Hello!
I completely forgot to write the last topic!
So, what are my feelings now that i'm back...
I'm happy to have had such a good experience.
I met people, i lived a different lifestyle...
All that was extremely learnfull!
I learned a lot at school too: I never had the chance to be confront with pupils who has psychological matters. I feel more self confident now.
If I had to do it again, I certainly would!
I'm just a bit disapointed about the language. I didn't practice as much as I wanted.
The teachers wanted to practice their French, and during the classes, I spoke French too.
So it should have been better to live in a family.
I will encourage the other students to go abroad!
May 29, 2009
May 22, 2009
Home sweet home!
I'm so happy to be back ... if you put the huge quantity of work aside ;-)
My experience in Finland has been extremely difficult, what actually surprised me at first because I thought I could adapt to any situation easily. But hopefully I've been able to find myself a satisfying way of living there, even though it wasn't as good as expected.
Now that I'm back, I really don't regret anything, because I enjoy every little moment I spend here. I noticed how much I missed people, things, habits and most of all, the way you feel when you have your life under control.
I hope I won't have to do it again, but I'm glad I did. I've changed a lot even if of course I remain the same for most people. I've learned to assume difficult moments without complaining all the time and polluting the atmosphere around me. I've discovered that looking for hapiness everywhere but where you are is a huge waste of time (at least I didn't wait to be 70 to notice that ;-) ). I met a lot of amazing people who taught me their culture and still keep in touch ... which means lots of free holiday destinations! And finally, I understood I could trust myself and that we are often stronger than we think.
I FEEL JUST GREAT!!!
And good luck to everybody until the end of this period! 3LG WINNERS ;-)
My experience in Finland has been extremely difficult, what actually surprised me at first because I thought I could adapt to any situation easily. But hopefully I've been able to find myself a satisfying way of living there, even though it wasn't as good as expected.
Now that I'm back, I really don't regret anything, because I enjoy every little moment I spend here. I noticed how much I missed people, things, habits and most of all, the way you feel when you have your life under control.
I hope I won't have to do it again, but I'm glad I did. I've changed a lot even if of course I remain the same for most people. I've learned to assume difficult moments without complaining all the time and polluting the atmosphere around me. I've discovered that looking for hapiness everywhere but where you are is a huge waste of time (at least I didn't wait to be 70 to notice that ;-) ). I met a lot of amazing people who taught me their culture and still keep in touch ... which means lots of free holiday destinations! And finally, I understood I could trust myself and that we are often stronger than we think.
I FEEL JUST GREAT!!!
And good luck to everybody until the end of this period! 3LG WINNERS ;-)
May 21, 2009
Hy everybody,
Welcome back in Belgium to all of you! The following days are going to be difficult, cheer up!
Yesterday, I had my last day at the EHSAL and the students told me that they will miss us .... you see that Flemish and French speaking people can live together and also appreciate each other! (joke). I think it was a good and interesting experience but also a difficult one. I was snowed under work and I had not the opportunity to take advantage of the experience ... too bad! I think it will be better for the next students who will go to a Belgian Flemish school if they could totally depend of this school. It is very difficult to integrate a program when you are still busy with another one. We were good accepted by the other students but we didn't really belong to the group; they had their activities and we had ours. What I always will keep in my memory is that we were very good welcomed by the students but also by the lectors, I really appreciated that. I'm very happy to see you back on Monday and I wish you (even if you have a lot of work) a nice weekend.
Anne-Marie
Welcome back in Belgium to all of you! The following days are going to be difficult, cheer up!
Yesterday, I had my last day at the EHSAL and the students told me that they will miss us .... you see that Flemish and French speaking people can live together and also appreciate each other! (joke). I think it was a good and interesting experience but also a difficult one. I was snowed under work and I had not the opportunity to take advantage of the experience ... too bad! I think it will be better for the next students who will go to a Belgian Flemish school if they could totally depend of this school. It is very difficult to integrate a program when you are still busy with another one. We were good accepted by the other students but we didn't really belong to the group; they had their activities and we had ours. What I always will keep in my memory is that we were very good welcomed by the students but also by the lectors, I really appreciated that. I'm very happy to see you back on Monday and I wish you (even if you have a lot of work) a nice weekend.
Anne-Marie
Break a leg! ;-)
Hi everyone!
A small post to wish you all good luck in these times of darkness! Always bear in mind that at the end of all this, it's holiday time! ;-)
I know these are hard times but, and I know it's only of meager consolation to you, it's the same for the professors (yes, believe it or not!)... All on the same boat, then! ;-)
Good luck everyone, then!
A small post to wish you all good luck in these times of darkness! Always bear in mind that at the end of all this, it's holiday time! ;-)
I know these are hard times but, and I know it's only of meager consolation to you, it's the same for the professors (yes, believe it or not!)... All on the same boat, then! ;-)
Good luck everyone, then!
May 17, 2009
The end
Hello everybody!
This is it. My stay in Malta has come to an end and I'm back in my beloved city of Brussels! Well yes, beloved. Having lived far from Belgium has made me realize how much I'm in need of pollution, traffic jams and busy shopping streets!
Even though I've missed Brussels quite a lot during my stay, this Comenius project was a unique experience for me.
First of all because it made face real life: cook, have more responsabilities, do the washing-up everyday and not waste money were some of these "challenges".
Furthermore, it was also very interesting as I've had the opportunity to discover a new country with its traditions, helping me to get more aware of European cultures.
It was also of course great due to the fact I've improved my English thanks to a daily total immersion and also because I've had the chance to give personal and diverse lesson plans without any pressure.
If I had to do it again, I would definitely agree despite the difficulty of living far from home.
To sum up this experience, I'd say it was great and was worth doing it once in a lifetime.
See you soon and good luck for revisions!!!!
David
This is it. My stay in Malta has come to an end and I'm back in my beloved city of Brussels! Well yes, beloved. Having lived far from Belgium has made me realize how much I'm in need of pollution, traffic jams and busy shopping streets!
Even though I've missed Brussels quite a lot during my stay, this Comenius project was a unique experience for me.
First of all because it made face real life: cook, have more responsabilities, do the washing-up everyday and not waste money were some of these "challenges".
Furthermore, it was also very interesting as I've had the opportunity to discover a new country with its traditions, helping me to get more aware of European cultures.
It was also of course great due to the fact I've improved my English thanks to a daily total immersion and also because I've had the chance to give personal and diverse lesson plans without any pressure.
If I had to do it again, I would definitely agree despite the difficulty of living far from home.
To sum up this experience, I'd say it was great and was worth doing it once in a lifetime.
See you soon and good luck for revisions!!!!
David
May 15, 2009
finished...
Hiiiii !
We are all back now and I enjoy seeing my family and friends back. Before leaving my second school, on the last day, there was an assembly for me. One teacher took some pictures with me and the children and they offered me some Welsh tea, a cup with the Welsh dragon and a card.
They thanked me to have contributed to Llangadog children’s education. I was very pleased with that.
Before going back to Belgium, I wanted absolutely to see my first school back because I promised. I slept at my first headteacher’s house and in the morning, I saw the staff and the children. I felt very happy to see them back. It was the same impression as if you saw an old friend that you haden’t seen for ages. It was strange. I was very happy and a bit stressed at the same time. It was difficult for me to leave because the oldest girls were ready to go back with me. They didn’t want me to leave.
So, to summerize, I would say this experience has been rich concerning the work, the school, the staff, and the children even if there were negative things. Everybody told me to come back.
I am glad to have been able to give lessons all the time. I felt quite self confident when I taught. Moreover, in the second school, I took small groups of 8 or 9 children.
People asked me if Welsh people were open minded, open on the World because they only to know their country. They are so proud of their country and their language. They are proud of being bilingual. But I answered that every year, they take an assistant like me and I think that’s a proof they are open on other countries. When I told people I came from Belgium, they were interested and asked me more questions.
3 months were sufficient for myself to discover the Welsh culture, the education and methodology at school but at the same time, I am a little nostalgic when watching the pictures.
If I had been in a city and with no Welsh but only English, it would have been perfect.
see you ... for the exams some of you :D
We are all back now and I enjoy seeing my family and friends back. Before leaving my second school, on the last day, there was an assembly for me. One teacher took some pictures with me and the children and they offered me some Welsh tea, a cup with the Welsh dragon and a card.
They thanked me to have contributed to Llangadog children’s education. I was very pleased with that.
Before going back to Belgium, I wanted absolutely to see my first school back because I promised. I slept at my first headteacher’s house and in the morning, I saw the staff and the children. I felt very happy to see them back. It was the same impression as if you saw an old friend that you haden’t seen for ages. It was strange. I was very happy and a bit stressed at the same time. It was difficult for me to leave because the oldest girls were ready to go back with me. They didn’t want me to leave.
So, to summerize, I would say this experience has been rich concerning the work, the school, the staff, and the children even if there were negative things. Everybody told me to come back.
I am glad to have been able to give lessons all the time. I felt quite self confident when I taught. Moreover, in the second school, I took small groups of 8 or 9 children.
People asked me if Welsh people were open minded, open on the World because they only to know their country. They are so proud of their country and their language. They are proud of being bilingual. But I answered that every year, they take an assistant like me and I think that’s a proof they are open on other countries. When I told people I came from Belgium, they were interested and asked me more questions.
3 months were sufficient for myself to discover the Welsh culture, the education and methodology at school but at the same time, I am a little nostalgic when watching the pictures.
If I had been in a city and with no Welsh but only English, it would have been perfect.
see you ... for the exams some of you :D
May 11, 2009
End = Einde = Geen einde
Hi there,
Good to read you again guys and to know that we will meet very soon.
I am going to tell you what happened in April and during my last weeks at the Esahl in Brussels during the month of May.
Well it is not only a myth that there are some differences between French speaking and Dutch speaking Belgians. But the differences won’t be so big that it could result in a culture clash. Their society is just more directed by the use of media than in our society. Well it seems strange but media and the language can make a huge difference even in the same city. The media is present everywhere and passionate the old and the young people. They almost always use the computer to teach. That’s something that can be bad for your eyes when you go out and the sun is shining if you see what I mean. They are very influenced by what they see on TV and I let you imagine how good their English pronunciation can be. It is as if they act a whole movie when they speak.
The Flemish are like between us and the Dutch. As I have lived two years in Amsterdam I was not really surprised by the way they think or act. Individuality is more important in their society than in our society.
We have now still three weeks to go. It seems like the never ending story as I learnt that some of you were already at home lol. Once again I enjoy the experience a lot but I would like to have more time to work on my final paper too. Still I am very happy that I have made this choice and that I could study in a Flemish school. I have progressed in Dutch and in English I think. We had (and still have) a lot of work for our English course which was also good for my English. It is a pity although that I couldn’t stay longer after the classes with my classmates to speak with them. This was not possible because of the lack of spare time. We made several interesting things like a week of the diversity together. That has been good to strengthen our friendship. So I would make the same choice if I had to do it again but I would like more spare time to allow me to get to know the students better.
Even if I have learned a lot from this new experience I don’t think that I am changed. After all, as I said before, they are like between us and the Dutch which is a bit… like me lol. One of the things I have learned is the intensive use of media during the class. I consider it rather important today and I am ready to use more media in my classroom: magazines, papers, television, computers and of course… the internet. And if I would keep only one thing in my mind I hope I would be the fact that Flemish speaking people are not so different than we are.
Good to read you again guys and to know that we will meet very soon.
I am going to tell you what happened in April and during my last weeks at the Esahl in Brussels during the month of May.
Well it is not only a myth that there are some differences between French speaking and Dutch speaking Belgians. But the differences won’t be so big that it could result in a culture clash. Their society is just more directed by the use of media than in our society. Well it seems strange but media and the language can make a huge difference even in the same city. The media is present everywhere and passionate the old and the young people. They almost always use the computer to teach. That’s something that can be bad for your eyes when you go out and the sun is shining if you see what I mean. They are very influenced by what they see on TV and I let you imagine how good their English pronunciation can be. It is as if they act a whole movie when they speak.
The Flemish are like between us and the Dutch. As I have lived two years in Amsterdam I was not really surprised by the way they think or act. Individuality is more important in their society than in our society.
We have now still three weeks to go. It seems like the never ending story as I learnt that some of you were already at home lol. Once again I enjoy the experience a lot but I would like to have more time to work on my final paper too. Still I am very happy that I have made this choice and that I could study in a Flemish school. I have progressed in Dutch and in English I think. We had (and still have) a lot of work for our English course which was also good for my English. It is a pity although that I couldn’t stay longer after the classes with my classmates to speak with them. This was not possible because of the lack of spare time. We made several interesting things like a week of the diversity together. That has been good to strengthen our friendship. So I would make the same choice if I had to do it again but I would like more spare time to allow me to get to know the students better.
Even if I have learned a lot from this new experience I don’t think that I am changed. After all, as I said before, they are like between us and the Dutch which is a bit… like me lol. One of the things I have learned is the intensive use of media during the class. I consider it rather important today and I am ready to use more media in my classroom: magazines, papers, television, computers and of course… the internet. And if I would keep only one thing in my mind I hope I would be the fact that Flemish speaking people are not so different than we are.
May 09, 2009
Goodbye Zwolle !
This is the end.. my friends...
Well this is indeed unfortunately the end.. This experience was without any doubt the most beautiful experience I've never had before!
When i arrived in Brussels last Sunday, I felt like sad.. On the last day at school, Ir receivedso many presents from my pupils and the teachers of the school.
They were also unhappy that I had to leave. It makes me think about Nelly Furtado's song "why do all good things come to an end?".
I learnt a lot of things. First,things about myself; I discovered that I can really manage on my own when i'm abroad.
Lots of people are scared to travel alone but it I not at allmy case ;)
In other words, Ihavetaken much confidence in myself.
I also discovered another way to teach.. For example, in my school, only the senior students (les rhétoriciens) have to sit for exams in june! so during their 6years, for the French course e.g., they are prepared to this big exam (DELF) by several exercises in the 4 competences.
I have learnt too how to live on a strucutred way. Dutch people are very structured: 6pm: time to eat / 7pm watching the news - from midday to 12.30;lunchtime. It is maybe hard to realise when I say it like that but I think my colleguas who were also in Holland can see well what I mean.
This experience has been so really enriching on a lot of differents level.
If I had a chance to remake it one more time, I would directly do it! I hope that the people who stayed in Belgium haven't had a bad time or don't regret not to have travelledabroad.. In fact with this kindof experience, you definitly become abetter person I would say.. You feel more mature than before.
If I had to change one thing,then I would maybe change the length of the Commnius. 3 months are not that long actually. especially when you feel the improvement in yourself, about the language, about you capacity to adapt yourself in another country, to live with/in another culture, with a different mentality/religion,...
To end now this last message on the blog, I would say that what I'm going to keep always in my memory is the "beauty"of my experience. It means: the city where I stayed; lots of trees, animals, everything is well-maintained, even outside than inside the buildings, for example in the school I was I had never seen before a so clean school! any chewing gums under the chairs, any papers on the floor, also the toilets were very clean. lol and of course the "beauty" of the pupils and the teachers: everybody was so sympathic and nice with me, I quickly felt like truellywelcomed. To give you an example, during the breaks, lots of teachers (maths, sciences, Dutch,..) came to me to speak with me, they asked me questions and things like that, I was a kind of attraction.
I want to add that I've never had so kind stage-masters. I had the impression that they had a stagiaire because they wanted to have a frenchspeaker stagiaire,not because they were like obliged by their director. It is really important to underline that, that's why I felt so welcomed and appreciated by them. We got along extremely well and that can be another reason why this training period so good was.
And I can't forget about the pupils. How come that they wereso respectful?! As I already said, it was very good conditions to give lessons! Belgian students should all act land behave like that!
So,as you've understood by reading these lines, I'm sad that it is finished and this experience, these people, this city, all that, it will stay for all my life somewhere in my hart!
Arnaud leclercq
Well this is indeed unfortunately the end.. This experience was without any doubt the most beautiful experience I've never had before!
When i arrived in Brussels last Sunday, I felt like sad.. On the last day at school, Ir receivedso many presents from my pupils and the teachers of the school.
They were also unhappy that I had to leave. It makes me think about Nelly Furtado's song "why do all good things come to an end?".
I learnt a lot of things. First,things about myself; I discovered that I can really manage on my own when i'm abroad.
Lots of people are scared to travel alone but it I not at allmy case ;)
In other words, Ihavetaken much confidence in myself.
I also discovered another way to teach.. For example, in my school, only the senior students (les rhétoriciens) have to sit for exams in june! so during their 6years, for the French course e.g., they are prepared to this big exam (DELF) by several exercises in the 4 competences.
I have learnt too how to live on a strucutred way. Dutch people are very structured: 6pm: time to eat / 7pm watching the news - from midday to 12.30;lunchtime. It is maybe hard to realise when I say it like that but I think my colleguas who were also in Holland can see well what I mean.
This experience has been so really enriching on a lot of differents level.
If I had a chance to remake it one more time, I would directly do it! I hope that the people who stayed in Belgium haven't had a bad time or don't regret not to have travelledabroad.. In fact with this kindof experience, you definitly become abetter person I would say.. You feel more mature than before.
If I had to change one thing,then I would maybe change the length of the Commnius. 3 months are not that long actually. especially when you feel the improvement in yourself, about the language, about you capacity to adapt yourself in another country, to live with/in another culture, with a different mentality/religion,...
To end now this last message on the blog, I would say that what I'm going to keep always in my memory is the "beauty"of my experience. It means: the city where I stayed; lots of trees, animals, everything is well-maintained, even outside than inside the buildings, for example in the school I was I had never seen before a so clean school! any chewing gums under the chairs, any papers on the floor, also the toilets were very clean. lol and of course the "beauty" of the pupils and the teachers: everybody was so sympathic and nice with me, I quickly felt like truellywelcomed. To give you an example, during the breaks, lots of teachers (maths, sciences, Dutch,..) came to me to speak with me, they asked me questions and things like that, I was a kind of attraction.
I want to add that I've never had so kind stage-masters. I had the impression that they had a stagiaire because they wanted to have a frenchspeaker stagiaire,not because they were like obliged by their director. It is really important to underline that, that's why I felt so welcomed and appreciated by them. We got along extremely well and that can be another reason why this training period so good was.
And I can't forget about the pupils. How come that they wereso respectful?! As I already said, it was very good conditions to give lessons! Belgian students should all act land behave like that!
So,as you've understood by reading these lines, I'm sad that it is finished and this experience, these people, this city, all that, it will stay for all my life somewhere in my hart!
Arnaud leclercq
May 08, 2009
News from Leuven
I am very satisfied and pleased with this experience but relieved that it is soon ending. I admit it has been stressing to manage training in Leuven together with teacher training in schools and preparing my final paper.I have learnt on various levels. I feel that my knowledge of English has improved in vocabulary, syntax and fluency. I have learnt to work in teams with people from several countries and cultures. I also have gained in cultural knowledge.
I have found it a useful experience and would like it to be longer if there were no other necessary occupations.
I feel I have changed in my way of working. I am still a perfectionist but now I am able to do my work more quickly. Moreover I have gained in maturity. I am now able to understand better different ways of thinking. I can adapt to different situations with different people.
The acquired maturity will help me to be more confident and open with varied pupils.
What I will always remember is my project in a secondary school in Merchtem, helping pupils with difficulties in languages. I felt entirely welcome by pupils and staff.
News frop
I am very satisfied and pleased with this experience but relieved that it is soon ending. I admit it has been stressing to manage training in Leuven together with teacher training in schools and preparing my final paper.
May 03, 2009
Arrivederci!
Hi there,
A group of students from the option 'Tourism' has left for Germany last week: a 14 training days in various working places such as a tourism agency, a hotel, a museum, …; they wanted me to go with them but I had to turn down the invitation. I won't see them anymore since they're coming back on the 3rd of May, that is after my departure. I'm already missing them.
Colleagues are asking me whether I enjoyed staying here and whether I'll ever come back for holiday… I don't want to be harsh but it is true that I'd rather spend my holiday in some other place. I told them that crowded beaches in summertime have never been my favourite destination anyway. One guy joked that I had met some lady and was about to stay. I thought for a moment that this lady should have been quite exceptional to make me stay, but did not tell my thought. Some Passionaria fighting for political change maybe, or some character of that kind, just like in the novels. And like a hero I would have embraced her fight and staying here would have had a sense then. Just like in the novels…
But let's get back to reality: on the whole, I've liked the experience and I would do it again, in some other place though - Am I a bit of a masochist? Now, if you look at it as an anthropologist or a sociologist would do, it's quite an experience to stay among a community you don't belong to. Three months is enough to get a rough idea on how this community works.
Spending several months in a foreign country wasn't new to me and I sort of like being a stranger.
As a future teacher, I cannot say I learnt a lot what methodology is concerned. But I learnt a bit more about myself –a never ending job, as you know– and the way I interact with students; I had a rather good relationship with them but I am aware this can become an handicap sometimes, as a teacher. Once some of them had started to call me 'Vince' instead of 'Professore', I knew there was something wrong!
As I mentioned before, school in Italy finishes at 1.30pm. If you think students study a lot in the afternoon, you're wrong! At least from what I saw… Level is quite low and discipline very, very loose. There is an easy-going atmosphere, quite the opposite of what I too often felt in our Belgian schools. Students do not act aggressively, and most of them seem happy. Basically they come when they feel it and they do more or less what they want, that is chatting and joking with friends… or staff members. Sometimes you hear a teacher shouting but it does not really make any difference. Both teachers and students are used to the big confusion, that's how it goes in the street, at home, everywhere… I call it 'confusion' –and so would you– but this is 'communication', social life –South Italian style.
I also enjoy talking about my little country –there is so much to say– and then noticed how students would listen to me…
The big challenge here was the location. No movie theatre, no library, no swimming pool, nothing but concrete houses, bars and shops. The kind of town our Dardennes brothers would love to film in. I knew Italy was not made of historic sites and sunny terraces only, but still… Anyway, I wasn't here for leisure, was I? The week-ends were a bit long, that's all. A chance there were the newspapers and that end-study paper to work on.
I admit I'll be happy to be back in Brussels. I wonder what kind of school I'll be teaching in next year. I know I'll be thinking for a while of the students I met here. I like to imagine them in 'my' school next year and me being their teacher for the whole year -instead of an assistant for 3 months. But more importantly, I wish they learnt something at the end.
See you soon,
Vincent
A group of students from the option 'Tourism' has left for Germany last week: a 14 training days in various working places such as a tourism agency, a hotel, a museum, …; they wanted me to go with them but I had to turn down the invitation. I won't see them anymore since they're coming back on the 3rd of May, that is after my departure. I'm already missing them.
Colleagues are asking me whether I enjoyed staying here and whether I'll ever come back for holiday… I don't want to be harsh but it is true that I'd rather spend my holiday in some other place. I told them that crowded beaches in summertime have never been my favourite destination anyway. One guy joked that I had met some lady and was about to stay. I thought for a moment that this lady should have been quite exceptional to make me stay, but did not tell my thought. Some Passionaria fighting for political change maybe, or some character of that kind, just like in the novels. And like a hero I would have embraced her fight and staying here would have had a sense then. Just like in the novels…
But let's get back to reality: on the whole, I've liked the experience and I would do it again, in some other place though - Am I a bit of a masochist? Now, if you look at it as an anthropologist or a sociologist would do, it's quite an experience to stay among a community you don't belong to. Three months is enough to get a rough idea on how this community works.
Spending several months in a foreign country wasn't new to me and I sort of like being a stranger.
As a future teacher, I cannot say I learnt a lot what methodology is concerned. But I learnt a bit more about myself –a never ending job, as you know– and the way I interact with students; I had a rather good relationship with them but I am aware this can become an handicap sometimes, as a teacher. Once some of them had started to call me 'Vince' instead of 'Professore', I knew there was something wrong!
As I mentioned before, school in Italy finishes at 1.30pm. If you think students study a lot in the afternoon, you're wrong! At least from what I saw… Level is quite low and discipline very, very loose. There is an easy-going atmosphere, quite the opposite of what I too often felt in our Belgian schools. Students do not act aggressively, and most of them seem happy. Basically they come when they feel it and they do more or less what they want, that is chatting and joking with friends… or staff members. Sometimes you hear a teacher shouting but it does not really make any difference. Both teachers and students are used to the big confusion, that's how it goes in the street, at home, everywhere… I call it 'confusion' –and so would you– but this is 'communication', social life –South Italian style.
I also enjoy talking about my little country –there is so much to say– and then noticed how students would listen to me…
The big challenge here was the location. No movie theatre, no library, no swimming pool, nothing but concrete houses, bars and shops. The kind of town our Dardennes brothers would love to film in. I knew Italy was not made of historic sites and sunny terraces only, but still… Anyway, I wasn't here for leisure, was I? The week-ends were a bit long, that's all. A chance there were the newspapers and that end-study paper to work on.
I admit I'll be happy to be back in Brussels. I wonder what kind of school I'll be teaching in next year. I know I'll be thinking for a while of the students I met here. I like to imagine them in 'my' school next year and me being their teacher for the whole year -instead of an assistant for 3 months. But more importantly, I wish they learnt something at the end.
See you soon,
Vincent
May 02, 2009
My last message on this blog after three months of adventure - Ireland IV
Hi everybody,
I came back on Tuesday and I was sick. I’m still sick now and I don’t know when it will stop. I went twice to the doctor since I have been back. It’s horrible but I will survive.
My feelings are a little confused, I’m happy to be at home, because I’m sick. Being sick abroad is not funny, but I miss a little bit my life as autonomous girl in Ireland.
Of course, I missed my parents, my friends, my animals, etc. and so I’m more than happy to be back at home in Belgium.
What I have learnt is to be autonomous, to decide what good is for me and what is bad. I had to choose healthy food if I didn’t want to take some kilos. I have never lived in a ‘kot’ in Belgium, so I didn’t know that life. I went sometimes to Stephanie’s ‘kot’ and slept there, but it’s not the same as living in an apartment for a few weeks. But one thing is sure: I liked that life. I enjoyed being responsible for my own life.
This experience was really worth and learned me a lot about myself.
If I had to do it again I would certainly do it. I loved the school, the people, the culture, my lifestyle, etc.
I think I would change the duration of the stay, make it a little longer, but not too long. I would say 4 months. And maybe I would like to be near a bigger city. I was near a “city”, but in Ireland a city can be very little or it can be very big too.
Do you think you have changed?
Well, I don’t know if I have changed , but a lot of people at home are saying that I have changed. What has changed, they don’t really know, maybe I seem to be a little bit more self-confident or adult. I took a lot of responsibilities over there, so maybe I am more responsible without knowing it.
About my way of teaching, I think I would be able to put more easily my course in brackets during a lesson to speak about something that happens outside, if a pupil talks about it. Of course, we would speak about the topic in English or Dutch.
I would try to put forward the law of reward to valorize the pupil who worked really good. It also helps less good pupils to try to work harder and better. So they can be rewarded, too.
I will remember all of my stay and my experience abroad. I learned so much that everything is important.
See you soon,
Catherine
I came back on Tuesday and I was sick. I’m still sick now and I don’t know when it will stop. I went twice to the doctor since I have been back. It’s horrible but I will survive.
My feelings are a little confused, I’m happy to be at home, because I’m sick. Being sick abroad is not funny, but I miss a little bit my life as autonomous girl in Ireland.
Of course, I missed my parents, my friends, my animals, etc. and so I’m more than happy to be back at home in Belgium.
What I have learnt is to be autonomous, to decide what good is for me and what is bad. I had to choose healthy food if I didn’t want to take some kilos. I have never lived in a ‘kot’ in Belgium, so I didn’t know that life. I went sometimes to Stephanie’s ‘kot’ and slept there, but it’s not the same as living in an apartment for a few weeks. But one thing is sure: I liked that life. I enjoyed being responsible for my own life.
This experience was really worth and learned me a lot about myself.
If I had to do it again I would certainly do it. I loved the school, the people, the culture, my lifestyle, etc.
I think I would change the duration of the stay, make it a little longer, but not too long. I would say 4 months. And maybe I would like to be near a bigger city. I was near a “city”, but in Ireland a city can be very little or it can be very big too.
Do you think you have changed?
Well, I don’t know if I have changed , but a lot of people at home are saying that I have changed. What has changed, they don’t really know, maybe I seem to be a little bit more self-confident or adult. I took a lot of responsibilities over there, so maybe I am more responsible without knowing it.
About my way of teaching, I think I would be able to put more easily my course in brackets during a lesson to speak about something that happens outside, if a pupil talks about it. Of course, we would speak about the topic in English or Dutch.
I would try to put forward the law of reward to valorize the pupil who worked really good. It also helps less good pupils to try to work harder and better. So they can be rewarded, too.
I will remember all of my stay and my experience abroad. I learned so much that everything is important.
See you soon,
Catherine
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