Life is too short to be scared about what might be. Just go for it.
Hi, everyone! I am Faiza Nabila, a 7th semester student in Mathematics Education, Sriwijaya University. I am going to tell you the backstory of how I applied to SEA Teacher Program 2024 to Philippines Normal University, as well as the entire preparation process that I had gone through. It is going to be a long story. So, I hope you'll enjoy the story! <3
In my 6th semester, I took a course called Microteaching and my class was lectured by Ma'am Dr. Meryansumayeka, S.Pd., M.Sc., one of the lecturer in Mathematics Education major. One day, our class was informed to be the one who took the role in the Microteaching Laboratory for the ASIIN accreditation for Mathematics Education major. This meant that we needed someone to conduct the teaching practice while the accessor observed around the faculty. And, yes, I was the one who is given the trust to take the role of the teacher.
The ASIIN accreditation was held on February 27th 2024. While teaching, I used English as the language because ASIIN is an international accreditation. I also used the material that I prepared myself for this event. After teaching, I was kind of proud of what I had accomplished. However, I expected nothing afterward. So, I was so surprised when Ma'am Dr. Rita Inderawati, M.Pd., the Vice Dean 1 of the FKIP UNSRI, came to the Microteaching Laboratory and asked who was teaching the class. When I told her it was me, she smiled and complimented my teaching.
This was the turning point: she recommended me to join a teaching program in the Philippines. When she told me that, I was truly confused and did not know about what program she was talking about. But, it was such a boost for my confidence. I never thought I had such an amazing skills of teaching so that someone would recommend me to join a teaching program abroad, additionally that someone is a Vice Dean 1 of our faculty.
Months and months has passed with no further information about the program to the Philippines. And I, again, expected nothing. I had also finished my 6th semester and currently in my 7th semester. I thought this semester I would be just busy with my thesis and everything that comes with it. But suddenly, on a nice morning of August 9th 2024... ding!
Ma'am Weni Dwi Pratiwi, S.Pd., M.Sc., the program coordinator of the Mathematics Education major, sent the information to the WhatsApp group. Chills instanlty went all over my body. Suddenly, I became nervous and scared. Thoughts raced through my mind: "Should I apply for this program? Oh my god, can I even do this?" Basically every question that you could ever think of when someone is scared and nervous about stepping out of their comfort zone. I asked my friends and my family to encourage me to apply for the program. And finally, I submitted the registration form for the SEA Teacher 2024. Again, I repeat, I expected nothing. I thought, "at least I submitted the registration form, at least I did not waste this chance just like that, at least I took the bait, at least I was doing something about it." For this big step, I would like to express my gratitude to Ma'am Dr. Rita Inderawati, M.Pd. for encouraging me to join this program back in February. If she hadn't done so, I probably would never have seriously considered in taking this leap.
Finally, the announcement about the interview for the SEA Teacher 2024 was published on August 22nd 2024. According to the announcement, the interview would be held on the very next day, August 23rd 2024. Of course, this did not give me much time to prepare myself. I panicked a little, but I also tried to calm and focused on preparing everything that I could before the interview. I learnt about the questions that might be asked during the interview, read my upperclassmen's blog about their experience during SEA Teacher 2023, and prepared my curriculum vitae along with other necessary documents for the interview.
On August 23rd, 2024, the day of the interview finally arrived. I was incredibly nervous. The interview was held at FKIP Ogan Hall, and there were 31 other participants other than me from various majors in FKIP UNSRI. I thought my chances of being accepted were slim. However, I kept a positive mindset and reminded myself that whether I got accepted or not, I would be still proud of myself for making it this far.
There were five interviewers, all English Education lecturers, and I was assigned to Ma'am Nova Lingga Pitaloka, S.Pd., M.Pd. She was very kind, encouraging me to stay relaxed and focus on doing my best. She asked me a few questions about my teaching experiences, my achievements, my talents, and so on. By the way, we used english as the language during the interview. When the interview ended, I felt that it had gone well.
Finally, on August 30th 2024, the announcement of the selection was published. I was absolutely shocked when I saw my name listed alongside five other selected participants. No way. I never expected this to happen. "I’m going abroad? Am I really going? I'm actually going to take a plane trip? Is this real?" So many thoughts raced through my mind. I was in disbelief, but at the same time, I was overwhelmed with happiness. I also received many congratulations from my family, friends, and lecturers. Knowing that I had been accepted, I shifted my focus to preparing for the program while also staying on top of my thesis. After all, I’m a 7th-semester student, and there’s still a lot of things that I need to stay focused on :D
On September 10th, 2024, there are an event called Pre-Departure Orientation SEA Teacher Program for the six of us, the selected participants. The event was officially opened by Sir Dr. Hartono, MA., the Dean of FKIP, and followed by a welcoming speech from Ma'am Dr. Rita Inderawati, M.Pd., Vice Dean 1 and Coordinator of the SEA Teacher Program. There are also lecturers who became the speakers which are Ma'am Dr. Meilinda, Ma'am Fiftinova, M.Pd., Ma'am Hesti Wahyuni, M.Pd., Ma'am Tita Ratna Wulan Dari, M.Pd., and Ma'am Nova Lingga Pitaloka, M.Pd. One of the last Ambassador of the SEA Teacher Program to Capiz State University, Nur Salwa, also came and told us her best experience while staying in the Philippines by showing her blog.
In this event, I learnt a lot of things that I needed to prepare for, such as; understanding the SEA Teacher Program and its objectives, administrative and logistical preparation, academic preparation and teaching practice, cultural adaption and professional etiquette, health and safety, personal and professional growth, evaluation and reflection, staying connected with UNSRI and family, developing collaborative skills, and also professional conduct and representing Indonesia.
On September 18th, 2024, the six of us, the selected participants, were invited to attend an event to welcome the students from Philippines Normal University. At this event, we had the opportunity to meet and chat with the five of their students: Mariella, Norman, Jaira, Alyannah, and Ramona. They were all so nice. Meeting them had boosted my excitement for my upcoming departure to the Philippines. Additionally, it was the first time for the six of us, the selected participants, gathered as a complete team, and I was thrilled to meet everyone. We also took a lot of pictures together!
On September 23rd, 2024, we did a teaching practice at the Microteaching Laboratory in Indralaya. We were asked to prepare our own teaching materials. For my teaching practice, I used the System of Linear Equations in Two Variables as my material. The six of us took turns teaching, and once we had all finished, Ma'am Dr. Rita Inderawati, M.Pd. and Ma'am Fiftinova, M.Pd. gave us feedback to help improve our teaching.
Okay, that’s all about my backstory and how my preparation has been going. Right now, I am just busy with packing and waiting for my departure time. I can’t wait tell you everything once I’ve finally arrived in the Philippines! <3
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