terima kasih – Office of International Affairs

Children in Cham Village always say “Terima Kasih” after getting a lesson

Tuesday night, October 1st, 2013, 8 students of Physics Education Study Program UAD with Vice Rector III, Dr. Abdul Fadlil, M.T. and a lecturer, Eko Nursulistiyo, M.Pd. arrived at UAD. Starting from August 20 to September 30, Bayu Slamet Riyadi, Iqbal Saputra, Suko Fajar, Mentari Cahya Nisa, Fajar Fitriani, Yunita Ayu B.P., Risna Seftiani, and Haryo Zaryando conducted an International Community Engagement Program in Cham village, Svay Khleang, Cambodia.

6 weeks lived there, Haryo and friends did a lot of programs such as teaching Physics, Bahasa Indonesia, Islamic value, Indonesian culture to students of SERPAMA, Crochmar Highschool and other Cambodians, teaching how to make a rocket and telescope, holding sports competitions, etc. A lot of priceless experiences they got from the programs. There, they saw how the students are really enthusiastic and excited to study everything. Students and people there respect teachers highly. All people are also greatly discipline and friendly. They hold Islamic values tightly. Every where, they greet each other and every time they get a lesson or gift, even it’s only a small and simple thing, they always say “TERIMA KASIH”. How moved and touched the teacher is!

At Cham village, at night, people prefer staying at home. They dislike going out or doing activities at night, after Isya prayer no lamp is still on, so the atmosphere is really quiet. Haryo and friends could listen to the sounds of nature, the wind, the cricket, dogs even wolves. They looked at the clear sky and found uncountable number of stars. What a beautiful village! They also met very good friends such as Ustadz Safir Ibrahim adn Cikgu Rosada who always helped them to communicate with people who couldn’t speak English or Melayu. They ate special food in Cambodia named Numencok, a kind of soup, with curry soup and vegetables. They thank Mr. Imran, the owner of the place they everyday ate in.

One week before leaving Cham village, they experienced flooding there. A little bit afraid because it was their first experience. They had to use a raft to go anywhere. However, alhamdulillah everything run well. At the end of bahasa Indonesia class, the students performed a drama in bahasa Indonesia themed education. Everybody cried when they had to leave Cham village. Yes, they had to leave the new family they found in Cambodia, but they have learned a lot of things there and they promised to be a better person. Experiences there motivate them to continue their study abroad. Hope to come true, aamiin.