UNS – The Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta has once again sent 24 students to participate in the International School Field Experience (Pengenalan Lapangan Persekolahan, or PLP) through the South-East Asia (SEA) Teacher Program Batch 10. Under the auspices of the South-East Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), the 24 FKIP UNS students engaged in teaching activities in schools across Southeast Asia for one month in November 2024.
Khoirul Nur Adhi, one of the students participating in the International PLP, explained that there are several requirements to meet to join the program. “One of the requirements for participating in the SEA Teacher program is that students must have completed the microteaching course. There are also several selection stages, such as administrative screening and interviews,” Khoirul said on Tuesday (17/12/2024).
The administrative selection includes screening academic transcripts, an English Proficiency Test (EPT), and the submission of a microteaching video in English. The interview stage is conducted in English, in person, with an interviewer. Students who are deemed eligible are placed in schools located in Southeast Asia. The 24 participants from FKIP UNS are assigned to 8 universities in Thailand and the Philippines, including Thepsatri Rajabhat University (TRU), Udon Thani Rajabhat University (UDRU), University of Santo Tomas (UST), Saint Louis University (SLU), Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST), Cavite State University (CvSU), Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISATU), and University of Northern Philippines (UNP).
“After receiving our school placements, we prepared departure documents such as passports, health insurance, assignment letters, and official travel orders from FKIP. For pre-departure documents like passports and health insurance, we had to cover the costs ourselves. However, we were given pocket money and transportation accommodations from Solo to Jakarta and then to the Philippines or Thailand,” Khoirul added.
Khoirul also expressed how meaningful the opportunity to participate in the International PLP was for him. He shared that he gained many new insights through the program. “This International PLP has made a strong impression on me, the entire process and journey were very exciting. Not only did I get to study in a new environment, but I also learned about the culture of another country, visited tourist spots, made friends from other countries, and, of course, challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone,” Khoirul said.
He advised other students interested in participating in future International PLP programs to prepare the requirements well in advance. “For friends who are interested in joining the International PLP, it’s best to start preparing now, especially for the English Proficiency Test (EPT), as the EPT certificate takes about a week to be issued. It will be risky to leave it until the last minute. Whenever there’s an opportunity, just go for it—opportunities don’t come twice,” he advised.
The International PLP program supports providing inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all. It offers students the chance to access different educational environments, broaden their perspectives, and enhance cross-cultural understanding, which is essential for learning. This program contributes to achieving the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), “Quality Education.” HUMAS UNS
