Remembering JES/JIS With Deana Cotton Turner

We arrived in Jakarta in late October 1975; this being our third home in 1975. Our previous home was destroyed by Cyclone Tracy hitting Darwin, Australia, on Christmas 1974, so we were transferred to Taipei, Taiwan, in February 1975. Then, in August, we were transferred to Jakarta. However, we waited for our visas for two months in Singapore, where I was enrolled in the Singapore American School (SAS) for seven weeks. 

Needless to say, I was glad to be enrolled in a school where I would spend at least one school year. I spent my Sophomore and Junior years at JES/JIS. Although I didn’t graduate from JES/JIS, I do consider it my “graduating” high school, as we were transferred to New Zealand in late summer 1977.  I do consider myself very lucky to have lived in Indonesia and to have experienced its wonder and beauty.  

My time at JES/JIS and Jakarta gave me a much wider view of the world when I entered my adult life. I was/am now more inclusive of others and other cultures. It made me more inquisitive of those things that I hadn’t or haven’t experienced, and helped me be more accepting.

I have to say one of my favorite memories — and this is so bad — is being sent to Dr. Witmer’s office for, well, goofing off in Dr. Ostrom’s class as he was talking about Egypt, and we had lived there for three years. When I got to Dr. Witmer’s office, I explained what I did. He just looked disgusted and pointed me to the sitting area in the Admin building. He asked me, please, not to be “such a smartaleck” in Dr. O’s class. I have many great memories, but that one stands out. 

My advice to the current class of JIS: Be inquisitive. If you are told no, keep asking why/why not. It is a big world out there; don’t be afraid to take risks.