JBR Bali - Java Part 3
Monday 7th January saw me leave Quality Wahid Hotel at 8.00am (12 noon Melbourne time) having eaten grandly at the buffet in 'Pepitos' restaurant and catch the 'Angkota'(not 'Anggkota' as spelled in JBR 2) bus to Satya Wacana Kristen University in Jl Diponegoro. This street is extremely busy and crossing it meant taking many chances with your life. Generally, at the entrance, there was a Security Guard who stopped the traffic however, 50 metres either side of him you took the risk. I devised a strategy which involved stepping onto the road, hand (or umbrella) raised, not looking at any approaching driver and proceeding to cross. It worked!!!! Everybody stopped.
The grounds of Satya Wacana are not immense however, there are lots of roads going in all directions and I had to ask directions from one of the vast numbers of students meandering through the grounds. I found the Language Training Centre (LTC) in no time at all, introduced myself at reception to the people there. I was one of the first to arrive out of my fellow students.
As the next hour passed the gathering increased until all those involved had arrived. Students - 10 from ANU Canberra, 5 from Singapore, 1 from each of Qld and Vic (3 days later Iris from Germany also joined the course). There were 21 Lecturers, The Program C0-0rdinator, 5 admin staff, as well as 7 'PIBBI' friends, some of the 'homestay' families and, finally Dr Daniel Kameo Ph. D, Director of the language faculty.
Frances Sinanu, the Program Co-ordinator opened the proceedings. She welcomed us all and explained what was to happen that day. We needed get a Police check (which we had to carry always), arrange a library card, familiarise ourselves with he University grounds, meet our tutors and the Friends of PIBBI. After, Frances handed us a bag containing all the information for the forthcoming course. I and 4 other students had to take a test to see if the level we'd selected was the right one. So we had to do a short written and verbal quiz. I had requested level 2 and my co-ordinator confirmed that it was ok.
There are 5 levels. Most students were doing the course to obtain a Credit for their degree back in Australia. There were students at all levels, 5 in level 1, 3 level 2, 4 in level 3, 3 in level 4 with the final 3 in Level 5. I was the only one doing 2 weeks and Vivian was the only student for 6 weeks.
Dr Daniel then formally opened the course with a short speech after which he presented us with a small 'clip' of Frangipani and pinned it to each student individually. All students were asked to make a small speech to introduce ourselves to all those present.
Outside we all gathered for the obligatory 'Class' photographs followed by our first 'Rehat Pagi' (Morning Tea). Although I had eaten a lot at breakfast, I wasn't at all deterred and feasted on 'Lumpia Goreng', (Spring Rolls) & Que Que (Cakes) with a nice 'Cuppa', no Susuh (Milk) just 'Creamer'. Boy was I full, only then did I realise that this was not Lunch but only a snack. As I found out later, lunch was enormous but nonetheless delicious (Enak). As a result of all this eating I only had 2 evening meals in the ensuing 12 days in Salatiga. There was just no more room inside me. Incidentally, morning tea and lunch were provided out of the course fee. Murah sekali (Very cheap)
Surya, Suroto and Tika, (3 PIBBI friends) took us on a walking tour of the grounds, pointing out the library, canteen, café and other places we might have use of during our time here. I was already becoming very comfortable about the next 2 weeks having met some exceptionally nice people so far and also because the organisation was so good. The friends of PIBBI turned out to be a marvellous group of young people.
The role of PIBBI friends was primarily that of support after lectures, with homework and just being available to assist in any way they could. All of them are currently studying at Satya Wacana and they fitted their PIBBI duties around their own lectures. Whenever I needed assistance it was just a question away. During each tutorial the tutor would arrange for some of them to join the class to discuss in Indonesian what we had just learned. It was a great comfort just having them around and I know my feeling is this regard was echoed by all students in the course.
So take a bow, Surya, Suroto, Kartikrani (Tika), Yunion Paeter, Yunias (Nias) Monika, Kitri Monika and Cahayu you are all beautiful people and I will always remember your happy smiling faces, your jokes, your friendships and your efforts to make PIBBI 52 the success it was.
Administration, under Frances Sinanu, the course Co-ordinator was brilliant throughout the 2 weeks I was there and each person went out of their way to assist. Nothing was too hard, everything was done at once. Never a harsh word, never a grumble, just lovely smiles, indeed the same demeanour we have all come to expect and love in Bali.
Johanna made sure we got course materials on time each day, Anisia as secretary to Frances was always busy but not once did she waver and the smiles just kept on coming, Suryoto was in charge of all transport and he was also the chief (& only) photographer, Thomas (Harry Cool) fulfilled many roles, generally as reception but also as a general helper. Last but not least was the diminutive Supramin (Superman to us) who controlled all things mechanical.
Now orientation was over, administration completed, passports returned to their owners, course notes for tomorrow handed out, it was almost 4.00 pm and time to return to the homestays and, in my case, the hotel. I walked the 1.5 km back to Quality Wahid under ever darkening skies (a daily event) and, as I climbed the stairs to the lobby. The skies opened up , torrents of rain, lightning and thunder. Welcome home.
Later I managed to dodge the showers, get to Ramayana (Dept Store)across the road from Wahid and get a supply of Bintang, some nibbles and some Mizone
Course notes were studied, content noted, exercises completed, translation prepared, 3.5 hours in total, this was a daily chore and from tomorrow there will also be 'Pekerjaan Rumah' (homework). Quick calculation, 4 - 6 hours of lectures, 3 - 4 hours prep and probably the same amount of homework. Total hours 10 - 14 or maybe more. OMG what am I doing here!!!!! And I'm still trying to adjust to a 4 hour time difference.
Tomorrow morning the real deal starts, it's going to be interesting?..........................
Clive M