Non-Academic Activities
Life Beyond the Classroom
Explore the memorable moments, cultural experiences, and friendships built through various activities and gatherings during the SEA-Teacher program.
First Meet
This moment was the first time we met and were picked up at the airport, with UPI as the last group before departing for CLSU. During the journey, we stopped at Jollibee to eat together, which was also our first experience tasting typical Philippine cuisine.
University Tour
Our first morning at CLSU was filled with a very memorable campus orientation tour. We were invited to visit various iconic facilities, ranging from the history-rich museum and the livestock area, which is the university's specialty, to several office buildings of CLSU officials. The vast campus grounds and the serene atmosphere at CLSU made us even more enthusiastic to begin our routine for the next month.
Baler (Out Campus)
Our first weekend in the Philippines was spent on a trip to Baler, Aurora. This moment was a valuable opportunity for us to share life stories and get to know each other more deeply outside the campus environment. While there, we visited a local university (ASCOT) and saw firsthand the residents' skill in making typical Philippine handicrafts. We also had the chance to taste various unique local cuisines. The next day, the adventure continued with a visit to Museo de Baler to delve into local history, hunt for souvenirs, and enjoy the iconic Baler beach atmosphere before returning to CLSU.
Cultural Day
Our second weekend was filled with very exciting Philippine cultural immersion activities. We didn't just learn the theory but also directly practiced the Philippine national martial art, Arnis, using traditional rattan sticks. After an energy-draining physical session, the fun continued with various group games that strengthened our bond. The highlight was collaborating to cook typical Philippine dishes and then enjoying them together in a warm, familial atmosphere.
Night of Talent
Night of Talent is an annual arts event at CLSU that showcases various student talents in singing and dancing, in both modern and traditional categories. In this event, every class and group displayed high creativity on stage. As part of the cultural exchange program, SEA-Teacher participants took part by presenting a specially prepared dance performance. Our participation in this event aimed to strengthen international relations through art while introducing our cultural heritage to the CLSU family.
Philippine History
The next destination was Manila, where we conducted a field study to the historic Intramuros area to learn about the influence of the Spanish colonial era on the social structure and architecture of the Philippines. This visit provided deep insights into the nation's struggle for independence. Next, the agenda continued with a visit to the National Museum of Natural History to observe the rich endemic flora and fauna of the Philippines. This museum not only offers education on natural history but also showcases the progress of modern Philippine architectural design through its iconic central structure.
Tagaytay
Upon arriving in Manila, we visited SM Mall of Asia (MOA), one of the largest shopping malls in Asia, to explore its grandeur. We took the time to stop by Kultura—a center for authentic Philippine handicrafts—to hunt for typical souvenirs and capture moments of togetherness in a photobooth. The excitement continued at SM By the Bay Amusement Park. There, we pumped our adrenaline by riding various fun rides, ranging from the MOA Eye (a giant Ferris wheel) which offers bay views, to the thrilling Pirate Ship and Drop Tower rides.
Random Photos
This documentation is a collection of random photos that I managed to capture, both through my personal camera and from those taken by fellow participants. Each image holds a unique story—ranging from laughter to various moments. These photos are not just pictures, but precious fragments of memory that encapsulate the warmth of our brotherhood during one month in the Philippines.
Memorable Places
These are some of my camera shots summarizing memorable locations in the Philippines. Starting from the corners of the CLSU campus where we studied, to iconic destinations in Manila and Aurora that we explored together. Every photo holds a story of togetherness that we will always remember.
Food and Drink
This section summarizes my culinary experiences while in the Philippines. Although this photo collection does not cover all dishes, each shot represents my effort in exploring local flavors. As a Muslim, I have restrictions in choosing food (halal) and must avoid consuming pork. Furthermore, this trip felt even more memorable because it coincided with the month of Ramadan, making the challenge of finding halal food for sahur and breaking the fast an unforgettable part of my cultural immersion experience.
Sunflower
This sunflower has a very memorable story for me. This photo captures the moment when a fellow teacher at CLSU sincerely pleaded with the gardener so that I could be allowed to take a sunflower home. He did this as a form of appreciation for my hard work after successfully completing the final demonstration. Although picking flowers in this area is actually prohibited, my colleague's kindness made it a special gift. The afternoon continued with warm conversation and laughter throughout the garden, which has now become one of my most precious memories during my time in the Philippines.
Before – Go Back to Indonesia
This series of photos documents the participants' return process, starting with the departure from the accommodation to the international airport. The documentation covers all stages of the air travel until arrival in Indonesia. This visual report concludes with the author's return to the home institution, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, marking the end of the entire series of duties in this SEA-Teacher Batch 5 program.
Night after Farewell
After the farewell ceremony was over, we decided to go around the CLSU campus together for the last time. Under the emotional night atmosphere, we shared laughs at the children's playground, took unique photos while hugging the large trees that had sheltered our steps, and of course stopped by the basketball court to join in playing.
Video from IAO
This section features a summary video prepared by the International Affairs Office (IAO). The video summarizes our entire journey and activities while participating in the SEA-Teacher Batch 5 program. This visual work was officially shown during the farewell ceremony as a form of appreciation for the participants' dedication during their assignment at Central Luzon State University.