karaoke session added to the memorable night as we sang and laughed together. We shared heartfelt messages of gratitude and appreciation, accompanied by snacks that enhanced the friendly atmosphere. The students gave us small tokens of appreciation, making the farewell truly unforgettable.
Final Thoughts
Our time at Uhamka Boarding School was a beautiful reminder that despite coming from different backgrounds, we share the same joy in good food, the same laughter in games, and the same passion for education.
To the faculty, mentors, and brilliant students of Uhamka—Sampai jumpa lagi! Thank you for opening your hearts and homes to us.
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