UNNES sign at the front gates

Welcome to UNNES

Posted on by Jayne C. Lammers

A visual review of how I was welcomed to Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES; “State University of Semarang”)

Photo of Teguh, Puji, Jayne, and Kapti out at welcome dinner
(L – R): Teguh, Puji, Jayne, and Kapti before we enjoyed our welcome dinner together. They graciously welcomed me to Semarang when I arrived on Thursday, 5 September. Puji had food in the fridge, coffee/tea and water, and a huge basket of supplies waiting for me when I arrived in the guest house on campus.

Settling In

A photo outside of the Super Indo market, showing the store manager, Jayne, Jill, and Lulu with a cart loaded with supplies.

Lulu (on right), from the International Office at UNNES, took me and my sister to a Super Indo Market to shop for food, cooking and cleaning supplies, and housewares. The store manager (on left) was so fascinated by our shopping and helped load things into Lulu’s car.

Lulu, Jill, and Jayne saying "cheers" with our post-shopping coffee at Coffee Folia.

Cheers! Lulu treated us to a post-shopping coffee at Coffee Folia. It’s a place I’ve returned because, if you know me, you know I love a good local coffee shop I can walk to! Not only do they have a convenient location, but there’s reliable wi-fi, a rooftop party deck, and some hip Western tunes piped into the space. It’s an interesting place to work.

Welcome to Fakultas Bahasa dan Seni (FBS: Faculty of Languages & Arts)

Photo showing me talking into the microphone at the official FBS welcome event
On Monday, 9 September, I was officially welcomed by the Dean, Vice Deans, and Department heads in FBS. Puji and I were able to tell the story of our history working together at University of Rochester and how we planned and persevered to make this Fulbright opportunity happen.
A group photo of the Dean, Vice Deans, and Department heads from FBS, with me and Puji in the front/center
The whole group posing for the photo at the conclusion of Monday’s official FBS welcome. (Front row, L-R: Rudi – English department head, Dean of FBS, Me, Puji, Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Vice Dean of Human Resources)

A Campus Orientation/Tour

  • A group photo with the Dean from the Faculty of Social Sciences and other members of the tour party
    On Tuesday’s tour, I was introduced to the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
  • Having a conversation with the Dean of the Faculty of Economicx
    The tour also included a conversation with the Dean of the Faculty of Economics
  • Harvesting hydroponic spinach in the greenhouse
    UNNES strives for “Konservasi” (Conservation), and students grow hydroponic greens on campus.

Welcome to the English Department

At Wednesday’s official welcome from the English department, Rudi honored me by serving me the top of the tumpeng – a Javanese traditional welcoming meal with a cone of rice surrounded by various meat, vegetable, and tofu/tempeh dishes.
My new English department colleagues are so welcoming! At this lunch, we had engaging conversations about their research projects, academic writing, working in higher education, and healthy eating – making all manner of new connections across cultures.
We’re more alike than we are different!

2 thoughts on “Welcome to UNNES”

  2. Jayne! What an amazing experience you’re having, and it’s only the first week!! I loved reading about and seeing the pictures of your Fulbright experience. I look forward to taking this trip withyou through your blog! Stay well!

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