Selamat siang, I’m Keneth Rone, a SEA Teacher Project participant, and through this blog, I’ll be sharing my journey as an exchange student in Yogyakarta, Indonesia—from classroom experiences to cultural discoveries.

"Ruang Kelas" is an Indonesian term for "classroom", a place where teaching and learning happen. My goal is to acquire a clear picture of an Indonesian classroom and learn from local teachers about their teaching values and practices. Meanwhile, "Budaya" means culture, symbolizing the deeply-rooted heritage of the people of Yogyakarta and the traditions that shape their national identity. Another term used is " Kota Pelajar" which means "student city". I learned this word through Ms. Naela, one of our lecturers from the host university, where she told me that Yogyakarta (Jogja) is considered a student city because there are numerous universities located in it. There are over 22 universities in the city, as a result, students coming from different parts of Indonesia gather here to study. 

In essence, this title encapsulates my journey—my learnings, insights, and reflections—not just as a teacher-in-training but also as a cultural explorer as I uncover the Ruang Kelas and Budaya in the Kota Pelajar of Indonesia!