Mga Larawang Di Malilimutan (Unforgettable Pictures): Ending Our SEA Chapter with Tears & Joy

Okay,for ouir final SEA-cret. For my third and final week, the tables were turned.

After two weeks of teaching, it was our time to sit down, open our notebooks, and be the students again. And let me tell you, getting a masterclass from Indonesian professors was the perfect way to end this journey.

This week was all about diving deep into how they teach teaching here. We got to sit in on some incredible classes at the university.

We started with English Morphology and Syntax with the amazing Professor Rosa. Getting into the structural guts of language was so fascinating. It’s one thing to speak a language, but it’s another to really understand how its bones are put together.

Next up was Scientific Writing with Professor Sri Kusumaningsih. This was a real eye-opener. We learned how research is structured and written here in Indonesia, and it was cool to see the differences and similarities with how we do it back home. It totally expanded my idea of academic work.

But a definite highlight was our BAHASA class with Ms. Deasy. Ms. Deasy has this beautifully calm and welcoming energy that just makes you want to learn. She taught us Indonesian words for transportation, greetings, food, and historical places. I think she was honestly amazed (and maybe a little impressed!) that we already knew so many words from our friends and our constant exploring. We even had a game-based discussion—it was so fun and entertaining. You never felt bored or tired; it just felt like playing, and that’s how you know the learning is sticking.

And then... the most unexpectedly fun class: Voice Over Tutorials. Our professor was hilarious—his class was just full of joy and so welcoming. He let us try doing voice overs and playing with sound effects. It was such an honor to be in his class and let our creative sides shine for a bit. I never thought I'd be doing a dramatic reading in a studio in Indonesia!

To cap it all off, we even got to watch an Indonesian play—and one of our very own friends was in it! It was the perfect cultural experience.

The week, and our entire journey, ended with the Closing Ceremony. It was emotional, to say the least. They gave us beautiful souvenirs from the school and our certificates. Then, they let each of us share our experiences. Standing up there and talking about our time in Indonesia, knowing it was officially over… yeah, there were definitely some tears.

It was a week that reminded me that being a great guru means always being willing to be a student, too. I’m coming home with so much more than just a certificate. I’m coming home with new knowledge, new inspiration, and a heart full of gratitude for this unforgettable chapter.