Nine Americans have officially joined Peace Corps Indonesia after being sworn in at a ceremony hosted by the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya and officiated by U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission to Indonesia, Heather Merritt. The new volunteers become part of a long-standing tradition, joining nearly 600 Americans who have served in Indonesia since the program was re-launched in 2010. DCM Merritt highlighted that Peace Corps volunteers act as citizen diplomats who build trust through daily community engagement, reflecting the spirit of the U.S.–Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Their service is positioned as a bridge between cultures, rooted in people-to-people ties.
Before being sworn in, the volunteers completed 11 weeks of rigorous pre-service training in East Java’s Leminggir and Seduri villages. The program included Bahasa Indonesia instruction, cultural immersion, and technical preparation in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. They will now begin two-year placements in East Java, West Java, and East Nusa Tenggara, collaborating with teachers and students to strengthen English education and community initiatives. Peace Corps Indonesia’s Country Director, Brian Gleeson, expressed gratitude to the training communities for their generosity and support.
In their assignments, each volunteer will teach at least 20 hours per week in classrooms while also contributing to teacher training at the school and district levels. They will lead extracurricular programs such as English clubs, literacy events, leadership camps, and professional development workshops. One new volunteer, Rosalina Macon from South Carolina, said the group felt deeply welcomed in Leminggir and was eager to begin teaching alongside Indonesian educators. Her remarks emphasized the sense of hospitality and cultural learning that shaped their preparation.
A core element of Peace Corps service involves living with host families, allowing volunteers to integrate closely into the social and educational life of their communities. Volunteers receive no salary, underscoring the organization’s mission of promoting peace, friendship, and mutual understanding. Since its founding in 1961, the Peace Corps has deployed more than 240,000 Americans to over 140 countries to support education and sustainable development. In Indonesia, the TEFL program continues to strengthen English instruction through partnerships with local teachers, reinforcing the broader relationship between the United States and Indonesia.
Alexander Jason – Redaksi
