This week the XL Future Leaders program was honored as US Ambassador to Indonesia, Robert Blake, along with his wife Sofia, hosted a reception at their personal residence for 40+ XL Future Leaders students.

The purpose was to encourage the students in our program who desire to learn more about study abroad opportunities in the US. The event was organized Sofia Blake and Bernie Burrola, the Executive Director for the US / Indonesia Joint Council on Higher Education Partnership. Also on hand for the event were members from XL’s CSR team, our partners at UNICEF and Google, and also representatives from Fulbright and Education USA.

During the reception several XL Future Leaders students gave testimonials about their experiences in the program, and how they see those experiences helping to shape their future as leaders in their respective fields. Likewise, Ambassador and Mrs. Blake spoke to the students about leadership in the 3rd Millennium, and how in the coming decades these young people are going to be helping to shape Indonesia’s growing influence in the global economy.

The context for this gathering was to signify the partnership and collaboration between XL Future Leaders and the US / Indonesia Joint Council. In the coming months we plan to partner closely with the Joint Council, as well as the US Embassy and @america in order to create pathways for XL Future Leaders students to be able to study in the US. As with anything in the XL Future Leaders program, these pathways are entirely based on students’ individual aspirations.

Everyone who attended was honored to be invited to the Ambassador’s home. We are grateful to Ambassador and Mrs. Blake for hosting our students and to the US / Indonesia Joint Council for being so instrumental in creating these opportunities for our students. In the coming months we hope to have more updates as this partnership continues to evolve in order to provide greater opportunities for Indonesia’s future leaders.