In 2008, I was selected as one of grantees by the US Embassy in Indonesia to participate in the TESOL Convention in New York City. It was really the best news in 2008 in my life. It meant I would have my first trip experience to the United States of America. The dream trip ever I had. The trip was last to 3 weeks. I was really thrilled of winning the grant. The US Embassy in Jakarta facilitated all administrative requirements. For me, travelling to New York City was the most adventurous first trip. I was delightful before-during and after the trip.
Trip Process
The pre-departure was pretty difficult and complicated. I needed to deal with many paper works. The application process was hard enough. It required lots of details administrative requirements. As it was the first experience, I should fulfill the online visa application via the embassy website. Being the first time, it was a real challenge. In addition, I should also do my direct interview at the embassy as an important step before the visa approval. But everything was good. Finally I got my visa. The process itself was a bit nervous.
On the departure day, I started via Soekarno Hatta International Airport of Jakarta. The destination was to Singapore to board to the Singapore Airlline to head to Narita Airport,Tokyo. The flight from Changi Airport was to Narita, Tokyo was about 7 hours. It was such an amazing flight. From Narita, Tokyo, I took Japan Airline for 13 hours heading to John F Kennedy Airport in New York. Wow, it was really a long flight. All services, movies, songs, and games on the flight were finished. It was such a never ending direct flight to New York. Arrived by 11AM in JFK Airport but trapped in Custom and Border Protection Office until 5PM for my secondary inspection. It was really boring. But finally released at 5PM and officially admitted to enter the US land.
Trip Purpose
The major purpose of the trip was attending the TESOL Convention in New York City. The embassy granted me the trip to participate in the convention. Being in New York for one week was amazed me. Imagination was pretty exciting. Arriving and staying in Novotel Hotel New York City was mush fun because the hotel was in the heart of NYC, so closed to everything in NYC. The hotel was really closed to the convention hotels which were Hilton and Sheraton hotels. It was only 5 minutes walk. So, I walked every day during the convention. NYC is really an amazing city to visit. There are many things to experience. The city life, the sky crapper buildings, the central park, etc, it will make you enjoy the city.
The Fun Time
while visiting NYC, I also needed to visit some interesting places such as Liberty Statue, the World Trade Center, Empire State Building, Opera New York, The UN Building, so many more. All were exciting and experiencing. The moments were priceless. The trip was offering so much positive experiences for my first time being in the US. I learned lots information.
Crossing the strait to visit the Liberty Statue was also an exciting moment which I could learn and see by myself the historical monument of the US History. It was unbelievable. I would never imagine that I could be in the Liberty Statue. I should take a tight security check before boarding the ferry to cross to the statue. In fact, the ferry trip was pretty much fun.
Overall, my first trip to New York City was very educative and thoughtful. I experienced to participate in an international TESOL Convention. I met many prominent people and I built new links. Participating in TESOL Convention was an important experience in my life. I learned from many well known speakers and experts in their fields.
Happy weekend
