A Southerner's view of Southville

Southville International's main building

I am a typical Southerner.

Being a Southerner is defined as someone who has lived in the southern suburbs of Metro Manila, particularly in Paranaque, Las Pinas, Alabang, Laguna and Cavite.

I live in Las Pinas and the school that accepted me for my practicum is a few minutes away by car from my home.

Southville International School & Colleges is an urban campus that has a mixed student population of Filipinos and foreigners. They have a Foreign University offering International Baccalaureate (IB) courses with learn-and-travel options.

The teaching and learning atmosphere is light but still serious in its approach. They are heavy on ISO guidelines and procedures.

Every teacher addresses each other with a "Sir" or "Ma'm" no matter who is senior or not. Everyone speaks in English on-campus. I guess the only people who don't speak English well are the security guards who are at the campus gates nonetheless.

Students are respectful. Though there could be some so called bad apples, discipline is just and swift.

What I like about Southville is their commitment to serve and improve. They have already succeeded in putting up SEED Academy, a non-profit college for the those who cannot afford a good college education. It's run by professors who teach after-hours (5-9pm) for a token hourly rate. The modern facilities are shared with the main campus and student-scholars receive an allowance as they help around the campus as assistants.

A plus for teachers in Southville is that they are allowed to enroll one of their children in college for free. Not bad, eh?

As I immerse myself more into Southville's atmosphere, I hope to imbibe the air of urban learning -- Southern style.