My name is Nining Yustiana, born 35 years ago in a remote area called Lembang located in Bandung, West Java Province. Before I describe the motivation and targets of this application, as well as how I would apply what I will learn in Australia, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and honor to finally have this opportunity. I want to highlight the word ‘finally’ because I have been longing for this moment. I will not be bothered to think of the final result since the most important thing is the Government finally gave me the chance to join the selection. One thing for sure, to receive the information on the program was difficult, if not impossible. That is why I have a strong willingness to send this application given only three days to prepare all the papers required.

I was graduated from the English Education Department of Universitas Islam Nusantara in 2003. Soon after, I was hired as a contract teacher through a competitive funding from the World Bank until 2007. In January 2008, I was promoted to be a permanent English teacher (civil servant) at SMP Negeri 2 Lembang. Due to my consistent teaching performance, I was selected to join the best teacher selection program in Bandung for two years in a row. Within these two years, I was nominated in the ten best teachers in Bandung. With this achievement, in 2012 up to present, I was transferred to SMA Negeri 1 Parongpong, given the task to improve the school’s English performance.

As an English teacher, my experience seems incomplete if I never know how it feels to live in an English speaking country. For the past few years, I heard that the Government had this teacher training program in Australia. However, it was difficult to get any information about it. Furthermore, once I received it, I was told that the program is only for whatsoever called international standard school teachers. To some extent, I was disappointed and thought that I would never have the chance to join it. Fortunately, three days before the closing, I got good news saying that for this year, all teachers are invited to join the selection. That I why I am strongly motivated to join it. In brief, my motivation to join the program is to: (i) experience living in an English speaking country, (ii) enrich my teaching skill, (iii) share best teaching practices, and last but not least, (iv) prove that I have equal capacity and competence like the ‘international’ standard school teachers.

In line with the motivations, I have a clear cut target for my stay in Adelaide, which is to learn its language and culture. I will put myself as a student thirsty for knowledge, and hence, I will try to learn as much as possible what I see and experience during my stay.

Upon returning home, I am sure the first thing that I would have is bigger motivation to teach English and share all people surrounding me all I got in Australia. Above all, I will be a better teacher than before. Therefore, a few things that I am planning to apply are: (i) share my experience in Australia to all teachers and students at school, (ii) apply the teaching methods that I learn in Australia, and (iii) make a community of all interns joining the program.