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THE OFFICIAL SEA TEACHER EXPERIENCE BLOG OF ERIC DORIA ALINA | 2nd Edition | Published in 2019
Overcoming Language Barrier, Gaining Borderless Perspective, Embracing Diverse Culture
SECOND WEEK (Jan. 24 - 30, 2019)
A. EXPERIENCING JAPANESE FOOD AT THE HANNA CANTEEN
We experienced eating Japanese food such as Ramen and a cake ice cream dessert in the Hanna Canteen ( inside the campus of UNSYIAH, walking distance from the UNSYIAH Laboratory High School). The taste is so delicious because of right blend of sweetness, saltiness, and spicyness.
B. SOUVENIRS ARE LOVE!
We bought some souvenirs in souvenir shops just adjacent to the PLTD Apung Shipwreck. The keychains, bags, and plates are so unique, things that can be only found in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
C. PLTD Apung Shipwreck Escapade
The escapade was on when the SEA Teachers were accompanied by the Forum Menggapai Mimpi (Dream Reach Forum) to go to the PLTD Apung Shipwreck. I am mesmerized by the history of PLTD Apung Shipwreck.
PLTD Apung 1 is an electric generator ship in Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia that has become a tourist attraction. The 2,600 ton vessel had been in the sea and was flung 2 to 3 kilometres inland by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. (www.wikipedia.com) Knowing the history, I felt the sadness and the gothic mood brought by the tsunami to Banda Aceh people.
D. Sultan Iskandar Muda Pleasure Garden Escapade
After going to PLTD Apung, we went to Sultan Iskandar Muda Pleasure Garden or also known as Gunongan. It is a garden with a fancy white concrete structure in the middle. It is rare and actually different from any other gardens I've been before.
The Gunungan Historical Park was then known as Taman Ghairah (Acehnese "pleasure garden"). According to ar-Raniri, a 17th-century Islamic mystic from Gujarat who worked several years for the Sultan, The garden was built by Iskandar Thani in mid 17th-century as part of the court of Aceh Sultanate; not different with Taman Sari to the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. It is possible that the garden has existed way before Iskandar Thani, as it is unlikely that the grand and spacious gardeb was built in its entirety during the five-year reign of Iskandar Thani. Several parks has existed in the vicinity of the Acehnese palace as mentioned in Hikayat Aceh, e.g. an older 16th-century garden built by the infamous Sultan Zayn al-Abidin. (www.wikipedia.com)
E. Pelabuhan Ulee Lhee Coastline
Pelabuhan Ulee Lhee was our last destination to venture. It is ear the seas. We decided to go to the coastline just to enjoy the fresh air and sea breeze as well as to witness the sunset. Sea at its best!
F. Food and Drinks Variety
I tried some food and drinks that can be found in streets, just out of curiosity. I believe that one way of appreciating a nation's culture is to eat the food that they have.
G. Sekolah Sukma Bangsa Pidie: The Invite
Aside from the UNSYIAH Laboratory High School, We were given the chance also to visit some other private high school in Aceh such as the Sekolah Sukma Bangsa Pidie in Sigli, Indonesia. We stayed for two days conducting classroom observations to teachers related to our major field of specialization. In Physics, the name of the teacher that I observed is Mr. Arif (the one wearing blue long sleeves). I also conducted my On The Spot Teaching to his class.
Moreover, we had the chance also to meet highly respected administrators such as Mr. Marthunis (the School Director) and Mr. Victor (the Academic Director) of the Sekolah Sukma Bangsa Pidie.
I feel blessed visiting a private boarding school like the Sukma Bangsa School in Pidie because it is a child-friendly school promoting discipline and good character for each students. Surprisingly, there were 21 Filipino Moslem students (my kababayan) who are studying in the said school by the aid of scholarship formed from the partnerships between the Philippines and Indonesia.
Classroom Observation on Sociology Class
Classroom Observation and On The Spot Teaching on Mr. Arif's Physics Class
Mr. Arif's Teaching Pedagogy and Classroom Instruction
Learning Bahasa Indonesia. The Filipino Muslim students seemed to be enjoying the Bahasa Indonesia Class when the teacher integrates game-based learning. The teacher gave an activity with the students wherein they need to sing a traditional song through a stop and move game. Learning was fun!
H. School Facilities and Infrastructure
From Left to right, top to bottom: school gate, students' boarding/dormitory, hallway/facade, SMA/High School, Guest and School Director's Houses, Basketball Court, Foodcourt, and Name of School-Art.
I. Freshrock Coffee
After the very long classroom observations, the school administration of Sekolah Sukma Bangsa Pidie brought us into a coffee shop. It was a good time to unwind and to take some rest. I ate tall. chocolate ice cream drink matched with a fancy blue burger layer with tomatoes and fresh veggies that I actually loved. I enjoyed jamming with Ms. Natasha (our supervisor that time and an English Teacher of UNSYIAH Laboratory High School) together with some teachers of Sukma Bangsa School and of course with my co-SEA Teachers namely Sir Marc, Sir Joem, Ma’am Jiezel, and Sir Jay-Jay.
J. Acehnese Traditional Food
In our two-day stay in Sukma Bangsa School Pidie, I experienced to eat a lot of Acehnese traditional food in which some are unfamiliar to me. I enjoyed eating these food because these were tangy, crunchy, and spicy.
K. CASABLANCA Closing Ceremony
My Sukma Bangsa School experience was more fulfilled when I witnessed the student activities which I found amazing and unique. The CASABLANCA or Competition on Academic, Sports, and Arts Brilliantly and Creatively was an annual event being conducted by the Sukma Bangsa School Pidie similar to the Intramurals and LITMUSDA being held in typical high schools in the Philippines. The event hall was the venue with a capacity of maybe 500 people. I wondered why audience (students) used to seat in the floor with a carpet.
Awarding ceremony was held, and sing and dance performances were staged. I actually loved how they perform singing acts because of their amazing voices, lovely melody, story-telling, and total execution even though I totally did not know the meaning of the song because the language is Indonesian. In terms of dance performances, a group of female students performed the Ratoh, an Acehnese Traditional Dance. Their dance was accompanied by the sounds of the drum made by a group of male students, with some chants and songs made by other female students.
L. Beautiful Goodbyes
After the closing ceremony, we were invited by the school director, Mr. Marthunis and the other faculty members to have a general feed-backing and overview of the school, the things needed to improve, school routines, school curriculum, and the like. Then, we delivered our beautiful goodbyes to them such as taking memorable pictures not just with the teachers and the school director, but also with the 21 Filipino Muslim students. My journey and destiny with them lasted, but memories with them will last for a lifetime.
M. Walking Alone
When I always go from UPT. ASRAMA UNSYIAH (Male Dormitory) to UNSYIAH Laboratory High School, it is usual for me to walk in the morning and in afternoon. However, one thing is unusual, I noticed that no Indonesians can be seen walking in the streets because they use motorcycles even in the near or far places/destination. They usually don’t walk a lot. Some of them consider walking as an aerobic exercise.
