Waves of Change: My Journey as a SEA Teacher

 

      Hay everyone my name is Rapi Mesa V Poa, one of the students from Nusa Cendana University, majoring in Physics Education, who had the opportunity to participate in the Sea Teacher Beach 11 Program at SAINT LOUISE COLLEGE (SLC), Philippines. 

    This program was an amazing experience that brought me to the world of teaching abroad, broadened my horizons, and honed my skills as a future educator.

From the moment I arrived in the Philippines, I immediately felt the warmth of the culture and the friendliness of the people. Teaching in a classroom with students who have different backgrounds is both a challenge and a valuable experience. I not only shared my knowledge, but also learned a lot from them.

Through this blog, I would like to share my journey during the SEA Teacher program, the challenges I faced, the teaching methods I used, and the exciting experiences I will never forget. Hopefully this story can inspire and give an idea for anyone who wants to join this program!

   

    The Sea Teacher Project, also known as the Southeast Asia Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange, is a program that provides Sea Teacher members with the opportunity to learn about the education system in other countries in Southeast Asia, experience teaching abroad, and develop their teaching and English language skills. 

The SEA Teacher Project program was initiated by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). An organization established in 1965 that involves countries in Southeast Asia to promote cooperation in education, science and culture in member countries.

SEA Teacher program objectives: 

1. Enhancing cross-cultural understanding in Southeast Asian education systems – Participants learn about the differences and similarities in teaching methods, curricula, and learning cultures in different countries.

2. Providing teaching experience in English – Students teach using English, improving their communication skills and confidence in delivering lessons.

3. Developing teaching skills and classroom management in an international setting – Participants adapt their teaching strategies, manage classrooms effectively, and overcome challenges in diverse learning environments.

4. Preparing future teachers for the global education landscape – This experience helps students become adaptable, innovative educators who are ready to face the dynamics of international education.

    Some of the countries that participate in SEA Teacher include Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and others.

Each participant is placed in a school/campus in the destination country to teach for several weeks.

Why did I join SEA Teacher?

    I joined SEA Teacher because I wanted to develop my physics teaching skills in an international environment. Physics is a universal science, but the way students understand it can be different in each country. I want to see how students in the Philippines learn physics and adapt my teaching methods to make it more interesting and easy to understand.

    In addition, I believe that physics is not difficult and boring. With this experience, I hope to teach in a more creative and interactive way, while learning from different educational cultures. SEA Teacher is a valuable opportunity to become a better educator and be ready for the global education world.

From Kupang to the Philippines: My SEA Teacher Journey Begins

    Before leaving for the Philippines I prepared many things such as travel documents, passports, and learning English because learning activities use English. In addition, I also found out about the culture and habits of Filipinos so that later it would be easy to adapt.

Kupang-Bali

On March 1, 2026, my long-awaited journey began. I departed from El Tari Airport, Kupang. For me, this was not just another trip, it was my first time going abroad. The mix of excitement and nervousness filled the air as we boarded our flight.

At 1:00 PM, our plane took off, marking the beginning of an unforgettable adventure. After a smooth two-hour flight, we landed at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Bali at 3:00 PM. Since our next flight was scheduled for the following day, we had the chance to explore Bali for a night.

Our evening in Bali was filled with preparations and little adventures. First, we exchanged our Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) for Philippine Pesos (PHP) to ensure we were financially prepared for our stay in the Philippines. Then, we took some time to buy souvenirs to bring with us. But of course, a visit to Bali wouldn't be complete without a trip to Kuta Beach! It was a beautiful way to enjoy our short time there.

     we were ready for the next leg of our journey. With our luggage packed and excitement growing, we headed back to the airport, ready to take our flight to the Philippines, one step closer to the SEA Teacher experience that awaited us.

Bali-Manila

    After spending a night in Bali, our journey to the Philippines continued on Marc 2, 2026. At 1:00 AM, we boarded our flight from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), heading to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila. It was my first international flight, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. As the plane soared into the sky, I realized that this was the beginning of something bigger, an experience that would shape me as a future educator.

    After a long four-hour flight, we finally landed in Manila at 04:35 PM (local time). Stepping out of the plane, I was greeted by the warm and humid air of the Philippines. The airport was much bigger than what I was used to, and navigating through immigration and baggage claim was a new experience for me. Everything felt so different, the language, the atmosphere, even the way people moved around.

When we arrived in Manila, we were picked up by our mentors, Mam Rhona and Mam Shari, as well as Kuya Rex. We got into the car and drove from the airport to San Fernando City in La Union. We stopped there for lunch, and finally arrived at the resort at 1:00 PM.

From Learner to Teacher: My SEA Teacher Experience at SLC  

Opening Program

         I still can't believe how amazing that day was! Let me tell you what happened when we finally arrived at SLC. I was literally jumping with excitement inside!As soon as we stepped into the venue, we were greeted so warmly by everyone. It felt like we were family, notjust visitors. They had prepared a really special opening activity just for us. And guess what? We were officially received by the Vice Rector of the university! Can you imagine? I was so nervous but also incredibly honored.
        Then came the best part  they gave us a chance to give a welcoming speech in front of everyone! My heart was beating so fast, but I felt so proud to represent our group. After that, they presented us with pins and gifts as souvenirs. I was smiling from ear to ear! I even took a photo right away because I didn't want to forget that moment.But wait, there's more! After the gifts, we were introduced to our buddies local students who would accompany us during our stay. They were so friendly and funny, and honestly, we clicked right away. I was so excited to finally meet them in person!
         Right after that, we continued our activities by doing a school observation. We walked around the campus, went into different classrooms, and got to see how students learn there. We also took the time to greet all the teachers and professors we met along the way. They were all so kind and welcoming — some even gave us high-fives!I was literally on cloud nine the whole time. It was such an unforgettable experience, and I felt so lucky to be there. I couldn't stop smiling.

Demo Teaching 

So, the time finally came for my demonstration teaching at Saint Bede and Saint Camilus. Honestly, at first, I was so nervous — like, my hands were a little bit shaky and my heart was beating really fast. I kept thinking, 'What if I make a mistake? What if the students don't understand me?' You know that feeling, right?

But guess what? All my worries disappeared the moment I started teaching.

I taught a lesson about electricity for Grade 12 students. The topic was actually quite challenging, but I had prepared my materials well. And oh my goodness, the students were so kind and attentive! They listened to every word I said, some of them nodded while I was explaining, and others even took notes. When I asked questions, they raised their hands and answered with confidence. I couldn't believe how supportive they were!

And let me tell you about my cooperating teacher — she was absolutely amazing! From the very beginning, she encouraged me and gave me helpful tips. During my teaching, she smiled at me from the back of the classroom, and that small gesture made me feel so calm and confident. She didn't interrupt or criticize — she just trusted me. I felt so lucky to have her by my side.Yes, I was nervous at the start, I won't lie. But that feeling only lasted for maybe five minutes. After I saw how engaged the students were and how supportive the teacher was, I started to really enjoy the moment. I even made a few jokes, and the students laughed! Can you believe it? I was actually having fun while teaching!By the end of the lesson, I felt so proud of myself. The students clapped, and my cooperating teacher gave me a thumbs up and said I did a great job. I just smiled and said, 'Thank you so much' from the bottom of my heart.That experience taught me that teaching is not just about delivering a lesson — it's about the connection you build with the students and the support you get from the people around you. I will never forget that day at Saint Bede and Saint Camilus. It was truly unforgettable!

Becoming Part of Saint Louis Collage

During this past week, one of the most meaningful experiences I had was participating in the student exchange program. It was my first week staying and learning in a new environment, and everything felt both exciting and new. From the moment we arrived until our experience cooking like a Ilocanos, we were warmly welcomed by the people here. Throughout the week, we met many kind people, especially the lecturers whom we respectfully call Papa and Mama. Their warmth and friendliness made us feel like we were part of a family rather than just visiting students.

I felt very grateful and happy to be part of this program. At first, I was a little nervous because I was in a different place with new people and a new learning environment. However, those feelings quickly changed into joy and gratitude because everyone here is very kind and welcoming. The lecturers are supportive and helpful, and they treat us with genuine care including our buddy and the people on the resort. Because of that, I became more confident to interact, learn, and participate in activities.After spending one week here, I realized something important.

 I learned that kindness and hospitality can make a big difference in someone’s experience, especially when they are far from home. I remember when Dr Leo talk to me, “The way the people here welcomed us taught me the value of respect, humility, and building strong relationships with others”, It inspired me to become a person who is also welcoming, respectful, and supportive to others in the future.

 

second week 

During my second week in the student exchange program, I experienced one of the most challenging but also meaningful moments of my journey here. Unlike the first week, which was filled with adaptation and excitement, the second week became more serious because we started preparing lesson plans and teaching demonstrations in the classroom. It was a very tense week for me. I began to feel nervous, especially because I had to prepare a lesson plan in a new environment with different students and teaching styles.

At the beginning of the week, I felt unsure of myself. I was worried about whether my lesson plan would be good enough and whether I could teach confidently in front of the class. However, those feelings slowly changed when I met our buddies from the fourth year. They were very warm and welcoming to us. Instead of making us feel nervous, they patiently guided us and showed us how to create a proper lesson plan. They shared their experiences, explained the important parts of teaching, and even shared Filipino traditional food with us and gave us small gifts. Their kindness really touched me. At that moment, I realized that we were not alone in this journey.

At the end of the week, we closed our activities with a cultural tour to Vigan City. The trip was truly amazing. During the journey, we stopped at several beautiful destinations, including a historic church that is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When we finally arrived in Vigan, I was amazed by the atmosphere of the city. The buildings were very unique and perfect for taking beautiful photos.

Looking back at my second week, I feel very grateful. What started as a stressful and nervous week slowly turned into a week full of confidence, learning, and happiness. I realized that the kindness of the people I met here, especially our buddies and lecturers at SLC, helped me grow not only as a student but also as a future teacher. This week taught me that even when something feels difficult at first, with support and courage, we can overcome it.I truly enjoyed my second week here. Thank you, God, for giving me this opportunity and for blessing me through the kind people I met at SLC.

Third week 

During my third week in the student exchange program, I experienced one of the most emotional moments of my journey here. This week was very important because it was the time for our final teaching demonstration exam. Since the beginning of the week, I felt a mixture of nervousness and sadness. I was nervous because this was the final evaluation of everything I had learned during the program, and at the same time, I felt sad because I knew that the program was coming to an end and soon we would have to say goodbye.

However, as the week continued, my feelings slowly changed into sadness. I began to realize that I would soon leave the people who had become very important to me during this program—the lecturers, our buddies, and all the friends I met here. In such a short time, they had already become like a family. The memories we created together, from learning in the classroom to sharing meals and laughter, will always stay in my heart.

At the end of the third week, we closed our demo with a tour to Baguio City. This trip felt very special because it was not only a tour, but also a way to enjoy our last moments together. During the tour, we bought many souvenirs for our families in Indonesia. I was very happy because I could choose special gifts that would remind me of this beautiful experience in the Philippines.

One of the most memorable moments of the tour was when we watched a traditional Filipino dance performance. Seeing the dancers perform with such energy and pride made me realize how rich and beautiful Filipino culture is. It was the perfect way to end this unforgettable journey.

Looking back at my third week, I feel both happy and emotional.

I truly believe that this is not the end, but the beginning of something new. Thank you, God, for guiding me during this journey and for blessing me with such wonderful people and unforgettable experiences

last but not least

Wow… I can't believe the program has come to an end. It feels like just yesterday we arrived here, nervous and excited at the same time. But now, as we say goodbye, my heart is full of so many emotions — happiness, gratitude, and a little bit of sadness too.

Let me start by saying… we received so many gifts! Like, seriously, we didn't expect to be treated this kindly. From the pins on our first day, to the souvenirs, and all the surprises along the way — every gift was so special and meaningful. But you know what? The best gift of all was not something we could wrap in paper. It was the love, warmth, and kindness we received from every single one of you.

We are so happy — like, genuinely happy. Not just because of the places we visited or the things we learned, but because of the people we met. We found new friends, new mentors, and even a new family here. Mam Rhona, Mam Shari, Kuya Rex, our buddies, our cooperating teachers, and everyone at SLC, Saint Bede, and Saint Camilus — you treated us like we were your own siblings. You never made us feel like strangers.

I am so grateful to have met such wonderful people. You welcomed us with open arms, you guided us, you taught us, and you made us feel at home even though we were far away from our own country. That is something I will never forget.

And above all… thank you, God. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. Thank you for keeping us safe throughout this journey. Thank you for bringing these amazing people into our lives. We couldn't have asked for a better experience.

This is not a goodbye forever — this is just 'see you later.' We will carry all these beautiful memories in our hearts. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We love you all!