My Wonderful Experience during SEA Teacher Program in Thailand

 "Wait, am I really going to another country and live there for a month?"

    That was what I thought when I first stepped onto the airplane. It was my very first time going abroad, and everything felt surreal. Going to Thailand. 

In this blog, I will share my experience during SEA Teacher Program Batch 11 from 31st of October until 28th of November 2025.

 

    I am so grateful that I seized this opportunity. Thank God, I could experience living in another country that I got provided by my home (sending) university, Universitas Jambi, and the receiving university that I had a program in, which is Walailak University. I enjoyed living in the International Residence there since they provided us, the one-month internship students with the best service. 

  If you ask me about my most memorable experience during this program… honestly, I can’t choose just one. 

    There were too many unforgettable moments that I hope I will never forget. 

    For example, when I first arrived at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport, my baggage was damaged, and I was a little bit panicked. But Golf, the buddy that picked us up, immediately helped me. He took me to the airline’s customer service, explained everything for me, and thanks to him, I received compensation from the airline company.

    Another one is when we joined the campus tour of Walailak University, which was also the first time we got to introduce ourselves to international friends and buddies. I enjoyed the tour and was amazed at how large the campus is. It felt like a small city since it has its own hospital, zoo, minimarkets, dorms, houses, sports buildings, agricultural places, and many more. It was easier for us to go to places by using vehicle, and thankfully, we were lent two motorcycles to get around the campus or other areas outside the campus. If you think those are not enough for us, 13 intern students, we could also ask for helps to our buddies there.

   

    Next, I still remember our city tour in the main town. We rode in an open car that only had a roof on top, no cover on the sides at all. Suddenly, it started raining. The wind blew the rain inside, so we all squeezed closer together trying to avoid getting soaked. We still got wet anyway. My pants were soaked, and I was trying so hard to save my backpack from the rain. Thank God, the rain didn’t last for a long time, but honestly, that chaos made the experience more fun. It was messy, funny, and unforgettable.

 

   

    We visited historical places like Wat Phra Mahathat temple, looked around for souvenirs, walked through Central Plaza mall, and later went on a night city tour. I really enjoyed learning about the history and the cultures of the place I went to. It felt like imagining the lives beyond the story told. More interestingly, we found out that the narrator, our tour guide, was actually one of the architects who helped design Walailak University. That was such a “wow” moment for us.

  

    Moving on, talking about the buddies there. They were super helpful and kind. We got a list of certain persons which would be our "own" buddies so that it would be easier to contact them and they would also be more focused to two people only. However, they wouldn't mind helping the other friends, as long as they were available. My buddies helped me with almost everything I needed. They took me to get foods and other stuff that we needed. I like them very, very much.

  

  

      During Closing Ceremony, I felt super excited yet sad since it was only counting days before I leave. Me and Annisa, my partner from UNJA prepared our traditional dance performance no longer than a week. We were glad that we could show our traditional dance while also wearing the traditional clothes, which I was happy that I got best costume awards because I wore them. After that, we also did a performance with all of the one-month internship program students. I cried a river that night, watching the videos made by the buddies, listening to their speeches, and even giving our own speeches. Overall, the Bali Boho night was memorable that we could do our performances, see their performances, exchange gifts, and also have fun for the last day. They even served us with various delicious foods too.

    Now, let's talk about the school I went to do my teaching practicum. 

  

     

    We were assigned to the same school, which was Muslim Santitham Foundation school. It was a very big school that includes primary and secondary. However, me and 4 other student teachers went to teach in the primary school. I taught English in the 6th grade.  The students were also very kind and active although only some of them could understand a little bit of English since their English proficiency level is still in a very beginner stage, even new to the language. Some of the students, even from the lower grades gave me cute gifts. I really like their cuteness and sincerity. Every time I felt tired and wasn't motivated to go to school, their smiles lifted me up.

    My mentor teacher was very nice, and she taught me a lot of things. She often gave me snacks which I never tried before, I think those were Thailand's snacks. I also received her gift which I am very pleased for. The other teachers were also very kind, and I could feel the sense that we respect each other, no harsh seniority. Plus, the managers and stuff were also super nice, they provide our lunch at school every day. They sometimes treated us foods at the restaurant that they brought us to. At the end of the teaching practicum day, we received gifts from them, signature as the memento for us so that we would always remember the place, the people, and the experience.

    I really love the hospitality and kindness I experienced in Thailand. The teachers, the students, the buddies, everyone was so warm and welcoming. And something I really admire is the close relationship between teachers (or lecturers) and students. They are friendly with each other, they laugh together, they talk comfortably but still in respectful ways.

    I really want to bring the things I got from this one-month program. 

    I am not only talking about physical things such as gifts that I received from my kind students, teachers, lecturers, the university, and the buddies. Although I am very grateful for those gifts which I carried home with my luggage. But seriously, it wasn’t just the physical gifts. There were so many valuable lessons I want to bring back and apply in my own teaching journey.

                 

    One of the most valuable things I want to bring back to my country from this experience is the way I learned to engage with students who have a different first language than mine. Teaching in another country pushed me to be more creative and intentional. I learned that visuals and gestures are essential. Using pictures, hand movements, and clear body language helped me communicate meaning even when words were not enough. I also learned that it’s okay to use a little bit of the students’ own language, especially for important or sensitive instructions. Even just a few familiar words can make students feel safer, more connected, and more willing to participate. It shows them that I’m trying to understand them too.

    Another lesson I want to bring home is the importance of energy. I realized that the classroom truly reflects the teacher’s vibe. When I came in with confidence, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude, the students responded with the same excitement. Being active, expressive, and present made the learning environment more alive and enjoyable. And one more thing: I realized that being friendly, warm, and approachable doesn’t mean losing authority. You can be a kind teacher while still maintaining boundaries. And that creates a very healthy learning environment. All of these experiences taught me new ways to reach learners beyond language barriers. These are not just teaching techniques; they are mindsets that I want to carry with me as a future educator.

    One of the unexpected things I experienced during my practicum was the daily flag ceremony at the school. 

   

    In Indonesia, we only do the flag ceremony once a week, usually on Mondays. But in Santitham school, in Thailand, the students and teachers do it every single morning. What surprised me even more was how committed they were. Even when the weather wasn’t very pleasant, when it was drizzling, cloudy, or a bit windy, they still continued the ceremony. But instead of gathering on the field, each class stood in front of their own classrooms, on the balcony or under the roof, so they could stay dry. Watching that every morning really taught me something. It showed me how discipline, respect, and routine play an important role in their school culture. It also reminded me that learning doesn’t only happen inside the classroom, sometimes, it happens through these daily practices that shape students’ character and responsibility. And honestly, seeing how consistent they were, no matter the weather, made me admire their dedication even more.

    Living in another country for almost a month taught me way more than I expected. 

    One of the biggest lessons was adaptability. When you live abroad (even for a short time) you quickly realize that not everything will go the way you imagined. The culture is different, the rules are different, the food tastes different, the schedule is different, and even the way people communicate can be very different. So, I had to learn to observe, to understand, and to adjust the way things were done there. Most importantly, we always need to have respect mindset.

    I also learned that communication is more than just speaking English. Sometimes it's about speaking clearly, slowing down, and using simple words so people can understand you better, especially when they don't speak that language. And other times, it’s about using a little bit of their language and technology, such as online translator. Just by learning simple words, greetings, self-introduction, instructions, or common phrases, it really helps build connection and trust, especially with young learners.

     This program also taught me how important it is to be open-minded. I learned to accept new routines, new teaching styles, new environments, and even new challenges I didn’t expect at all. Instead of comparing everything to what I was used to in my home country, I learned to appreciate the differences and see what I could learn from them. And honestly, living abroad also made me appreciate my own country even more. Sometimes, you only realize what you have when you are far away from it.

    And of course, I learned that kindness is a universal language. Even when you don’t share the same first language, people can feel your sincerity. Your smile, tone, and gestures, they all communicate something. And that was one of the most beautiful parts of this experience. 

    Finally, after everything, the teaching moments, the cultural experiences, the friendships, the challenges, the laughter, and all the unexpected stories, I can truly say that this journey changed me. I went to Thailand as a student teacher, and I came back home as someone who is more confident, more adaptable, more independent, and more inspired to become the best teacher I can be.

SEA Teacher Batch 11 wasn’t just a program.

It was a chapter of my life that I will always carry with me.

I am truly grateful for this journey. My sincere gratitude goes to SEA Teacher, to SEAMEO, to Thailand, to Walailak University, and to Muslim Santitham Foundation School. I would also not forget to thank you to everyone who made this experience unforgettable.