Answering the Call: My story behind joining the SEA Teacher Program

The SEA Teacher Program may have lasted for less than a month, but its roots in my life stretched across years of hope, preparation, and unwavering determination. It began in the springtime of my sophomore year, when one of my most respected instructors planted the seed of a dream: the opportunity to teach abroad for a brief yet life-changing stint. His question—if I’d ever consider such an endeavor when I reached my fourth year—lit a spark within me. Without hesitation, I said yes, a declaration fueled by the quiet aspirations I had carried since the moment I entered college. Yet, as quickly as excitement blossomed, the weight of reality began to cloud my vision. In my country, opportunities like this are rare as since most of the mass population are not bestowed much of the higher-privileges in life. And for someone like me, who rooted from a humble household and faced fragile health, the road ahead seemed daunting.

My very first boarding pass on the way to Singapore

For two years, my journey toward that dream was a winding path filled with doubts, sacrifices, and a resolve that grew stronger with every challenge. I wrestled with my family’s financial constraints, my own physical limitations, and a slew of overlapping responsibilities that demanded more than I thought I could give. There were times my body faltered, times when I questioned whether my aspirations were worth the toll. Yet, whenever my instructor reminded me of the goal, I found myself returning to my “what ifs,” to the promise I had made to myself. I let go of commitments, prioritized my health, and nurtured the flickering hope within me.

And then, almost like a dream, I found myself boarding my very first flight, watching my years of effort take flight alongside me. That moment wasn’t just a milestone—it was proof that dreams born from hardship and nurtured with determination have the power to transcend every obstacle.