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summary
Adapting to a new lifestyle while managing unfamiliar school activities proved to be the most demanding part of my international teaching practice. the constant pressure of designing and creating all my own instructional materials required an immense amount of time and effort to keep up with daily lessons. To effectively cope with these challenges, I implemented the "one problem at a time" method, which focused on structured prioritization.
As I look back and remember all the enjoyment, pressure, and challenges of being an exchange student, I can confidently say that this experience has been the most transformative journey of my academic life. These experiences during the SEA Teacher program was highly beneficial, not just for my pedagogical practices but also for the development of my character and attitude. Exploring a completely foreign environment forced me to step out of my comfort zone, which significantly built my patience, adaptability, and self-confidence as a growing educator. Facing daily teaching challenges in a new setting taught me to stay resilient and maintain a positive attitude even when things did not go as planned.
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Upon experiencing the SEA Teacher program, there is one major suggestion that I would like to share regarding its duration. I highly recommend extending the exchange program to two full months instead of just one. A single month goes by too quickly, especially since the first two weeks are usually spent adjusting to a new culture, navigating transportation, and observing classes rather than actually teaching.
Extending the timeline would give pre-service teachers the necessary time to properly adapt and then teach to their full potential. With a two-month duration, we could completely immerse ourselves in the host country's educational system, allowing us to handle a full cycle of instruction. This means we would not only introduce concepts but also guide students through complete thematic units, conduct comprehensive practical discussions, and properly administer and grade final examinations.
Lastly, this extension would benefit both the exchange students and the host schools. It ensures that we gain a deeper, more realistic understanding of international teaching workflows, while the local students receive a more consistent and complete learning experience from their student teachers.
suggestions
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