This academic year 2019/2020, SMAN Sumatera Selatan hosts another exchange participant. This time, the school hosts a student from Bangladesh named Ruchira Azad Chowdhury. Called Ruchira, the exange participant who has a 6 weeks-long period of stay. She came here through AIESEC UNSRI “Open Your Mind 6.0” program which focus on education and cultural exchange program.

Ruchira is a senior year student of University of Liberal Arts in Bangladesh. She is taking media studies and journalism, and majoring in digital film and TV production. During her stay, Ruchira taught English to the students of SMAN Sumsel. Also, she dedicated her time in the night to have an “English circle” with the students to help enhancing their ability to speaking in English. Apart from her teaching schedule, Ruchira was given the chance to talk about her country and share about the culture with X and XI graders during 3L activity. Ruchira wore Saree and made a student wear one. She closed the presentation with dancing together with all of the students.

“I had the best experience teaching in SMAN Sumsel. I always felt excited and happy whenever I had a class. I prepared my lesson very well as I would get so worry if the students do not understand me.” explained Ruchira when being asked about her teaching experiences. She added that she really loved students of SMAN Sumsel because they always showed their enthusiasm,  being active, and engaged with the class activities. She mentioned that Tara, Ricky, Ogan, and Dwi Hardika were some of her favourite students.

During her days in Palembang, Ruchira also stayed in the school’s dormitory, and lived together in the same building with teachers and students. Eventhough she thought that all teachers and staffs of SMAN Sumsel were so serious at first, but sooner she found out that everyone was very kind, nice, and joyful. “I remembered the time when we cooked and ate together in the school. Then on the other day, I made my time to cook for them also our Bangladesh food.”

Ruchira had tasted several traditional cuisine of Palembang and Indonesia; and her favourite was meatball. She also spent her time going to some of tourism sites in Palembang. She went to Pulau Kemaro, Museum Balaputradewa, Lenggok cafe, Museum Al-Qur’an akbar, Pasar 16 traditional market, Jakabaring Sport City, and Sudirman night street walk. Besides that, she had a trip to Lahat and Pagaralam. She was having a really good time going to a river, waterfall, mountain, and even tea and strawberry garden. She stayed in Ibu Febry’s and Ibu Indah’s house in Lahat.

Ruchira thinks that Indonesians are very friendly and kind. She received so much love from and felt accepted by everyone in Palembang, Lahat, or Pagaralam. “Sometimes, I have a hard time to hear other people speak in Bahasa Indonesia, as I could not understand and involve in the conversation. Yet, that motivates me to learn Bahasa Indonesia with one of Bahasa Indonesia teacher in here.” said Ruchira. She also explained how people in Indonesia are always willing to offer help to her even though they could not speak English. “I love the interaction with people here.” She added.

On the 29 of August, Ruchira will depart from Palembang. She received so many letters from students in her farewell ceremony. She was touched reading each letter from the students. Those make her want to stay longer. Before leaving for Bangladesh, she would spend some time in Jakarta and Bandung. She plans to visit some tourism sites over there. “I will go back soon to Bangladesh and finish my study. After graduating, I will come back to Indonesia, work here, and of course visiting this school again.”  All the experiences she had in Palembang and SMAN Sumatera Selatan would be a lasting wonderful memory that she would hold close to her heart forever.

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