Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) has reaffirmed its commitment to building global perspectives among its students by hosting a pre-departure ceremony for 12th-grade student Qory Sandioriva Sinaga, who has been selected for the Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) program.
Sinaga will spend a full academic year on an exchange program in Belgium, running from August 2026 to July 2027, as part of her academic development and cross-cultural leadership training.
The pre-departure meeting was held in the Harvard Meeting Room at the campus. In attendance were Sinaga's father, Thursina IIBS Chief of Education Muhammad Rajab, M.Pd.I., Chief of the Thursina International Office (TIO) Qoirul Mansur Darojat, M.Pd., and Principal of Academics M. Zainul Arifin, S.Pd.
The session served as a final orientation to ensure Sinaga's readiness before navigating both academic and social life in an international environment.
The Rotary Youth Exchange is an established exchange program organized by the Milton Rotary Club under the umbrella of Rotary District 7080 in Ontario, Canada. The program focuses on promoting cross-cultural understanding, world peace, and youth leadership through immersive living experiences abroad.
During her time in Belgium, the Jayapura-born student will attend a local school while residing with two to four host families throughout the year. This structure is designed to build independence, maturity, adaptability, and personal accountability. Sinaga will also have the opportunity to expand her multilingual capabilities by learning French or Dutch, the primary languages spoken in the country.
Qoirul Mansur Darojat, Chief of TIO, emphasized that international experiences are vital for preparing students to thrive in a globalized world.
"Thursina remains committed to nurturing students with an international mindset and global vision. Programs like the Rotary Youth Exchange provide a platform for students to broaden their horizons, cultivate independence, and develop strong interpersonal skills across diverse cultural backgrounds," Darojat stated.
Beyond language and academic learning, exchange participants serve as cultural ambassadors. Sinaga, who hails from Medan, is expected to share Indonesian culture and values while embracing new cultural norms as part of her global development.
Sinaga expressed that the opportunity marks both a proud moment and an exciting milestone in her education.
"I am honored to represent Indonesian youth in Belgium, where I will immerse myself in the culture, language, and education system. Thursina played a pivotal role in helping me secure a spot in the Rotary Youth Exchange, particularly through guidance and the international culture fostered at the school," said Sinaga, who was born on April 26, 2010.
School officials noted that Sinaga’s participation aligns with Thursina IIBS's mission to deliver a holistic and balanced education—one that extends beyond academic achievements to foster character, independence, leadership, and readiness for an interconnected world.
