Some questions to consider before the trip...
What are my personal goals for the international internship?
At this point, some of my personal goals include immersing myself in another culture on unfamiliar terms, visiting new areas which I may not ever see again, and seeing a new culture full of people I have only previously read about. I also hope to build some strong friendships and connections with my colleagues. On an entertainment basis, I am also looking forward to seeing the elephant park, visiting Robben Island, and, if weather permits, getting an up-close look at some Great White sharks.
What are my professional leadership goals for the international internship?
Professionally, I also have a goal of meeting new people and seeing new aspects of a culture in which I am unfamiliar. As a part of this, I intend to visit new school systems with an open mind so that I can be open to innovation and new ideas to use in my classroom and future leadership role(s). It will be amazing to obtain a first-hand account of successful classrooms and schools who do so much with so little.
What are aspects of the culture I particularly hope to observe and study during the trip?
Although it may be somewhat uncharacteristic, I am especially interested in African food. Beyond the food, I hope to gain knowledge of the African culture and traditions. I look forward to studying the way natives interact with tourists versus one another, the language/dialect differences, and respect, or lack there of, toward education and teachers.
What audiences will I share my experiences with upon my return?
Some obvious answers to this question include my family, friends, colleagues, and professors. In addition to these traditional audiences, I know that I will be able to share my experiences with future doctoral candidates and my students. While I know my experiences will impact me and my overall teaching, I think it will be important for me to share my first-hand impressions and deep connections to this poverty-stricken country with my students. I will share these experiences through a variety of technologies and media.
During the trip, I plan to jot notes in my journal blog centered around the following questions:
What is an informal sketch of the day’s itinerary?
Rough itinerary plan as of right now-
6/15/09- Arrive in Port Elizabeth
Check out this site (where we'll be staying): http://www.bayside-guesthouse.co.za/
We arrived just after 12 noon and settled a bit before dinner at 5:00. We're heading to the boardwalk to walk along the oceanfront before crashing.
6/16/09- Explore area, tour Red Location Museum, welcome reception
Well, we started the day with a great breakfast. Then, we drove around the markets, a few townships, and the Donkin area. Apparently, Donkin was a governor here and his wife Elizabeth died at age 28. Port Elizabeth, where we are currently staying, was then named in her honor. The bay is also referred to as Nelson Mandela Bay to locals. We are heading to a dinner at the house of Paul Webb, our host.
6/17/09- Emafini school visit, vistit with teachers/leaders at Emafini, Bayworld
Emafini was an interesting school to visit. The kids were very nice and loved the camera. They were very well-behaved and this is the last week of shool!!! They were even allowed to "tend" a fire and no one thought of misbehaving. Crazy! I got to give an oral reading exam to three 4th graders, though. They can read very well and I think they would have read every book in the classroom to me if I would have let them.
6/18/09- Emafini school visit, visit with teachers/change/NMMU projects, dinner in Walmer Township
We actually went to the KAMA Primary School today an dit was great! The teachers were so enthusiastic and the kids were very respectful! They love to sing and dance! Afterwards, we went to do some shopping at the Jeffrey's Bay...mor ebeach pics with the mountains in the background. We're off to the Walmer Township authentic African dinner and show tonight.
6/19/09- Explore/visit high school, Human Dignity Center, drive to Addo
We actually visited another primary school today. We got a chance to see the kids have their meal. They actually have to bring their own spoon and bowl in order to eat. The Human Dignity Center was definitely nt what I expected! It was a "school/daycare" for students many of whom are orphans. These kids looked so sad and in need. This place really made me feel guilty for all that we have. They even have a severe and profound handicapped section with students who really have exreme deformities like I had never seen before. it was very eye-opening to say the least.
6/20/09- Addo Elephant Park ;) Expect a ton of pics.
Check out this site: www.sanparks.org/parks/addo/default.php
Check out the pics! The night "safari" pictures really didn't turn out well, but we got to see a mother hyena with her cubs! The week-end was great and I saw more than expected. I have a ton more pics, but my MB are running low and I am filling the blog space. I'll show whoever is interested at a later date, though. I have some good ones of the Kudu
6/21/09- Addo, return in p.m. to Port Elizabeth
We are now safe and sound back in Port Elizabeth. This morning, we went horse back riding in the park and saw Eland for the first time, among other things. It is rather difficult to take pictures while riding a horse, but we tried! I now have the internet again, so expect more frequent updates.
6/22/09- School visit, visit with school leaders
We finally got to go see a high school! Finally, I can identify with the kids! I was very impressed with the overall curriculum at this school. The teachers were great and the peer educators were even better. They put on a show for use that they practiced all day yesterday. No teacher or administarator even asked them to do it. They were so well-spoken and intelligent! In the senior year, students do a total of 12 public speeches! What a great way to learn and share.
In the afternoon, we visited the Red Location Museum and learned about Aparteid in S. Africa. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pictures while inside. Just outside the doors, kids were jumping on an old burned-up mattress and having a great time. I do have some pics of that, though. Such poverty!!!
6/23/09- School visit, meeting with NMMU faculty/sharing of common interests
The sunrise was a real dud due to a ton of clouds. However, the we went to another high school today called Gqebera and it was in the worst shape of all the schools we have visited. Only 1 room has electricity left in it because vandals have snuck in and torn the copper out to sell. One of the buildings was even burned to the ground in December and no one has cleaned up the wreckage. For the second day in a row, the principal can't show us a library because "it is an empty room with no books." This school was so poor. I'll post pictures later. The afternoon was nice because we finally got a chance to sit down at the university and discuss some "take-aways."
6/24/09- Cosmos Guest House- travel to Western Cape in Somerset West, shopping and sightseeing
10 Hour drive and no internet today- sorry
Check out this site: http://www.oakdene.co.za/
6/25/09- Visit Beaumont Primary until 2 p.m., drive to Cape Town
Check out this site: http://www.places.co.za/html/9347.html Awesome school to see. This was a Christian-based school that is an exemplar for what parental involvement can accomplish. There is really no comparison between this school and the others we have seen thus far. Dinner was good and Cape Town weather is starting to clear.
6/26/09- Cape Town- visit Robben Island
Well, we took a 1 hour ferry ride across choppy seas, but we finally made it to Robben Island for a 45 minute museum tour plus a 45 minute bus tour. Unfortunately, our visit was cut a little short due to road wash-outs. There has been quite a bit of rainy weather around here lately. Overall, the museum was very informative and as a bonus, I got to see African penguins- up close and personal.
6/27/09- Cape Town- Table Mountain? See Great Whites!
Well, I missed out on the group trip to the top of Table Mountain, but what I did get to do was diving with the Great Whites! This experience was truly once in a lifetime and beyond words. I saw so much more than the pictures even show. These predators were so calm and intriguing to watch in their natural habitat. Unfortunately, the water was only 18 degrees Celsius- approx. 66 degrees F. Despite that, it was an awesome dive and I met some very interesting people.
6/28/09- Depart from Cape Town- no pics or internet today. Sorry.
6/29/09- Arrive in Raleigh and back home ;) See everyone soon!
What cultural observations did I make today?
I learned that S. Africa claims 11 official languages. However, only English is considered the formal language of literacy. The end-of-year tests I saw had directions in both English and their native language. The native language is "generallyy Xhosa, pronounced "Ko-sah"
What did I observe today in terms of leadership styles, organizational systems, administrative processes or other educational practices?
Teachers in Africa are not afraid to leave their students alone in a room.
There is little to no accountability for resources and teacher preparedness in this country.
What is my most significant learning to date?
Oddly, this insight came from the my lunch box on the plane. According to South African Airlines, and the Afrikaans, "Travel teaches one how to see." What a perfect way to describe what we are doing here in South Africa! To give the Afrikaans fair credit: "Om te reis leer die mens om te sien."
Today's insght came from a sugar packet- "When we forgive someone, the knots are untied and the past is released."
Yet another insightful pack of sugar- "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are endless." -Mother Teresa
"Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is." - Ernest Hemingway
What have I affirmed about my current leadership practice(s)?
I do not process well when I am sleepy. ;)
It is very possible that I have been taking for granted that students have the bare necessities in which to attend school.
What have I challenged about my current leadership practice(s)?
From a very wise peer educator this morning, I realized that it is not enough to cry for someone else. You can only shed so many tears. It is only through change and innovation that we can make a difference. And it is only throug leadership that sustainable change can truly occur.
Any other reflections/unexpected events?
Sheep is apparently a delicious dish around here. We saw a sheep's head, complete with fur and blood being cooked on the side of the road!
Diving is S. Africa is really cold in the winter, but it is without a doubt worth it!!! Check out the pictures above.
Upon my return, I plan to address the following questions listed below:
What are the most important learning results that I found?
There were a ton of learning moments throughout this trip, both personally and professionally. The number one factor that I have learned is that educators in America definitely take our situation for granted. I now realize hoe truly blessed we are in the United States. I would hate to be stuck in a school system with no accountability for money, teaching degrees, supplies, and more.
How could the internship be improved in future years?
I really don't have too many suggestions for next year. It was a little difficult coming to S. Africa at the end of a term. Since the terms are separated by a three week break, I do wish that future groups could travel later in the summer. Perhaps this way, more participants would get to see "teaching" and not so much exam work. I would also like to change the weather for a couple of the days, but we can't have everything, can we?
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