Week Six - 28th March 2014

This week has been a relatively quiet one following last week’s busy schedule, so unfortunately I do not have too many exciting experiences to share. 

As I mentioned in my week four blog, students from Bolivia arrived to study with us for two

Two of the Bolivian students giving a short presentation

weeks.  Having them here has given us a great insight into their country and how they live.  This week they shared some information with us about their country and even showed us a dance or two in their traditional costumes.  They were such friendly people who appreciated even the smallest of things and who insisted on a big friendly hug every time we met.  GTCNI Competences states:

            “Teacher will have developed a knowledge and understanding of the need to take account of the significant features of pupils’ cultures, languages and faiths and to address the implications for learning arising from these.” 

Traditional dance and costumes 

With them being here has also contributed to the knowledge curve of different cultures and nationalities and how wonderful it is learning about them all.  This is a skill that will be great to have when it comes to teaching in Northern Ireland due to the growing number of EAL (English as an Additional Language) pupils within the primary schools.  It was recorded by the Department of Education in 2013 that one in every six primary school pupils is an EAL pupil. 

For our Global Education class we were able to attend a meeting regarding the argument between buying local produce or Fair Trade products.  At this meeting there was a representative from Fair Trade and a local Swiss meat and dairy farmer.  This is something that I would have never thought about - probably due to shopping meaning choosing the cheapest item – typical student! However, having attended that meeting I now realise that it is important not only to support your local farmer and community but also those countries that do depend on the sale of their fair trade produce.  Nevertheless, it is still a hard decision to make each and every time. 

During this meeting I began to realise how important it is that we make children aware of the problems people in these countries face and how, even in a small way, can help.  Within this class we are learning that it is important we teach our children what the future needs of these countries are and how to develop the skills and knowledge so that we may be able to help.  We are also gathering useful teaching techniques and materials to be able to deliver this knowledge effectively and in a meaningful approach.  An article that we had to read by Susan Fountain stated:

 “In 1970 non-governmental organisations began producing teaching materials which encouraged awareness among young people.” 

Philosophy with Children is another one of our courses in the PHTG.  As part of our assignment for this course we were assigned a group of six children with whom we had to carry out a philosophy lesson.  From week one our class tutor has been training us how to do this and explaining the different techniques and toolkits that we should use.  On Tuesday I completed my lesson with six twelve year old children from a local International school.  During this class I asked the children the question ‘Is it fair to say that life is fair?’.  The children provided me with great responses and together we enjoyed an in-depth conversation.  Of course the discussion arrived at the juncture of ‘how teachers blame children for something they did not do’ and how that was unfair – always relay on children to tell you how it is!

This week has certainly been the most challenging personally for me and it has really sunk in that this is definitely the longest I have been away from my family and friends.  During the course of the week I have realised how fortunate I am to have family and friends that I am able to rely on through this journey.  Their support through the difficult hours has been invaluable.  However, I am sure these homesick moments will pass soon as I know this is an experience that deep down I am thoroughly enjoying. 

Tschüss,

Stephanie

Week Five - On Top of the World in Mountains - 21st March 2014

“The opportunities are endless.” Erasmus Programme (2010)

Us at the top of Santis Mountains 

The opportunities available to us in Switzerland, like the quote states, are in fact endless.  Within our ‘Eye on Switzerland’ class with the Bolivian students, we were brought to two well-known towns in Switzerland this week.  Firstly we made a trip to Appenzell.  This is a town known for their traditional approaches to the way of living and is also the home of the beautiful Sӓntis Mountains.  When we arrived at the bottom of the mountain the views were amazing.  Little did we know they were just about to get better.  As we climbed in the cable car the views began to unfold – the scene at the top explains completely why Switzerland is known as the beautiful country.  In order to mark three Northern Irish girls being at the top of the mountain it was only fitting we performed a little jig and sing the well-known song “Tell me ma’”! Yip, crazy we know!

With the amazing view

On Tuesday our second stop was the capital city of Berne.  On this trip we made a visit to Parliament and the well-known fountains throughout the city and of course to the bear sanctuary.  We also went on an historical tour of The Cathedral of Berne and were allowed to climb to the top of the 100 metre high spire – this climb was soon one that we regretted.  After being told to go through a small door into a dark entrance we were then faced with nearly 400 small, spiral steps with no going back down.  After many moans and complaints we finally made it to the top.  Here we were able to enjoy some magnificent views across the city into the Bernese Mittelland and the snow topped mountains of Bernese.

Upon initial arrival in Switzerland we all were allocated a ‘study buddy’.  My study buddies, Bea and Tracy, happen to be the girls who are coming to Stranmillis in September through the Erasmus Programme.  This week they kindly invited Ashleigh, Sarah and I for some traditional food called ‘Raclette’.  This dish involves using a ‘raclette grill’, you put some chopped up ingredients into a tray and cheese on top and place it under the heat for it all to cook.  It is a well-known dinner party food as it is seen as a sociable way of eating and cooking together.  Since being here it has been wonderful how welcoming everyone has been especially my study buddies with nothing too much bother, which is very reassuring.  So the pressure will really be on when they come to visit as the standard has been set high. 

This is us with Bea and Tracy

The British Council (2008) states that the Erasmus Programme is not expected “…to be all work and no play”. 

Just about to head down the mountain on our sledges!

It is fair to say that the above quote is most certainly true with the weekend that we experienced.  On Saturday we went to the nearest ski resort – Flumersberg - to go snow sledging.  Before I left I rang my dad asking would I need to get insurance for this activity, to which he replied “No sure you will only be going down a small hill!”  If only he had known what was coming! After reaching the top of the mountain we were taken to the starting point and told the sledge to the bottom was between 2 and 3 kilometres long, full of huge bumps and tight slippery corners.  Even writing this now I have a huge smile at how much fun it was.  From flying in the air over the bumps and not making it round the corners, to going a little too fast over a bump resulting in the sledge going one way and me the other and ending up with my face buried in the snow with those behind having to crash to avoid me was typical of my skill level.  No major injuries were encountered thankfully, just a couple of bruises and a sore throat from the screaming and shouting.  Easily my favourite activity here yet!

This week also brought Saint Patricks day and since we are known as the ‘Three Irish Girls’ there was pressure on us to put on a party to show everyone what the Irish culture is really like.  After a full day of decorating the house, making the well-known Irish stew and instructing everyone to wear green we were ready.  With more renditions of ‘Tell me ma’ and Ashleigh showing off some Irish dancing I think we really pulled it off and everyone seemed to truly have a great night. 

Being here is also making us aware of our language and the way we speak English as we have been told a quite a few times to either speak in ‘neutral English’ or ‘Oxford English’.  Although we laugh when people ask us to either speak slower or in ‘proper English’ it is something that I have realised is important when teaching in schools, as Burns, A. (2003) states:

“As English increasingly becomes the language used for international communication, it is vital that speakers of English are clear in pronunciation…it is essential in spoken communication”

Until next time - Tschüss,

Stephanie 

Week Four - Creating Brilliant Friendships - 14th March 2014

As I sit and write my week four blog I have just realised how much I have experienced and been a part of in one month and how being here for five months will bring me so many opportunities both in the educational world and culturally. 

On the cultural front we are constantly experiencing many different nationalities with regards to their foods and stories of their beliefs.  Realising that the videos on ‘YouTube’ about the subway system in China are real and that there are actually people employed to literally cram people into the carriages certainly made me laugh and realise how different countries are to home.  Wouldn’t get that at Great Victoria Street train station in Belfast!  As Gandhi states:

            “Meeting of different cultures is the widening of mind and spirit.”

On Friday we had a house meal in which our Chinese housemate cooked us Kung Po – fair to say it really does put even the best Chinese restaurants back home to shame – it was delicious! This was then followed by the attempts of Ashleigh and me at the wonderful chocolate brownie.  Our Mum’s would be proud – they were awesome!  This was a night that we all really enjoyed as not only did it consist of wonderful food and a variety of conversations but guitar playing and singing – it was a great way to establish even better friendships with our housemates. It even resulted in one of them calling us family.  

My house mate Ailing and I

As a follow-on to our great night together on Friday, Ashleigh, Yeuxin and I then set off to St. Gallen on Saturday.  This week we actually made it to our destination! With the sun shining, many laughs and a hot chocolate costing approximately £6 (it was worth it trust me) it was a great day. 

Inside the beautiful St Laurence Church in St Gallen

With Janine and Salome

This week we were also kindly invited for dinner by two of our classmates in university - Salome and Janine.  This was my first proper ‘Swiss’ meal in a proper ‘Swiss’ home.  For dinner we had Chӓschnӧpfli followed by Prussiens.  This was a great opportunity to form closer relationships with other students outside of class and it is fair to say that Swiss people are so welcoming and everyone is offering to take us somewhere so that they can be a part of our experience. 

At university this week students from Bolivia arrived to study with us as part of our ‘Global Education’ class – yet again exposed to more cultures.  Within these classes we are looking at sustainable development and how we are going to teach our pupils the importance of recycling and the benefits of renewable energy.  As UNICEF (1992) states:

“…it promotes the development in children of attitudes and values…which equips them with knowledge and skills which will empower them to promote these values and bring change in their lives…”

Having three different cultures looking at this (UK, Swiss and Bolivia) gives a great insight as to how we all contribute to this world wide topic.  Living in Switzerland shows us exactly how strict they are at recycling – it is getting hard for us to get used to separating milk cartons which are plastic from egg boxes etc.!  And the worst part, especially since we are students, is having to pay to get our rubbish collected!

Three different nationalities out for coffee

I think it is fair to say that yet again this has been another packed week and it is hard to get everything mentioned on this blog.  Reflecting on the week has made me realise how much more independent I have become. From taking myself off to cycle to a coffee shop in Germany and sit and admire the view to really becoming proud of my own cooking skills – it’s amazing what you can do when you have to!  Creating and developing friendships that allow us to go and do simple things like have coffee together is especially enjoyable.  It is fair to say this definitely is home for the next while so why not make it like it!

Auf Wiedersehen,

Stephanie

Week Three - Many more memories - 7th March 2014

Having a great laugh! 

“The time to enjoy a European trip is about three weeks after unpacking.”  George Ade

It is really hard to believe that already I am sitting writing my week three blog, and I have to agree with George Ade that it really has taken until now for me to really start to enjoy and embrace my time here. 

Enjoying and embracing my time this week involved visiting the carnival in Konstanz.  This carnival is a great party and a huge part of the culture for the residents of Germany and Switzerland with more dressing up and more parades. Come the evening time the streets were made into an outdoor dancing arena with drinks flowing and dance moves aplenty!  Since we were so close to this carnival we thought it would be a great shame to miss out so Ashleigh, Sarah and I took ourselves off to see what we could find and the picture below shows how we ended up. In my opinion and I think we did rather well!

Two cheetah's and a mouse! 

Sad we did not make it to Basel!

Every week Sarah, Ashleigh and I try to make sure that we see another part of Switzerland.  This week we decided that we should go to visit the town of Basel.  After finally working out our train route, which stops we needed to get off at and the cheapest option we were on our way for a three hour journey.  As we were approaching our destination, the train made an unexpected stop at a platform.  After sitting there for some time not knowing what was going on we were finally informed (or translated by a fellow passenger I should say) that there was a tree on the track ahead.  We were given two options – either staying on the train that would be heading straight back to Konstanz or get off and a wait a couple of hours on a bus.  We went back.  Just like being at home with the ever so reliable Translink!

On Monday night our housemate Yuexin invited us to meet some fellow international students.  This was a great night that enabled us to meet new friends and see new faces.  Tuesday brought us Pancake Day, and with it traditionally being a great family evening at home, it was sad for me to miss. In particular not being able to witness my brother try to make the biggest pancake was regrettable.  However, just because I am over 1000 miles away does not mean I was going to miss it.  The girls and I made our own pancakes and used it a great excuse to eat loads of chocolate and sugar!  Just how Pancake Tuesday should be.

Meital and I enjoying our pancakes with lots of chocolate! 

Being here three weeks has also meant that my German is slowly progressing – slowly being the key word! However as Skylar Harrington says:

“Each language you learn is another set of opportunities.” 

I am now able to say “Hallo, ich heisse Stephanie.  Ich komme aus Irland.” I shall let you work out what that says!  However, the most important phrase I have learnt is “Ich verstehe nicht” which means I don’t understand; needless to say I have needed this phrase a lot! 

Adieu,

Stephanie.