English Language Fellow Christine Lewis spent the holiday season teaching English in Indonesia. Her students from two different universities in Surabaya came together at the American Corner at UNAIR to experience a taste of American fun during Christmas time.
Because her students are both Christian and Muslim, Christine was sure to create a safe environment for learning more about a holiday that has become a significant feature of American culture, without being offensive to either group.
She brought the winter celebration by focusing on American winter activities, music, and the spirit of giving. To do so, the group made cookies, created snowflakes, sang Christmas songs, and exchanged gifts. The holiday-themed photo booth was a particularly popular method of learning more about the holiday while also promoting cross-cultural understanding in a fun and engaging manner.