Reflection

The purpose of the practicum in the SEA-Teacher Project was to provide pre-service teachers with real teaching experience in an international educational environment. Through this program, participants had the opportunity to observe classroom teaching, interact with students and teachers, and understand how education is implemented in another country. This practicum also aimed to help future teachers develop their professional skills, improve their teaching abilities, and gain broader perspectives about different educational systems and cultures.

The practicum consisted of several important stages. The first stage was classroom observation, where participants observed how the mentor teacher conducted the lesson, managed the classroom, and interacted with students. The second stage was lesson planning, where participants prepared lesson plans based on the curriculum used at the school. The final stage was teaching practice, where participants implemented their lesson plans and conducted the class under the guidance of the mentor teacher.

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Through this practicum experience, I gained many valuable insights about teaching in an international classroom. I learned different teaching strategies, classroom management techniques, and ways to engage students in learning activities.

In addition, this experience helped me improve my communication skills, adaptability, and confidence as a future teacher. It also gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of creating an active and supportive learning environment for students.

One of the main challenges during the practicum was adapting to a different educational system and classroom environment. Since the teaching context was different from what I was familiar with, I needed time to understand the students’ learning styles, classroom culture, and teaching practices in the school. However, these challenges became valuable learning experiences for me. They helped me become more flexible, patient, and creative in designing teaching strategies that suit the students’ needs.

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First, I would like to thank Allah SWT for giving me the opportunity to participate in the SEA-Teacher Project. I am also very grateful to my parents who always support and pray for me. My sincere appreciation also goes to Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta for supporting and preparing all participants before joining this program. I would also like to thank my friends who continuously encouraged and supported me throughout this journey.

During my teaching experience in the Philippines, I had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the local education system and culture. From the beginning, I was very excited to experience firsthand how education is implemented in another country. Every day in the classroom became a valuable learning experience for me. It helped me improve my teaching methods, understand students’ learning styles, and adapt to a new learning environment.

Through this program, I also gained a deeper understanding of the Philippine education system and how teachers encourage student participation in the classroom. The students were very friendly, respectful, and eager to learn. Their enthusiasm motivated me to teach better and create engaging learning activities.

Another important part of this experience was meeting my buddies who were very kind, friendly, and supportive. They helped me from the beginning until the end of the program, guided me around the campus, and helped me adjust to the school environment and daily activities. Spending time with them made this journey even more enjoyable and memorable.

Outside the classroom, I also had the opportunity to introduce Indonesian culture to students and friends in the Philippines. This created meaningful conversations about the similarities and differences between our cultures. Building friendships with people from different backgrounds became one of the most valuable and unforgettable parts of this program.

Overall, participating in the SEA-Teacher Program was a very meaningful and life-changing experience. It not only improved my teaching skills but also broadened my perspective about education, culture, and international collaboration. This experience has enriched both my personal and professional life, and I hope to apply all the knowledge and lessons I learned in my future teaching career in Indonesia.

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For future SEA-Teacher Project programs, it would be beneficial to provide more opportunities for collaboration between exchange students and local teachers. Collaborative teaching activities could allow participants to exchange ideas, learn different teaching methods, and gain richer teaching experiences.

In addition, organizing more cultural exchange activities would help participants better understand the local culture and build stronger international connections. These activities could make the program even more meaningful and memorable for future participants.

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