The AUA Team

Top row: Didi, Katarina, Enggar, Courtney, Randy, Haura, Billa
Bottom row: Bara, Misato, me, Awe, Stephanie, Fiona

So by now you might be wondering about the people I've been living with here in Jogja. I'm going to take this opportunity to introduce the AUA team; the American volunteers and group from University Gadja Mada. The photo on the left includes everyone. Many of the students from the UGM are international relations majors and they all speak English incredibly well. I have really felt welcomed by each and every member of the on the ground team. They are patient with us as we navigate such a new environment. They are also extremely helpful and have been taking turns showing us the ropes here in Jogja. For example, today a few of them took us to the Sunday morning market, which is on the university campus where we live. We would have been totally lost without them telling us what is safe to eat, bartering for us, and guiding us which way to turn. It's a great support system for us here and we couldn't be here volunteering without all of their assistance!

As a full group we've talked a lot about this experience being a give and take. A true exchange between our two cultures during this six week time period. In the last few days, the UGM team has given us so much and I hope that we can somehow repay them in time.

Stephanie buying a drink made out of ginger and other Indonesian spices. 

Motorcycles at the Sunday morning market. 

Fried sausages at the market. The American volunteers were not allowed to eat these....

A courtyard at the university. 

One of the main auditorium buildings on campus. 

The volunteers outside the main gate of UGM where we live! From left to right: me, Courtney, Misato, Fiona, Stephanie, Katarina.