By Shirnelie Bless D. Caro

A three-month internship in Indonesia demonstrates the powerful combination of faith and education.

Shirnelie Bless D. Caro and Glorie Anne Gange, aspiring Centralian educators, arrived in Surabaya, Indonesia, on February 19, 2025, as part of the CHED-IAS Student Exchange Program. Their internship evolved into a life-altering journey that would influence their faith, sense of purpose, and teaching practice.

Miss Septiana Feni and Miss Julia Soselisa from Petra Christian University welcomed them upon arrival at Juanda International Airport. Subsequently, they traveled to Pelangi Kristus School, the university’s laboratory school, where they encountered the Dean of the College of Education, marking the beginning of their internship.

The following week, they convened with Miss Dani Puspitasari, Program Head for Elementary Education, and Miss Yulia Setia, Program Head for Early Childhood Education. The discussion of their internship schedule and expectations facilitated a well-organized and meaningful learning experience.

The student interns were completely immersed in the educational model of the School of Tomorrow (SOT) at Pelangi Kristus for three months. This system prioritizes personalized learning, enabling students to advance according to their personal readiness and capacity, rather than adhering to conventional grade-level timelines. This is achieved through the completion of Packets of Accelerated Christian Education (PACEs) at their own pace.

What truly made a distinction in this experience was the extent to which faith was deeply rooted in the academic system. A devotional session was conducted for the instructors, ministers, and staff at the beginning of each day. Before starting their PACEs, students were instructed to pray and seek guidance and wisdom from the Lord. Upon the completion of the test, the students would offer prayers of thanksgiving, acknowledging that their success was a result of God, and the instructors would pray individually over each student.

Ms. Caro and Ms. Gange found this Christ-centered educational approach humbling and inspiring. It was their initial encounter with the concept of an academic institution that could foster spiritual discipline in conjunction with academic excellence. They discovered at Pelangi Kristus that education is not solely about imparting knowledge; it is about transforming lives by establishing a foundation rooted in faith. They adjusted to a new environment, embraced cultural and linguistic disparities, and instructed with compassion as the weeks progressed. They observed firsthand the success of students when they were taught with patience, structure, and genuine care.  Their experience substantiated their conviction that teaching is a calling, rather than merely a profession. Education is truly universal and that students, regardless of their geographical origins, thrive when they are given instructions with patience and compassion.

To cap their internship, Petra Christian University organized a farewell celebration on May 15, 2025, to the two pre-service teachers from CPU College of Education.   In her message, Ms. Gange stated, “Education transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, as does God’s purpose and calling.”

These reflections revealed the essence of their journey—a reaffirmation that God’s purpose can be realized in any location where He calls us, and that teaching is a ministry that transcends cultures and lives.

Ms. Caro and Ms. Gange had a safe return to the Philippines on May 20, 2025. They brought more than certificates and mementos with them as they returned to their homeland. They possessed an ignited enthusiasm for teaching, spiritual maturity, development, and wisdom.

Their journey in Surabaya has become a significant milestone in their educational paths and their lives as servant-leaders in the field of education. It is a testament to the reality that educators can transcend boundaries by influencing lives through love and learning, with faith, resilience, and dedication.