On Friday November 22, 2024, the school hosted a welcoming ceremony attended by:
- Supervisor of the Sidoarjo Regency Education and Culture Office, Mr. Drs. Lambang Kurniawan, M.Pd.
- Head of Sidokepung Village
- Chairpersons of RT 24 RW 6 and RW 6
- Babinsa of Buduran Subdistrict
- Representatives of the Parents Association for Grades 7, 8, and 9
- Michelle Le’s foster family.
Visit Schedule: November 21–25, 2024
This partnership program with America is facilitated by the Peace Corps, which acts as a liaison to ensure the required processes between the school and the U.S. are followed. These include administrative preparations, selecting a foster family, and obtaining central government approval. The purpose of this 5-day visit is to introduce Michelle to her foster family, the local community, and the school environment.
Program Objectives
The collaboration aims to enhance motivation and enthusiasm in learning, particularly in English. If the requirements during this introductory visit are met, the volunteer will teach at SMPN 2 Buduran for two years, from 2025 to 2026.
SMPN 2 Buduran is the only school in Sidoarjo involved in this remarkable collaboration, joining 19 other schools across Indonesia hosting foreign volunteers.
Michelle Le’s Visit
Michelle Le, originally from California, arrived in Sidoarjo last Thursday and is staying with her foster family, Mr. Agus. On Friday, November 22, 2024, the school officially welcomed her alongside all related stakeholders.
The welcoming event featured:
- A formal reception led by the Supervisor of the Sidoarjo Regency Education and Culture Office
- Attendance of school committee members, parents’ association representatives, Babinsa, the Head of Sidokepung Village, and local RT and RW officials
Miss Le was greeted by the school’s Paskibra team and entertained with a traditional Remo dance performance.
“Welcome to SMPN 2 Buduran. We hope you are happy and enjoy your time in our school. Nice to meet you, and all the students are very excited about your visit,” said Mrs. Wenny, Principal of SMPN 2 Buduran.
“Thank you to everyone for your support in making this partnership possible,” she added.
Following the introductions with stakeholders, Michelle introduced herself to all the students. She was then treated to a performance by the school’s traditional Karawitan music ensemble. Michelle also toured the school, visiting classrooms, greeting teachers, and observing students in their learning environment.
This initial visit at the school concluded at 11:00 AM WIB on Friday.
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, SMP Negeri 2 Buduran was honored to welcome Miss Michelle Le, a volunteer from the United States, as part of an enriching cultural exchange and educational observation program.
The day began early at 6:00 AM, with Miss Michelle Le joining the school’s scouting activity on the field. She was warmly greeted by the members of the Pramuka team, who introduced her to the spirit and traditions of scouting in Indonesia. As a token of appreciation, the Pramuka team presented Miss Michelle Le with a scout hat, symbolizing their gratitude for her participation.
Following the morning activities, Miss Michelle Le engaged in classroom observations to gain insights into the teaching and learning processes at SMP Negeri 2 Buduran. She started her journey in Grade 8C, observing a class led by Mrs. Lilik. Her second observation took place in Grade 7D, where she witnessed Mr. Aji delivering an interactive lesson. Finally, she visited Grade 7F to observe Mr. Prayit’s class, further enriching her understanding of the school’s educational practices.
This visit marked a meaningful collaboration, fostering cultural exchange and mutual learning between Miss Michelle Le and the school community. It was a memorable experience for students and teachers alike, and SMP Negeri 2 Buduran looks forward to hosting similar events in the future.
On Sunday, November 24, 2024, Miss Michelle Le, accompanied by her foster parent, Mr. Agus, began the day with a cycling trip through scenic routes in Sidoarjo. Starting from their home, they rode to Taman Abirama, continued to Taman Pinang, and passed through the Kahuripan housing complex before returning home. The refreshing ride showcased Sidoarjo’s charm and offered a glimpse into its local neighborhoods.
In the afternoon at 1:00 PM, Miss Michelle Le embarked on a sightseeing trip with Mr. Agus, Mr. Prayit, Mr. Aji, and Mrs. Rahma. Their first stop was Indah Bordir, a well-known shop for traditional Indonesian attire. Here, Miss Michelle Le found herself delighted yet overwhelmed by the variety of batik clothing. After much deliberation, she decided on purchasing batik fabric pants as a souvenir.
The journey continued to the second destination, Lapindo Mudflow Tourism. At the site, a guide warmly welcomed the group and provided an insightful explanation of the tragic mudflow disaster, detailing the affected villages and the ongoing impact on the region.
Next, they visited Sidoarjo’s iconic town square, Alun-Alun Sidoarjo, where they enjoyed the lively atmosphere and explored local sights. Their final stop was Dr. Duck, a popular dining spot renowned for its crispy fried duck dishes. The group indulged in a delicious dinner, savoring the flavors of traditional Indonesian cuisine.
On the way back, a sudden downpour added an adventurous twist to their day, but they safely returned home by 6:00 PM. It was a fulfilling day filled with memorable experiences, leaving a lasting impression on Miss Michelle Le and her foster parent.
