West Papua is not only rich in its natural resources but owns high-potential human resources as well. It is proven by the three students from SMAN 1 Manokwari who qualified for the US student exchange program SEAYLP.
These students will be in the program for three weeks, from 7 to 29 April 2023, to learn technology and leadership.
Many people have known West Papua as an undeveloped province in Indonesia for years due to the inequitable development. However, under the leadership of President Jokowi, the development focus is now in this region.
Not only can they now experience the technology and infrastructures like ones in other regions in Indonesia, but also have a boost in the education field.
The West Papua students exchange through the SEAYLP program in the USA is among the many benefits young Papuan can enjoy to improve their knowledge and skills. Let us dig more into this subject in the following article.
SMA N 1 Manokwari Student Exchange
SMAN 1 Manokwari is in this SEAYLP Indonesia 2023 program because this public school can send three students to participate. Ten students are participating in the selection from November 2022, but only three of them are qualified.
Here are the three Papuan students who meet the qualifications of the program: Sarah Simanjuntak, Giorgio Mentasan, and Antonius Rahawan.
The Manokwari Regent, Hermus Indou is proud of them because they prove that West Papuan has qualified human resources.
According to the head of SMAN 1 Manokwari, Lucinda P. Mandobar, these students will learn about leadership and self-potential development since it is the focus of the SEAYLP program. They will be in the USA on 7 – 28 April 2023 to explore and learn more about the program.
Lucinda said the United States is very helpful due to all the free visas, transportation, accommodation, and more. The school offers full support for the three students so they can explore more on their talents, skills, and ability. Thus, they can maximize those skills during the West Papua student exchange program.
Lucinda also said that the school helps to monitor their progress for the best benefits. She also provides them with insight into how to use their daily social media wisely.
She always emphasizes her students to be humble, increase their faith, and prioritize courtesy due to the negative and positive impacts brought by the latest technology.
About SEAYLP Program
The SEAYLP (South East Asia Youth Leadership Program) is a youth exchange program that brings South East Asian high school students to Northern Illinois University so they can learn a 3-week leadership program.
The funding of this program is from the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, so all of them are in the program for free.
The main focus of this program is to empower South East Asian youth and strengthen the ties to create a cohesive community identity in the US and South East Asia countries. The subjects to learn are economic and diplomatic security, environmental sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The sessions during the program will have the students actively do things such as discussion, participation, and hands-on learning. They will also enjoy some field trips to help them learn more about the surrounding area.
The field trip locations, among others, are the NUI surroundings, Washington DC and Chicago. These students will stay with their American families to build a good bond with the locals.
Conclusion
The three Papuan high school students in the YEALP program make us proud because they prove that West Papuan is rich in talented human resources. Hopefully, many more students are participating in such a student exchange program in Indonesia so they can bring impact to society.
With such talented young generations, West Papua will have a bright future due to its potential leaders, especially with the student exchange program.
