What urged me to join SEA Teacher Project?

It is a great opportunity to be one of the participants of our University. It is just a limited chance to be an exchange-student in the other country. I asked my self and reflect, why should I join SEA Teacher Project?

I decided to join the SEA Teacher Project because I believe that as a teacher, it is necessary to have a lot of experiences in teaching-learning process. With here, I can be able to have a lot of experiences especially in handling class with diverse backgrounds. I can also be able to enhance my communication skills more importantly I can develop myself as a teacher.

February 12, 2019 0

Reflection

The SEA Teacher Project or the “Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia” is a project that aims to provide opportunity for pre-service student teachers from universities in Southeast Asia to have teaching experiences (practicum) in schools in other countries in Southeast Asia. (SEAMEO Site)

I am one of the lucky participants of Capiz State University to join in this one of a kind opportunity, to teach and to experience of the other country. I was assigned by SEAMEO in Thailand particularly at Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. At first I doubt about it since it is far from the central part of Thailand and that province is not really known. But, after our journey at Nakhon Si Thammarat, I can say that all of our sacrifices were all paid off. Nakhon Si Thammarat, my home away from home.

Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University is my receiving University. It is a typical university that every college students would ever imagine. It is a very wide University that seems like there’s a community within the University. Together with me is a fellow Capsunian, a student-teacher in MMSU-Philippines, and one from Indonesia. NSTRU provided us with a pleasant accommodation. A simple orientation welcomed us in their University. Yes we’re not welcomed like how the way our University welcomed the inbound, but the ambiance of the environment and the people around us let us feel that we are not away from our home. It’s not just Pre-service teaching experience but also enculturation and it made my stay in Thailand perfect and memorable.

My first week in Thailand was not easy. It was difficult to adjust in their foods that almost burn out my tongue with their extreme spices, the people on how the way they communicate with us with their language that makes me feel I was like an alien to them, the signage that was all written in Thai and we’re having a hard to understand it, the behavior of the students that at first you will think they are all hyper, and their teaching practice that it feels like every day is a demonstration day. The following weeks seems so very fast. We’re now starting to adapt their culture but time flies very fast. We just savored our days in Thailand and enjoy every moments we have with our friends, co-teachers, and with my lovely students.

Through with this SEA Teacher Project I did not just experience how to go abroad but also I came to many realizations and learning that you can’t just get and learn inside the four corners of the classroom. First, first impression last. You must do good in every firsts steps you make. Every firsts is anchored with first impressions. Second, communication is not a hindrance to establish a good relationship with others. It is difficult to communicate with them, but through technology, life is easy. Third, respect each and every cultures they have. If they do things that we find weird, respect them because they will respect you back. Fourth, don’t teach the way you were taught because a teacher you need to adapt in every situations. Remember that a teacher is also an artist. Fifth, wherever you are and where ever you go, remember that you a teacher. That is our greatest power.

February 12, 2019 0

Day 30 – Good Bye Thailand, Hello Philippines

February 7, 2019 – This is it. This the day that we are going to leave Thailand. The day that I will going to leave my home away from home.

Our flight is at 8 am and the Van picked us up at 7 am. Our buddies cannot go with us so they just came early in our dorm and send their good byes. It was full of crying moments since we will miss each other. It is a big heart ache to say good bye to your friends. Friends that became a second family to me.

P’Nadia and Teacher Jesille is with us in the airport. I cried while hugging them because I will surely miss them. They are my second Mom in Thailand. P’Nadia helped us to check in. P’Nadia and Teacher Jesille guided us so well even in our last minutes in Nakhon Si Thammarat. When I was in the airplane waiting for it to board, my friend Sharmaine called me and to my surprise, She is with my Angels. I cried so heavy when I saw them saying their good byes while crying. It is really painful in my heart. My Angels, my Ep 1. I will miss you.

At exactly 10:30 in the evening, we’re now at the Philippines. A new journey to take after a long journey. My experience in Thailand will be forever be happy memory and have a big place in my heart. 🙂

February 10, 2019 0

Day 29 – Sweet Good Bye

February 6, 2019 – Today is the second day before we leave Thailand. Today is also our last day in Satit and my last class for EP 1.

My EP 1 made a card for me that almost makes me cry while reading it. I spend my time taking photos and videos of them because I will surely miss them all. I also take photos with the Filipino Teachers who became our family in Satit. They are the one the make our stay in Satit more comfortable. They are also the one who we can share about our thoughts and we can ask if we have problems.

I won’t say good bye because I will surely see you again.

It’s almost 4 pm when we decided to leave. We went to Sahathai to buy some stuffs we needed to give as a souvenirs and had our last dinner in Thailand with the Filipino community in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

We spent our whole evening packing our things and seizing moments together with our buddies.

February 10, 2019 0

Day 28 – Farewell Party

February 5, 2019 – Today I had my 2nd to the last class to EP 1. While we are in the middle of our class, my students came to me and hugged me. I almost cried in that time. I will miss them so much. I can’t imagine my self saying good bye to them. I’m really attached to my students and it is hard for me to say good bye.

We can’t even have a good picture because they are very naughty and they keep on moving around.

In the afternoon, we went to the central office of the University. We asked Miss Fair to take photos of us within the University. I really admire the photos that she took. She is young but a talented lady. So we take photos together with Miss Nadia and Mr. Frank. In that afternoon Miss Nadia also announced that we will be having our farewell party-dinner. So we went with our buddies and our mentors. We ate a lot of foods and we also had our tour in the city for the last time.

My sisters in NSTRU. My co SEA-Teacher participants.

Farewell dinner with our buddies, mentors, and coordinator.

One last time, lemme take a pose like this.

This night is really an emotional night. I started to pack my things and think how can I survive this “goodbye” dilemma.

February 5, 2019 0

Day 27 – Stronger

February 4, 2019 – Today is Monday and I assume that there a lot of students who are at school today but for some instances, there are only some students whom I saw this morning.

This day is so dry. There are only few teachers that I can see walking in the corridors. I only heard slight noise from the students. Today is different from the other days. Due to the scout camp last Friday, some of the students got sick and did not able to attend the class this morning, it is sad as a teacher but I hope I can meet them again tomorrow safe and sound. Even the teachers got sick. My co-participants got sick and I’m the one who take care of them, even I got a cough.

As a teacher, I learned that you need to be healthy and to be strong enough. You are the model of your students, they are learning for you. As a teacher you need to be stronger.

February 4, 2019 0

Day 26 – Relax, Reflect

February 3, 2019 – We are still in teacher Dale’s place and we cooked something for breakfast. We had egg sandwich and soup for breakfast, and then spend the remaining time watching the movie “Replica”. The movie we watched is totally amazing. The story has good plot and I was really amazed after watching it. Then, we had our lunch fruit juice and fruit shake. A healthy lunch for us. He dropped us to our dorm and we spent our remaining time to relax and reflect. It is time to make lesson plan and instructional material since tomorrow is Monday again. 🙂

February 3, 2019 0

Day 25 – Saturday Gala

February 2, 2019 – There are more happenings to tell today. It is a Saturday gala for us! Teacher Jesille cooked breakfast for us to have an energy for our long day today. Then we went to central market. We bought some pasulubong for our family i the Philippines since we have limited time now. We went to the central market to buy some goods and souvenirs.

Walk, walk, walk. You can reach your destination.

At the lunch time, since the Filipino community here invited us for lunch, we went to the house of Kuya McDo. They cooked Filipino foods there like Kinilaw, pochero, and grilled fish. We enjoyed the foods and the stories shared within us.

So after the buying the souvenirs, we went back to the apartment of teacher Jesille and take some rest. Since there’s still a game and of course I can’t say no to volleyball, I joined teacher Jesille and Kuya Sam to play volleyball together with the other Filipinos.

Since we had plans on spending our Saturday night at Teacher Dale’s place, we finished the game early and and settled our thing then we went back to our dormitory to prepare. So after that, we walked going to his place, and when we arrived, the foods are already settled and cooked. Filipino foods again! We enjoyed our night in teacher Dale’s place with a cozy and beautiful ambiance room.

We had our dinner together with the some of Filipino Teachers in Satit.

February 3, 2019 0

Day 24 – Scout Camp Bond

February 1, 2019 – In the first day of the second month, there are lot of experience that I have taken. In this day, Satit Demonstration School has a one day scout camp for the primary 1 to primary 3. We have been invited to join the camp and I was assigned to one of the station.

It is in their tradition to paint something in the face of the students before going to the camp site. In the photo, the girl is being painted bu the student interns.

In the station one, they need to bridge a river using a rope. The Thai teacher let me try the bridge and it is so exciting! It is very safe and a really good experience. So I assisted the other teachers in the station, I facilitated the kids as they executing the activity. During lunch time, we joined with the other Thai teachers, they cook a grilled chicken and fish.

My EP 1 students as they cross the bridge.

In the afternoon, as the teachers wait for the incoming students, they enjoy their self by having swimming. They even drag us in the water that is why we ended up wet. I also tried the other station but the Thai teachers are really naughty, they moved the rope and I fell in the water, it was really the most enjoyable camp I’ve ever had!

Relaxing and cool water of Phrom Kiri river.

In the evening, we planned to stay at Teacher Jesille house. She invited us to play volleyball, since it’s my sport, I joined them. There are lot of Filipinos there. I played with the Filipino community in Nakhon Si Thammarat. It is really fun. They even invited us to have lunch together with them the next day.

I feel comfortable while playing since I am with the Filipinos. They are all kind and accommodating. Playing volleyball with them is really fun.

We had our dinner at Mokata, it is another eat all you can trip for us. Foods here, foods there, foods everywhere! We really enjoyed our day. It is a long day for us. Even though we are tired for this .ong day, we still had our tutorial with Kuya Samuel. Hahahaha!

And when you say eat all you can… I’m always prepared. Haha!

February 3, 2019 0

Day 23 – Substitute Teacher

January 31, 2019 – I got two classes for today. I substitute Teacher Mai to her class in EP 4. As I handle the class, I can observe that the students are very smart and can be manage easily. They know how to listen to their foreign teacher. I think EP 4 is really a good class to have.

After my class to EP 4, I directly go to EP 1 because I will also have my class to them We had our collaborative discussion. I made an activity which made them be grouped into 3. It is good to see that they are working altogether even though some find it hard, but at least they are trying to do their best.

EP 1 while doing their word problems activity.

Since today is our last class for the week, we went home early and happy since we can have our rest. We’re excited too since we’ll going to have a camp for tomorrow.

January 31, 2019 0