Summary and Suggestions

a. purposes of practicum

The SEA-Teacher project aims to provide an opportunity for pre-service student teachers from universities in Southeast Asia to have teaching experiences (practicum) in schools in other countries in Southeast Asia. Specifically, the aims of the SEA-Teacher Project are:

1. To enable the student teachers to develop their teaching skills and pedagogy.
2. To encourage the student teachers to practice their English skills.
3. To allow the student teachers to gain a broader regional and world view.
4. To expose future teachers to diverse teaching and learning situations and opportunities and the value of flexibility.

For 28 days, I became a student teacher in SMP Negeri 1 Kendari, where I was faced with a new environment, new people, a new language, new teaching strategies, and many more. However, during my stay at this school, I was exposed to many scenarios, which I believe made me improve myself not just as a student teacher but also as a person. First, I was able to learn different teaching skills and strategies from my cooperating teachers and other science teachers, which I can also use in the Philippines. Second, not only did I improve my English skills, but I was also able to learn a different language, which is Bahasa Indonesia. Third, I was able to learn about different cultures and traditions in relation to education in Indonesia. During my stay at SMP Negeri 1 Kendari, I was able to realize how committed the students and teachers were in terms of their religion. Fourth, with the help of the teachers in that school, I was exposed to different teaching and learning situations, which helped me improve my adaptability and flexibility skills, which are really needed for aspiring teachers like me.

In a nutshell, the objectives of the SEA-Teacher Project as well as my expectations were all met during my practicum period at SMP Negeri 1 Kendari.

B. procedures of practicum

The SEA-Teacher Project is divided into four stages that are executed for four weeks. The first stage is all about observing the classes and the school itself. The second stage is all about teaching assistantships. The third stage is the actual teaching. The fourth stage is about reflection.

For my first week in SMP Negeri 1 Kendari, I observed the classes of different science teachers aside from my cooperating teacher because I wanted to be exposed to the different teaching strategies of the teachers there. For the second week, I started assisting the teachers inside their classrooms. I was the one who checked the attendance, distributed worksheets, arranged the laboratory tools, and much more. In addition to that, this is also the week where I started crafting my lesson plan for my final teaching demonstration. For the third week, I taught the classes of my cooperating teacher. For my fourth week, since there have been some adjustments when it comes to our schedule, this is the week where I executed my final demonstration teaching.

c. outcomes of practicum

As they say, no effort is in vain. I was very happy to see the fruits of my labor because not only did I get a high grade, but hearing the comments of my cooperating teacher and our coordinator made me realize my potential as a teacher. In addition to that, the success of my final demonstration teaching does not only speak about my own personal success but also the success of all my students. Moreover, seeing the smiles of my students while we were having fun during our discussion was the greatest award for me.

D. challenges of the practicum

Aside from challenges that are related language barrier, these are the other challenges that I have encountered and embraced all throughout the course of my practicum:

1. Culture shock. Although the Philippines and Indonesia are very much alike, the difference in culture still made my first days in Indonesia quite difficult.
2. Forging a good relationship with the students. Aside from the language barrier, during my first week in my practicum school, I found it challenging to create simple bonding moments with my students because first, they were afraid to talk to me since some of them were not confident in speaking in English, and second, I was still adjusting to the new environment.

e. overall impression

Being a part of the Batch 9 SEA-Teacher Project, I can say that this program is not just about letting student teachers from Southeast Asia experience the education system of other countries but this is a program that bridges different cultures and touches lives. In addition to that, this is a journey where we are all immersed in different environments to improve our skills and develop relationships with people from other nations. Which is why I will always be thankful for being part of this project because it did not just made me a better future teacher but it made me a better person.

f. suggestions for future improvement

The SEA-Teacher project is not just another internationalization activity; it has become an avenue for student teachers like me to broaden their knowledge when it comes to pedagogical content and improve ourselves not just as future teachers but also as people.

Now, as a participant in the Batch 9 SEA-Teacher Project, here are my suggestions to further improve the experiences of future batches.

1. The duration of the program should be longer, maybe 1 semester or 3 months. This is to expose the student teachers more, not just to the educational system of the country but also to deepen their background on the different cultures and    traditions that the country can offer.
2. Include some cultural activities where the student teachers will be really    immersed in the different cultures and traditions of the country. For example, in    Indonesia, maybe the receiving university can let the students experience batik    making, learning traditional instruments, or other cultural activities.
3. There should be a formal orientation, maybe during the welcome program, about the things that the student teachers will do in their practicum schools so that if there are queries, especially regarding the outputs, they will be clarified    immediately.

With all these suggestions, I sincerely hope that the next batches of the SEA-Teacher Project will have memorable experiences.