Sleman, Indonesia – After completing a few weeks of projects and final examinations (ASPD), the Grade 6 Jogjakarta Montessori Elementary School (JMES) embarked on a wonderful field study in Bandung, West Java, on June 1–4, 2025. This program was a valuable opportunity for the students to extend their learning experiences throughout the real-life world, fostering their place-based learning. 

More than a field study, this program empowered students to take ownership of their learning. Under the guidance of the teachers, they learned to arrange their own trip, from listing their destinations, designing activities they would do, managing budgets, and presenting in front of friends and teachers to deciding the results. Through the process, they gained worthwhile skills about "planning" in a structured and independent way from an early age and learned to make choices and build a stance of their own perspective. Besides that, this field study aimed to broaden students' wider knowledge, foster critical thinking toward the world, and nurture independence as they spent several days away from their families.

JMES students were enthralled in four days of enriching field study. They explored natural, cultural, and artsy places in Bandung, connecting classroom knowledge with a real-world context. Some of their visited places were Orchid Forest Cikole, Lembang Park & Zoo, Saung Angklung Udjo, and several craters, where they embarked on various dynamic learning experiences, from observing the world's most distinctive coffee beans—Luwak coffee—to interacting with a variety of animals—from birds (aves) to reptiles—to enjoying a live angklung music performance. They completed the journey to NuArt Sculpture Park, where they witnessed contemporary artworks by acclaimed Balinese sculptor Nyoman Nuarta, including Condemned and Five Officials, sparking reflection on creative expression, historical symbolism, and national identity.

As the students immersed themselves in an eye-opening journey, they cultivated a deeper understanding of things in real life, witnessing firsthand local coffee production, biodiversity studies, conservation, and geothermal phenomena. It reflected the students' hands-on learning and allowed them to engage with Sundanese culture more closely, especially in traditional dancing and musical expression, reinforcing the students' appreciation of Indonesian cultural heritage and community bonds. The visit to Bandung was an invaluable chance for the students to be more independent and responsible for themselves, as they would learn to manage their time, take care of their belongings, and obey the rules during their activities, without relying on their parents' supervision.

Beyond enriching their interdisciplinary learning, this trip has ignited a lasting appreciation for Indonesia's rich natural and cultural landscapes and forged lasting memories and stronger bonds with friends and teachers as they spent time together for several days, building connections and togetherness that was full of warmth, joy, and excitement. It became a special moment for the students to reflect on their six years of dynamic learning journey at JMES and to cherish the last moments as they prepare for the exciting chapter ahead.

Through the Bandung study tour, the Jogjakarta Montessori Elementary School (JMES) Grade 6 students unlocked extraordinary real-life exploration and camaraderie.

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