By Roberto Gorbeña, Spanish Teacher Intern

My stay at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) and other Philippine education institutions offered a great deal of learning experiences and challenges, which I consider a great privilege, significantly contributing to my growth.

While being exposed to the teaching practices of USeP, particularly in the College of Education, College of Applied Economics, College of Development Management, and School of Medicine, the most rewarding experience I had was my immersion in the communities of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Mindanao. Their rich culture and traditions easily captivated me and taught me the value of resilience and connection to the land. I consider it a privilege to have learned about and experienced their educational system, as well as to have contributed to the development of the knowledge and skills of our young IP brothers and sisters. Through teaching, I learned to adapt my methods to cater to their needs and harness their knowledge. In return, I gained a broad and diverse perspective and developed a deep appreciation for their unique cultural heritage.

I may have encountered challenges such as language barriers and limited access to technology and educational materials, but I emerged triumphant with my commitment to contribute to the development of Philippine education. I achieved this by fostering experiential learning and collaboration among students. Along the way, I gained confidence, improved my language skills to better communicate with the students, and learned to seek creative solutions to fill what is lacking, maximize what is available, and adapt to the circumstances.

My experience teaching in the Philippines has been profoundly enriching and has broadened my understanding about cultural diversity and the educational challenges faced by different communities. It taught me the importance of adaptability, empathy, and perseverance in the field of education and challenged me to step out of my comfort zone.

It has been an honor to be part of the growth and development of students and indigenous communities in the Philippines. I am beyond grateful for the lessons I have learned and the meaningful human connections I have established throughout the exposure program.

I will treasure this great privilege of being part of this community, being aware of its admirable qualities and the challenges it faces, and translating this learning to make a positive impact in the field of education and the communities I serve.