What inspired you to work for Edunation?
I have always been passionate about learning and teaching the English language. I believe that this profession has always been my calling, and with the organization I am affiliated with, I can see myself growing to be one of the best teachers and public speakers in my profession.
With this in mind, this organization allows me to achieve my professional interests in supporting students in their academic journey and helping them achieve their goals. Seeing them stepping on the pedestal of success makes me proud and makes me want to work harder and better.
Describe a typical day at work.
If it's Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, I usually start the day by preparing for the scheduled class. After practicing for the class, I check our LMS platforms to review student queries and submissions.
Next, I check my work email to see if there are any urgent matters that require my response. Once I've addressed everything, I use the remaining hours to plan upcoming sessions, incorporating new ideas and materials to keep the classes engaging and fun.
After classes, I typically end my day by updating attendance and providing grades and feedback to students.
For Tuesdays and Thursdays, I start my day by checking my email. If there are no pending emails, I proceed with my day in handling administrative tasks, like checking student applications, handling interview sessions, drafting and sending results, requesting invoices, and drafting and sending acceptance letters.
Why do you do what you do?
I do what I do because it makes me happy and whole. I also do believe that we all have a purpose in this world no matter how little or big that purpose is. In my case, teaching has been something I've always dreamed of doing.
I enjoy teaching and speaking, writing, and hopefully inspiring my students to achieve what they dream of no matter how impossible it may be through their lens.
My first co-working opportunity with colleagues from Edunation.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is the opportunity to be creative and the encouragement to be inspired. More importantly, we are given the notion that it's okay to make mistakes as long as we learn and improve from them. This environment allows me to practice my profession in a way that brings me the most happiness and contentment.
I appreciate being in a workplace where innovation and personal growth are valued, as it motivates me to continually develop my skills and find new ways to engage and inspire others. This supportive atmosphere enables me to thrive and enjoy my work to the fullest.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
I use my education and international background to provide a perspective to my current role. A perspective to do better and to learn from past mistakes. My degree in Bachelors in Secondary Education, Major in English, has equipped me with the theoretical and pedagogical knowledge needed for me to succeed in my current and future endeavors.
And of course, my years of experience allow me to prepare for the best outcomes for my classes and to improve by coming up with innovative strategies to enhance learning.
Additionally, spending my years communicating with people of different cultures has made me learn to adapt to the diverse backgrounds of my students contributing to a more dynamic and inclusive academic environment.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
One of the challenges I often face is how to make students consistently motivated in every lesson. Some topics may be hard for students to digest making them lose their interest to keep up. In order to solve this, I usually come up with materials that are integrated with something they can relate to and that they have a passion to learn about.
Another challenge that I usually face is time management, given the various responsibilities, of teaching, grading, planning, and administrative tasks. I overcome this challenge by making sure that they are organized and live by the schedule and system I created in order to catch up and be productive.
What are some current projects you are working on?
As of now, these are the projects I am working on:
1. Handling student applications for the next intake.
2. Coming up and proposing content ideas for the program to boost applications.
3. Crafting and designing modules and learning materials for the upcoming programs.
4. Attending and teaching classes.
My first team building experience in my organization. (P.S. I'm the one climbing).
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
I think the advice that I can give to my pre-travel self is to embrace flexibility because there are things beyond my control. It may be nice to plan the trips but sometimes they rarely go as planned.
So it would be better to be prepared but to also expect the unexpected because if we dwell on the things that did not go as planned, it will just ruin the whole trip. So just enjoy the moment when it comes and be grateful that we still get to do these things while we can.
What makes Edunation special?
What makes the organization special is the people who are in it believe in second chances. This organization is an avenue for people to chase their dreams and to work hard for it.
There may be high standards and pushing someone to be more competent, but the organization also believes that there is always room for improvement. As long as you are willing to learn and improve, you will achieve what you desire.
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
"It's not the place, but it's the people." It’s what makes Edunation special because we hold a certain standard from a global perspective while being true to what the organization offers.
Finland has been voted the happiest place in the world and our organization is a reflection of that. And no matter where we are, we know that we are working together despite the distance and diversity in general.
What hopes do you have for the future for your organization?
I hope for the organization to thrive and be better. The organization offers opportunities to all sorts of people regardless of their age, culture, or status. It also offers world-class education and a great career from its global perspective.
In the future, I wish to see the organization grow and be able to come up with more opportunities for people looking to work in the happiest country in the world.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
The company's mission is to offer a path to students who would like to study and get a career in Finland. More than that, it gives the opportunity for students to reach their dreams and get to a level of financial security and freedom. Based on this perspective, the organization is working to see students/applicants achieve that. And once they see that, it is also the company's sense of achievement.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I do hope that participants get a sense of empowerment and responsibility to pursue their dreams of studying abroad and building successful careers. We also hope for them to gain the preparatory skills needed, cultural awareness, and the highs and lows of studying in another place. Lastly, the organization hopes them to have the support they need from us and the people around them.
How do you help support participants?
As an ESL teacher working for the organization, I help the participants overcome linguistic and cognitive skills by teaching them how to read, write, speak, and listen using the English language. I also incorporate learning strategies for students to be equipped with essential skills needed for them to succeed.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
I think the most important reason as to why there is a need for people to travel and experience culture is because of how it broadens our perspective; which can contribute to and expand our personal growth and knowledge.
The space we create is important for others to grow their bubbles because the world is much bigger than what we have always known. Meaning to say, travel is not just leisure, but it's something that makes us realize that all people are unique and that's something we have to embrace.
Zamboanga City, where I currently live, and one of my favorite parts of the city.
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Learning a new language is always a bridge, that's why it's important. It can be used to connect people to convey their thoughts, ideas, innovation, and understanding.
In other words, it brings people together by enhancing communication, navigating, and appreciating diverse destinations. Of course, for those who are planning to live abroad, it opens doors to international job opportunities and collaborations.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
My only advice for individuals seeking to have a life abroad is to adjust their expectations and to have the stamina to endure the hardships.
Because as easy as it may seem, not everything is glamorous, and not everything we see on social media will also happen to us, especially if it is not meant for us or if something does not go our way. So when the going gets tough, learn to deal with it because the only way is through.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Personally, meaningful travel involves personal growth and discovery. It goes beyond leisure or sightseeing, but it is something that can push me to be outside of my comfort zone. That is why I really like to travel the world as soon as I have the means because it is something I have always wanted, and by doing so, I believe I can make and create lasting memories by myself to expand my perspective about the world.
