By Yana Levy ‘24, Syiah Kuala University Fellow

It was presentation day in one of my speaking classes, and I was thrilled because that meant it was my day to sit back and relax while my students did all the talking. But with each group that presented, I felt that excitement turn to dread. They stood stiffly, with phones inches away from their noses, robotically reciting and mispronouncing sentences that are way above their English levels.

By Yana Levy ‘24, Syiah Kuala University Fellow

I’m sitting with the cool kids. Hijabs over band tee shirts over baggy cargo pants, chain smoking, huddled around a small table in one of the cafes that hosts ‘frequency bahwa kota’ (underground) musical performances. The show has just ended. An intimate session with a singer-songwriter duo from the community celebrating the release of their new album. I felt grateful to the friend who invited me, but awkward as I struggle to adapt to the norms of the space which does not resemble any concert I’ve ever been to.