When Omani teacher Al Yaqdhan al Dughaishi decided to take his passion for education beyond the Sultanate’s borders, he did not know how deeply the experience would shape his understanding of teaching, cultural exchange and the meaning of a fulfilling life.
After spending more than five years working in educational and administrative roles at summer centres in Oman, Al Dughaishi decided to explore a different educational environment. Following research and recommendations, he chose Indonesia, drawn particularly to the atmosphere and Islamic environment of a residential school.
What began as an opportunity to gain new professional experience soon became a journey of discovery.
Teaching Indonesian students offered him a fresh perspective on the relationship between teachers and learners. He was particularly struck by the respect students showed their teachers, often greeting him warmly in school corridors and approaching him with questions about Arabic words, their meanings and the wider language.
Despite differences in resources, he discovered remarkable enthusiasm among his students. One experience left a lasting impression: a student approached him hesitantly, asking for feedback on a film he had produced, apologising beforehand because the school lacked professional filming equipment.
Al Dughaishi was impressed by the quality of the production. The student had gone on to win the best film award several times, reinforcing his belief that determination and creativity could overcome limited resources.
His experience also brought unexpected recognition. During a visit to a primary school, more than 100 students gathered around him seeking his autograph, signing their footballs, notebooks and even clothes.
Language was among his main challenges, but two students helped translate his lessons, allowing him to overcome the communication barrier. Meanwhile, his identity as an Omani became a source of curiosity, with students eager to learn about the Sultanate of Oman’s customs and traditions, particularly the preparation of Omani barbecue.
Beyond the classroom, Al Dughaishi began documenting his experiences through social media videos, hoping to show audiences how people live on the other side of the world. The response was overwhelmingly positive, attracting attention from Indonesians themselves and bringing invitations from people keen to meet him.
One particularly meaningful outcome came when he prepared to share a video about a project to build a school for orphans. Before publishing it, a benefactor contacted him and donated the entire amount needed for the school’s construction.
The experience strengthened his admiration for the Indonesian people and their generosity. He also reflected on their determination, simplicity and appreciation of life, noting how the school’s enrolment had grown from around 20 students in its early days to more than 300.
Al Dughaishi hopes to bring some of the ideas he encountered back to Oman, believing that international educational experiences can offer valuable lessons beyond the classroom. He even wishes he could take his Omani students to Indonesia to experience its learning environment firsthand.
For him, the journey has become more than teaching abroad. It is about exchanging knowledge, introducing Omani culture to others and discovering how meaningful connections can emerge across borders.
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