On December 2, Hira Baig, an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) at SMKN 5 Pontianak, was invited to be a guest speaker (Kuliah Tamu) for the Civic Education (Pendidikan Pancasila dan Kewarganegaraan) undergraduate students at Universitas Tanjungpura. The lecture topic was “Democracy in America,” where Hira provided an overview of the American political system and its democratic processes, focusing on the 2024 US Presidential Election.

During the lecture, Hira introduced key concepts such as the Electoral College, the roles of the Democratic and Republican parties, and the three branches of the US government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The lecture also covered the system of checks and balances that maintains the separation of powers within the government. To enhance the learning experience, informative videos illustrated these concepts.

The lecture was interactive, with a pre-and post-lecture Kahoot quiz to gauge students’ understanding of the material. Most of the lecture was in English, with some translation to ensure comprehension. Approximately 80 students attended the session, engaging in lively discussions and asking insightful questions about American democracy.

This event provided an excellent opportunity for cross-cultural exchange and helped foster a greater understanding of the US political system. It aligned with the goals of the ETA program to promote mutual understanding and enhance students’ language and civic knowledge.

Hira Baig is currently teaching at SMKN 5 Pontianak, West Kalimantan.