KENDARI: MY SECOND HOME
This part of the blog is deeply personal. It encapsulates my experiences beyond the classroom, the friends I made, and the love that formed within my heart for Kendari and its people.
A R R I V A L
The Universitas Halu Oleo is not your average university—it is one of the greenest and student-friendliest universities in Indonesia. During our stay, we were welcomed by rows of tall green trees alongside buildings whose designs vividly reflected the country’s culture and traditions. Dr. Herman, the acting rector of the university, together with the dean and vice deans of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, received us with warm hospitality in one of the university facilities. In observance of respect for the culture and practices of the country, we sang their national anthem, shook hands with everybody, and spoke their native language. Perhaps it was through these simple gestures of respect that the people of the receiving institution became genuinely amiable and welcoming toward us.
On our first day, the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education conducted an orientation regarding the procedures and guidelines of the SEA Teacher Program. As part of this transformative partnership, we felt both honored and excited because we were given the opportunity not only to represent our own institution—Camarines Norte State College—but also our country, the Philippines. More importantly, we were given the chance to empower learners beyond our borders, create meaningful impact within the school and community, and immerse ourselves in the culture and practices of the host country.
Throughout our month-long stay in Indonesia, we discovered hidden parts of ourselves—qualities that we never knew we possessed, such as a stronger sense of responsibility, leadership, independence, and the ability to form deep social bonds. Personally, I never knew that I could maintain patience and composure in the face of pressure, nor did I realize that I was capable of accomplishing a myriad of tasks independently. Before this experience, it was also unclear to me where I could truly improve and grow exponentially as a future educator.
I managed to deliver purposeful lessons to my Grade 11 students, but none of it would have been possible without the guidance of my amazing cooperating teacher, Ms. Fauzia At Tin, S.Pd. Through her mentorship and honest feedback, she helped me recognize both my strengths and the areas where I still needed improvement. It was through her guidance that I gained clearer direction toward growth—not only as a future professional teacher, but also as a person.
Of course, there were also my students, who not only actively participated in my lessons but also made me feel like a celebrity teacher. They gave me gifts, praised me endlessly, and always acknowledged my presence whenever they saw me around the school. Although we did not have enough time to build deeper relationships, the moments we shared were already enough to exchange invaluable knowledge and create meaningful teacher-student connections. At no point did I feel like I did not belong within the school or the university.
To my fellow Indonesian SEA Teachers—Ferin, Awan, Ella, Takim, Shifa, Sryi, Nabila, and Dinda—terima kasih for the friendship, tireless support, and kind hospitality you have shown us throughout our stay in Indonesia. The memories we shared will always remain special to us, and we will certainly continue the friendship and connections we started once you arrive in the Philippines. We are all excited to welcome you soon! <3
To Sky, who was only supposed to be our translator and guide but gradually became one of our closest friends—thank you for every moment, every laugh, every tear, and every piece of advice you shared with me. You became one of the most wonderful parts of our journey in Indonesia. I will never forget the time you waited for me at MAN 1 for almost an hour just to accompany me back to the dormitory. It may seem like a simple gesture to others, but to me, it showed patience, sincerity, and true friendship. Whenever I look up at the sky, know that I will always remember you, my friend. May we meet again. <33
To Dr. Waode Ade Sarasmita Uke, S.Pd., M.Pd., our second mother in Kendari—thank you for the Ultramilk, the food, the coffee dates, the surprise visits even when our dormitory was messy, the smiles you still gave us despite your exhaustion, and the care and guidance you extended to all ten of us. Thank you for staying awake while waiting for us during our arrival and departure flights, and for the simple acts of love and thoughtfulness that made us feel safe and cared for throughout our stay. I have said this before, and I will gladly say it again—you will always have a special place in our hearts. <333
And lastly, to Sir Bryan M. Torres, MMath., who went far beyond his responsibilities as the SEA Teacher Program Coordinator of Camarines Norte State College—our second father, mentor, and friend—a true asset of the institution. Thank you for granting us the opportunity to gain international experience and for continuously supporting us throughout this journey. This project would not have been successful without your efforts, dedication, and initiatives toward internationalization. Your heart and commitment to student development is truly admirable, and I look forward to creating more meaningful and memorable experiences with you in the future. I salute you, Sir.
By the end of our teaching internship, I realized that the SEA Teacher Program went far beyond the exchange of pedagogical insights and cultural practices. Through laughter, learning, and shared experiences, we formed irreplaceable bonds, meaningful friendships, and memories that will forever remain imprinted in our hearts and minds.
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