In 1998 there was a premium scarcity in several regions of Indonesia including Lhokseumawe. At every Fuel Station (SPBU) there is a long queue. For the people of Aceh who are being hit by armed conflict, the suffering is increasing because many gas stations are closed at night. It was as dark as a curse-when it darkened-the gas station ceased to operate.
While lining up at a gas station in Lhokseumawe, one can not queue orderly and neatly. Many broke through the queue due to the heat and were afraid to run out of gas. The orderly queue is not yet a culture, even today. When a motorbike broke through the queue, an old man besides me said: "It's hard for our people to queue up in an orderly manner," he said simply.
I justify and we talk at length until the culture line up in developed countries like in the United States. "Have you ever been to the United States?" asked he.
"Not yet, sir. But Insya Allah I will and not at their own expense. Someone will invite me there. "
Thirteen years later or in 2012, I was offered an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to the United States through a friend in Medan and a staff at the American Consulate General in Medan, Anthony. We often communicate beforehand, related to my work as a member of the North Aceh Election Commission (KPUD). Previously, I had never heard of IVLP.
Later I found out IVLP was a US State Department government-funded professional exchange program through the Education and Culture Bureau. Leaders from around the world are invited to the US on a short visit-about a month including travel from home country-to meet, discuss, and learn about various topics of the United States. Since President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated the program in 1940, hundreds of thousands of people from various countries have participated in the IVLP program. In Indonesia, two former presidents, Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Soekarno Putri include IVLP alumni, in addition to several other Indonesian celebrities from various quarters.
I'm certainly not a celebrity. So, I am surprised when I got an email that I was invited IVLP, November to December 2012 with the theme of openness and social responsibility. I along with other participants will visit a number of states ranging from Washington DC, Florida, Louisiana, Utah, to Los Angeles (California). This is really surprise for me, for being my first experience abroad (don’t laugh please!). During this time, to Malaysia which is only 45 minutes from Medan I have never, let alone to the United States which is half the earth from Indonesia.
From Sumatra, besides I have Ibu Nur Azizah Tambunan, a member of DPRD Provinsi Sumatera Utara. The other participants were East Java politicians, Hari Putri Lestari, former deputy mayor of Surabaya, Arif Affandi, activist of Sunda Kecil NGO from Bali, Gunadjar, Head of Bappeda of Barru Regency (South Sulawesi) Andi Abustan and vice regent of Luwu Utara Regency South), Indah Putri Indriani. All positions are conditions in 2012 ago. Now it's different, for example Indah Putri Indriani is now a regent. Besides me, it is clear that IVLP participants are great people.
My trip from Jakarta to Newark Liberty Airport, New Jersey, after transit in Hongkong and Japan. From New Jersey (I remember Jon Bon Jovi when here), the flight must continue to Washington DC and stay overnight. The first day in DC, the live event was solid despite the first visit to the White House who was busy preparing for the inauguration of Barack Obama who was elected president for the second time. I saw the busy preparation of the inauguration in front of the White House, just outside the fence!
"Coordinator" is deliberately written in quotes because according to Oky there is no such structure in the IVLP alumni of Indonesia. "We have not yet established a management structure," Oky said when I contacted by phone on Wednesday 10 January 2018.
According to Oky, to become a participant IVLP through selection from the US Embassy in Jakarta. However, the participants did not apply to the US Embassy, but "viewed" his track record so far. "I think every prospective participant has an edge in a particular field, and is active in his field, so that something is brought to America," Oky said.
Well, for Steemians who want to visit the United States for free, start now increase your capacity in the field that you are wrestling for this, including active as the Steemians. Sincere devotion is always there to see, and there are always rewards from unexpected doors.[]
Ke Amerika Serikat Melalui International Visitor Leadership Program
PADA 1998 terjadi kelangkaan premium di beberapa daerah di Indonesia termasuk Lhokseumawe. Di setiap Stasiun Pengisian Bahan bakar Umum (SPBU) terjadi antrean panjang. Bagi masyarakat Aceh yang sedang dilanda konflik bersenjata, penderitaan itu semakin bertambah karena banyak SPBU yang tutup pada malam hari. Seolah gelap adalah kutukan—ketika gelap turun—SPBU pun berhenti beroperasi.
Ketika sedang antre di pom bensin di Lhokseumawe, orang tidak bisa mengantre dengan tertib dan rapi. Banyak yang menerobos antrean karena panas dan takut kehabisan bensin. Antre dengan tertib memang belum menjadi budaya, bahkan sampai saat ini. Ketika ada sepeda motor menerobos antrean, seorang bapak tua di sebelah saya berkata: “Sulit sekali orang kita mengantre dengn tertib,” katanya singkat.
Saya membenarkan dan kami berbicara panjang lebar sampai budaya antre di negara maju seperti di Amerika Serikat.
“Sudah pernah ke Amerika Serikat?” tanya bapak itu.
“Belum, Pak. Tapi Insya Allah akan dan bukan dengan biaya sendiri. Akan ada pihak yang mengundang saya ke sana.”
Belakangan saya baru tahu IVLP merupakan program pertukaran profesional yang didanai pemerintah Departemen Luar Negeri AS melalui Biro Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. Para pemimpin dari seluruh dunia diundang ke AS dalam kunjungan singkat—sekitar satu bulan termasuk perjalanan dari negara asal—untuk bertemu, berdiskusi, dan belajar tentang berbagai topik Amerika Serikat. Sejak Presiden Franklin D. Roosevelt menggagas program ini pada 1940, sudah ratusan ribu orang dari berbagai negara mengikuti program IVLP. Di Indonesia, dua mantan presiden, Abdurrahman Wahid dan Megawati Soekarno Putri termasuk alumni IVLP, selain beberapa pesohor Indonesia lainnya dari berbagai kalangan.
Saya tentu saja bukan pesohor. Jadi, begitu surprised ketika mendapat surat elektronik bahwa saya diundang mengikuti IVLP, pada November sampai Desember 2012 dengan tema tentang keterbukaan dan tanggung jawab sosial. Saya bersama peserta lainnya akan mengunjungi sejumlah negara bagian mulai dari Washington DC, Florida, Lousiana, Utah, sampai Los Angeles (California). Ini benar-benar kejutan yang luar biasa, sebab menjadi pengalaman pertama saya ke luar negeri (Jangan tertawa seperti itu!). Selama ini, ke Malaysia yang hanya 45 menit saja dari Medan saya belum pernah, apalagi ke Amerika Serikat yang jauhnya separuh bumi dari Indonesia.
Dari Sumatera, selain saya ada Ibu Nur Azizah Tambunan, anggota DPRD Provinsi Sumatera Utara. Peserta lainnya adalah politisi asal Jawa Timur, Hari Putri Lestari, mantan wakil wali kota Surabaya, Arif Affandi, aktivis LSM Sunda Kecil dari Bali, Gunadjar, Kepala Bappeda Kabupaten Barru (Sulawesi Selatan), Andi Abustan, dan wakil bupati Kabupaten Luwu Utara (Sulawesi Selatan), Indah Putri Indriani. Semua jabatan adalah kondisi pada 2012 silam. Sekarang sudah berbeda, misalnya Indah Putri Indriani sekarang menjadi bupati. Selain saya, jelaslah peserta IVLP adalah orang-orang hebat.
Perjalanan saya dari Jakarta menuju bandar udara Newark Liberty, New Jersey, setelah transit di Hongkong dan Jepang. Dari New Jersey (saya ingat Jon Bon Jovi saat di sini), penerbangan harus berlanjut ke Washington DC dan menginap semalam. Hari pertama di DC, kegiatan langsung padat meskipun acara pertama berkunjung ke White House yang sedang sibuk menyiapkan pelantikan Barack Obama yang terpilih sebagai presiden untuk kedua kalinya. Saya melihat kesibukan persiapan pelantikan di depan White House, hanya berada di luar pagar!
Menurut Oky, untuk menjadi peserta IVLP melalui seleksi dari pihak Kedutaan AS di Jakarta. Tetapi, peserta tidak mengajukan permohonan ke Kedutaan AS, melainkan “dilihat” rekam jejaknya selama ini. “Saya pikir, setiap calon peserta memiliki kelebihan dalam bidang tertentu, dan aktif di bidangnya, sehingga ada sesuatu yang dibawa ke Amerika,” tutur Oky.
Nah, bagi Steemians yang ingin berkunjung ke Amerika Serikat dengan gratis, mulai sekarang tingkatkan kapasitas Anda dalam bidang yang sedang Anda geluti selama ini, termasuk aktif sebagai Steemians. Pengabdian tulus selalu ada yang melihat, dan selalu ada reward dari pintu yang tidak terduga.[]
Reuni International Visitor Leadership Program atau IVLP Chapter Sumatera di Medan, akhir 2017 lalu. Selain saya, salah seorang alumni IVLP adalah Steemians 