Week 1 — First Arrival, New Experiences, and Warm Welcomes

 Week 1 of my cultural exchange journey was filled with unforgettable experiences, new challenges, and heartwarming moments that I will always remember.

Our journey began on April 3rd. Four student teachers from UNISDA departed from Juanda International Airport in Surabaya at 7:35 PM, heading to Singapore. We arrived in Singapore at 10:55 PM and had a transit of nearly three hours before continuing our flight at 1:50 AM on April 4th. We finally arrived in Manila at 5:50 AM.

During our long eight-hour transit in Manila, we were confused about what to do. When we started to feel hungry, we decided to cook instant noodles that we brought from Indonesia. We asked for hot water at the airport, and surprisingly, that simple moment became one of the most fun and memorable experiences during our journey.

Later that day, we continued our flight from Manila to Tacloban at 1:50 PM and safely arrived at 3:15 PM. Upon arrival, we received a very warm welcome from our teaching internship supervisor, Dr. Leslie Elisa S. Cobilla, and her husband, the Campus Director, Dr. Clemente H. Cobilla from SLSU Thomas Oppus Campus. We also met several SEA Teacher participants who were preparing to depart for Vietnam.

After that, we were kindly taken to a mall in Tacloban, where they treated us to our first Filipino meal. We tasted soup called puchero, roasted-style fried chicken that was very juicy, and a famous Filipino dessert called halo-halo. We were extremely full and satisfied, and personally, I really loved the chicken.

That evening, we were brought to our accommodation at the President's Cottage of SLSU Thomas Oppus. The place was very comfortable, allowing us to rest peacefully before starting our official activities.

On April 5th, we were invited to visit Tangkaan Beach, as it was Holy Sunday after Easter. The beach was incredibly beautiful, with clear blue water and stunning scenery. We enjoyed food together, and I even tried raw sea urchin served with vinegar. The taste was very unusual for me, but it was definitely a new cultural experience. We stayed there until the afternoon before returning home.

On April 6th, we attended a formal program at SLSU Thomas Oppus Campus. I was chosen as a representative to deliver a speech, and honestly, I felt extremely nervous because it was my first time speaking in such an event. We also watched several performances, and later, we were invited to sing together with Filipino SEA Teachers. We sang the song "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars, and it was such a joyful moment.

The following day, April 7th, we were invited to the Main Campus of SLSU in Sogod to attend another welcoming event. We performed again and sang a Filipino song titled "Multo." In the afternoon, Ma'am Leslie took us to a seaside restaurant where we enjoyed delicious food, especially crispy shrimp, which I really liked. We were so full again, and the remaining food was kindly packed for us to take home.

On April 8th and April 10th, which was also my birthday, we participated in the deployment program with our cooperative teachers. We finally met our assigned cooperative teachers and visited several schools. During lunchtime, I received a surprise birthday cake from them. It was truly touching because it was the first time in my life that I received a birthday surprise. I felt deeply grateful for their kindness.

After lunch, we continued touring several schools. The students were very excited to meet us, and we were also introduced to many lecturers and staff members. Everyone welcomed us warmly, which made me feel more confident and comfortable.

One of the most memorable moments for me during this week was riding the airplane, because I am actually very afraid of flying. Another unforgettable experience was tasting Filipino food for the first time, which turned out to be very delicious and enjoyable.

Week 1 was truly an amazing beginning to my cultural exchange journey, full of courage, discovery, and new friendships.