Dear my lovely homeroom students, 2D ♡

During the Pre-Departure meeting with the University of Tsukuba and Senior High School at Sakado University of Tsukuba (UTSS), we were informed that we as SEA-Teacher participants would not only be assigned as subject teachers, but we were also asked to learn to be homeroom teachers! When I heard the announcement, I was quite surprised because in Indonesia, it is not common for an intern teacher to be a homeroom teacher at school. I was also assigned to be the homeroom teacher for the 11th graders, so I was a little scared thinking, will I be able to do this job well?

But all of that is just a fear that I should not be afraid of. Meeting the students of class 2D and being their homeroom teacher is a gift or destiny that I am very happy to get. From them, I learned a lot about habits as well as the nature and characteristics of the students well.

Every morning would always begin with the Homeroom session (SHR) schedule where I was given to greet the students and check their attendance in the morning, as well as deliver some important information about the day's activities and end by giving them some sweet and motivating words, such as the words 'Today the weather is cold, please make sure you stay warm and don't get sick. Drink lots of water, and work hard today!” and 'Today is Monday, the start of a good week. I hope you have a very good week, and study well and hard'. Words that I hope every morning will be a prayer as well as an encouragement for my students that day!

Also in the afternoon, there would be a Homeroom Session where the students would give a speech either about the story of the day or some funny and exciting experience in their lives, although sometimes I couldn't quite understand because they were speaking in Japanese. Mr. Russell helped me to interpret so that I could understand a bit! This was followed by a session of announcing other important information by the homeroom teachers, and ended with the students saying their goodbyes and the hard work they did today.

I have made many sweet memories with the students during homeroom sessions, such as playing outside together on February 12. This afternoon homeroom session was a bit different, we went outside to play 'Long Jump Rope' or in Japanese '大縄跳び'. This was my first time trying this kind of game, and fear was the main thing that got the best of me at that time. Knowing this, many students encouraged me that this game would be a lot of fun. 'Venus sensei, just hold my hand if you feel scared. We'll jump together' was the simple words of a student that made me confident and brave! We had a lot of fun playing this game, hopefully one day we can play again!

Also during a homeroom session on February 19, Mr. Watanabe asked me to present about myself and Indonesia. At that time it crossed my mind that I would share my life as a student in Indonesia, hoping that the students would be motivated to continue their education to University either in Japan or in other countries. I shared how my life was when studying at University, how to enter a University in Indonesia. This was followed by a question and answer session, they were very active in asking 'Sensei what is your favorite food?', 'Sensei why did you choose to be a teacher?', 'Sensei what do you have for lunch with your friends?' and other interesting questions, so the time was well spent with them!

Sharing my life as Indonesia University Students!

During Homeroom Session, I was greatly assisted by Homeroom Supervisor Teachers Mr. Watanabe, Ms. Kato, and Mr. Russell. Every morning after the teacher briefing, I would always go to their desk area to listen and be given instructions on what I should say or do at the Homeroom session that day. I am very grateful to them, for giving me such a precious opportunity and convincing me that I can do well, also remembering Mr. Watanabe's feedback after I did a presentation session about being a student in Indonesia, 'Good presentation, thank you for sharing it in class'. Also Ms. Kato's care 'Are you cold? It's quite cold today', and Mr. Russel's 'You've survived really well!' on my last day in Tsukusaka. Thank you for all your guidance and care sensei!