A Journey to Indonesia
A blog website created to showcase my adventures and Journey!
Hello! I am Irish Flores, an Early Childhood Educator from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, La Union, Philippines. Welcome to A Journey to Indonesia, a space where I share my experiences as an educator. This website reflects my time in Jakarta capturing the time where i take my lessons, adventures, and moments that shaped both my teaching journey and personal growth. Join me as I take you through stories of discovery, resilience, and inspiration in the heart of Indonesia.
JOURNEY
"Every step outside your comfort zone is a story worth telling."
Welcoming of Universitas Kristen Indonesia
School General Information
Pedagogical Content
The Universitas Kristen Indonesia warmly welcomed us the SEATeacher Batch 10 participants during a special orientation program held at the campus. The event gathered student-teachers from one of the partner university of UKI in the Philippines, DMMMSU.
The practicum school I was assigned to is Global Pretasi School (GPS), an international school located in Bekasi,Indonesia. It combines national and international curriculum to prepare students to become future ready citizens.
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In this section, you will view and understand the pedagogical content of Global Prekasi School(GPS) applies to their students.
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Teaching Plan
Teaching Plan refers to how I prepared and designed my lesson plan for my teaching demonstration. Making sure that it was carefully aligned with the school's curriculum. Ensuring that the activities, strategies, and assessments matched the school’s standards and learning objectives.
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Teaching Practice
Closing Program
This is the moment where I was deployed to Global Prestasi Montessori School and worked with the Nursery 1 class.
The SEATeacher journey at Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI) was brought to a meaningful close with a heartfelt Closing Program organized especially for us, the DMMMSU SEA teachers. This event served as the formal culmination of our stay in Jakarta, giving us the chance to share our reflections, express our gratitude, and celebrate the experiences we gained throughout the program.
Welcoming of Universitas Kristen Indonesia
After a long 14-hour layover in Malaysia, I finally arrived in Jakarta! The UKI IZN representatives warmly welcomed us at the airport, making us feel right at home. They even treated us to our very first Indonesian lunch, which was such a great introduction to their cuisine. Later on, we met the UKI IZN staff and our assigned student buddies, who would be our constant companions throughout our stay. Before heading back, we stopped by an Indomart, our very first taste of an Indonesian convenience store!
After some much-needed rest, we officially began our UKI journey with a tour of the campus. We had the chance to meet the Deans of different programs, where we learned about UKI’s academic offerings and culture. It was eye-opening to see how diverse the university is. In the afternoon, our buddies took us to Kalibata City Mall, where we shared dinner together. It was such a fun way to bond with them outside the school setting.
April 11 was truly memorable. UKI hosted a welcoming ceremony for us, which felt very heartwarming and special. Afterward, we enjoyed cooking our own lunch—a fun, interactive way to connect with our buddies even more.
SCHOOL: GENERAL INFORMATION AND ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION
Global Prestasi School (GPS) is a private, internationally oriented school located in Komplek GPS, Jl. KH. Noer Alie No. 10 B, Kalimalang, Jaka Sampurna, Bekasi Barat, West Java. The school began its journey with Junior High and Senior High programs in 2005, followed by the Elementary School level in 2007, and later expanded to include Montessori early childhood education in 2016. GPS has been awarded an "A" accreditation and recognized as a Model School by the Bekasi Education Office, reflecting its commitment to excellence in education
Global Prestasi School (GPS) is managed by Yayasan Harapan Global Mandiri and has steadily expanded its educational offerings over the years, opening its Elementary School in 2007 and later adding a Montessori branch in 2016 (Jobstreet). The school is equipped with modern facilities, supporting full-day learning and providing strong internet connectivity through Biznet fiber optic, while ensuring reliable utilities with power supplied by both PLN and diesel backup (Sekolah Kita; Daftarsekolah). Highly regarded in Bekasi, GPS has earned recognition as one of the top private schools in 2025 for its integration of national and international curricula, fostering not only academic excellence but also emotional intelligence and global citizenship.
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Global Prestasi School
Pedagogical Content
After the ceremony at Global Prestasi School, we were deployed to our assigned groups. I had a tour around the campus, which helped me get to know the school better. I learned that I was placed in the Montessori group, specifically handling the Nursery 1 class. I also met my cooperating teachers, Ms. Anggra and Ms. Henny, who were both kind and welcoming. It was a great first day, and I’m excited to start working with the children and learning from the teachers.
I had the opportunity to observe how teaching is done in the Montessori classroom. I also joined a special Montessori event held in partnership with WWF as part of the school’s fun week. The event included a storytelling session and fun activities and games that taught the children about nature and the environment. It was a meaningful experience, and I enjoyed seeing how the children learned through play while becoming more aware of the world around them.
I feel lucky to be part of the Montessori group because I am learning how to handle very young students, aged 2 to 3 years old. It was interesting to see how the teachers guided the children with patience and care. I also noticed that all the teaching materials were provided by the school, which made the learning activities more organized and effective.
Teaching Plan
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GPS Early Childhood Education Program integrates the Montessori method with a holistic approach to learning. Our goal is to nurture every child’s physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and moral growth. The curriculum is not bound to rigid subject content but instead focuses on guiding young learners through meaningful experiences that cultivate independence, creativity, and resilience.
Montessori-Integrated Core Areas
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1.Exercises of Practical Life (EPL): Activities that build independence, responsibility, and daily life skills.
2.Sensorial: Exploration through senses to refine perception and classification.
3.Language: Early literacy development, vocabulary enrichment, and communication.
4.Mathematics: Foundational numeracy, counting, sequencing, and problem-solving.
5.Culture: Introduction to the world through geography, science, and cultural appreciation.
As an Educator, I always make sure to be guided by a teaching plan that reflects the goals and philosophy of the program. At GPS, I follow the Early Childhood Education curriculum, which is rooted in Montessori principles and a child-centered approach. This plan allows me to nurture the holistic development of children aged 2–6 years, focusing on six key areas: Religion & Morality, Motor-Physical, Cognitive, Linguistic, Social-Emotional, and Art.
For my teaching plan, I incorporated interactive activities and experiential lessons—for example, I let the children see how a volcano erupts through a simple science experiment. This not only made the lesson fun and exciting but also helped them grasp abstract concepts through real experiences.
Teaching Practice
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My day followed a familiar and comforting routine, primarily focused on assisting the young children in their various activities. This involved providing individual support, guiding them through learning exercises, and ensuring a safe and engaging environment.
For my second formal teaching demonstration, I introduced the topic of volcano mountains. To prepare, I created a PowerPoint presentation with visuals, diagrams, and simple explanations that were suitable for the learners. During the lesson, I explained the structure of a volcano and the process of eruption in a way they could easily understand. The students were very curious and asked several questions, which made the session more interactive. It was a fulfilling experience to see their interest and engagement while I was leading the discussion.
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For my third teaching demonstration, I introduced the topic of the solar system. In this lesson, I discussed the different planets, their order from the sun, and some of their basic characteristics. To make the lesson more engaging, I used visual aids and simple explanations that the students could easily follow. The children showed curiosity and excitement as they learned about the planets and the space beyond Earth. This experience gave me another opportunity to strengthen my teaching skills and connect with the students through an interesting and enjoyable topic.
May 02,2025 held a bittersweet significance as it marked my final day working directly with the delightful children of the Nursery 1 class. For this occasion, I prepared my last teaching demonstration, focusing specifically on the dramatic process of how a volcano erupts. To capture their attention and curiosity, I incorporated an experiential activity where I showed them a simple volcano eruption experiment. The children were visibly amazed and engaged, which made the lesson both memorable and meaningful.
Despite my internship being unexpectedly shortened due to illness, the Montessori group teachers thoughtfully organized a simple yet heartfelt closing program for us. Their warm gesture was deeply appreciated and highlighted the strong sense of community and support within the school.
Although it was a farewell, the experience left me with lasting memories of joy, learning, and gratitude, as well as the special bond I had formed with the children and teachers during my stay.
Closing Program
As our journey in Jakarta came to a close, the DMMMSU SEA Teachers were given a heartwarming send-off through a simple yet meaningful closing program. The event was dedicated to reflecting on our teaching experiences, the friendships we built, and the growth we gained throughout our stay.
This closing program not only marked the end of our SEA Teacher experience in Jakarta but also celebrated the meaningful connections and memories we will carry with us beyond this exchange.
Adventures​​​
During our stay in Jakarta for the SEATeacher Program, Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI) brought us on a cultural tour around the city. We explored iconic landmarks, discovered local traditions, and experienced the vibrant life of Jakarta, making our journey both educational and memorable.
To make the most of the day, I joined a Visita Iglesia activity here in Indonesia, where we visited seven churches around Jakarta. Some of us went along with the Head of Internationalization from UKI, which made the experience more meaningful.
Despite not feeling fully well, I chose to make the most of my remaining days in Jakarta. The day started with an engaging basic Bahasa class by Kha Amanda, followed by a visit to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, a cultural park showcasing Indonesia’s diverse traditions and architecture.
We went on a trip to the center of Jakarta. Our first stop was Monas, which is a famous tower.
This was a day filled with fun and adventure as we embarked on a group outing to Dufan, a popular amusement park in Jakarta. I was accompanied by my wonderful teachers from the Montessori group and one of our helpful buddies!
​We embarked on a Jakarta city tour, visiting several iconic landmarks. These included Monas (National Monument), the National Museum, the Jakarta Cathedral, and the Istiqlal Mosque.
UKI International Office organized a fun campus outing to Bogor Botanical Garden, where we picnicked, rode scooters, and played games with NISU and CPU students.
Summary & Suggestions
