Week 1: Deployment at SMA Negeri 2 Semarang

Photo Ops with UNISSULA Student-Teachers, our supervisor, our English mentor and the principal

September 4, 2019: The student-teachers from UNISSULA and we were about to be deployed to our assigned schools where we are going to have our practice-teaching. For Walter and I, we were assigned at SMAN 2 Semarang which is a Public Senior High School 2 in Semarang, Indonesia.

The call time was 10 am. Everyone gathered around at the main building of UNISSULA where we are going to wait for private transportation. We were accompanied by Ms. Nani Hidayati, our supervising instructor, going to the school where we are assigned.

We traveled for about 10-15 minutes. When we finally arrived at the school, we waited for the school principal and other English faculty members. After a few minutes, they met with us and we respectfully greeted them. Ms. Nani handled all school matters with them and introduced all of us to them. I was pleased with the school principal and the teachers there because they were approachable and generous. They interviewed us a bit about where we come from and wanted to know some information about the Philippines. We answered their questions in a respectful manner and we even laughed a couple of times in the office. They even offered us an Indonesian fruit called jambu air or rose/water apple. From there, they also introduced Pak Mat Ibnu as our mentor during our practice-teaching here in SMAN 2 Semarang who happened to be our resource speaker as well during our internship workshop! When everything was settled, we took a group photo at the entrance of the school.

Ms. Nani handing over our profile and other documents to the school principal

After the lunch break, we went to the school's LAB B. That's the room of our faculty office. In the office, we also met some teachers who are about to get their certification so they could also teach in a public school. More than that, we met some student-teachers from other universities as well!

The day was rather long and tiring. When the clock stroke four in the afternoon, Walter and I were guided to our new dormitory near the school. It is only a 2-minute walk to school! We are thankful for UNISSULA in providing us housing which is very near to the school. Being late, traffic and transportation will no longer be a problem for us. Terima Kasih!

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