I have been here in South San Francisco, California for more than five months now. And from those months, I have gone to a journey that I never thought will redirect my focus about career, change my perception about diversity, and open the door to more exciting opportunities ahead of me. I always have this one-sided opinion about the Filipinos who choose to serve other lands instead of extending their abilities and expertise in stabilizing our national economy. I always thought that they choose to leave the Philippines from its fight against oppression which had rooted since the colonization of elite, powerful oligarchs. However, my FLTA journey has reshaped my disposition as a Filipino and my perspective on life.
Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship (FLTA) is a Fulbright Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Every year, over a hundred scholars from all over the world are given the opportunity to improve their craft in teaching and to serve as cultural ambassadors of their own country and culture. And I have never been so excited in my entire life when I was chosen to take a chance of tasting American educational system and of sharing the intricate yet flamboyant culture of my home country, Philippines through the FLTA program. I am so gratified upon knowing that I had been assigned to Skyline College, a community college that caters to the academic needs of Filipino-American students. (Side note: Skyline College is one of the community colleges in San Mateo County, CA. Most Filipino-American students are enrolled in Skyline College.)
I am the fifth FLTA scholar from the Philippines for Skyline College’s Kababayan Program, a learning community that aims to help students, specifically the Filipino-Americans, achieve their educational goals in life. I thought of this program as an instrument in providing relevant information about the grass roots of Filipino-American students who were born here in the mainland and did not have the chance to have a sweet glimpse of their homeland. I am so impressed on how an FLTA can fit in into the whole picture of the Kababayan Program. That’s how I began my exciting and meaningful journey as FLTA of Skyline College.
The first two months of my stay in the U.S. had been unfriendly. I underwent a severe emotional turmoil and physical ordeal. I reached the point where I considered the idea of going back home and ending my program. But through the help of my family and significant friends, I was able to contemplate on the pros and cons of my possible decision. I recalled all the things I had been through from the submission of my scholarship application down to saying goodbyes temporarily to my love ones. Also, I considered my commitment to making my country proud of me, as a Filipino and as educator. I forged a promise and commitment, and I will never allow any circumstance to mar that ‘pact.’ My commitment to give back to my home country what I gained from the U.S. experience is heightened because I better understand now the issues of these diasporic Filipinos. I thought of them as selfish people, but I am wrong. I thought that they only wanted to become rich and have more in life, but I am wrong. Rather, I better understand now that they choose to be in the racist land simply because they don’t have a choice. They choose to leave their comfort zone because of their families and love ones. I should have known my fellowmen better right now.
I am now at the peak of my program. Four months from now, I will have to recollect all the experiences (travels, food, adventures, etc.) and learnings that my stint has taught me. I remember the emptiness I felt when I first arrived here in the U.S. But I am going back home filled and equipped with life-changing skills and rich memories that I will forever cherish until my last breath. My FLTA journey taught (and still teaching) me an outstanding lesson on life: Some people overestimate what they cannot do and what they are not; but undervalue who they really are. The world can mock me at any cost it desires but it can't take away my dignity that I never gained by place; even if the world withdraws its honor from me, I'd remain still for what I have or where I am right now is the fruit of my earnest and honest intention about life itself. I have won a priceless experience, the FLTA program, which I absolutely believe that I deserve and has opened my eyes beyond what I merely see.
The Eng 110 class last Fall Semester
