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The Southeast Asian Teacher Exchange Program is a one-month mutual exchange training program to provide international co-curricular training for students who want to become teachers between four countries in Southeast Asia and Japan. This project is initiated by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat which aims to:
(1) enhance teaching skills;
(2) improve English proficiency;
(3) broaden perspectives; and
(4) foster adaptability.
This international exchange program provides pre-service teachers from universities across Southeast Asia with valuable opportunities to gain hands-on teaching experience and develop professionally in a cross-cultural learning environment.
The SEA-Teacher Program followed a structured timeline designed to provide meaningful teaching and cultural immersion experiences. From orientation and observation to classroom teaching and evaluation, each stage offered opportunities to develop professional skills, collaborate with educators, and engage with learners in an international setting. This calendar highlights the key activities and milestones that shaped my journey as a pre-service teacher in Indonesia during the program period.
WEEK 1: ORIENTATION AND FIRST ENCOUNTERS
The first week of the program focused on orientation and school visits, where we were introduced to the schools assigned to us. We received warm welcomes from each institution, accompanied by generous hospitality that made us feel valued and comfortable in a new environment. As the week progressed, we began observing and adapting to the school community by connecting, interacting, and conducting informal interviews with students and faculty, allowing us to better understand the culture and learning environment of our host schools.
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WEEK 2: TEACHING ASSISTANCE AND CONTINUED OBSERVATION
During the second week, we were expected to assist our supervising or cooperating teachers in their classes. However, since my supervising teacher had no class schedule during that period, I maximized my time by extending my classroom observations across different faculty members to gain deeper insights into various teaching strategies and instructional practices. Additionally, I had the opportunity to observe class examinations, which further enhanced my understanding of classroom management and student assessment processes.
WEEK 3: STEPPING INTO THE CLASSROOM
The third week marked the beginning of my first actual teaching experience in an international setting. During this time, I planned lessons and designed activities, implemented them in the classroom, and assessed students’ learning outcomes. Teaching students from a different culture, language, and learning environment challenged me to adapt and grow, making the experience both meaningful and enriching as a future educator.
The fourth week marked the bittersweet ending of my SEA-Teacher journey—a week filled with heartfelt goodbyes and unforgettable memories. It was my final week of teaching, my last moments with the teachers and friends who became part of my journey, and my last opportunity to enjoy the places and experiences in Kendari, Indonesia. Although difficult to leave, this week became a reminder of the meaningful connections, growth, and memories that I will always carry with me.
WEEK 4: A WEEK OF GOODBYES
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