I. Introduction

“Bridging the Gap through Education”

The other side of the world

The Quest for Knowledge 

Have you ever dreamed of experiencing the love of humanity and the wonders of the world?  If you are given the chance to travel, where will it be? 

At some point of my life, I also dreamed of exploring the world for better experience. I wanted to see the beauty of the world and feel my connection with the universe. I wanted to know how it feels to encounter new people, new environment, new language and culture. And guess what? I was given a very worthwhile privilege.

So would you like to know where did my dreams took me? Get ready and stay tuned! Let’s go back to September…………

September to Remember!

September 04, 2019- Hello Indonesia! 

Selamat Siang Semuanya!

  Today my adventure began as I set my first step in Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Jakarta at 11: 50 pm. It was the beginning of my educational journey to the other side of the world.  My dream of becoming an educator has become the key for this travel.

During the welcoming program in UMK

I am a fourth year student of Saint Louis University from the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts, I am taking up Bachelor of Elementary Education with the specialization in General Education and now I’m having my practice teaching in Josefa Elementary School, my cooperating public school where I will be completing 30 lessons for three months and will also be deployed in Saint Louis University –Laboratory Elementary School, a private school where I will be accomplishing my 20 lessons after my deployment in public . Furthermore, as part of my practice teaching, I am here in Indonesia to participate with the SEA –Teacher Exchange Program under the program of Southeast Asian Ministry of Education Organization (SEAMEO).  By the way, are you familiar with SEAMEO? Let me tell you a bit about it….

The SEAMEO logo

WHAT IS SEAMEO?

The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) is a regional intergovernmental organization established in 1965 among governments of Southeast Asian countries to promote regional cooperation in education, science and culture in the region.

 The SEAMEO Internship Program provides excellent chance for a directed, practical learning experiences in regional and international platform for the candidates. In addition, the Programme could also enhance partnership and network between SEAMEO and educational institutions. Information retrieved September 16, 2019 from: www.seameo.org .   If you want more information about SEMAEO, just click on the stated website.  

My Sending University : Saint Louis University 

Saint Louis University Baguio City 

Saint Louis University 

(Filipino: Unibersidad ng San Luis) or simply known as  SLU, is a private Catholic research university located in Bonifacio Street, Baguio City, Philippines. It was founded by Fr. Seraphin Devesse, a priest of the order of the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae (CICM), in 1911.^[1] The patron saint of the university is St. Aloysius de Gonzaga. In 1952, it was formed as Saint Louis College and granted university status in 1963, becoming Saint Louis University. It is under the CICM Philippines School Network or CICM-PSN. It is the oldest of the CICM-PSN schools.

SLU currently offers programs at the elementary, secondary, undergraduate and graduate levels. The college division is composed of eight schools or colleges with campuses throughout the Baguio metropolitan area. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has identified several of the university's graduate programs as either Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development. SLU currently has three Centers of Excellence (COEs) and eight Centers of Development (CODs).

 Information retrieved on September 17, 2019  from http://www.slu.edu.ph/about-slu/

My receiving university:  Universitas Muriah Kudu

Founded in 1980, Universitas Muria Kudus (University of Muria Kudus) is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the medium-sized city of Kudus (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), Central Java. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Kementerian Riset, Teknologi, dan Pendidikan Tinggi, Republik Indonesia (Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia), Universitas Muria Kudus (UMK) is a medium-sized (uniRank enrollment range: 7,000-7,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. 

My Cooperating School: SD Unggulan Muslimat NU Kudus 

 SD Unggulan Teachers with me and Bea

NU Featured Muslimat Elementary School is one of the basic educational institutions in Kudus which has Ahlussunnah Wal Jama'ah direction. The establishment of this school was initiated by the NU Muslimat Branch Management in response to the demands of the Nahdliyin community who wanted an elementary educational institution with Ahlussunah wal Jama'ah orientation, to have superior quality in the quality of graduates and their education.

NU Featured Muslimat Elementary School was established on May 25, 2011 and is under the auspices of the NU Muslimat Education Foundation (YPM) Kudus Regency. The Branch Manager of the NU Muslimat as the initiator of the birth of the NU Muslimat Primary School desires to turn the NU Muslimat Primary School into a basic educational institution at the level of elementary school with the aqidah ahlussunah Wal Jama'ah foundation, based on the Pancasila Philosophy and the 1945 Constitution.