Indonesia – Australia are two countries in many difference. Culture, religion, language and education are some differences. In this moment, both countries are building relationship through BRIDGE program (Building Relationship through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement). The relationshi is in the form of student – teacher exchange. This program designed in order to know characters in each country, so we can develop quality of education in both country, internationally.

Indonesia – Australia are two countries with different cultures. Each cultures are unique. Indonesia rich of local region cultures, Australia known by the aborigines. By student – teacher exchnage program, both country can introduce and understanding each culture. We can also see the religious aspect, because Indonesian known as a country with contemporer Islamic religion.

As we know, the exchange program is a program to introduce and understanding every character of each country. It is also a program to increase the education quality. This is the second times, Indonesia send its representatives to Australia. The learning program is created in to a homestay and school visit. It tooks a month. Representative students of Indonesia interacted with local people. So, they can closely interacted with culture and Australian daily activities.

The school visit program, the representatives visit school in order to interacted with local students through teaching learning activities, that is teaching Indonesian language. Starting from here, representative teacher of Indonesia is understanding the learning system of Australian.

”Increasing knowledge and teacher – students understanding about contemporary Australian cultures, especially contemporary Islam in Indonesia, and Indonesia language are the aims of BRIDGE teachers – students exchange.” said Ustad Chusnul, the second representative of Al Hikmah Senior High School that was sent into Australia.

”One of interesting experience is when his students want to learn about Indonesian song. I just reminded into ’Topi saya bundar’ song. Finally, I teach them to sing it. Amazingly, in Indonesian language with Australian accent, they can sing it,” he said.

Whether Ustad Faiz, the first representative or ustad Chusnul feel lucky with this opportunity. They can interact with Australian people, whether through their culture, language or even their daily activities. Beside that, they can learn about teaching – learning technique at the present or future.

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