In this interview, you’ll hear from Allie Jekanoski, a Peace Corps Education volunteer in Indonesia. Allie shares what daily life looks like, the work being done, and how service has shaped their personal and professional growth. You’ll learn about housing, cultural differences, project work, language learning, and what it’s like to live and work in a new country. This interview offers a real look into Peace Corps service and what future volunteers can expect.
Table of Contents
- Volunteer Experience and Motivation
- Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
- Surprises and Challenges
- Advice and Support
- Practical Tips and Language Learning
- Social Identity
- Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. What do you do as a Peace Corps Education volunteer in Indonesia?
My role goes far beyond English
As a Peace Corps Education volunteer in Indonesia, my role goes far beyond just teaching English. I spend most of my days co-teaching and collaborating with local teachers, planning lessons, and finding creative ways to make English feel approachable and fun for my students. Some of my favorite moments happen outside the classroom — leading English Club, facilitating English Corner, or simply talking with students and getting to know them in a more personal way.
I also work closely with teachers, sharing ideas and learning from each other. It’s a role that’s deeply rooted in connection — every day is an opportunity to learn and grow alongside my community.
English Club
English Club has become one of the most meaningful parts of my week. I meet with students every Monday and Friday, and attendance always varies, sometimes it’s around 20 students, and other times more than 50, depending on their schedules.
Mondays are “More English Monday,” where we take a closer look at how the language works and build their skills in a more structured way. By Friday, we shift into “Fun Friday,” where students can engage with English more freely through themed activities like carnival-style games, movie days, or lessons inspired by different holidays throughout the year.
For example, in October, we might use Halloween as a theme for games and activities, creating a fun and familiar context for practicing English. It’s in these moments that I really see their confidence grow, as they begin to use English more naturally and without hesitation.
English Corner
I teach senior students at the high school in my town, and alongside my time in the classroom, I’ve also created an “English Corner” in the school library. In between classes or during breaks, I facilitate this space as a way for students to stay connected to English throughout the week. It’s a simple bulletin board where they can leave sticky notes with questions, share quotes they love, or suggest ideas for future English Club activities.
For students who aren’t always able to attend English Club, English Corner offers another way to stay involved. Because it’s always available and not tied to a specific time, students can stop by whenever they’d like. Over time, it has become a small but meaningful space where they can express themselves and feel connected to the learning community beyond the classroom.
2. Why did you decide to join the Peace Corps and serve in Indonesia?
My decision to join the Peace Corps was deeply influenced by my family. My dad served as a volunteer in Ecuador when he was my age, and growing up, I always heard stories about his experience. He spoke so highly of his time there that he even chose to extend his service — and it was there that he met my mom. It’s a story that has always stayed with me and made the idea of the Peace Corps feel both meaningful and personal.
When I began my own application process, I was strongly encouraged to consider serving in Ecuador. It’s a place that’s deeply connected to who I am — I’ve visited my family there many times, and by being able to speak Spanish, it would have been a natural and comfortable choice. But when the time came to decide, I felt pulled in a different direction. I wanted to step outside of what was familiar and challenge myself in a completely new way.
That’s what led me to Indonesia. I chose to serve in a country where I had no prior experience — with a new language and culture, and a life nearly 10,000 miles away from home. It hasn’t always been easy, and there have definitely been moments of challenge, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. This experience has pushed me to grow in ways I never expected, and it has truly shaped me into a more adaptable and grounded version of myself.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. What is your housing like in Indonesia?
Host Family
I live with the sweetest host family, and they’ve truly become a home away from home for me. Both of my host parents are retired teachers, and they have three children — one of whom still lives at home and is actually one of my students, which makes the experience even more special. Living with them has given me such a genuine look into daily life here, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of their family.
My Town
My town itself is something out of a dream. I live about 10 minutes from the ocean, and on the outskirts, you can see mountains stretching into the distance. It’s this beautiful mix of beach, mountains, and jungle. On weekends or during school breaks, I love going hiking or visiting nearby waterfalls, and some roads even have monkeys living along them — you can stop and feed them, which still feels surreal to me. Being surrounded by so much nature has been one of the moments that constantly leaves me in awe.
In terms of lifestyle, my site sits somewhere in between rural and urban. It’s not a big city, but it’s not completely remote either. I have access to a grocery store and even a gym in town, which brings a sense of routine and comfort, but there aren’t any shopping malls or large restaurants like you might find in bigger cities.
Wonderful Food
Food has been a big part of my experience as well. I mostly eat Indonesian food since that’s what’s available locally, and I’ve grown to really love it. There’s a small satay spot I go to often that serves spicy chicken skewers, and you can never go wrong with nasi goreng — fried rice, that’s a staple here. Rice is actually such an important part of daily meals here that if it isn’t included, people will genuinely ask if you’ve eaten at all.
Daily Comforts
As for my daily comforts, I’ve found little routines that help me feel connected and grounded. I love creating content for my family and friends back home — whether it’s short videos or newsletters, it’s become a creative outlet and a way to share my life here with them.
I also enjoy working out, which helps me clear my mind and take care of myself physically.
Recently, I’ve taken up scrapbooking as well. It’s been a meaningful way to hold onto these moments beyond just photos on my phone. I know my time here won’t last forever, but it’s important to me to preserve these memories in a way that I can look back on — and even share with future generations one day.
4. What moments or interactions stand out during your service?
One moment that will always stay with me is working with one of my students, Sifa. She already had a strong foundation in English, but together we prepared for an English speech competition that became such a meaningful journey for both of us. We spent weeks working on her speech — editing and refining every detail — followed by countless rehearsals to help her memorize and deliver it with confidence.
When she was selected to move on to the in-person round, it felt like just the beginning. I remember standing there during the competition, watching her step on stage and deliver a five-minute inspirational speech entirely from memory. She was beaming with confidence and completely owned the moment.
When she advanced to the final round and was awarded third place, it was such an overwhelming feeling of pride. But what stayed with me even more than the result were her words afterward. She looked at me and said, “Thank you, Miss Allie. Your name will be eternal in my life.” It was one of those moments that reminded me why I’m here. Beyond lessons and activities, it’s about the relationships built and the small but lasting impact we can have on each other.
“Thank you, Miss Allie. Your name will be eternal in my life.” – Sifa, student
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about living or working in Indonesia?
One of the biggest surprises for me has been the pace of life. Growing up near Boston, Massachusetts, I was used to everything being very structured and on time — if class started at 8:00 AM, it started at 8:00 AM. Here, I’ve learned that things move a little differently. A class might start later than planned, or schedules can shift unexpectedly because of school events or things happening in the community.
At first, this was an adjustment, especially because so much felt out of my control. But over time, I’ve learned to go with it instead of resisting it, both inside the classroom and in my daily life. I’ve come to really appreciate this slower pace. It’s helped me slow down in ways I didn’t realize I needed to — to be more present and to just take things as they come.
6. What challenges have you faced in your Education work, and how did you respond?
Making an impact?
When I first think about challenges in my work, my immediate thoughts go to things like language barriers or classroom management. And while those are certainly real, I’ve come to realize that the deeper challenge goes beyond that. One of the most challenging parts of my work in education has been not always being able to see the impact of what I’m doing.
Coming into this experience, I think I expected growth to feel more visible or immediate. But over time, I’ve realized that teaching doesn’t always work that way. It’s not like planting something and watching it grow right in front of you. The outcome isn’t always visible, and progress isn’t something you can easily measure. It also takes two — the effort of the teacher and the willingness of the student — which adds another layer of uncertainty.
Shifting perspective
That uncertainty has been difficult at times, especially because I care so deeply about my role and the students I work with. Learning to sit with that and continue showing up each day hasn’t always been easy. What’s helped me navigate this is shifting my perspective. Instead of looking for big, immediate results, I’ve started to value the smaller, quieter moments — like a student participating more than they used to, or choosing to speak up in English when they normally wouldn’t. Those moments remind me that growth is happening, even if it’s not always obvious.
I’ve also come to accept that the full impact of this experience may not be something I get to see right away — and in some cases, it might not be until long after I’ve left Indonesia. Years down the road, I hope that students will still carry the confidence they built, and that teachers will continue using the ideas and practices we shared together.
There’s a quote I often come back to during moments like this: students may not always remember what they learned, but they will always remember how you made them feel. That reminder helps ground me in what truly matters and encourages me to keep showing up with intention, even when the results aren’t immediately visible.
7. What secondary projects have you worked on during your service?
Community coming together
One of the most meaningful secondary projects I’ve worked on has come out of a really difficult moment in my community. In March 2025, a devastating flood hit my town and the surrounding areas. It was incredibly heartbreaking — lives were lost, and many homes and small businesses were damaged or completely destroyed. My host family and I were safe, but just down the street, a small local food stall known as a warung was completely wiped out.
In the weeks that followed, the community came together to help clean up the mud and debris. I remember spending hours outside, shoveling in the midday heat alongside neighbors, all of us working toward the same goal of restoring the warung. It was during one of those moments that it really hit me — I didn’t want this to happen again to the people and place that had become so important to me.
Mangrove restoration project
From that experience, I began working on a mangrove restoration project. Mangroves play a critical role in protecting coastal communities by reducing flooding and preventing erosion, and I saw this as a way to create something lasting and preventative for the future.
The project is still in the works, and it’s something I’ve been planning alongside members of my community — something we’re all hopeful to bring to life. This project represents the kind of impact I hope to have — working with the community not just in moments of recovery, but in building resilience for the future.
Advice and Support
8. What advice would you give to future Education volunteers in Indonesia?
My biggest piece of advice would be to give yourself grace. This experience is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also a major transition — adjusting to a different culture and language, and simply learning how to exist in a completely unfamiliar place, often far from home. It can feel overwhelming at times, and there will be moments where things don’t go as planned or where you question if you’re doing enough. In those moments, it’s important to remind yourself that you’re learning too. You’re not expected to have everything figured out right away.
Most importantly, focus on building relationships. The connections you form with your students, your co-teachers, and your community are at the heart of everything. Some of the most meaningful parts of my service haven’t come from perfectly planned lessons, but from the unexpected moments with my community that you don’t really think twice about at the time, but later realize meant everything.
9. How did Peace Corps training prepare you for service?
Pre-Service Training
Peace Corps training is a really unique experience. You spend about three months in Pre-Service Training (PST) living in the same town as the other volunteers in your cohort, all of you going through this transition together.
Looking back, one of the biggest things that helped me was leaning on the people around me. Everyone is adjusting in their own way, but you’re all feeling a lot of the same emotions. That shared experience creates such a strong sense of connection, and those relationships really do carry you through the rest of your service.
Staff support
It’s also a time where you have constant support from staff. They’re there every day, guiding you through everything from language learning to cultural adjustment to teaching practices.
My advice would be to really take advantage of that — ask questions and don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t understand something. The staff are incredible and they’re constantly supportive, patient, and reassuring during what can be a very overwhelming transition.
Those three months are designed to ease you into what life will look like at site, and they do that in such an intentional way. By the time you arrive at your site, you may not feel completely ready — but trust that you’ve been given the tools you need, and that you’re more prepared than you think.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
10. What would you tell future volunteers to pack—or leave behind?
This is actually a funny question for me, because I showed up with five suitcases. Looking back, I definitely learned this the hard way — only bring what you truly need. It’s easy to feel like you have to prepare for every possible situation, but over time, you realize how much you can live without.
You’ll adapt to your environment, you’ll find what you need locally, and your priorities will shift once you’re actually at site. Focus on versatile clothing, a few comfort items from home, and things that genuinely support your daily routine. Everything else, you’ll figure out along the way.
I actually created a post as part of our Peace Corps Indonesia social media committee with a list of essentials and helpful tips for future volunteers. You can check it out here: Packing Essentials for Peace Corps Volunteers
11. How has language learning been for you in Indonesia?
My language learning journey in Indonesia has been a really positive experience overall. Because of the timing of the Peace Corps process, I didn’t begin learning Bahasa Indonesia until I arrived in-country. One thing that really helped is that Bahasa Indonesia is considered a relatively accessible language to learn. It uses the same alphabet as English, and the structure is more straightforward, with less verb conjugation compared to many other languages. That made it feel less intimidating in the beginning and easier to build confidence early on.
A huge part of my progress came during pre-service training. We had intensive language classes every day with local teachers, and that environment made such a difference. Being fully immersed and using the language every day really helped everything start to click. My biggest piece of advice would be to fully lean into that time — those early months set the foundation for how comfortable you’ll feel communicating once you’re at site.
Of course, learning doesn’t stop after training. Some of the most meaningful growth has come from everyday interactions such as talking with students, chatting with my host family, and just navigating daily life. It’s not always perfect, but those small, consistent efforts add up over time and make a big difference in feeling connected to your community.
Social Identity
12. How has your personal identity shaped your service experience?
My personal identity has definitely shaped my experience in meaningful ways. As a mixed-race woman and a Christian living in a predominantly Muslim country, I’ve been very aware of both differences and shared values. I feel really grateful to have access to churches in my town, where I can continue practicing my faith and find a sense of community.
At the same time, I’ve experienced so much openness and kindness from the people around me. There’s a genuine curiosity — people are interested in learning more about who I am and where I come from. It’s not uncommon for people to stop me to say hello or ask for a photo, and now I actually expect it! For me, it’s just a few minutes, but for them, it can brighten their whole day. Moments like that make me feel even more connected to the community I serve.
Being a Peace Corps volunteer also means recognizing that you represent more than just yourself. In many ways, you’re a reflection of your country and your culture, so I try to carry myself in a way that is respectful and open, while also staying true to who I am.
13. Did your identity lead to specific challenges or situations?
For me, my identity hasn’t led to major challenges, but there have definitely been moments that required awareness and sensitivity. Being a foreigner and coming from a different cultural and religious background sometimes draws extra attention, like when people stop to ask questions or take photos. I’ve learned to approach those situations with patience and positivity, seeing them as opportunities to connect and share about my background.
14. What advice do you have for volunteers who share your identity?
My advice would be to embrace who you are and be open to the experience. Your background may draw attention or curiosity, but that can be a beautiful opportunity to connect with your community, share your story, and learn about theirs. Stay respectful and confident — remember that being yourself is one of the most powerful ways to make a positive impact.
Impact of Media and Final Thoughts
15. If you share content online, how has that shaped your service?
I share content through my Instagram, @bahasafun, where I post all things English — lessons from class, English Club activities, English Corner highlights, volunteering at local community centers, and tips for learning English. It’s fun to create content in the moment, but it’s also meaningful to look back and reflect on my journey and my students’ progress.
Sharing online has also shaped my service by helping me connect with the community in a different way. Students who might be shy in class can engage with challenges or activities online. Parents, teachers, and even volunteers from other sites can see what’s happening, which has sparked conversations and ideas I wouldn’t have had otherwise. It’s helped me feel like my work isn’t just confined to the walls of my school — it’s part of a bigger learning community, both in-person and online.
16. What final advice would you share with future volunteers?
If I could share one final piece of advice, it would be to give yourself grace and embrace the journey — this transition is hard, and it’s okay to feel uncertain at times. Your service will challenge you in ways you can’t predict, from navigating a new culture and language to building connections with students and your community. Find things that make you happy and feel supported — whether it’s the gym, reading, or anything that helps you stay you in a world that’s so new and unfamiliar.
Be open to the unexpected moments and even the challenges, because those are often the experiences that shape you the most. Celebrate the small wins, whether it’s a student gaining confidence, a successful activity, or a connection you made that day. Remember, the impact you have might not always be visible immediately, it could show years down the road, but every effort matters, and every relationship counts.
Above all, stay patient and kind — to yourself and to others. This experience is a rare opportunity to grow and make a meaningful difference, and if you approach it with intention and heart, it will leave a mark on you and your community that lasts long after your service ends.
Are you thinking about joining the Peace Corps? If you’re curious about service and ready for something new, apply today. Like Allie, you can live abroad, work with communities, and grow in ways you didn’t expect. Apply to the Peace Corps and take the next step.
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or Indonesia Government
