Jetlag and Jitters

Our First Day in Indonesia

You know that feeling when you’re so tired your bones ache, but your heart is buzzing so loud it’s all you can hear? That was us. Day one.

We landed in Indonesia after a long flight, running on zero sleep and 100% pure adrenaline. The exhaustion was real, but the excitement? It never faded. First order of business: fight the urge to nap and instead, walk. We wandered around, wide-eyed, trying to get familiar with the sights, the sounds, and most importantly, the smells of the food. This wasn't a vacation; this was going to be our home for the next three weeks.

And what a welcome. We weren't just greeted; we were embraced. With the warmest hugs from the student buddies and the drivers who felt like long-lost uncles, any lingering nervousness just melted away.

The day started with a formal ceremony at the university. They introduced us to the whole school alongside the dean, and let me tell you, it was overwhelming in the best way possible. The campus tour blew our minds. This place is built for learning. They fully embrace technology in a way that had my teacher-brain spinning with ideas. A dedicated podcast room, a full-equiped library, and a micro-teaching lab I was already making a mental list of everything I wanted to tell my home institution back in the Philippines.

But the real magic happened when we visited SDN Sukuan 09, an elementary school. The second we stepped in their gates, we were swarmed by the most energetic, smiling students. And then we witnessed something that truly humbled me: their tradition of salim, where students gently take the hand of their teacher and bring it to their forehead as a sign of respect. You could see it—the deep, cultural value they place on their educators. It hits you right in the heart.

We were treated to ceremonies where students bid us scarves and showcased incredible traditional dances. And of course, we had to represent! We performed our own traditional Filipino dance, the Cariñosa. The best part? They pulled us in to dance with them. There we were, a bunch of jetlagged Filipinos, laughing and trying to keep up, sharing steps and smiles. No language barrier can stop that kind of joy.

We even got a taste of teaching in an Indonesian classroom! We taught basic English—parts of the body—to these eager, bright-eyed kids. It was chaotic, hilarious, and absolutely incredible.

As if the day couldn't get any more surreal, we had a brief meeting with the Rector of UHAMKA (their university president). Even though they are busy , yet they made time for us. It showed a level of respect for our program that meant the world.

And then… the food. After the meeting, they treated us to a restaurant dinner for our first real deep dive into Indonesian cuisine. We passed plates around, trying a bit of everything, saying "enak!" (delicious!) after every new bite.

My body is still running on fumes, but my soul is full. This isn’t just a trip; it’s the start of something big. And I can’t wait for tomorrow and to many more learnings that is yet to come.