Embarking on a Journey with the SEA-Teacher Program

In September 2023, I had the privilege of sending my friend off to the airport as he embarked on the SEA-Teacher Batch 9 program. Throughout his time in Tapaz, Philippines, he shared daily updates that left me amazed by his experiences. Inspired by his journey, I set a goal to join the program in the next batch.  

Fast forward a year, the opportunity finally arrived. My study program coordinator announced that the SEA-Teacher Batch 10 program registration was open. Without hesitation, I applied and eagerly awaited the next step: the interview. The interview was scheduled for August 23, coinciding with my umroh appointment. After arriving in Medina at 1 a.m., I received news that I had been shortlisted for the interview. While thrilled, I felt disheartened knowing I couldn’t attend it in person. Encouraged by my mother, I decided to let go and trust in fate. However, my study program coordinator suggested I contact the vice dean to inquire about a virtual interview option. My vice dean, Dr. Rita Inderawati, M.Pd., approved my request to attend the interview via Zoom Meeting.   

Online Interview 

Offline Interview

A few weeks later, the faculty announced the interview results through their official Instagram account. To my surprise and delight, I was one of the six candidates selected. Achieving this milestone was a dream come true for me. 

Aware of the significant responsibilities I would shoulder abroad, I committed to rigorous preparation. I focused on improving my English skills and practiced teaching both independently and through microteaching sessions provided by my faculty, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education of Sriwijaya University.  

Microteaching Practice

Welcoming SEA-Teacher Candidates from the Philippines 

On September 18, 2024, my five colleagues and I had the honor of welcoming five SEA-Teacher candidates—Alyannah, Yiella, Mona, Jaira, and Dave—along with their faculty representative from Philippine Normal University, Professor Dhana A. Canoy.  

They arrived in the morning, and we proceeded to hold a welcoming ceremony at the FKIP UNSRI campus auditorium. At the airport, we presented them with gandik and tanjak, traditional Palembang headpieces, as symbols of cultural hospitality. They wore these along with their traditional Filipino attire, the balintawak, during the ceremony.  

The event was a beautiful blend of cultures, showcasing mutual respect and the spirit of international collaboration that the SEA-Teacher program fosters. 

The Day of Departure

The long-awaited day arrived—October 8, 2024. I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement as this would be my first internship abroad. In the late afternoon, I headed to Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport with my mother. There, I reunited with my fellow SEA-Teacher ambassadors. At 8 p.m., we bid farewell to our families and friends, taking photos to mark the occasion.  

We reached Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 10 p.m. and proceeded to the check-in counter for our midnight flight to Hong Kong International Airport. After a four-hour journey, we landed in Hong Kong at 4 a.m., where we boarded a connecting flight to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the Philippines.  

Arriving in the Philippines

At 9 a.m., we finally arrived in the Philippines, where Professor Dhana A. Canoy, as representative from FGEEL Philippine Normal University, warmly welcomed us. Due to limited availability at the Philippine Normal University Hostel, we were temporarily accommodated at Santa Isabel College of Manila for our first three days in Manila. After navigating the city’s bustling traffic for about an hour and a half, we reached the hostel, checked in, and took the much-needed rest.  In the afternoon, we were picked up by Doctor Victoria Delos Santos who is also a representative of FGEEL Philippine Normal University. We were taken to SM Manila Mall to have dinner together at Jollibee.

This marked the beginning of what I knew would be an enriching and transformative journey through the SEA-Teacher program.