Sunday Stories — A Campus Tour and a Birthday Celebration

          ~ It was our 16th day in Indonesia, and since it was a Sunday, we finally had time to slow down and enjoy a more personal experience. Miss Anis, Mr. Aidil’s assistant and also a friend of ours, kindly invited us to her home to celebrate her belated birthday. Since our days in Indonesia were already numbered and both our schedules had been packed, this Sunday turned out to be the perfect day to bond, explore, and make new memories.

 ~ Before heading to her house, Miss Anis gave us a mini tour of IPB University’s Dramaga Campus, which is also her alma mater. Her home was nearby, so it was a great opportunity to finally visit the main campus. One of the highlights she introduced to us was the Rectorate Building named after Andi Hakim Nasoetion, a tribute to his significant contributions to the university made eight years ago.

      The campus was enormous, and even after reaching just one station, we were already tired! We took photos at the beautiful fountains and passed by the large gymnasium, where university graduations and other special events are usually held—Miss Anis even shared a sweet memory of graduating there with her family. Though the gym was under renovation, it was still impressive.

     Feeling hungry and a bit exhausted, we stopped by the campus canteen. We grabbed some snacks and tried crepe cake, which surprisingly lifted our energy. We sat by the roadside while waiting for her mother to call us once the food was ready at home. When the time came, we booked a Grab bike and headed to her house.

      Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by her family. We greeted them using the respectful Indonesian gesture called “sembah”—placing hands together with a slight bow, commonly used to greet elders and show respect. Their home was lovely, with a small koi pond beside the terrace that added a peaceful touch to the setting.

     They served us Bakwan (deep-fried vegetable fritters, similar to Japanese yasai tempura) and Ayam Serundeng (chicken with shredded coconut). Honestly, it was more flavorful and tender than what we had at Botani Mall! Some of our friends arrived later after finishing their errands, and after sharing stories and laughs, we relaxed and watched some Netflix. A few of us even dozed off a bit while watching.

     By 3:30 in the afternoon, her family gathered to pray. After that, we all stepped outside to take group photos. We thanked Miss Anis and her family for their warmth and hospitality before saying goodbye. It was time to head back home, which took about an hour from Dramaga.

     When we arrived home we had the chance to give our birthday gifts to miss Anis to also thanks her for making our stay in Indonesia memorable and for fixing our schedules and heading home. We had a few more casual conversations before calling it a night and heading home on foot.

     ~ This day was another beautiful chapter in our journey in Indonesia. We were grateful for the chance to explore IPB’s main campus, celebrate a friend’s birthday, and experience the warmth of Indonesian hospitality up close. Days like this remind us that it’s not just the places we visit but the people we meet that make this exchange program unforgettable.