Hello!
We just finished an exciting week at schools. We visited very poor schools in townships outside of a shantee town and high end schools that had a tutition of several thousznd dollars. However, all were eye opening on one respect--but more later :)
Friday, July 27, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Week 3
Here we go again!
We are in the schools this week; I wasn't able to go today but am looking foward to the rest of the week.
This past weekend, I got to play with lion cubs--they were so cute! But, it was so hard to take a picture with them because they wouldn't stop moving or trying to jump on each other (and us!). We also went to the Cradle of Man Kind--it is a cave where the first human remains was believed to be found--it was so cool. I can't wait to post picture when I get back. There as an underwater river. It was difficult to get through--but I'm glad I did it. We were basically on our hands and knees or kind of walking and squating at the same time. But, it was beautiful. On Sunday, we spent the day at a craft market. Boy, was that an experience. There were hundreds of booths all trying to sell you things...I'm not very good at the whole talk them down thing!
More later :)
We are in the schools this week; I wasn't able to go today but am looking foward to the rest of the week.
This past weekend, I got to play with lion cubs--they were so cute! But, it was so hard to take a picture with them because they wouldn't stop moving or trying to jump on each other (and us!). We also went to the Cradle of Man Kind--it is a cave where the first human remains was believed to be found--it was so cool. I can't wait to post picture when I get back. There as an underwater river. It was difficult to get through--but I'm glad I did it. We were basically on our hands and knees or kind of walking and squating at the same time. But, it was beautiful. On Sunday, we spent the day at a craft market. Boy, was that an experience. There were hundreds of booths all trying to sell you things...I'm not very good at the whole talk them down thing!
More later :)
Friday, July 20, 2007
First day of teaching!
Hello again!
I had a few minutes so I thought I would continue my last blog. Today, I am teaching the whole day--both the inclusion and the ed psych course. I just finished the inclusion/special education course. I think it went well; I had a chance to teach about severe disabilities--something important to me. In a little bit, I will be teaching about gender differences and cultures. Different topics, but still related in one way or another!
It felt the same to teach in an African univeristy as it does at Purdue--but, when you look out the windows, you see evergreens and palm trees, flowers we see in Indiana and flowers native here, and you see mountains upon mountains--its really beautiful here.
I'm glad the weather is beginning to warm up, the first we we were here, it probably wasn't more than 40 degrees on any given day and much colder at night!
I had a few minutes so I thought I would continue my last blog. Today, I am teaching the whole day--both the inclusion and the ed psych course. I just finished the inclusion/special education course. I think it went well; I had a chance to teach about severe disabilities--something important to me. In a little bit, I will be teaching about gender differences and cultures. Different topics, but still related in one way or another!
It felt the same to teach in an African univeristy as it does at Purdue--but, when you look out the windows, you see evergreens and palm trees, flowers we see in Indiana and flowers native here, and you see mountains upon mountains--its really beautiful here.
I'm glad the weather is beginning to warm up, the first we we were here, it probably wasn't more than 40 degrees on any given day and much colder at night!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Hello again!
Hello!
The internet was so slow that I didn't realize I posted my second message--thats why it is there twice :)
It is already the end of the second week--we spend the next week in schools.
Everything is well here, but always busy! I wanted to tell everyone that all is well! It's still cold!
The internet was so slow that I didn't realize I posted my second message--thats why it is there twice :)
It is already the end of the second week--we spend the next week in schools.
Everything is well here, but always busy! I wanted to tell everyone that all is well! It's still cold!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Hello again!
We spent the weekend looking at different museums and monuments that represetented the Aparthied movement in South Africa--it was crazy to think that some of those things happened while I was in elementary school. It was very surreal to see the events that happened in South Africa and then realize that those events were similar to our own Civil Rights movement.
I have to go to class soon but I wanted to say hello to everyone! Everything is going good here--a bit crazy, but thats nothing new :)
I have to go to class soon but I wanted to say hello to everyone! Everything is going good here--a bit crazy, but thats nothing new :)
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Hello again!
Hello!
I finally have a few minutes between classes. This past weekend was so eye opening--we saw the Aparthied Museum and several other historical places related to the Aparthied in Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Swoteo. It was really sureal to think that the things occuring during the Apartheid were happening while I was in elementary school! I have a new appreciate for what it means to be a "free country." However, I also saw some similarities between the events in South Afica and the US's own Civil Rights movement. Even though the Aparthied is over--there is still very much some subtle segregation in South Africa. For example, the black citizens walk and ride the bus; the white citizens all drive nice cars. The week and a half that we have been here--we are almost always the only white poeple walking down the street.
Overall, Africa has been an experience. I can't believe I am here--here teaching, learning, and experiencing all it has to offer me!
I finally have a few minutes between classes. This past weekend was so eye opening--we saw the Aparthied Museum and several other historical places related to the Aparthied in Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Swoteo. It was really sureal to think that the things occuring during the Apartheid were happening while I was in elementary school! I have a new appreciate for what it means to be a "free country." However, I also saw some similarities between the events in South Afica and the US's own Civil Rights movement. Even though the Aparthied is over--there is still very much some subtle segregation in South Africa. For example, the black citizens walk and ride the bus; the white citizens all drive nice cars. The week and a half that we have been here--we are almost always the only white poeple walking down the street.
Overall, Africa has been an experience. I can't believe I am here--here teaching, learning, and experiencing all it has to offer me!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
One week down!
Hello!
Our internet access has been less than expected---and we have been crazy busy! The University were are at is beautiful--and, believe it or not, their room number system is even more confusing than at Purdue! We haven't gone into the African schools yet, but we will be there the week after next.
I've tried a lot of new things--even Indian food! Last night, we went to an African drumming lesson, it was so much fun, it brought back all the memories from marching band in high school! We got to play several types of African drums and then play together--I had a blast, it was exhuasting but fun! Today, we are turing Pretoria and then going to an Africa village for a tradiational meal!
Africa is exciting--its so strange, parts of it look just like Indiana and then there are palm trees across the street or next to the trees we are used to. More later and pictures--off for an adventure!
Our internet access has been less than expected---and we have been crazy busy! The University were are at is beautiful--and, believe it or not, their room number system is even more confusing than at Purdue! We haven't gone into the African schools yet, but we will be there the week after next.
I've tried a lot of new things--even Indian food! Last night, we went to an African drumming lesson, it was so much fun, it brought back all the memories from marching band in high school! We got to play several types of African drums and then play together--I had a blast, it was exhuasting but fun! Today, we are turing Pretoria and then going to an Africa village for a tradiational meal!
Africa is exciting--its so strange, parts of it look just like Indiana and then there are palm trees across the street or next to the trees we are used to. More later and pictures--off for an adventure!
Monday, July 2, 2007
The Beginning
Lao Tzu once said, "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." Not only am I beginning my first study abroad to South Africa--I am beginning it as a teaching assistant for my university. So, here goes nothing!
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