Yanie meets her DL teacher in Jakarta

Teacher Ross and Yanie

My name is Yanie and I come from Indonesia.  I started my AMEP course at Maclean TAFE, north of NSW in February 2015 but I had to stop because my husband and I wanted to go on a short trip to visit some places in NSW. I didn't want to stop studying English so I found out about Distance Learning and started my lessons the same time we started our trip.

I have been studying with my teacher Ross since April 2015 and we have developed a special connection. Ross happened to have a special interest in Indonesia. He has Indonesian friends so he is familiar with the culture and has been to Indonesia many times. We both particularly like Indonesian culinary art and often chat about Indonesian food and lifestyle.

My husband and I moved to Toowoomba in Queensland and luckily I found a job. Despite being busy with work I have never missed a class. My teacher Ross has helped me improve my English and gain confidence.  It's been over a year since I met Ross over the Internet and I often wondered if I would ever get to meet him face to face.

One day Ross told me that he was planning a holiday to Indonesia. I was feeling a bit jealous because I had not gone back to my home country since coming to Australia and I was feeling homesick. When Ross returned and told me about his wonderful trip and all the nice food he had I was so tempted to go back.

I was finally able to take leave and my husband and I arranged to stop at Bali for a holiday then go to Jakarta to see my family. I told Ross that I would miss his classes while I was away. But one month before our departure Ross told me that he was also going to be in Indonesia by the time we were there which was a great surprise.

We arranged a time to catch up in Jakarta and I was so excited to meet Ross for real. We had lunch together and talked for hours. I couldn't believe that we finally got the chance to meet face to face and the timing was right for both of us to be in Indonesia.

As soon as I returned from my holiday I resumed my DL lessons. I am grateful that I have a teacher who not only teaches me good English but also has appreciation and respect for my culture. I hope we can meet again one day.

Thanks Yanie for sharing your interesting story and it's great to see your commitment to learning.

• What do you miss the most about your home country?
• How is meeting people over the Internet different from or similar to meeting them face to face?
• If you were to arrange a holiday, where would you like to go and why?

Note: If you are visiting Sydney you are welcome to visit our DL office and arrange to meet your teacher.  

Please share your comments below to Yani's story or to any of the discussion questions.  If you're not sure how to add a comment go the "Comments" tab of the top menu.

You've got to be in it to win it!

Teacher Ross

Each year we celebrate Melbourne Cup day on the first Tuesday of November. They say it's the race that stops the nation. In fact in Victoria it is a public holiday.  Although those who live in other states are not as lucky we still like to join in and have a bit of fun.  

Last Tuesday most of our DL teachers turned up to work as usual, not thinking it was actually Melbourne Cup day, because this year it fell on the 1st day of November. But nothing could stop us from celebrating.  

The office sweep was very popular and staff members had a bet on one or more of the race horses. At 3 pm those of us who were not in the middle of teaching a DL lesson, gathered to watch the race together while enjoying some party snacks.  

Although we all wanted to win, most of us were not very hopeful. It seemed like Teacher Ross, however, was preparing for a win.  Not only that Ross placed the highest bet in the office on horses but he was the first teacher turning up to watch the race, seated and ready to win.

We don't know if the secret to winning was good planning, an optimistic attitude or sheer good luck but sure enough as the winning horse was announced Ross found out he'd won the first prize and he was happy.  His investment of $5 on 5 horses more than doubled and he was ready to go home with a big smile on his face. On his way out, Ross was stopped to be told he had also won the third prize.  This was indeed the race that stopped Ross.

Ross said, "I felt lucky as the horses I thought would win were not the ones who ended up winning.  It's always a surprise!"   With the money, Ross treated himself to a therapeutic massage from Louisa, the masseur who visits our DL office every Wednesday. Congratulations Ross!

• Have you ever won anything?
• What would you do if you won a million dollars?
• Do you believe in luck?  Do you believe that some people are just lucky? Why/why not?

Don't forget to share your answers or comments on the story below.