YES Program Strengthens Bridge Between Indonesian and US Youth
The Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Indonesia, Peter Haymond, expressed hope that the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programme will further strengthen the relationship between the Indonesian and US people through the direct experiences of participating students. These remarks were made in Jakarta on Monday while welcoming 48 Indonesian students who have completed the YES programme.
“What we hope for and what we see is that when students from Indonesia go to the US, they help enrich the lives of the people they meet,” said Peter Haymond. He also expressed hope that participants would gain valuable experience while living in the US, better understand local society, practise their language skills, and share their knowledge of America with friends and family upon returning to Indonesia.
According to Haymond, the exchange programme serves as an important foundation for deepening bilateral people-to-people ties. He noted that the programme provides an ideal opportunity for students to acquire both education and significant cultural experience. Furthermore, he believes the experiences gained through the YES programme will have a positive impact on the participants’ future lives in terms of education, employment, and overall personal development.
Haymond also expressed confidence that programme alumni will grow into community leaders, with their experiences in the US serving as a key factor in their future success. Now in its 23rd year, the YES programme has sent dozens of Indonesian students to study in the US and has produced thousands of alumni worldwide.
As a partner of IFS Intercultural Programs, which is part of the YES programme organising consortium, the organisation Bina Antarbudaya recruits students from various regions across Indonesia to undergo the selection process and participate in the one-year exchange programme in the US. During the programme, participants live with host families in America, attend local public schools, and interact directly with the community.
“By participating in this programme, we can achieve one of our shared goals: creating future leaders and transforming Indonesian youth into active global citizens,” said Sari Tjakrawiralaksana, Programme Manager of Bina Antarbudaya. According to Sari, this objective aligns with the primary mission of the YES programme, which is to build bridges of understanding between people across the world.