Summary and Suggestions
Purposes of Practicum
Procedures of Practicum
Outcomes of Practicum
The Challenges of Practicum
Overall Impression
Suggestions for
Future Improvement
The SEA Teacher Program (Southeast Asian Teacher Program) is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for pre-service teachers like me. It is an initiative aimed at fostering the professional growth of educators in Southeast Asia. Its primary goals are to promote collaboration, cultural exchange, and the sharing of effective teaching practices across the region. This experience exceeded my expectations of being an exchange student. Upon returning to the Philippines, my worldview regarding education and culture changed for the better.
A program and calendar of events are prepared to ensure that the SEA-Teacher Program delegates follow the intended outcomes and participate fully in all events during the exchange.
The pre-departure program prepared by University of Santo Tomas and Universitas Sebelas Maret taught us about cultural and social customs before arriving in Indonesia. This aided us in being more prepared and respectful once arriving in the receiving country. Upon arriving in Indonesia, we were taken care of by UNS, the receiving university, which provided us with comfortable and safe accommodation. A welcoming ceremony introducing the university and curriculum of the country was also held, giving us the chance to meet notable faculty members of UNS-FKIP, including the Dean. Additionally, a schedule prepared by the receiving university was provided to make sure we were on track with our practicum. We were deployed to our assigned school, SMP 1, and we were also guided by our Supervising Teacher about everything we needed to know, from the school system to the lesson plan and, finally, towards our final demonstration of teaching. At the end of our practicum, a farewell ceremony was held with our Supervising Teachers and Principal.
This immersion in Indonesian culture and curriculum gave me a better understanding and worldview of how flexible and culturally rooted education is. I became very attached to SMP 1, including the students and teachers I encountered in Indonesia. I learned a lot during my stay in SMP 1, from teaching practices, cultivating relationships, developing an attachment to Surakarta, and appreciating the diverse activities implemented by the school. I also learned my strengths and weaknesses in teaching from feedback given by my supervising teachers and buddies from UNS. As an ESL student teacher, I was able to experience what it is like to become an EFL student teacher. I used various teaching practices tailored to the needs of diverse Indonesian learners, which is a new practice for me as an international teacher. I learned and grew, not just as a person but as a teacher.
One of the challenges I anticipated as a foreign student teacher was the language barrier, particularly in Surakarta City, where Bahasa Indonesia and Javanese are widely spoken. Additionally, there were cultural differences to navigate as I was adjusting to a new way of life in a foreign country. However, I had taken proactive steps to prepare for these challenges before arriving in Indonesia. I researched Indonesian and Javanese culture, learned basic phrases, and utilized available resources to help myself overcome the language barrier. I am also thankful to UNS because they provided us with Bahasa Indonesia language courses throughout our stay in Surakarta City. In conclusion, I overcame the hurdles and challenges and proudly represented my country and university.
My experiences under the SEA-Teacher Program cannot be contained in words. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and fell in love with the slow life of Surakarta City. I also became very attached to SMP 1 and the people I met during my stay in Indonesia. Indeed, I learned, and I grew. My worldview changed for the better, not just in terms of education and teaching practices but as a young person still navigating life and its complexities. I am very grateful to everyone I met, all the individuals behind UNS-FKIP, SMP 1 Negeri Surakarta, and Kost Dan Guest House Graha Pajang.
I credit the faculty members of UNS-FKIP, Ibu Wendah, and our buddies, who accompanied us daily in school and guided us by translating and communicating with non-English speaking individuals from the schools. Without them, all of these won’t be possible. I also give recognition to our Supervising Teachers. They are so kind and welcoming to us exchange student teachers. They were patient and understanding, guiding us since our first deployment day. They were there along the way from the observations, lesson plan making, and our teaching itself. All of these are possible thanks to their guidance and support throughout our journey in SMP 1. I would like to thank Ibu Dewi, our landlord, who ensured we always felt at home.
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Lastly, I would like to thank my family and the Local Youth Development Office of Pasig City, Philippines.
Longer Exchange Period – Increase the program's duration to provide teachers more time to get completely immersed in the local way of life and educational system, which will increase the impact of the exchange for both the teachers and their students. Additionally, a more extended stay would allow teachers to build closer relationships with students and other educators, improving cooperation and cultural exchange.
