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Every journey begins with a single step, and mine started with a mixture of emotions—fear, excitement, nervousness, and hope. Like a wave leaving the shore for the first time, I was about to step into unfamiliar waters, uncertain of what awaited me but eager to embrace the experience ahead.
On April 3, my SEA Teacher journey officially began as we traveled from Camarines Norte to Manila, accompanied by Sir Bryan M. Torres, the Program Coordinator of our sending university, the Camarines Norte State College. Leaving home was not easy. I felt emotional knowing that I would be away from my loved ones for a month, while nervousness and fear filled my thoughts about living in another country, adjusting to a different culture, and facing unfamiliar challenges. Yet, despite all those emotions, excitement remained stronger because deep inside, I knew this journey would become one of the greatest opportunities of my life.
On April 4, we departed from the Philippines bound for Jakarta, Indonesia, before traveling onward to Kendari. One of the most unforgettable parts of the journey was experiencing my very first international flight. Waiting for hours at the departure area made the moment feel even more surreal, and when we were finally directed to the airplane, reality slowly started to sink in—I was truly leaving my comfort zone and stepping into a new chapter. Although the flight took place at night, preventing me from fully appreciating the view outside, the experience itself felt magical and unexpected. The flight was smooth and stable, while the kindness and professionalism of the flight attendants made the experience even more memorable.
By April 5, we finally arrived in Indonesia and were warmly welcomed at the airport by Ma’am Waode Ade Sarasmita Oke, the SEA Teacher Coordinator from Halu Oleo University, together with the university driver. Despite the exhaustion from traveling, curiosity immediately filled my mind. I found myself wondering about the food, places, people, and culture of this unfamiliar country that would soon become my temporary home.
My first impression of Kendari was surprisingly familiar yet different at the same time. The weather was extremely hot—almost five times hotter than what I was used to in the Philippines—and somehow reminded me of life in a province back home. While the environment felt somewhat familiar, there were still many things that immediately caught my attention. One of my biggest challenges during the first few days was adjusting to the food since most dishes were spicy, which was something I had to slowly adapt to.
During our stay, we were accommodated at the university rector’s house, which became our home away from home throughout the exchange program. The very first Indonesian meal I experienced was coto (pronounced as cho-to), served with boiled duck egg and rice. Although unfamiliar at first, it became part of my cultural exploration through food. Soon after, we also visited The Park Kendari, one of the largest malls in Southeast Sulawesi, where I had the chance to observe more of Kendari’s lifestyle and environment. Another thing that surprised me was seeing some Muslim women who did not wear veils, which challenged my assumptions and helped me understand that culture and religious practices can vary even within one community.
As days passed, unfamiliar places slowly turned into meaningful spaces filled with memories, laughter, learning, and friendships. What once felt intimidating eventually became comfortable, and the people who were once strangers gradually became part of my story.
However, like every voyage, there comes a time to return to shore.
Our last day in Kendari was filled with mixed emotions. Saying goodbye to the teachers, faculty members, students, and Indonesian friends we had grown close to within just one month was one of the hardest moments of the experience. What made it difficult was knowing that meaningful bonds had been formed in such a short period of time. There was sadness in leaving behind the people, places, and memories that became part of our everyday life, yet there was also gratitude for everything we had experienced together.
As I reflected during the journey home, one thought stayed in my mind: “Finally, we did it.” After weeks of homesickness, challenges, adjustments, growth, and unforgettable moments, we had successfully completed the program and fulfilled our purpose of making a meaningful contribution during our stay in Kendari. Although leaving felt heartbreaking, there was also a sense of relief and fulfillment in knowing that we had conquered fears, embraced challenges, and grown into better versions of ourselves.
Like waves returning to the shore after a long voyage, I came home carrying more than just memories. I returned with lessons, friendships, courage, and experiences that will forever shape who I am—not only as a future teacher, but also as a person willing to sail beyond familiar horizons.
