Rahardjo Shares Indonesian Culture with Rotary Club

Rotary foreign exchange student, Vania Rahardjo of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, provided a presentation to the Coudersport Rotary Club earlier this month about her native country through a series of photographs of the varieties of foods, religious cultures, and geographical and archeological landmarks.

Vania told the group that her family’s home is located in the vicinity of the recent volcanic eruptions and that they are unable to vacate because her father is part of the emergency response services there.

Vania described Indonesia as a country made of up people of over 400 ethnicities and consisting of islands, beaches, farms and cities that combined span across (3) time zones.  Vania also explained that the children in Indonesia attend school year round and (6) days per week, with the English language as part of their curriculum.

Vania’s foreign exchange student experience will continue through the 2010/2011 school year.  She is residing with John and Danae Burgess of Coudersport, her American Host Family.  Vania is the daughter of Handono Rahardjo (45) and Helena Ruth Widyanata (44), and has three siblings; Jeremy Iwang Rahardjo (11), Chyntia Deviani Rahardjo (10), Amelinda Inggriani Rahardjo (9).  Vania enjoys reading and intends on participating on the Coudersport Junior/Senior High School basketball team this year.

Students and parents wishing to learn more about becoming a foreign exchange host family or exchange student should call the Coudersport Rotary Club at 203-3933.