Sea-Teacher Day 1 (Journey To Thailand)

Let Me tell you story...
About a reckless little girl who wants to pursue her dreams of going abroad..

DAY-1 
6th August 2017
August 6th, 2017  I arrived at Udon Thani one of the cities in Thailand. It was my first time to go abroad. Before arriving there I have to transit to Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. It is kind of tiring in Bangkok because we need to do an immigration checking and waiting for my next flight. While in Bangkok, I met another SEA Teacher Partner from UST and they missed their flight because of immigration checking take so much our time. So we decided to wait for our flight together. Firstly we spend the night in the praying room because it's comfortable and we are too tired to find another place to rest. Unfortunately, at midnight we got kick because the praying room will be closed. After that, we moved to the waiting room and rest there. In the early morning at 04.00 a.m, we decided to check-in and departure at 05.30. 

My picture on Don Mueang International Airport

Flight from Bangkok to Udon takes 1 hour 20 minutes. When arrived at Udon Thani Internasional Airport we were confused about how to tell Mrs. Kim because the wifi did not work. Therefore, we decided to wait and rest while waiting for someone who will pick us up. Fortunately, we saw 2 people come to us and bring the nametag SEA-Teacher and there it was Honey and Yosef our buddies. They were nice and friendly. 

Honey and Yosef who pick us in Airport

Our dorm inside Udon Thani Rajabhat University. It was not far from the airport, it just took 15 minutes to arrive. Yosef and Honey told us that the opening ceremony will be at 08.30 so we still have time to prepare and take a bath (maybe they know that we did not take a bath yesterday >_<). 

When I and Bekti arrived at the dorm

Before heading to the Opening ceremony

Heading to Demonstration Udon Thani Rajabhat University

 Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Niw the English teacher from Demonstration School pick us up at the dorm. We walked to the Faculty of Education. It's is quite far because it took 10 minutes on walk. The agenda was Welcoming and Opening Ceremony of SEA Teacher Projet Bath 4 at Udon Thani Rajabhat University, school presentation and video show about Udon Thani.

Mrs. Niw Present about Demonstration Shool

Another participant for SEA Teacher Program

The Slide of Presentation

Presentation from another school for SEA Teacher program 

After that, we are going to meet Mr. Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatchai Muangpathom to have warm welcoming from Udon Thani Rajabhat University. 

On the way to meet Mr. Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatchai Muangpathom

Another tiring-happy-excited face of us

We are listening for Welcoming Speech

Photo Session with Mr. Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatchai Muangpathom, Mrs. Kim, Mentor, and Advisor

After welcoming warm we are going back to the previous building and have our prize (read: lunch :p). We have a break after lunch and we use it to back to the dorm and sleep.  But before I go to the dorm Mrs. Niw and Mr. Leng (my mentor) tell me and Herni the way to go to our school (Demonstration School).

Everyone keep their prize

Our Coffe Break

My Lunch 

Some wefie with other participants

At 3.30 we back to the faculty building and meet the buddies. Here we got a paper and a hint to guess who is our buddy?. I have a little bit confused to guess who is my buddy because the hint is “Girl, long hair and wear the white sneakers” and there are 3 girls that suit those criteria :D But after all, I can guess who she is (after failed once :D)

Mention who has suite the criteria of my buddy

Thinking and guess who is my buddy

When all of us succeed to guess who is our buddy we got a traditional welcoming dance from the dance department. The dancers are pretty and I like the costume that they used. It is unique and really different from my country (Indonesia). I enjoyed the dance.

Me, Fa and the Dancer

Me, Bekti and the dancer

After welcoming dance we had dinner with the dancers, buddies and all participants of the SEA-Teacher program. The food is really delicious, and I like the food that consists of octopus (I don't know the name) it tastes best.

Diner with the dancer

Our Diner

After dinner, we have a basic Thai language and manner class with a Thai Language lecturer. We were taught how to introduce ourselves using the Thai language. We also learn some words that often be used in class. I struggle enough to learn the Thai language because Thai has many vowels, consonants with different tones to pronounce. It is pretty good that we have the trainer that really helps us to pronounce it even if I usually forgot to pronounce it after they told me :D Its really fun and I enjoyed the time.

Our lecturer for Basic Thai Language

Trying to introduce ourselves with Thai Language

My Trainer and Buddy for Basic Thai Language

The Thai class end at 10.00 p.m and we walked back to our dorm accompanied by some of our Buddies.