Why Jembatan?
In addition to our emphasis on safety, education, and memorable cultural experiences, there are a few things about Jembatan International that set us apart from other study abroad organizations.
Fluent Program Facilitators
The first is that all of our overseas program facilitators are either native citizens or fluent speakers who have lived in the country for at least two years. As such, they all have excellent command of the language, a solid understanding of the culture, and familiarity with the country that your students choose to visit. Whether you are organizing excursions, housing or daily activities, these skills are extremely valuable when you introduce a group of students to a new environment.
Top Notch Teachers
Unfortunately, too many qualified teachers and professors with great insight and experience never get the opportunity to organize and lead a study abroad program because of time constraints or insufficient funding. Perhaps you too fall into this category. If so, rest assured that JI’s services solves both problems by paying your (the teacher or professor) travel and housing expenses during the program and by providing the overall infrastructure for your program. By organizing everything from the application process to the travel itineraries, housing, staff and cultural excursions, we take months of advance preparation upon ourselves; thus freeing up the time and resources you need to prepare for lectures and meeting any other obligations you may have to your educational institution before departure.
Southeast Asia Emphasis
Our focus on Southeast Asian countries also sets us apart. With traditional public education centered on European and American history, many organizations only target those places that are already familiar to your students to some extent. By comparison, Jembatan opens up an entirely new world of untold events and cultures to your students on their study abroad programs. Rather than visiting familiar landmarks like London Bridge, the Eifel Tower, and Neuschwanstein castle your students will discover ancient wonders like Buddhist and Hindu temples, Borobudur, Prambanan, Angkor Watt, and modern wonders like the Patronas Towers. Southeast Asia has always been, and continues to be, a cross roads that shapes world events and influences our perceptions of ourselves and others. It is a region that is at once exotically foreign and stunningly familiar. It is a region that will challenge your students’ assumptions about themselves and others. It is an ideal place for students to experience “others” seemingly so different from themselves and, in the process, realize just how much they have in common.