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Volunteering as a Teacher at a Primary School in Ubud, Bali
"Being back home after volunteer teach in this primary school was just a more convincing experience that leaves a big impact on my future career plan. Now I am surer to become a teacher" Flavio, Freiherr-vom-Stein Gymnasium Bünde, Germany
Getting to know the school and everyone in the village
My first day at the school, I was nervous. While not knowing what to expect as a foreign volunteer, of course, I had quite a culture shock, because everything was new to me but as soon as I was introduced to everyone, the teachers and the students, everybody was friendly, kind, and welcoming then I knew that it was going to be a fun week!
As my first days go by, I find it really interesting to see how the students' progress in the classes I was in. My main role as a volunteer is supporting the day to day classes conduct, where I was assigned to support the class teacher in English Subject also Mathematics. Other than volunteering for the primary school classes, I also supported the kindergarten. Having even younger students, mostly what I did was accompanying the class teacher to assist the pupils on art subject such as drawing, this was a good experience too!
Despite the language barriers, I connected to my co-teachers colleague, the school staffs and the children naturally, that is through humor. Most of the time we were able to laugh together and joke around, during the break and whenever we had time to sit and talk. Everyone has given me such a good feeling.
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Being a volunteer in quite a remote village in Gianyar, it has made me more curious and driven to learn about the local culture and customs. And this has definitely helped me in understanding the Balinese culture and traditions, and how to approach and communicate with my fellow co-teacher colleagues in the school, as well as the students. One of the most favorite aspects of my Bali travel is definitely the culture. I mostly adore how spirituality and religion are balanced in its importance.
I was lucky enough to get invited to attend a Hindu ceremony, followed by yoga classes and other activities that involved local Balinese in this village. It was certainly a once in a lifetime experience for me to be able to enter such authentic routines. Every day I was impressed by how much effort and time these people spend for their religion, rituals, and traditions.
It leaves me a warm feeling that everybody accepted me as a part of the school and the resident of the village. I think it is funny because almost all of the local people were always so curious about where I am from and what I am doing in the school, but what amazed me was, nobody questioned my presence at a Hindu ritual when I joined Ibu Agung in the ceremony. This was really great because they gave me the impression to be accepted and to be part of their daily Balinese life.
After my volunteering, my future career
Before applying to this volunteer teaching program, it was my plan to continue my education towards teaching and educational degree. Being back home after my voluntary work program teaching in this primary school was just a more convincing experience that definitely leaves a big impact on my future career plan. Now I am surer to become a teacher.
I learned a lot as a person and as a becoming a teacher person, that there will always be difficulties, be it a language barrier, different culture and so forth, but I will always find a way to deal with the situation. And all of the difficulties I have dealt with or deal with in the future will only give me a whole new perspective in life. In Bali, in particular, I got to know more about Hinduism, in what the Balinese Hindu believes and religious practices. At the end of my stay, I met a lot of new people, became friends with them, mostly locals.
One of my most memorable days was when a Balinese friend invited me to his house and all his friends to make some food together, cooking. So we went to his farm and get some ducks to cook. We tried Tuak and Arak, traditional Balinese alcohol, we drank together with all of his family, everything was just super good.
I had an amazing time in Bali, I learned so much about new cultures, about my self-development as a human being and of course, I learn about being with new people and integrate with them deeper than just visiting as tourists.
Thank you Bali Internships for the opportunity for me to support as a volunteer in the Primary school program!
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