ASIA TEFL International Conference 2014 

Thursday-Saturday, 28 - 30 August 2014, Borneo Convention Centre, Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia

 

Alhamdulillah, this is the first time I went abroad. It sounds a bit weird as I am a lecturer of English that I should have gone to many countries to study, to have a research, or to join many conferences.

But, that is the truth.

@Kuching family 

This is the experience.

First, I have to pay for the registration fee. It was stated that I have to pay US$140 when I am a member of Asia Tefl because I thought I am already a member as I am also a member of Teflin. But in fact, I am not. So, in the conference, I have to pay US$30 more.

@ KLIA 2 airport

This picture was taken by a Japanese, her name was Miki. She worked in Kuching Serawak Malaysia. We went at the same flight. It was supposed to fly at 20.00PM, but then it was delayed and flied at 01.00 AM. Here, I met some of my friends from UIN. 

with Mbak Ami and Mbak Win @ RJ Ayam Bakar 

I fact, we were at the same hotel, De Palma Hotel. So we hired a taxi for 30 ringgit and here was the hotel. In the hotel, I also met my friend, Pak Arfan Fahmi, in fact he is Mbak Ami's classmate in UM. So we went to the convention centre together.

 with the owner of the "De Palma" hotel

the hotel's view from my room

The first day, I join the opening, with a kind of red carpet welcoming the king of Sarawak. Some dances, and speeches.I joined plenary session and some parallel sessions.

 @Plenary session

 in front of Great Hall where Plenary Sessions were conducted

My Poster presentation was in the 2nd day. The title of the research was 

EFL Learner's Pattern of Argumentative Essay Writing

in the poster, I included the abstract, introduction, review of related literature, methodology, result and finding, conclusion and suggestion. The picture of the poster is in the following.

My Poster presentation at the 2nd day starting from 13.00 PM - 17.50 PM

I should discuss all about the poster in the special post on the report of Poster presentation. After this presentation, we hired a taxi to the hotel destination, and we stopped at some places to take some photos.

All these pictures were taken in the waterfront at Riverside.

In the third day, I joined few parallel sessions as I had to check out from my Hotel at 12.00 and  my flight was at 05.00PM. In the morning, I bought some souvenirs for my children and some relatives. I did not have enough money, I just changed 2 million rupiahs for 533 ringgit Malaysia. Things I have bought like Alitea, Hazelnuts coffee, Oat milk bar, sarung, wallet, key-strap, bags, pashmina, T-shirts, and baby clothes. 

This is the change from all of the transaction in Kuching.

These photos were taken at the third day, I took a walk with Pak Arfan (ITS) and Bu Yuri (UNESA) before we left to the airport.

These photos were taken at the airport, Kuching, Serawak. 

Overall, the impression that I can write her, Malaysia is nice. There was not traffic jam. But the price is quite expensive. The price of Tea-O (the meaning is tea without sugar) was 7.5 ringgit at the airport, when I had to wait for the delayed flight. But, it was ok, it was a very interesting experience as I met a lot of women in veils there. They were quite nice. The impression of meeting some people there with a lot of people from around the world. 

I was with Canadian and Iranian people. One more, Mbak Ami from UIN :)

Meeting all people from around the world with different accent of English was quite enjoyable. We could talk and discuss or ask something. Sometimes, hearing Japanese and Philippine was hard, but it went well. 

Hopefully, I can grasp the next chances to go around the world. Amiin.... :D