Our very first days impression

Now let's begin our journey with a short introduction about ICF.

"The inspiration for ICF grew put of an interfaith meeting at Medan, Indonesia in 2003.The first activities of the movements were initiated in 2004 when 2 workshops were held to help ICF continue searching for the best role it could play in the Asian regions. The School of Peace soon became the nucleus off the movement and was designed to bring together up to 20 young people from different countries and faiths to spend 14 weeks immersed in interfaith relationship and dialogue. We wish to give special thank to the CCA and the APAY for their support and encouragement during these ten momentous years. ICF continues for to be much impressed with the committed and dynamic alumni of the SOP who are caring our very challenging work in their own community while also helping give direction to the development and growth of the ICF on the regional level." - Max Ediger, Coordinator ICF.

ICF logo

We had the very first meeting in Changi International Airport, Singapore after a month just contact via the internet. We spent a night at Changi, sleepover, had dinner, coffee as well as breakfast. Quite reserved are all of us in that time, right? But absotutely we easily had first talks, cared about friends and laughing together. These're good memories we should save and remember always.

From Terminal 1, we had a short- airport- tour to Terminal 2 and 3, where we could see the Sunflower garden, Orchid garden, took group photos, wandering, seeing a long line in food court then giving up, or together having brunch. Strangers turned out friends, close friends. Shyness turned out friendliness. After a 2 hour flight to Yogja, we saw Lioni and other alumni waiting for us, ready for the Yogja exploration. We looked through the window, imagined how the life was going in the next 3 months. But everything will gonna be okay, for sure. :)

First meeting in Changi Airport

We lived in Omad Petroek, bamboo surrounding (that does remind me of Vietnamese countryside). It's cool actually, some may feel crazy cold, so Lioni was worrried about people. She brought more blankets for us to keep warmth. It must be an experience when we try local cuisines here, enjoy cool weather, even swim, sing peace songs, exchange gifts brought from our country and have talks about many things. Omah Petroek, let it be our real home, let cherish every moment we have and feel free to share your feelings.

Omah Petroek - Jogjakarta

There always have some guys who are "stalking" to take pictures anywhere anytime with anyone. Never mind that, we could have memories after all. Sometimes we will be thankful with those pictures. Those will gonna be memories. Time flies, but not memories.

Meet together in Omah Petroek - Jogjakarta

And there're discussions about many things in our course. Therefore, feel comfortable to share your ideas. And when working in group, be on time and respect each other, these're the basic rules. Besides, through everyone talking, you can understand a little more about him or her, gain your own experiences and reflect yourself. Everybody has their own power, their own strengths; keep calm and listen. Learn to love the littlest things around you.

Discussion Group I

Can you describe your first days in just one word? This is "REAL FRIENDS". Two words already? It's okay lol

Yogja, 17th July 2017.