The Republic of Indonesia Contingent for SSEAYP 2003 (I'm the one at the front right)The Ship for South-East Asian Youth Programme is a very special youth exchange program sponsored by the Cabinet Office of Japan. Starting from 1974 this program invites the youth from Association of South-Eat Asian Nation (ASEAN) member countries and Japan to have a journey on a beautiful cruise ship called Nippon Maru for almost two months, visiting 5 ASEAN countries and Japan to strengthen mutual understanding between youth leaders from those countries.
Comprises of on board and off board activities, while sailing the sea the youth involve in discussion forums, cultural and solidarity group activities, whereas when landing at the visited countries, the youth interact with local youth, experience the living in host families, visiting interesting spots and meeting with the country's leaders (seriously, I mean it. We meet the presidents, prime ministers or at the minimum we meet the state ministers!). Your day will be so meaningful when you join that program.
I was among the lucky ones to join that program in 2003. In Indonesia all youth who wish to join this program have to pass very rigorous selection under the coordination of the State Ministry of the Youth Affairs. The participants are expected to perform well in discussion forums on regional issues, as well as performing in cultural events. So if you want to join the selection, make sure that you are updated with the recent issues national, regional and international issue, and you are ready to perform both in the discussion, and on the cultural performance stage with your talent. At the other hand the participating youth are also expected to have positive manner and sociable as in the program they have to live in the multi-cultural environment under hefty presure within super tight schedule and so many activities.
One great thing about SSEAYP is that they have post-SSEAYP programs for the alumni where you can enrich more of your experiences and knowledge. I, myself went back to Japan in 2006 with the sponsorship of the Cabinet Office of Japan again, to join the courses on Social Contribution Activities under the Young Leaders Invitation Program. There are also opportunities to become the discussion facilitator, program board, and so forth. So not only that you travel, you also learn.
If you are interested in this program, try to contact the ministry that coordinate youth affairs in your country and try to browse "SSEAYP" and the name of your country to find the SSEAYP alumni organization that usually in charge of the selection process. They will help you. For those who are in Indonesia, you can visit Dinas Pemuda dan Olahraga (DISPORA) in your province, and ask them about "Kapal Pemuda Asia Tenggara", or visit SSEAYP Indonesia site, http://www.sseayp-indonesia.org/ . The selection in Indonesia is usually held every March-April, with only ONE person taken from each province to join the contingent of the Republic of Indonesia. You can mail me too, if you want to know more about this program. The link to my personal mail is provided under this article, next to the comment link.
The followings are some pictures from that wonderful experience.... Good luck!
Me, next to the ship at Bangkok Harbor, Thailand 
The colors of the participating countries
Me, in Renaissance/Young Leaders Forum 2006 in Tokyo,A post-SSEAYP program for alumni who are active in community service
With my fellow alumni. Friendship - knowledge - network were three greatest things I gained from SSEAYP
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