Pare with Thousands Secrets
Different Place, Different Condition, Different Friends
Pare, a small place which saved millions history. Previously, Pare was not special place. It began famous after a researcher from foreign country researched about Islam in Pare. After that, many foreigners came there. And other name of Pare is ‘Santri’ City.
Then, someone, who come from Pare and love language, wanted to make people in Pare, especially, could speak English well and easier to get the world in the hand. His name is Mr. Kallen. So, in 1977, Mr. Kallen and his wife built Basic English Course (BEC), an english course which teach members accustomed to speak english everywhere, everytime. So that, some people call Pare with ‘Kampung Inggris’. And because Pare is ‘Santri’ City, Mr. Kallen require for all his moslem women students to use veil for stay and study in Pare.
A month ago, four students of SMA Al Muttaqin who accepted in university had a chance to study English there. My friends and I got that chance. We are I myself, Siti Awaliyati Deliabilda (Adel) is accepted in Public Healthy FKM University of Indonesia, Devania Nur Sakinah (Devan) is accepted in Japanese Literature FIB University of Indonesia, Ari Wirahyani (Ari) is accepted in Public Healthy FK University of Jend. Soedirman, and Dera Karunia Pratama M. is accepted in Manajement International Class FE University of Jend. Soedirman.
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Although Pare is in the same island with Tasikmalaya, Java Island, but many different cultures. First, Pare is hotter than Tasikmalaya, moreover, when we are sleeping, we were full of sweat. But sometimes, Pare is very cold, especially in the evening.
Other difference is foods in Pare are cheaper than in Tasikmalaya. We can buy pecel rice just Rp 2.000,00. Uduk rice just Rp 3.000,00. It is full of noodle and tempe. Sometimes we buy rempelo ati or roasted chicken. It just Rp 5.000,00 and Rp 7.500,00. If you follow us, you will satisfy everyday like us. But we must careful to choose food because Javanese foods are spicy and tasteless. We need a week to adaptation with Javanese foods.
If Javanese food tasteless, our friendship is so sweet. Why? Because we met many people from different province and island just like from Borneo Island, Surabaya, Mojokerto, Jakarta, Medan, Tegal, and others city in Indonesia. Even we have a friend from Timur Leste. We were very happy when we have new friends from West Java such as from Cirebon, Bekasi, and Garut. Sometimes we use Sundanese language there.
We are Partner
Because we stayed in Pare only a month, we could not choose BEC. To follow BEC program, we must study there about six months. So, we choose holiday program in Nano Training Provider. Based on history, the owner of Nano is son’s Mr. Kallen’s teacher. Because of that, we did not doubt to choose Nano.
Exactly, beside us, there were somebody who would follow holiday program in Nano and we would in same class. Their name are Desi from Gresik, Yanete from Kediri, and Dhimas from Kediri. Ari, Devan, Desi, Yanete, and I stayed in same boarding house. So, if we got homework, sometimes we disscussed it in our room.
In a week, we studied from Monday to Friday with four times in a day. Fortunately, we were taught by different teachers. So in a day, we studied with four different teachers who have unique characteristics.
First teacher is Mr. Haris. We called him Mr. H. He taught us between 6.30 a.m. until 8 a.m. We learned about grammar. Sometimes we sang together. Mr. H is the one and only teacher who gave us much homework. Why? Because we have to practice and understand what he explained in the class before. We didn’t only know about theory, but could practice it in the sentences.
After Mr. H, we were taught by Mr. Adin at 9 a.m. until 10.30 a.m. He is a funny and ‘crazy’ teacher because with him we could show the real in us in the class. Mr. Adin taught us about fluency. He always gives good example. Not only fluency but also expression.
Everyday, Mr. Adin give new mastery. In a month, we had listened music, presentation, description, drama, be a reporter, watch film together, and others fun mastery. And in the last week, we spoke English 100% in the class.
The third class is Mr. Dedy’s class. We often feel nervous because in this class many seniors. They have been studying in Pare more than three months. Beside it, in Mr. Dedy’s class we must more speak up because time for us to discuss or debate. Sometimes, Mr. Dedy gave us idioms, too. Based on his explanation in the class, idiom can help us to conversation or debate. We studied with him at 4 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. But, Mr. Dedy is very wise. Some students always share for him.
The last teacher is Mr. Muhaimin. Because his name is too long, we called him Mr. M. He taught us at 6.30 p.m. until 8.00 p.m.. With Mr. M, we studied about presentation. Sometimes, we must make a story. Not only write it, but also tell it in front of our class. We would get some questions from our friends. Beside that, we must remember new concept. It is collecting story that help us to understand tenses and practice our fluency.
Our teachers are very kind. They always understand us and give many advices. We could share with them about anything. And they always say, “We are partner.”
Pare, Full of Memories
Although when the first time we stayed there we didn’t feel comfort, but day by day, week by week, we could enjoy there. We have new teachers who patient taught us. They are not only our teachers, but also our second parents and sometimes they became our brothers.
We have many new friends too, who always spent our times together for a month. Studied together, took our pictures together, cooked and ate together, and took a walk around Pare together. The most of them are older than us, but they could be our friends and our old brothers too.
Many places had been visited by us. First week, we went to Surowono Cave by bike. We need about 30 minutes to arrive there. The cave is very small and almost full of water. It is long away and we must pass four caves to arrive in tip of cave. Because there so dark, we brought flashlight.
Second week, we around Pare to look for market and ATM. We found other way when we back to our boarding house. We had gone to doctor because one of us got sick.
The most full of memories are in the forth week because it was the last time we were together in Pare. In the middle of this week, we went to Gusdur funeral in Jombang. Beside that, we were invited by Mr. Haris, our teacher, to come in TC 108’s Farewell Party. They have graduated from TC Class in BEC.
The following day, we made simple farewell party. We had dinner together in our gazebo and made roasted corn. After that, we took a walk to go to Garuda Park, Pare town square that become place for teenager to come together in the evening.
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Now, we stayed in our hometown again. But, we will not forget all knowledge which we got there. Our teachers who made us speak up, confidence to use English, and always make us fight, our beloved friends who always make us laugh, our gazebo, our Pare, and all memories in Pare. Pare with thousands secrets. It gives an impression in our heart.