The PDT (Pre-Departure Training) for 4,5
Monthers starts on 23 May 2016. We were divided into three classes depend on
our field of study. M1 belongs to those with the economic background; M2 is for
science while M3 is for awardees from social area. Since I’m going to pursue
master in TESOL, I was assigned to be in 4,5M3 along with 8 other awardees
(Rita, Umunnisa, Bang Rizal and I are from Aceh, Bang Andy is from Padang, Baim
is from Malang, Heny is from Kendal, Mbak Tika and Mas Fajar are from Jakarta).
It was a pleasure to be in a group with
people who are different from you in many aspects. Although nine of us belong
to social field, we choose diverse specific subjects. Bang Rizal and I, for instance,
are going to study TESOL while Rita, Henny, and Bang Andy are taking Master of
Education. Meanwhile, Mba Tika and Umunnisa are planning to study disaster
management; Baim is pursuing Master of Law and Mas Fajar is intending to attend
master of communication. Besides, we were also introduced to the teachers who will
facilitate us with their expertise during the training such as Simon Hotchkiss
as our core class teacher, Barbara as our cross-cultural understanding teacher,
Simone as our study skill facilitator and Bu Rina as well as Pak Adi as our
computer facilitators.
I was overwhelmed by remembering names of
classmates and the map of the building initially since it was hard for me to
remember people’s names quickly and I am lack of spatial remembrance ;) but
then I get used to it after couple of weeks . The learning
atmosphere was so fun and engaging since our core teacher incorporated
technology and excellent teaching approaches in the learning process. He
emphasized us to read and write more since those two skills are pivotal in
order to prepare ourselves for IELTS and Australian academic setting. He taught
us how to take notes during a lecture by encouraging us to use symbols or
abbreviations and drilled us how to use it effectively. To make us accustomed
to reading, he required us to read at least 15 minutes every day. Therefore, he
assigned us to read an article from a printed newspaper or an online one and
then summarize it in our own words. Every after reading and summarizing a new
article, we have to post them in our padlet account so that he and everyone in
the class could see and exchange what we read and wrote.
For me, the highlight of the first month was
our outing which was initiated by the mentors. Yeay, the entire 4,5 monthers
visited the national museum on 2 June 2016 exactly in our second week of
training. It was such an awesome tour since we were able to expand our insights
about our own heritage and culture as well as strengthen our bond as a team. Here is the group picture :)
I would say that the first month of PDT was
full of excitements since the whole world is new. I was so excited to get to
know my new classmates and teachers,
explore new places and facilities to learn, find out about where to shop and figure out
the public transportation system in Jakarta.
Although I found it challenging at first to adjust to a new routine and
environment, thankfully I was able to manage all of them in the end.
