A Continuous Learner's Blog

I went to Pare for a full month English course program. I got so much good and bad stories from Pare.
First time I arrived at my lodging, I just felt like, oh gosh, “could I live at such this place?” My deep soul said that I had to pass this. I came to Pare to learn English. No matter how bad the situation, I promised myself to survive. I passed the first day at my room with the battle in my heart. Living in a very old-dirty-house was not as easy as I think. The bathroom especially, I couldn’t stand any longer I think. I looked for other lodging but I couldn’t find any. Willy nilly, I had to survive living at that new place. Day by day, I became accustomed to live there. Before coming to Pare, I had a dust allergic. I forced myself under dusty environment. Voila, now I’m a dust-resistant person. Then I learn that many diseases come from our self. It’s caused by our negative mind. If you say that you’ll get sick if you do something, then you will absolutely get sick because of it. If I think I am strong, I will be. I do believe wise word that says “You are what you think”.

Another helluva thing I faced is my teacher course. Be honest, he’s so boring. My friends and I shocked because the lessons were too easy. We are not elementary students, sir! Again, I had to survive. I learnt to be patient, I learnt to manage my mood well. I tried to enter class regularly, but sometimes I was too boring, so I chose to absent. At weekend, I travelled to other cities in East Java, e.g. Surabaya, Lamongan, Tuban, Madiun, Batu, and Malang. I got big bunch of stories on my journey.
So what impress me the most about Pare? The answer is the people. I met new friends, new family, and new persons with different unique characteristics. I thank God for giving me a chance to live with Damay, Ika, Juni, Nopea, Nyak, and Zahara, also with the boys, Erwan, Mas Irul, Ryan and Satria. Moreover, I like the yummy cheap foods at Pare. Nasi pecel costs Rp3000, meat ball costs Rp4000, and soto costs Rp3000. Because of its price, I ate a lot and gained kilos for a month. The low living cost, peaceful environment and my beloved friends help me to keep my mood up.

When I’m home and write this note, I realize that I’ve changed a bit. I’ve learn many things from people at Pare which makes me more mature and more patient. I hope I won’t be a spoiled annoying girl like I was.
Thank you, Pare

Trip to Penang, taught me lots of things. I would like to write the language lessons I learnt. I went to Mount Miriam Hospital at Penang. It had been the first time for me, yet the ninth times for my aunty visiting Mount Miriam Hospital to have chemotherapy there. So I spent most of my time at hospital, took care of my aunty, and processed all the administration things. I did it by my self. Most of doctors, nurses and administration staffs at Mount Miriam are Indian and Chinese. They use English as a formal and daily language. But there are also some nurses who speak Malay.

My aunty’s doctor, named Dr Rakesh Kumar, is a handsome Indian man. He doesn’t speak Malay. So when my aunty consults with the doctor, she uses interpreter nurses. Most of patients are from Indonesia, that’s why the hospital hires the interpreter nurses to translate from English to Indonesia.

First time I met Dr Rakesh, I was so impressed by his charming and friendliness. He asked “Do you speak English?” I answered “Yes”. “Oh, it’s good that you speak English,” he said. Then he asked me many things about the condition of my aunty. I was a little bit nervous. You know that Indian people speak English with their Indian accent, I rarely hear their accent. I always learn listening to British or America. But now I realize that every people in this world have their own accent so I have to accustomed my ear with all accent.

I had been in English Village for a month, but I don’t think I increased my English that much. The challenging to speak English with foreign is so much bigger than what I did with my friends at English village. Yet so far, I can understand what they say and they seem to understand what I say too. Isn’t it a good beginning?

It feels like people in Singapore and Malay underestimate our capability. They amaze Indonesians who speak English. I don’t blame them for it because as we know that most Indonesians come to Malaysia and Singapore in order to look for the job. To generalize things is the nature of some people. I myself prefer using English to Malay. If you visit Malaysia or Singapore, I suggest you to speak English whenever you speak with them who can understand Bahasa Indonesia. So they won’t think Indonesians are all stupid. In addition, I sometimes confuse with Malay vocabulary. For example, at my aunty’s room there’s direction “Sila tekan butang jika bantuan diperlukan.” I smirked, what is butang? LOL.

Another things that made me laugh was when I was on plane, they said “matikan telepon bimbip.” Oh I see, so the telepon bimbip means handphone. But my phone doesn’t sount bim bip bim bip like that. Haha. There are also many other words that will absolutely make you laugh.

I think that if you want to increase your ability in speaking especially, going abroad is one of the good ideas. Actually, five days at Penang is not enough for me to practice speaking English. However, at least I accustomed to listen to Indian-English and Chinese-English accents. I wish I visit England someday.