Nearly 70 Indonesian participants are preparing to travel to the United States this fall as part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), a U.S. government-funded exchange program. The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta organized a pre-departure orientation on July 28 for these selected fellows.
Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Ambassador Peter M. Haymond, addressed the group at the event, stating: “The heart of the U.S.-Indonesia partnership is people. The relationships between the people of the United States and the people of Indonesia form the strong foundation upon which our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is built,” he said. “YSEALI fellows experience the best of the United States – whether at a university or through a fellowship in the public or private sector – and they return to Indonesia equipped to lead, inspire, and build stronger communities.”
Participants will join either the YSEALI Academic Fellows Program (AFP) or Professional Fellows Program (PFP). The AFP allows undergraduate students to spend five weeks at an American college or university studying topics such as civic engagement, innovation and entrepreneurship, natural resources management, and governance. The PFP targets mid-level professionals working in governance, civil society, or economic development who will complete fellowships with U.S.-based organizations lasting five to six weeks.
At their orientation session, attendees received information about adapting to life in America, understanding academic and workplace expectations, cross-cultural communication skills, and ways to make their exchanges more effective.
Since its launch in 2013, YSEALI has supported over 2,200 young leaders from Southeast Asia who have gone on to work across government agencies, businesses, civil society groups, and educational institutions.