Bayu and Aijas. Joglo Preschol at Peace place Pati, Central Java Indonesia. July 2025. Photo : Nanik
The internship period from June 16 to August 10 gave me a meaningful experience. I was involved in many different activities. This internship also provided a space to practice and to try new things beyond what I usually learn in university. More than just practical work, this journey transformed the way I see myself, other people, and the world around me. I discovered that direct experience teaches more deeply than simply reading or listening. Every moment—whether smooth or full of challenges—became a chance to grow in skills, attitude, and ways of thinking.
Learning with the Joglo Children
One of the experiences I had was learning how to interact with the children at Joglo. I realized that using the right and simple words really helps children understand better. When a child cried or refused to continue an activity, I learned to be more patient and to give them a little time before inviting them back to the activity. This patience is not only useful during the internship, but also in my daily life.
Regional Justice and Peace Training (RJPT): Releasing Emotions and Sharing Perspectives
The internship also gave me the opportunity to join the RJPT (Regional Justice and Peace Training). From this, I understood that accompanying someone in releasing emotions requires empathy, careful listening, and being present with your whole heart. I also noticed that my English skills improved because I interacted with friends from many different countries. This gave me greater confidence in communicating in English.
Through frequent interaction with people from different backgrounds and cultures, I gained new perspectives on problems. One activist, a friend I met, told me that to be an activist, you must have your own conviction—something you truly believe is right and worth fighting for—not just the ideas of other persons.
I now begin to focus more on the positive side of myself. In the past, I often had negative thoughts about myself, but through this training process I learned to see the good in myself and in others. I also felt the importance of cooperation when working on something together. For teamwork to succeed, we need to understand each other through clear and respectful communication.
Learning to Translate Children’s Books
From the translation experience, I realized that language is not only about words but also about meaning and the reader’s experience. I practiced translating difficult words and finding easier synonyms so that children could understand them well. Even small details such as choosing the right font and font size became important, especially when working with children’s books. I also understood that emphasis in the source language—for example, bold words—must be kept in the translation so that the nuance is not lost. From this, I trained myself in accuracy and sensitivity.
Power of Goodness (PoG): Developing My Role as a Facilitator
In the PoG (Power of Goodness) program, I had the experience of interacting with participants, especially children. Not all children felt confident to join discussions, and that was where I learned how to encourage their participation in different ways. I also practiced taking on the role of facilitator, from preparing discussion questions to choosing games that fit the theme. In PoG sessions I also learned to explain the meaning behind each game so that participants would not only enjoy the games but also understand the values in every game.
Why This Experience Matters
An internship is not only about what I did, but about how the process changed me. I learned patience, empathy, cooperation, positive thinking, communication, and also sharpened practical skills such as translation and facilitation. This experience is worth sharing because through it I came to appreciate myself more, gained broader perspectives from diverse friendships, and nurtured values of peace that will be useful for my future and for the community around me.
Bayu-Black shirt – Blanket game, RJPT 2025 at Peace place Pati, Central Java Indonesia. Photo : Nanik