Summary and Suggestions

    1.1 Purpose of practicum

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. (2020 SEAMEO)

Based on the SEAMEO seven priority areas for the eleven SEAMEO Member countries to work together to improve the quality of education in Southeast Asia, “Revitalizing Teacher Education” is one of the priority areas in building and strengthening capacity of teachers in the region.

The exchange is preferably for 4th year students whose major are in math, science, English and pre-school. The duration is for one month and based on the mechanism of cost sharing basis. Students’ roles and responsibilities are assigned weekly during the one month period (observe, assist in teaching, teach and reflect). Moreover, the host universities will provide mentors to supervise and monitor the students throughout the practicum period.

Objectives of the Project

1. To enable pre-service student teachers to develop their teaching skills and pedagogy

2. To encourage the pre-service student teachers to practice their English skills

3. To allow the pre-service 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.

Lessons learned

l Students:

Ø Should prepare lesson plans, materials and health insurance in advance prior to travel

Ø Gain more confident & increase social skills

Ø Able to improve their teaching pedagogy 

l Facilitation process:

Ø Coordinators play an important role.

Ø Mentors who understand the process.

Ø Various channels of communication: Line and WhatsApp

 

 Key Success Factors

u Active mentors are very helpful in providing guidance to students.

u Supportive schools enable students to conduct their practicum successfully.

u Students who have open-minded and positive attitude.

    1.2 Procedures of practicum

1. Applied to the online registration form of SEAMEO SEA Teachers Project 9th Batch.
2. Secured all necessary documents in University, Receiving University, CHED, medical, and travel documents.
3. Joined the Pre-Departure for SEA Teachers seminar in Zoom meeting.
4. Joined the virtual interview with the (UHAMKA) Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. Hamka, Jakarta, Indonesia with the Uhamka Dean, Mr. Purnam Syae Purrohman and Kepala UPT PLP, Novanita Whindi Arini, M.Pd., another teacher from Uhamka, and with Prof. Jeanette Dials of Mariano Marcos State University.
5. Secured the Letter of Acceptance and CHED-IAS to proceed in the International Tecahing Internship.

    1.3 Outcome of practicum

• Learned the different teaching-learning techniques and strategies used in SMP Saintek -Uhamka Boarding School located at Jonggol, Bogor, Indonesia. 
• Observed the different curriculum used in high school education in Indonesia.
• Learned some Bahasa words and greetings, also with the norms or unwritten laws in Indonesia.
• Learned how to blend in with the Indonesian people, food, culture, tradition, and living while staying there for 28 days.
• Personal and Professional development is attained during the 28 days teaching internship.
• The students, teachers, staffs, and friends that we met became our new company and family.

    1.4 The challenges of practicum

• Language barrier: The most common challenge that I faced. Because of this, some miscommunications have been experienced but with the help of other teachers that can speak and understand English, we were able to deliver our messages and have a conversation with one another.
• Cultural differences: The foods and way of life in Indonesia is different from my home country. However, I've seen some cultures which are similar to the Philippines. That's why my body condition adjusted faster than expected.

    1.5 Overall impression

        SEA Teacher Project is the best avenue for Pre-service Teachers to learn the academic system and teaching pedagogies of different schools across the world. Apart from that, cultural exchange is also observed because we stayed in that foreign country for a month.

            It is an honor for me to be one of the chosen students from Mariano Marcos State University to join the SEA Teacher Project Batch 9 in Indonesia. I would like to acknowledge everything that UHAMKA and UBS provided to me while I was with them for the duration of 28 days. Since day 1, they are already there to help us. They gave us free accommodation, local transportation, food, and everything that we needed. Their presence in guiding us in any day and any time is also a big help to us.
I thank the Almighty God for allowing me to complete this journey meaningfully. His guidance truly gave me motivation and courage in completing my mission as a SEA Teacher. I also thank all the people who gave me moral and financial support as I travel across my home country for this great opportunity.

            I would also like to acknowledge, one by one, the teachers in Saintek Uhamka Boarding School who helped, guided, and cared for me during my four (4) weeks stay with them. Mr. Andy, my mentor; Rizki Amrillah, M.Ed., my Cooperating Teacher, headmaster of UBS and translator; Jeani Alfirahmadita, S.Pd. and Tivia Tsanya Gusti, S.Pd., Mathematics teachers and translators; Johari Febrianto, S.Pd., Biology teacher; Rafida Rachma, S.Pd., Bahasa Indonesia teacher; Nurliana Apriyanti, S.Pd., Physics teacher; M. Fajar Yudhistira Fahsa, S.Pd., Bahasa-English teacher and translator; and lastly Fendy Arief, S.Pd., my Resource Teacher.

       Also, my regards to Novanita Whindi Arini, M.Pd., the teacher-in-charge for International Exchange Students who provided us the things that we need, our local transportation, and our comfort while we are in Jakarta, Indonesia; Pak Azhar Nawawi, in-charge of our tour activities during weekends; Muhammad Daffa Rizyanto, S.Pd., Nanda Welli Adrian, S.Pd., and Berlin Khoirunnisa Berliananda Sukesi, S.Pd.,  our student buddies; and Dimas Suryanto, in-charge of guiding us in Uhamka Dormitory.

          I also want to give my appreciation to the students of Uhamka Boarding School who made my journey in here as worthwhile and meaningful as it is. Without them, my SEA Teacher journey won’t be meaningful, worthwhile and holistic. But since they are smart and good students, I was able to complete my four weeks international internship in their school as a SEA Teacher from Mariano Marcos State University, Philippines.   

 

    1.6 Suggestions for future improvement

International Teaching Internship is a good avenue for Pre-Service teachers to gain more teaching-learning strategies in a culturally diverse world. I have learned that the primary goal of international internship is not solely about the enhancement of using the English language in teaching and communicating with other people, but it is the appreciation of the different cultures and traditions of the people around the world regardless of the big differences in terms of language, culture, traditions, educational system, and others.

The “Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia” Project, otherwise known as SEA Teachers Project, is a worthwhile learning experience because it shed me more light on how to blend in, to be appreciative, and supportive in teaching the students and going along with other teachers despite our cultural and socio-economic differences.

The real exposure to the present educational system in Indonesia, particularly at SMP Saintek - Uhamka Boarding School located at Jonggol, Indonesia, gave me the skills and knowledge that I needed for my teaching at present and in the near future. This journey equipped me with the knowledge, digital-skills, and professionalism that I needed in this Teaching Profession. Likewise, a development in my personal character can be seen apparent because of the good morals and values that they showed and taught to me.

All of the things that I needed have been provided, along with the love and care that they gave to me. I feel more valued and valid while I was with them. Therefore, I recommend SMP Saintek - Uhamka Boarding School as the best school for International Teaching Internship for Pre-service teachers. The location might be far, or the number of the students might be small, but the experience is wholesome and holistic.