Summary and Suggestions

After joining this program for around 1 month, it was the time for me to say goodbye to NSTRU and Satit Demonstration school. These are the conclusions from the evaluation.

   Purpose of Practicum

      I have memorable experience for joining this SEA-Teacher Project Batch 7th. Through this exchange program, I am given a chance to improve my teaching skills with different students that exactly have differents culture and perspective, practice my English communication skill, making a lot memorable experience with friends other countries, and also gain a broader world view, that others country have their beautiful side. It has turned me more open-minded person as I always try my best to understand the differences between Indonesia and Thailand in many aspects including in the teaching process, language, behavior, culture and even religion. 

Procedures of Practicum

I conducted this exchange program for around one month. There were at least five main activities that I had to do. The first was the orientation day. This was the day where we first met all the participants, mentors, and lecturers from the host university. In this day, we were introduced to our mentor and being told our practicum school as well. The next main activity is classroom observation. It was conducted in the first week of the practicum. Then, there were also teaching assistance and teaching practice in the second and the third week. Finally, the last week was the evaluation.

     Outcomes of Practicum

I got an opportunity to improve my teaching skills as I was conducting my teaching practices. I could practice my English communication skill as well since English was the only language that I understood during my stay in Thailand. Finally, for my first experience going abroad, I learned a little about Thai language and Thai culture  managed to share some Indonesia’s culture as well, and give a courage my self to try and try and do the best for my life.

      The Challenges of Practicum

I have several challenges or problem during  stay in Thailand due to I am the only Indonesia student here, so I have to more addapt with the surrounding. But, all of those were still as basic problems of someone who study abroad and live in other place which is not our place. One of them is the different language. Most of Thai people can’t understand English that well, although they can, they have this kind of weird accent that made me hard to catch what they were talking about. So, I had to double check by saying “pardon me?” or use google translate or other dictionary, and calculator (when we buy food or shopping), so many times just to make sure what they just said. It was a little hard to communicate with them. And I would say that thai people is really kind. This also motivate me to learn a little of Thai language. There were also the time where I can eat  Thai  foods because I can found easier halal food but sometimes I didn’t really into Thai foods (because some Thai  food are too sour for me) and some kind of culture shock as well. These challenges taught me to push beyond my limits to keep learning, have an open mind, be more respectful to differences and give my self to try and try and do the best for my life.

     Overall Impression

I am forever grateful to be given the privilege to join this SEA-Teacher Project Batch 7th in Thailand especially for NSTRU and Satit Demonstration School . It is a good starting point for me to develop myself in so many aspects. There is no split second of my life I spent regretting to have joined this exchange program. I couldn’t say thank you so much to SEAMEO, UNIPMA, NSTRU and Satit Demonstration School for chance, experience become one of the lucky participant to join this program.

      Suggestion for Future Improvement

I suggest the committees to give clearer instruction about the self-report (blog writing) so that there will be no miscommunication. And also about the detail of 20 hour it is only for teaching or for other stage too.