Week 1: A Journey Begins – From Kendari to Saint Louis University Philippines

 

The Departure: A Step Closer to My Dream


The day had finally come. At 5:50 PM WITA, I departed from Halu Oleo Airport, Kendari, accompanied by my parents and friends. It was a mixture of emotions excited, anxious, and grateful as I was about to embark on the SEA-Teacher program at Saint Louis University (SLU), Philippines. Along with two of my friends, Maemuna and Rian Mutiara, we began our journey to Jakarta, arriving at Soekarno-Hatta Airport at 9:00 PM WIB.

Once in Jakarta, we quickly headed to the next terminal for our international flight. I realized at that moment how significant this journey was. At 2:30 AM WIB, we took off for the Philippines. I couldn’t sleep, thinking about the adventure that lay ahead. Finally, on a bright and beautiful morning, we landed in Manila at 6:30 AM local time, ready to embrace a new chapter.

First Day in the Philippines: Challenges and New Friends

Upon arriving in the Philippines, things got more exciting. From the first step off the plane to immigration, I was constantly observing everything around me. The immigration officers checked our documents and asked about our reason for coming to the Philippines. At that moment, I realized this was the beginning of a great adventure.

We were picked up by Mam Lawri, a lecturer from Saint Louis University. She took us to Jollibee for lunch. Though I initially felt awkward, Mam Lawri gave me a challenge: to ask for a paper bag at Jollibee. A small challenge, but it made my heart race. I gathered my courage, completed the challenge, and felt a sense of accomplishment.

Later in the afternoon, we stopped at a hotel to wait for students from Vietnam before heading to Baguio. The four-hour journey to SLU dorm was filled with laughter, casual conversations, and snacks. We finally arrived at the dorm at 9:40 PM, tired but happy. I brought my luggage up to my room on the fifth floor and settled in, ready for the days to come.

Exploring SLU: New Faces, New Places

This day was all about introductions. We met Mam Sheila Magat, the SEA-Teacher coordinator at SLU, who introduced us to various lecturers. Among these meetings, one that stood out was meeting our mentor, Sir Ranze. He was incredibly friendly and took us on a campus tour, showing us the Museum, Library, and the iconic Giant Steps.

The adventure continued with a trip to SM, one of the largest malls in Baguio. Besides buying necessities, we made sure to visit the rooftop, where we could see the breathtaking view of Baguio City at night. We took pictures, laughed, and enjoyed the atmosphere, closing the day with joy and awe.

School Orientation: Meeting My Cooperating Teacher

A significant day! We met all our mentors and were introduced to the staff at SLU Basic Education School, both Junior and Senior High Departments. I finally met my cooperating teacher, who would guide me during my teaching practice. We received an orientation on school policies, including dress codes and how to communicate with teachers and students. Afterward, we toured the school’s facilities such as the laboratory, library, and cafeteria. This experience gave me a deeper understanding of the school environment in the Philippines. 

Later in the afternoon, we returned to SLU for a campus orientation, where we met the Dean of STELA and other faculty members. We were also given gifts, including a shirt and a bag from SLU. This day filled me with excitement and readiness for the challenges ahead.

A Taste of Home: Meeting SEA-Teacher Alumni

I had the chance to meet SEA-Teacher Batch 9 participants from Halu Oleo University, Harold and Jasmine. They warmly shared their experiences in Indonesia and showed us photos of their memories. They also introduced us to one of the famous Filipino desserts, Halo-Halo. It was an amazing blend of sweet and refreshing flavors. The day was filled with nostalgia and pride, exchanging stories about Indonesia in a foreign land.

Lesson Planning with Mentors

Today, we met with our mentors to learn how to create a lesson plan following SLU Basic Education School’s format. The mentor’s explanation was detailed, helping us understand how to design lessons that fit the needs of students in the Philippines. After this session, we had the opportunity to meet the dean and present our token of appreciation Indonesian Batik. This day made me feel more prepared for teaching!

A Cultural Dive at Session Road

This weekend, we decided to explore Session Road, one of the busiest streets in Baguio. There was a lively cosplay event, which added to the fun. I took pictures with some cosplayers, enjoyed the vibrant Filipino culture, and tasted some local fruits. This day was the perfect opportunity to immerse myself in the rich and dynamic culture of the Philippines.


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Summary and Suggestions

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  PURPOSES OF PRACTICUM The SEA-Teacher project aims to provide opportunities for pre-service student teachers from universities in Southeast Asia to gain teaching experience (practicum) in schools in other Southeast Asian countries. Some of the objectives to be achieved through this practicum include: Developing effective teaching skills and pedagogy during the practicum process. Expanding knowledge and understanding of how to improve the quality of education, especially in Southeast Asian countries. Training and providing direct experience for prospective teachers about the education system in the school or country where the practicum is carried out. Broadening perspectives in dealing with the diversity of student character and understanding, as well as how to act wisely in facing such situations. Building good relationships between prospective teachers, international students, local students, and teachers at the school where the practicum takes place. PROCEDURES OF PRACTICUM...
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Teaching Practice

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PROCEDURE OF TEACHING Before I began teaching in the classroom, the first step I took was to prepare a lesson plan that would serve as my guide throughout the teaching process. This lesson plan was tailored to the material I was going to teach and functioned to ensure that every aspect of the learning had been well planned. In creating the lesson plan, I had to include several important elements, namely: Learning objectives, Learning assessment, Learning content, Learning procedure, and Assigment/agreement.   After I completed the lesson plan, I consulted with my Cooperating Teacher Sir Jake T. Quesada to receive feedback and corrections. This process was crucial to ensure that my lesson plan was effective and aligned with the established teaching standards. By obtaining suggestions and correcting any mistakes, I was able to enhance the quality of the lesson plan I had prepared. Once I received approval from the cooperating teacher, the lesson plan was ready to be used for ...
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