SLEMAN – The Global Immersion Program is an educational initiative designed to provide students with direct and meaningful learning experiences in diverse cultural settings. The program aims to enhance cross-cultural understanding, global competencies, and professional insights. Through immersion learning, students are encouraged to enrich their knowledge, broaden their perspectives, and prepare themselves for future challenges in an increasingly interconnected world.
As part of this program, Senior High School Al Azhar Yogyakarta had the opportunity to collaborate with Mr. Eddie, a final-year history student from Northern Illinois University (NIU), Chicago. This program took place in July 2025 and was enthusiastically embraced by the students. During his three-week stay in Yogyakarta, Mr. Eddie demonstrated remarkable dedication, enthusiasm, and creativity in the classroom. His teaching style was dynamic and engaging, often combining humor, games, and role play to create a positive learning environment and encourage active participation among students.
Beyond classroom teaching, Mr. Eddie also shared valuable insights on cross-cultural understanding and American culture. He introduced students to various aspects of life in the United States, including education, sports, food, and cultural traditions, enabling students to broaden their horizons and appreciate cultural diversity.
In addition to his classroom contributions, Mr. Eddie organized an after-school Comic Club, where students explored storytelling and illustration. This activity not only enhanced students’ creativity but also fostered their confidence in expressing ideas through art. The club was warmly received and became one of the highlights of the program.
Although the collaboration lasted only three weeks, the experience proved to be highly meaningful and impactful. Mr. Eddie’s presence became a source of inspiration for both students and teachers, fostering cultural exchange and academic growth.
Mr. Eddie said, “Even though the Global Immersion Program only lasted three weeks, they are three weeks that I will never forget. I greatly enjoyed having the opportunity to teach and make meaningful connections with the Senior High students at Al-Azhar. All of the Al-Azhar staff that I had the pleasure of working with were incredibly supportive and made me feel right at home. I hope that the students learned something from me, and I definitely learned a lot from them! The Global Immersion Program was an amazing opportunity and the most memorable experience of my life.”
The school community extends its gratitude to Mr. Eddie for his contributions and wishes him success in completing his final semester at NIU. His efforts have left a lasting impression, and it is hoped that future opportunities for collaboration will continue to strengthen educational and cultural ties. (Dhini Wahyu Utami)
