SCHOOL PROFILE
Universitas Halu Oleo (UHO) is one of the leading public universities in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Its roots can be traced back to 1964, when the institution was first established as a private university initiative (UNHOL) under the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Government through the Higher Education Supervisor and Advisory Foundation (YP3T). In 1966, it gained registered status and later functioned as a branch of Hasanuddin University before finally being granted state university status through Presidential Decree No. 37 of 1981. Since then, UHO has continued to grow as a major center of higher learning in the region, officially marking August 19, 1981 as its foundation anniversary. (UHO, 2023) During our internship, the university was under the leadership of Dr. Herman, S.H., LL. M as the Acting Rector.
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Today, UHO offers a myriad of undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines such as education, engineering, medicine, law, agriculture, and social sciences. The university is also recognized as one of the greenest campuses in Indonesia as it is surrounded by natural landscapes and trees that create a calm and refreshing atmosphere for learning. More than its academic offerings, what makes UHO stand out is the presence of hospitable and enthusiastic faculties and students who create a welcoming environment for international programs like the SEA Teacher Project. During my internship experience, the university did not feel like an unfamiliar institution, but rather a supportive academic home where learning, cultural exchange, and personal growth naturally took place.
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ACADEMIC SUPPORT SYSTEM
The academic support system of Universitas Halu Oleo is built not only on structured services but also on people who genuinely care for student growth. The university provides strong support through facilities such as the UPA Language Center, an international-standard language training and testing hub, ICT UPT services that integrate technology into learning, and guidance counseling services that address students’ academic, personal, career, and social development. These systems work together to support learners in a more holistic and meaningful way.
Beyond these institutional structures, what made our experience truly memorable were the people who guided us throughout our stay. We were under the care of Dr. Waode Ade Sarasmita Uke, S.Pd., M.Pd., who treated us not just as interns, but as her own children, someone we can truly call our second mother in Kendari. We were also supported by the Dean, Dr. Damhuri, S.Pd., M.P., together with the Vice Deans Prof. Dr. Edy Karno, S.Pd., M.Pd., Dr. Syahbudin, S.H., M.Hum., and Dr. Izlan Sentryo, M.Pd., who consistently extended their guidance and encouragement throughout our SEA Teacher journey.
We are also deeply grateful to the staff members—Mr. Ahmmad, Mr. Sarli, and Mr. La Nur—whose support went beyond administrative assistance. They accompanied us, looked after us, and even drove us to various beautiful places across Southeast Sulawesi, making our stay not only productive but also deeply memorable.
UHO’s support system was not just something we observed... it was something we felt. It was present in the classrooms, in conversations, in rides across Kendari, even in our dorm, and in every act of care extended to us throughout our internship.
CULTURAL PROFILE AND PRACTICES OF THE INSTITUTION AND THE COMMUNITY
The cultural profile of Universitas Halu Oleo reflects a lively mix of academic tradition, cultural values, student engagement, and community-centered activities. One of its meaningful practices is Halal bi Halal, a post-Ramadan gathering that strengthens relationships among students, faculty, and staff through forgiveness, unity, and shared respect. It is a simple but powerful reminder of how community and connection are valued within the university.
The university also supports student development through organizations such as UKM Bahasa Asing UHO (Foreign Languages Student Activity Unit), where students actively practice and improve their foreign language skills through interactive and communicative activities. One of the most amusing and unforgettable experiences we had was with UKM Bahasa Asing UHO, which we actually hosted in our dormitory. And honestly, it did not go the way I expected. For some reason, we were not fully briefed about the structure of the activity, so I prepared it thinking it would be more of a seminar-workshop thing where we would present and guide the discussion. I even outlined pointers like we were about to deliver a formal talk. But midway through the session, one participant suddenly asked, “I thought there was going to be a conversation between us.” And that’s when I realized that we were not there to “present,” but to actually talk with them.
So right there, in the middle of the slightly chaotic situation, I immediately adjusted and asked my fellow SEA Teachers to divide the participants so we could manage the nearly fifty students properly. What followed was a shift from confusion to connection. The whole group slowly turned into small circles of conversation, laughter, and hesitant English sentences becoming more confident over time. I personally talked with five students who were very shy at first, but as we shared simple stories and discussed ways to improve English speaking skills, the conversation became more natural and meaningful. At the end of it all, the experience tested my patience, quick thinking, and adaptability, but in a way that felt real and human. It was a little messy, a little funny, but it ended in genuine cultural and language exchange that none of us will probably forget.
