The students departed Indonesia on Thursday evening for the SUSI program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the US embassy said in a press statement here on Friday.
They will be joined by an additional six Indonesian students who are traveling from Surabaya.
The exchange program focuses on sending undergraduate students from different parts of Indonesia to learn more about religious pluralism in the United States.
The 5-week-program is being hosted by Temple University, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from January 12 to February 19. The US Department of State sponsors the program and covers all participant program costs.
During the SUSI program, participants will learn about early religious traditions, the separation of church and state, the introduction of new religions, the protection and representation of minority groups and religions, and interfaith dialogue in a diverse and rapidly changing world.
The program also aims to simultaneously enhance the students leadership skills.
The students will examine the leadership roles religious officials play in the United States and develop ideas for how they may work with leaders of similar or diverse faiths to bring about positive social change.
Indonesia as one of the most diverse countries in the world. Exchange programs, such as the SUSI program, constitute the "people to people" ties central to promoting the U.S. Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
