Farewell Party - SMP Negeri 1

February 13, 2018 |

I feel like it's my special day! Time runs fast but I have to say goodbye to them. My farewell party in SMP Negeri 1 is like my birthday celebration.

It started with the message of Ibu Yuyun, the headmaster of the said school. She said to me that I will become a great teacher someday. She also mentioned that my cooperating teacher is a bit shy talking with me because she feels guilty with my pedagogical strategy which is a bit modern compared to her teaching strategy which is traditional. Lastly, she mentioned that I need to throw all the negative things I experienced in the Kapuas River.

After that, me and the 2 sea teachers from the Philippines sang the Philippine National Anthem. Then, I delivered my farewell speech:

Selamat pagi! First of all, I want to say Terima Kasih to all of you. It has been a delightful journey but like all journerys this too must come to an end. Today is my last day and I would like to say thank you to everyone who have been part of my noble undertaking.

To the SMP Negeri 1 I am beyond grateful for your warm welcome. Thank you for accepting me and giving me the opportunity to experience a taste of Indonesian culture as vividly seen in the eyes of every students here in the campus.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Ma’am Yuyun, the very friendly, kind and of course ever dazzling headmaster of SMP. your kind gestures were highly appreciated.

To the very kind and well rounded English teacher, Ma’am Maderisita, thank you for being my human google translator. Although, you’re too busy you still allotted a portion of your precious time time to me when at time I needed your assistance. Thank you Ma’am.

Of course, to my coordinating teacher and my mentor, Ma’am Rosminta, Thank you for your patience, even though we speak in a different language, I realized that kindness and tolerance with each other is a universal language that everyone will be able to understand. This is a bit challenging but as they say, that in communication, we need to use every part of our body just to effectively deliver a message.

To all the faculty and staff, who welcomed me, gave me their biggest smiles everyday, and made me realized that teaching is not as easy as 123 it is a challenge and at the same time responsibility to the part of the teacher. THE BEARER OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM.

To the Grade 9 students who became my tour guide– Reivica,who knows a lot of Filipino songsand celebrities like Kathniel. ( I was surprised tho-Never thought that they were popular here) To Vanessa, who became my companion during lunch time Naufal, my companion in grade 9, who treated in KFC haha terima kasih. Thank you for giving your time. Thank you for the shared memories that I will treasure forever.

To all my student translators – Jihan, my always companion, thank you for accompanying me. Thank you for everything Jihan you know it already. Thank you for your patience in translateing my lessons and also with you .Rafli, and to your friends Karin and all

To all the students that I met – the dancers, vanessa’s friends and to all the students whom I handled for the past weeks here in SMP, I wish you nothing but all the success in life. May the odds be ever in your favor. Always remember that mathematics is not a hard subject. You only need your patience, effort and 100% commitment to effectively master all the computations. Never be afraid to fail because failure is an art. Without it we will never appreciate success. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT MATH IS NOT ALL ABOUT NUMBERS IT'S THE MEANING YOU GIVE TO THOSE NUMBERS.

Lastly, My SEA-TEACH experience here in SMP thought me a lot of life lessons, VALUES and gave me wonderful insights which are all essential to my personal growth as a young would-be-teacher. Rest assured that you will always have a special place in my heart. And now I think that I am ready to teach minds, touch hearts and transform hundreds of lives to my soon-to-be students.Thank you for all Because of you, I love already the song Pontianak kota kami Pontianak sunggo cantek.. Aku cinta kamu and Im going to miss you all.. Dada!! THANK YOU AND I WILL MISS YOU ALL.

3 SEA TEACHERS FROM PHILIPPINES SINGING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ANTHEM

My 2 interpreters - Jihan and Febry while I'm delivering my farewell speech

The speech is followed by a cultural dance so, with the the traditional dancers of the school, we danced a traditional dance in Pontianak. But it's funny because Naufal and I forgot the steps. HAHA

Then, it is followed by the message of some of the students

Jihan,delivering her message

After that, I changed my cloth to barong and The Sea teachers among with the dancers, performed the famous traditional dance of the Philippines which is the Tinikling.

Tinikling dance

And before the farewell party done, we prepared a community dance. The students and even the teachers joined us to dance "SHINE".

I miss SMP Negeri 1 - Pontianak. I am so much thankful because I experienced diversity among students there and I was able to realize the that they are just like the students in the Philippines. They differ only in culture, language, dance, and uniforms. But some of the characteristics are very the same with Filipinos.

I know the reason why I was assigned in this school. And that is to experience the muslim people and to make me realize that religions are not a barrier to have a good school environment. The experience I had in SMP, with muslims, chistian, protestants, buddhistI made me realized that it is possible. Stop stereotyping people and we are all equal.

I will never forget the place, the people, and the memories with them. Aku cinta kamu SMP Negeri 1!