SAILING WITH THE 7 SEAS

7 useful tips for the future SEA Teachers

Taman Monas, National Monument

This SEA Teacher Program has given me a lot of firsts: my first time to arrange all the requirements needed for traveling, my first time to travel alone, and a whole lot more firsts. These are some tips that may help you to prepare and expect the unexpected.

1. Pack Smart.

As an overpacker, I planned on bringing about a dozen outfits with me. You have to remember that you are only staying there for a month and it is not really a fashion show. So it's okay to repeat your OOTDs because, duh, you can do your own laundry.

Pack the essentials only like your toiletries, basic school supplies, important documents (like passport, ticket, and letter of acceptance/invitation) and your medications. You don't have to bring your whole bathroom with you, or take with you all of your favorite chips and goods because there will be convenient stores and groceries near you.

Also, familiarize yourself with the area you are going to stay in. Get to know the weather condition and their culture there. I brought clothes that were meant to be worn during summer but I stayed in Bogor, which is also known as the rainy city. Yikes!

2. Spend Wisely.

Honestly, you do not have to buy souvenirs for all your 38 classmates and the friends of your friends. Just buy for those closest to your heart and don't forget to buy some for you too.

It is best to budget your money on a weekly basis and put aside some for emergencies, and a little bit of shopping too.

3. Be a responsible tourist.

No matter where on earth we may be, let's try to save our planet. It's just as simple as not littering or even bringing an ecobag to the grocery store. Let's try to follow the #ZeroWaste

4. Stop counting the days.

Without a doubt, every one will be homesick at one point of their whole stay. Just do not count the days because they too will pass. Imagine, you just got there and all you say is that you want to go home. Next thing you know, you're already packing for your flight home. Savor every moment of it because not everyone gets to have this once in a lifetime opportunity.

5. Take pictures and videos.

Maybe one of my biggest regrets was not taking enough photos because I was afraid that using of phones was not allowed, especially during school hours inside the classroom. Just ask if it's okay for you to record or take snapshots. Asking won't hurt, but the regret of having no tangible memories will.

6. Go out.

I guess you may take this literally, but yeah, go out. Get out of the bed, then out the room and the house. Go somewhere (during weekends or your free days). Explore the place because that is also one way that you get to learn their culture.

Get out. Yes, get out of your comfort zone. Don't be confined inside the faculty room, on your usual spot with your earphones on and your volume high. Get out of that chair. Go around the campus. Go around the room. Get to know the people around you. Going out of your safe space will truly make this experience a more memorable one.

7. Learn something new.

Move aside the fact that you went a thousand miles away from your home to teach and remember that you also went there to learn. Do not be afraid to learn new things, to learn their local language, to learn how to eat their food. Even if learning happens outside the four corners of a classroom, it is still learning.

Just do not forget to take not of what you have learned and eventually share them with others. Teach also the ones you meet something new, something about you, and something about your country.

There are probably a lot more things that you should know but this is just my piece of advice for those who are having doubts on going or afraid of being alone or trying something new. Go! Enjoy! And learn!

ALSO, please do check the expiration date of the food you buy because someone just drank spoiled milk during her month abroad. (That was probably... not me).