More Than a Certificate: The Emotional Finale in Lingayen

Friday, September 7, 2018, marked the closing ceremony for the SEA-Teacher and SEA-TVET programs at PSU. The ceremony was held at the PSU Main Campus in Lingayen. All the participants from the Bayambang, Alaminos, Urdaneta, and San Carlos campuses gathered there for the event. As we entered the hall, I was amazed to see so many PSU students already waiting for us. We performed our traditional dances and sang Indonesian and Thai songs for the audience. Afterward, the MC called our names one by one to receive our Certificates of Completion.

While receiving the certificate meant we had successfully finished the program, I felt deeply saddened and wanted to cry. I realized I wouldn't be seeing my new "family" every day anymore. I would miss my students, my buddies, my dormmates, my mentors, and everything about the Philippines—especially Bayambang. After the ceremony ended, we took many photos together to capture those final moments.