I got to know about this SEA Teacher program from my class WhatsApp group, at that time the head of my study program offered students to join this program.
Then I sent a WhatsApp message to him, that I would join this program. I was directed to fill out a form through the DIA UPI (Directorate of International Affairs) website, as well as fill out a CV that would be sent to partner universities.
Some universities conduct interviews with participants in this program, but I am very lucky because CLSU does not conduct interviews, they have entrusted all to our university that the students sent are the best students. Hearing that, I was scared, because I joined this program with my courage, and my English is basic and I am a shy person and always nervous when speaking in front of people. But at that moment I was very optimistic that I can do it.
After sending the required paperwork, I waited for my Letter of Acceptance so that I could request permission to miss my contracted class and get my grade conversion rights for the PPL course. While waiting for my LoA, I processed my passport, airplane tickets, and other necessities.
The objectives of the SEA-Teacher Project are:
To enable pre-service student teachers to develop their teaching skills and pedagogy;
To encourage pre-service student teachers to practice their English skills;
To allow the pre-service student teachers to gain a broader regional and world view; and
To expose future teachers to diverse teaching and learning situations and opportunities and the value of flexibility.
Meanwhile my purpose in joining this program:
To get out of my comfort zone. Because I am a shy person and always hesitate to step up to new challenges, I try to be brave to develop myself.
Improve my English communication. This program requires good English for communication but not with me, my English is only basic and my grammar is not very good, but if I try it, I will definitely know how to communicate in good English can develop my communication skills.
Have a new experience. Of course, the system and way of teaching students in Indonesia and the Philippines are different, as well as the curriculum used.
This is the first time I to done a student exchange, here I learned a lot about learning and teaching, how the teachers deliver the subject matter, and the cultures that exist at school, such as the celebration of Teacher's Day where I think teachers are highly valued. Also, I became more confident in speaking English in front of many people. I really got out of my comfort zone, as the title of my blog is MITOSIS (Memorable Internship of Students Teacher In CLSU), remember mitosis is nuclear division giving two identical cells, meaning I'm still myself, but here I'm splitting myself into a new nuclear that is more confident and brave.
And I'm ready for my next cell journey!🔥
My biggest challenge during this program was the English language. In the first week of my arrival at CLSU, when I spoke to people in English, I felt nervous and stuttered my way through the conversation. But time after time I was able to speak English well, although my grammar was still not very good, they could understand what I said and I felt more confident speaking English. I got through it!🥳
SEA Teacher gave me the opportunity to do a teaching internship in a school abroad in the Philippines for almost 1 month. This program really helped me to get out of my comfort zone and helped me to improve my speaking skills in English and be more confident. Also, I was able to find out what my challenges as a teacher in the field will be after I graduate.
Because later after graduation I will become a teacher in an international school in Indonesia, so it is very happy to have experienced how to teach in a school that uses English in delivering subject lessons.
I would like to thank to University High School, CLSU for welcoming us here. Thank you for always accompanying and guiding us in completing our program, we have gained new experiences that are very meaningful.
There are many things that I will always remember when I am here, especially when celebrating Teacher's Day. All the students were very enthusiastic about preparing a performance for their dear teachers. Also when teachers congratulate each other on Teacher's Day, also to those of us who are still students, it is not yet fully legal to be a teacher.
Thank you to the 12th-grade students for being cooperative students, and helping me during the SEA Teacher program.
I would like to thank Celso and Anne for being our friends during the program. And the other local interns, Rachel, Patricia, and Jack. You guys are so nice, I will never forget you as friends who always helped me during my program at CLSU.
I will miss you all 🤍
Last, but not least. thanks to those who have organized this program as well as possible.
Digging deeper into the SEA-Teacher program information
Prepare financially for necessities such as passports, airfare, etc. Because not all institutions in the university fully fund the program.
Find out information about the school from previous alumni.
Know about the culture you'll be placed in
My advice to SEAMEO, for the next bacth that is placed in the Philippines. To clarify the SSP (Special Student Permit), I saw on the Internet that if we are traveling within Asia, the visa is waived. Also, we only did the program for less than 30 days. Because when I was doing this program, my other colleagues did not make SSP, why not be equal? Maybe if it is explained to us, we might accept it.