2018 – 2019 have been a very great year for the Centre to have Eleanor C. Jones and Tamara S. Biddle, the two VIA Fellows that had worked closely with the Centre. One year went really fast for the Centre as both of them must come back home to the US, soon after the fellowship ended last June. The year was great because Eleanor and Tamara did not only stay in the Centre for working but also enjoyed exploring the nature of Jember and many tourism places around the area. They were also familiar with Jember environment, culture, and people because they spend their spare times cycling, hanging out, and shopping. To praise their dedication, the Centre organized farewell ceremony last June or a month before Ibrahim Bharlmal and Hannah Sorenson, the new VIA Fellow came in the third week of July. They will join and work for the Centre until June 2020.
As part of the welcoming ceremony, the Centre invited several students, lecturers, and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) members. Both Hannah and Ibrahim enjoyed mingling with all the invited participants. They also enjoyed traditional Javanese yellow rice, served with grilled chicken and steamed vegetables. The Centre hopes this joyful welcoming ceremony can become their good start to work with the Centre and also follow the successful footsteps of their previous fellows.