Wind in my Hair, Enthusiastic Heart: Scootering my way to Satit UDRU!

Early in the morning, I was confident walking alone to my host school, which was located just inside the receiving university. I told myself that I was a strong, independent woman because I would have to do my duty unaccompanied by my fellow SEA teachers until I got lost. Luckily, there was a kind student who escorted me with his pastel green scooter.

Wind in my hair, convenience store bread in my hand, and with an enthusiastic heart, I arrived in time for my first flag ceremony at Udon Thani Rajabhat University Demonstration School Building 6, more popularly known as Satit UDRU. It has three connecting buildings, providing a second home to elementary and secondary students. The school will captivate you with its white façade with three balconies. From the balcony, you can see an open basketball court on the right side. Infront, you can see a massive, rugged field where different programs are held, besides that there are also numerous tables and chairs where you can sight students playing different sports and games, playing guitar, and connecting with each other. The verdant embrace of the surroundings gave the school a finishing touch. 

The students were oriented with the program that I was in, and I gave a short introductory speech. Everyone’s kindness hung thick in the air, like my first sip of tom yum soup; the director, teachers, staff, and the students were heartily welcoming. After the flag raising ceremony, Teacher A, my cooperating teacher, together with her students on the spot cleaned and planned how to set up a 4th table for me at the office. The teacher’s office is quite small, but the vast windows gave it a spacious touch. The windows were connected to other teacher’s offices. Therefore, setting up a 4th table was a challenge, and I appreciated the kind gesture. Everything was new for me, from taking off my shoes before stepping inside the blue carpeted floors, being engulfed by different unfamiliar cards and board games, then the students having the freedom to hang out at the office during their free time.  Moreover, beside the teacher's office, there was an honesty shop! There were no vendors and the students pay through putting their money on this little pink basket. The shop offers school supplies, ice creams and refreshing drinks!

Although Satit UDRU Building 6 operates as a public institution, I was surprised as a Filipino student that Thai classrooms are well equipped with the necessary resources, including projectors, televisions, fans, air conditioners, and a complete set of tables and chairs. Since, public schools and even private schools in the Philippines are not that well equipped with necessary materials. To include, the most important details in the classroom are the vibrant displayed projects of the students and educational posters which transform a blank canvas into an encouraging environment for learning.