When one experience ends, another is just beginning...

Life in Malaysia may have come to a close,
but another experience is just beginning...

My journey in Malaysia has concluded, but I know another chapter of my life is just beginning. I look forward to what lies ahead, because I know every experience leads to another. I am enthusiastic to see what adventures are in store for me, right here, at home in America.

Thank you for joining me on my Fulbright journey this year! You were a wonderful travel companion and I very much enjoyed sharing my experiences with you. Although this officially marks the end of my Fulbright journey and my Fulbright blog posts, I will be featuring some simple Q & A posts. Since my arrival home, I have been receiving a plethora of awesome questions. In the weeks and months ahead, if you have questions, please feel free to email me at rachaelchesley@gmail.com. I will feature them in my Q&A series.

Sharing my experiences with you this year has been such a blessing and a gift.

Until next time, thank you!

A New Lens

Kapas Island, Terengganu, Malaysia.

For most people, the most rewarding aspect of an adventure is the adventure itself. The experience of summiting a mountain or taking a road trip across country or living within a new culture for a year.  However, having returned to the United States after eleven months abroad, I have come to a new realization.

Perhaps the most rewarding part of an adventure is the aftermath; when the traveler gains a new lens towards the way she sees and experiences the world.

My time as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Malaysia was the most eye-opening and challenging experience of my life. My daily life in America was replaced with a new culture, routine and community. 

There were good days and there were bad days. There were moments when I felt as though I failed and moments when I felt as though my students, my community and I succeeded. There were times when I was homesick for the comfort of my own home, the Midwest climate and a big American dinner. And there were times when I looked out over the South China Sea and thought, “Wow! I get to live here!”

Now, back in America, I often look back on my experience and reflect. As I adjust back to my own identity, I feel as though I am looking at the world around me differently and with a new understanding.

I sit in church on Sunday mornings and admire the glare from the sun that beams through the massive stain glass window. I hug my family and friends a bit tighter. I speak and react with more patience. I drive my car through the suburbs understanding what a privilege it is to sit behind a wheel. I admire the Chicago skyline that extends across the shore of Lake Michigan. I savor each bite. And, I look back on my photos from Malaysia with a humbled smile. In a way, I feel as though everything that has always been part of my life still remains, but I see it with a new lens. The adventure itself is a true gift, but perhaps the most rewarding part of any undertaking, is the new lens gained afterward.

O'hare International Airport, Chicago before I departed in January 2012.
I was reunited with my family at O'hare eleven months later.
I came home with a new lens towards life and the world around me.

Coming to a close: Saying "Jumpa lagi!"

Class 4A1 and I taking one last picture together! It was definitely difficult to say goodbye to my students.

My final days in Besut are still difficult to describe in words.

My heart was yearning for home after almost a year away from my family and my blessed country. In my final month, I often found myself lying awake at night with images of my hometown playing in my head. I tried to remember how my bedroom, my town and my house looked when I left. I often had images of driving down Cedar Road in my town, as well as the local the New Lenox Commons where I always loved to spend time. I wondered if my dog and cat would remember me, or if the team at my local Starbucks would be the same. I wondered if I would have tough ‘reverse culture shock,’ after a year living somewhere so different. I would toss and turn all night with excitement, as well as a little anxiety in anticipation of home. In fact, on one occasion I caught myself signing off an email to my parents using, “Love you and see you soon!” It literally made my heart beat faster.

While excitement brewed, there was an ounce of sadness. At school, I started looking around and wondering what would become of some of my students- students that I had invested so much time and energy into. Students who improved both in terms of spoken English, as well as overall enthusiasm towards education. I thought of Syatirah who worked hard everyday and dreamed of studying in America someday. I thought of Mustaqin who would run away and hide when I first started teaching but who now spoke to me everyday. I thought of Amanina who attended the girls’ leadership camp and who was dealing with the sadness of her recently deceased father, who passed away while I was her teacher. I thought of Sukri who was from a very poor family and who was in the lowest level class for his age group, but who literally learned to speak English with me. I thought of the energy and enthusiasm I was eventually able to extract from each of my classes, and the confidence my students built towards me. Although I was their teacher, the students were actually some of the best teachers I ever had.

During my final days, I had something of a heartache filled with a yearning of home but a longing to somehow stay in my students’ lives. Moreover, in the midst of sincere loneliness at times, Christina and I managed to create such a happy house that hosted root beer float nights for students, as well as a kitchen perfect for introducing the neighbor kids to microwave popcorn. Our yard had been a soccer field, as well as learning ground for how to ride a scooter. That home in Kampung Amir, Besut did not only house Christina and I, but it will forever house some of our deepest thoughts and emotions.

On my last day of school, I made my rounds around school to say "jumpa lagi" (meet again!) to my students, as well as the teachers. My school also hosted a Farewell Ceremony where I played a slideshow of photos, and teachers and students gave speeches in English about me. I do not think I have ever cried as much as I did on that last day, and I do not think I have ever allowed my emotions to pull at me as intensely as they did that day. 

Class 4 Science hosted a picnic on the beach for me before I left Besut!

A fellow teacher and I saying "farewell!"

Class 2A (pen pal class) and I taking one last photo together.
Photo Courtesy: Amanina, Class 2A, SMK PNZ

I gave each and every student a handwritten note.
Although they did not understand all of it, they understood the general message.

The fellow teachers provided me with a Friendship Book, that
contained pictures of my favorite things in Malaysia. They wanted me
to remember Besut forever.
Photo courtesy of SMK PNZ

The principal and I exchanged flags as a symbol of
cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
I received the Malaysian flag and he received the U.S. Flag.
Photo courtesy of SMK PNZ.

I said a few last words to my students and school community before
I departed. I gave my speech in both English and Malay.
Photo courtesy of SMK PNZ

My mentors and I after my farewell ceremony.
Photo courtesy of SMK PNZ

Coming to a close: Peace Corps/Fulbright Commemoration

The Terengganu ETAs, 2012.

In late October, my friend Jordan and I were asked to prepare and present a Peace Corps Commemoration Speech. It was to be presented to the U.S. Ambassador, U.S. Embassy, MACEE, representatives from the Malaysian Ministry of Education, teachers from Malaysia and several other honorable guests. 

The speech was to commemorate the 50^th Anniversary of the first Peace Corps volunteers arriving in Terengganu, Malaysia. At the same time, it was also to mark the conclusion of our journey as ETAs in Terengganu. Jordan and I were honored to be selected to represent our cohort. However, we understood the difficulty of encompassing seventeen different Fulbrighters’ year-long experiences into one commemoration speech. Fortunately, together, we created and presented a speech that represented our cohort and a speech that truly came from the heart.

Terengganu ETAs during our first along the coast.
January 2012, when our journey was just beginning.

“Nine months ago, as we drove north up Route 3 along the beautiful coast of Terengganu, we looked ahead and tried to imagine our future experiences in our new Malaysian villages and homes, and especially our time ahead in our assigned schools… That is where our journey as Terengganu ETAs began…”

Jordan and I went on to explain our journey as ETAs in Terengganu, a place very different than our hometowns in America. We broke our journey into five stages. We explained the stages and told little, personal anecdotes that corresponded to each stage. The five stages we identified were – shock, confusion, learning, exploring and finally, understanding. The personal anecdotes and emotion really captured the attention of the crowd, as well as the fellow Fulbrighters. Although some stages were more difficult than others, each stage was crucial to our experience. All in all, our experiences, living and teaching abroad in Malaysia, challenged us, moved us, and allowed us to embrace the highs, as well as the lows.

Jordan and I ended our speech by saying, “ Senyum sokmo.”

Smile always.

Coming to a close: Pancakes with a dose of coconut

Enjoying food with fellow teachers!
Photo Courtesy of SMK PNZ

During one of my last days of school at SMK PNZ, Form 3 students had finished their long-awaited PMR exams. Therefore, Form 3 students engaged in different activities that did not involve textbooks or papers. It was something similar to “free days!” Fortunately, I had the opportunity to spend a morning with about thirty, happy, enthusiastic Form 3 students. When I asked what activity we were going to do together, the students exclaimed that they wanted to make “pancakes from America!”

Their wish was Cikgu Ruhanna’s command, so Cikgu Ruhanna hosted a pancake event in the school kitchen, and she generously invited me. The students were excited to make pancakes. One girl even took my hand and said, “Teacher, we make you feel home.” It nearly brought tears to my eyes. 

As we made homemade pancake batter, I shared stories about Sunday mornings at my home in America. I explained that my family often makes pancakes and shares breakfast together on the weekends. The students were happy to hear my stories. I was even happier when Cikgu Ruhanna suggested a “variation” to the typical American pancake recipe. She put coconut flour in the homemade pancake batter.

There I was, in my school, with my students, making pancakes with a “Malaysian” twist. Best of all, they were delicious! I looked around the kitchen. The students were sporting green, pink and blue polka dotted aprons, flipping thick, perfect pancakes on the stovetop. I smiled, because when I looked around, it occurred to me that this was indeed what cultural exchange was all about- sharing. After all, it had been the sharing of thoughts, perspectives and ideas throughout my year as a Fulbright ETA that culminated the bridges to mutual understanding.  

Chesley's Malaysian Adventure: SMK PNZ

My family with one of my favorite classes, class 4A1. These students were the same age as my sister.

The day after my sister's birthday, my family came to visit my school in Besut. SMK PNZ was extremely excited to host my family, and I was equally as excited to show my family where I spent most of my time as well as who I put my energy into on a daily basis.

My sister captivated the attention of the little girls in my
2A pen pal class.

After signing the school’s official Visitor Book, my family jumped from class to class with me. My students were thrilled to have visitors, and for that reason, everyone was certainly on their best behavior. In April, two months before my family’s visit, my students had written letters to my brother and sister, as well as my sister’s friend Maddie and our cousin Julia. Upon my family’s visit to the school, my brother and sister hand-delivered reply letters to my students. My students were ecstatic to see that they received responses. In fact, for the rest of the year, many of my students taped their letters to their desks in order to always remember the day my family came to visit.

My family brought magazines and pictures from America to share with the students. The boy students were especially interested in Zach’s snowboarding magazines, and all my students enjoyed meeting Hannah who was somewhat close in age to them. For me, it was neat to stand aside and facilitate discussion between my students and my family. The students were able to ask my family questions, and my family was able to ask them questions. In addition, it meant the world to me that my school community could finally associate me with my family, my home and where I came from. In the classroom, my family was surprised by some of the differences in comparison to classrooms in our community in America. For example, because teachers in Malaysia move from class to class versus the students moving, teachers do not have bulletin boards, maps or concrete teaching materials as resources during class. My family also noticed that students did not have nearly as many supplies, hardcover books, notebooks or workbooks for their classes.

My family received a little party, as well as gifts from my KHAS class.

My mom learned the traditional
Malay 'salam' greeting.

My family and I with my KHAS students.

In my special education KHAS class, the teachers and students threw something of a little party for my family. The teachers presented my parents, as well as my brother and sister, with traditional sarongs and taught my family how to properly wear them. To add, my family even joined in the class’s weekly Hokey Pokey session.

The end of the day was marked by a nice lunch that the school administration hosted for my family. The school senior assistant chose my favorite dishes as the main course, and together we enjoyed Malay cuisine. After, the SMK PNZ English Magazine group interviewed my family, and my students were able to finally put their English skills to the test.

School administration and my mentors with my family and I.

More than anything, I felt immense pride in sharing my beautiful family with my school community. Although words perhaps become lost through translation and cultural dialogue, it is amazing what you can learn through simply keeping your eyes, ears and heart open. My family’s visit to my school is my favorite example of cultural exchange from the entire year, and I know without a doubt, my students will remember that special day forever. 

My student, Najwa, with my mom and sister.

My family with the SMK PNZ English Magazine club.

My curious student, Syaswan, asked my brother many questions.
He was so excited to use his English with my family.

Some of the boy students hanging out with my dad.

My sister was awfully popular with my students.

My brother and I at the weekly Running Club meet after school with students.

My sister at Running Club with my students.

My sister came to school for a second day as well. She wore
a baju kurung, and my students were quite active that day!

The school organized a luncheon with my family featuring
my favorite dish, nasi goreng ayam.

My students really enjoyed listening to my family's stories.

My family with class 4A2.

My family and I. They were sporting the sarongs that my KHAS class gave to them as gifts.

A New World: Adventures in Scuba Diving

Our Padi Open Water Diver team sporting some of the scuba signals.
Left to right: ETAs Owen & Kate, Paul from Great Britain, our instructor Hugo
and ETAs me & Julie.

Quiver Dive Center, Coral Bay
Perhentian Island Kecil

In March 2012, I had the wonderful opportunity to earn my Padi Open Water Diver certification. Myself, as well as three of my friends, set out to the Perhentian Islands for a three-day course! Our instructors at Quiver Divers Coral Bay on Perhentian Kecil were excellent. While we enjoyed learning the basics of scuba, we also enjoyed getting to know new people. We met Paul from Great Britain who was in our course, as well as Hugo, our scuba dive instructor from Spain. For three days, we watched videos, studied scuba logistics, descended deep underwater, explored the South China Sea, hung out at the dive center and ate toast with cream cheese. It was a blast! I learned a new skill and hobby, and I also was able to check something off my bucket list – learn how to scuba dive. I learned how to dive at the Perhentian Islands, but I was also able to dive in Boracay, Philippines.

In the water with our gear on before our first class started!
Romantic Beach, Coral Bay, Perhentian Islands

 Friend and fellow ETA, Julie, and I on the boat before our dive!
Boracay, Philippines

Learning how to scuba dive was not only exhilarating, but it allowed me access to a whole new world- the underwater world. And, believe me, it was worth it. I will continue to be amazed by the vividly orange clown fish (Nemo), the ample pink and purple coral and the bright environment full of rich colors and so much life. Overall, although descending deep underwater with scuba equipment was nerve racking at first, it actually became a hobby that allowed me so much relaxation and awe. I learned the importance of remaining calm under pressure and not over reacting to situations. Under water, I needed to listen to my body and slowly descend while putting trust into my equipment. As I glided through the underwater world,  I needed to be aware of my movements and yet gentle at the same time. Overreacting or too much movement would suck up oxygen and make it more difficult to descend comfortably. Scuba diving may be a great hobby, but it is also a great lesson in how to calmly and proactively react to situations. I cannot wait to see what underwater world I will experience next! 

Lapu Lapu Dive Center
Boracay, Philippines
Posing in front of the dive map before we went on
our adventure dive!

Coral Bay, Perhentian Islands.
I am so blessed to have learned to dive in my little corner of Paradise!

Finish Lines

So happy to have finished the race before my goal time!

Clement and I after I crossed the
finish line! I was so happy to have
 his company for the last two miles!

 In late June, after my family’s visit to Malaysia, Christina (my roommate) and I knew that we needed to have something to work towards and keep us occupied. Despite the tropical heat and having to wear very conservative clothing, we decided to start running. Moreover, we decided to train for the annual Perhentian Island Challenge in October 2012. In addition, I decided to train for the Singapore Mizuno Wave Run 16K in September 2012.

Crossing the finish line! Finished 10 seconds
before my goal time!

The Singapore Mizuno Wave Run 16K was the first race that I ever participated in. I spent the weekend with my friend Clement and his family in Singapore. The morning of my race, Clement took me by his motorcycle to the starting line. With my jersey on and Ipod buds in my ears, I ran with the thousands of others. It was so exhilarating to be running alongside so many people from all over the world, and it was awesome to be running 10 miles around Singapore! In fact, the racecourse lead right in front of Clement’s home. When I ran through his neighborhood, I was overcome with happiness to see Clement and his dad cheering me on and taking photos. As I smiled at them, Clement ran up next to me. To my surprise, he kept me company for the final two miles of the race. He ran alongside me and encouraged me to keep running, even when I was tempted to walk! (Thanks Clem!) The Singapore 16K was one of my favorite memories from my year abroad, because I crossed the finish line 10 seconds before my goal time!

ETAs and friends, Adeel &Kristin, and I after the race! 

Friend & ETA, Adeel, came
to Singapore to cheer us on!
He even made a shirt

I dedicated my run to my
dear Uncle Jerry!

We finished the race and earned medals,

Kristin and I before the race!
I was feeling a little nervous!

After the Perhentian Island
Challenge, I was sore and
 itchy to say the least.

The Perhentian Island Challenge took place in October on the Perhentian Islands. Three female ETAs and I decided to sign- up and train for it. The only catch – it’s a challenge, so they do not tell you what the course entails until the morning of the race. So, we did our homework and looked at what the challenge had entailed for the three years prior. From what we could gather, it would be about an 8K to 10K run around the island. “We got this,” we thought to ourselves. Needless to say, we showed up at the starting line on the day of the race only to discover that for this particular year it was a 21K run/jungle trek with 70% incline. As you can imagine, we were shocked, but we set off and began the race anyway. Within the first twenty minutes, the four of us became separated. Even more, it was three hours before the first water station. The Perhentian Island Challenge was completely different than we had expected, and I can honestly say that I felt as though it was some sort of cruel joke. On the particular day itself, none of us found it very funny. However, now, three months later I think it is hilarious. Although many of the participants ended up with typhoid and I was terrified after hiking through the jungle for forty-five minutes all alone and witnessing the largest snake I had ever seen and climbing up muddy slopes, it was an adventure. That’s what life is all about.

*(By the way, out of about 240 participants, only about 60 actually finished. And, no, my friends and I were not some of them.)

Sometimes you reach your finish lines, and sometimes you even surpass your goals. Other times, you do not reach that moment of victory and may not even accomplish your task. But, it is about giving it your all and remembering what you learned even in the midst of so-called failure. Then, taking what you learned and trying again. 

Boat ride back after the race. My friends and I
did not make it to the finish line, but we gave it
our best try. That's what mattered, and I was happy for
making it as far as I did in ~ 7.5 hours. AND, I was
especially happy that I had the typhoid vaccine!

These were the bands I received for the levels I made it to
within the challenge. Two bands symbolized two water
stations / 7.5 - 8 hours in the jungle.

I did not come out looking 'pretty' to say the
least. The bushes and thorns left us with
some lovely rashes and scrapes.

Ouch! Thorns in my hands. Because it was
a challenge, we did not know what the race
entailed until right before starting. Therefore,
we did not have proper gear! Next time, I will
remember gloves!