Kids Will Be Kids

No matter where in the world you may go, there are some aspects of childhood that are simply universal. Meghan and Jane, two WorldTeach Rwanda volunteers, share pictures and stories of familiar childhood customs around the world.

Walking around the classroom today while my students were taking a quiz, I noticed a few things that reminded me of when I was in middle school and made me realize that kids are just kids no matter where you are. So here are a few funny moments from the classroom:

When I was in elementary school and middle school, it was always hard to hold onto your writing utensils. They would get dropped on the floor, left on someone else's desk, lost in the depths of your desk. But, there was always one pencil that you tried to hold onto. The thing to do was see how small you could get it before you lost it. The ultimate goal was to get it all the way down to the nub so that it couldn't be sharpened anymore.

I never made it that far, but I remember admiring other people's pencils which were reduced to metal eraser holder and tip. It was never easy to write with pencils this short, but that wasn't the point (no pun intended).

In Rwanda, no one uses pencil. I have never once seen a teacher writing lesson plans in pencil and the bane of my teaching existence is grading homework and quizzes done in pen (some of the papers I get make me feel like I'm interpreting a Picasso painting not grading polynomial homework). However, I noticed two students writing their quiz with a pen nub. They had obviously been chewing on their pens and the plastic had cracked. So they were clutching an inch and a half of a pen tip with part of an ink tube sticking out of it. I further noticed that they both had whole pens sitting next to them on their desks. So apparently it's fun here too to write with a fraction of a writing utensil.

Interested in finding other similarities and differences for yourself? Become a WorldTeach volunteer! Click here for more information.

When traveling abroad, you will often be confronted with new experiences, beliefs, values and opinions of your host country. What Brittany, a WorldTeach China volunteer, was not prepared for, however, was the way in which traveling abroad would influence thoughts about her home country of America. Here she reflects on the notion of "guanxi" and how America could take a lesson on human relationships from the Chinese. 

Guanxi literally translates to “relationships”. In China, this is a central idea, it is the basic dynamic in personalized networks of influence. In sum, it can describe a connection between two people, in which one person does a favor for another, with the silent agreement that the other party will return the favor at some point. Since I have arrived in Rongjiawan, I have experienced this idea of guanxi on a daily basis. This idea of guanxi caught me at a time when I was becoming pessimistic about human nature, and it has resulted in a rekindling of my optimistic nature.

Example #1: Miss Yao

Miss Yao is a fellow English teacher at my school. I have mentioned before, she has helped me navigate my way through the wet market during the process of buying fruits and vegetables. Every night that she is free, she calls me and asks me if I would like to go shopping for more fruits and vegetables. When we return to my apartment, she explains which method of cooking I can use tonight. Her main concern is that I am not getting enough nutrients. Without her, I would be eating scrambled eggs every night. I recently learned how to cook sweet potatoes in a rice cooker while I steam my rice. For those who don’t know, this makes your rice sweet and flavorful. It was delicious or as we say in China hen hao chi.

Example #2: TanHui

TanHui is what I would consider my closest Chinese friend here. She is also an English teacher at my school. She is 28, married and has a daughter. Her English is amazing. She reads novels by the author Sophie Kinsella, she wroteConfessions of a Shopaholic. We have come to the agreement, that I will help her with her oral English and she will help me learn Chinese. Without her help, I do not know which direction my Chinese language skills would currently be going in.

There Are Times...

Throughout your term of service, you are bound to experience various emotions about your job, your location, your community and more. Justin, a WorldTeach Marshall Islands volunteer, writes about his ups and downs, how they seem to balance each other out and how, regardless of the emotion involved, everything he is experiencing has value. 

There are times when I wonder what I'm doing here. 

There are times when my 6th grade class can't seem to stop talking, and no amount of positive or negative reinforcement changes this. There are times when I feel like my students aren't making any progress. There are times when I stare at the textbooks all afternoon trying to figure out how to make a comprehensible lesson plan for my students. There are times when I feel like I've written an awesome lesson plan, and the whole thing completely bombs. There are times when simple tasks like getting clean drinking water or brushing my teeth feel like a huge ordeal. There are times when it's 90 degrees and 100% humidity and the sun is scorching down with no wind, and the power goes out so my fan doesn't work. There are times when I feel isolated from my community. There are times when I feel like I can't relate to anyone here. there are times when I miss the United States, and find myself longing when I look at my textbooks and see that they were produced in Ohio. 

But then there are times when everything clicks. There are times when my 3rd graders (bless their hearts, they are my saving grace) are excited to learn new vocabulary. There are times when I think up an idea for teaching on the spot and it works perfectly. There are times when I can laugh with my students. There are times when I write efficient lesson plans and have time to enjoy the evening. There are times when Marshallese makes sense and I can have meetings with my principal with no need for translation. There are times when I walk down the road and everyone that passes me says hi and asks how I'm doing. There are times when I can stop and look at the sunset over the lagoon and soak it all in. There are times when I can go surfing and look down to see a beautiful coral reef rushing beneath my feet as I catch a wave. There are times when I eat dinner with my host family and we stay outside and chat long after we've finished eating. There are times when I feel like I don't have enough time here to do all that I want to do (which is a great place to be).

This year has been and will continue to be a combination of negative and positive experiences. Both types of experiences have value. There is much to be learned from both types of experiences, and I'm sure that my remaining months here will bring an abundance of both.

Is now your time to experience something new? Consider teaching abroad with WorldTeach. Check out all of our programs and get more information here!

Why Does Education Matter?

How do teachers cope with an occasional lack of motivation in their students? How should a volunteer think about their job as a teacher if an education isn't necessarily required to succeed? Maureen, a WorldTeach Micronesia volunteer, grapples with these questions while teaching at the College of Micronesia and realizes that regardless of a student's future path, education matters.

I work at the College of Micronesia - Pohnpei State Campus teaching 77 little rascals either Intermediate Algebra, Elementary Algebra, or Health Science. And clearly, by "little rascals" I mean adults aged 17-40.

COM is an interesting place. Although it has "college" in the title, it is not really comparable to college either at home in Canada or in the US. There are 5 campuses dispersed throughout the FSM - National (which is in the capital city of Palikir, on Pohnpei), and the four state campuses of Pohnpei, Yap, Chuuk, and Kosrae. Students have to take the COMET (COM Entrance Test) in their senior year of high school and their score will qualify them for either National campus (the goal of most students - it is most comparable to a community college in the US), or a program at a state campus. If students end up at a state campus and do well in their programs, they can move on to National Campus the following year.  

I had students fill out a survey about themselves on the first day of class, and one of the questions asked what they wanted to do after graduating from COM Pohnpei. While a few wanted to continue their education at National Campus and some eventually in Guam or Hawaii, many of the responses talked about finding jobs in and around Micronesia or more vague responses of simply "wanting to provide for my family." So why study at Pohnpei State Campus at all, right? Answer: the Pell Grant.

Teaching Maths and Sciences

While many WorldTeach volunteers are assigned to teach English, some countries request volunteers to teach science and math courses. With limited resources in many schools this may seem like a formidable endeavor, but our creative and dedicated WorldTeach volunteers have proven that they are able to tackle this challenge head on. Corin, Suzanne and Sarah, three WorldTeach Guyana volunteers, talk about making math and science more accessible to their students.

Corin's Clever Solution to Teaching Terms

There is a class that I teach three separate classes to, biology, chemistry and human and social biology. As I teach I often break down scientific words to their origin so that the students can see where the definition is coming from. For example, "biology", "bio" meaning life and "logy" meaning study of. Today I was speaking about chlorophyll in relation to the chloroplasts in plant cells, and a student came up to me after class and asked "Miss, what are the meanings of 'chloro' and 'phyll'?" I hadn't thought to break it down for them, but afterward a student requested that I do! I thought that was a wonderful moment to have already in the second week here; a student beginning to apply a new way of seeing words, understanding definitions and learning science! Plus this let me know that the students are listening and interested in what I have to say, so I need to make sure that I am consistent with the method that I present the information to them in. I hope that I can continue to have a similar impact over the next year, and help the students begin to find their style of learning and apply it to something they are passionate about!

A Day in the Life

Take a peek into a day in the life of Asia, a WorldTeach Ecuador volunteer.

Interested in becoming a WorldTeach volunteer? Click here for more information!

Support Systems in WorldTeach

When you arrive in your country of service to begin teaching, you are not alone. Across the world, WorldTeach staff members are continuously there to support you in your placement. From giving you lessons on how to be an effective teacher, to preparing you for culture shock, to visiting you during your service and observing your class, WorldTeach is a constant source of advice and support. Nick, a WorldTeach Costa Rica volunteer, reflects on the role and impact of WorldTeach staff throughout his term of service. 

The summer internship through WorldTeach was without a doubt a rewarding and meaningful experience. The aim of the program is to aid in the English education of Costa Ricans to make Costa Rica a country which is truly bilingual.  The approach taken is to send volunteers, such as myself, to rural communities throughout the country in order to teach English to kids in elementary schools which otherwise would have no English teacher. Through WorldTeach I was provided with all of the materials and information required to truly make a difference in the community that I was a part of, and I feel that I can say without much doubt that WorldTeach truly is making a difference in the rural communities of Costa Rica.

Chaos in Chittagong

Learning is never restricted to a classroom. WorldTeach volunteers discover that their experiences outside the classroom in their new country can often be just as educational. Alicia, a WorldTeach Bangladesh volunteer, shares the challenges of living daily life in Bangladesh and the lessons learned as a result.

Today I took my first ride in a rickshaw alone. I negotiated a price in Bangla, was not ripped off too much for being a foreigner, and hopped in for a bumpy ride that I’m still not really comfortable with. Word to the wise: wrap all bags and packages around your hands/ arms whilst riding and brace your feet on the foot board (this will keep you from flying forward into your Rickshawalla), and as I discovered today, will keep your flip flop from falling off of your foot and into a muddy puddle in a particularly pot-holed road. Thank goodness it was a side street and I was able to retrieve it before it was run down by an unruly CNG!

Finding Your Voice in the Classroom

Every teacher has their own style and pedagogical techniques. WorldTeach certainly provides you with teacher training and support before and during your term of service, but as Mitch, a WorldTeach American Samoa volunteer, discovered, sometimes you just have to make your own path.


I have certainly settled into a comfort level with teaching, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that things have become routine, because every week is sprinkled with some degree of surprise. My classes are all going well, and I am gaining confidence in my ability to connect with my students. My lessons are becoming more fluid from one day to the next, and I am at a point where my lesson plan serves as merely a guided outline.  I often review in the morning before class to orient myself, and then simply dive in to a lesson. I once had a professor who told me that when presenting, I should speak "as though I were chatting with someone over a beer", and while I certainly do not condone underage drinking, I have, for the most part, dropped the "teacher talk" and I do my best to use comfortable language. Those of you who know me well can attest that I have a propensity to pontificate, but when I'm with my kids I know that the best way to connect with them is to talk at their level. As a teacher, I have learned first-hand that my job is not to be a preacher, but rather to be a cheerleader, a facilitator and a role model all at once. I believe that great teachers do not teach from the top-down, but rather from the bottom-up; in other words I believe that great teachers do not try to impose a rigid learning style on their students, but rather focus their efforts on trying to tailor any lessons to the strengths and needs of the students. While that may sound like common sense, believe me when I say that it is quite easy to fall into a teaching routine that takes the former approach as opposed to the latter, and I am making a serious effort to do as much as I can to tailor my lessons to my students. 


Do you have a voice the world should hear? Consider becoming a WorldTeach volunteer! Click here for more information.

The Role of the Teacher

Being a WorldTeach volunteer doesn't just mean you are responsible for teaching your students English. Our teachers work in schools with local professionals and are therefore part of a network of teachers and educators. How you and your supervisors define your role within the school varies from location to location. Colleen, a WorldTeach Panama volunteer, describes her role in the classroom and how it deviates from what she thought was the "typical" teacher experience. 


I am team-teaching with a Panamanian English teacher to various groups of 6th grade classes. Things are going pretty well so far, although it's still the first week and my responsibilities are still being established. Right now that plan is that I will fully lead at least one of the five classroom hours each class has per week and the rest of the time assisting with what Rodolfo (my Pana Teacher counterpart) calls "regular English class".

Teaching in Tanzania

Working in a school in another country will certainly make you to think about your preconceived notions of the education system, and will sometimes require you to put them aside. Schools in all of the countries WorldTeach partners with vary a great deal and flexibility will be one of your keys for success. When you open your mind to new ways of looking at learning and teaching, you will find that you can make a real impression on your students that you will both be able to feel and see. 


Megan, a WorldTeach Tanzania volunteer, shares her first classroom experience in Tanzania followed by one of her last days and some reflections on her experience.


From October 6, 2010:
When I walked into the Form 1C classroom my eyes were overwhelmed to see more than 60 students crammed in the classroom. All of their desks were jammed together so there was absolutely no way I could walk in between the students. I went to the front of the classroom...and wrote my name on the board as "Madam Megan" and began my lesson. I introduced myself and told the students a little bit about who I am and where I'm from. I showed them some pictures of Vermont from a book I'd brought with me. They were pretty wowed by all the snow in the photos. 

Room to Learn: Amy's Classroom is Complete!

Amy, a WorldTeach Namibia volunteer, has been working tirelessly to build a classroom for her students. We are happy to report that construction is complete! Amy's efforts have paid off enormously and given her students a new and improved place to learn. 

Click here to read about Amy's incredible journey from the initial planning stages to securing funding and actually commencing construction. Congratulations Amy!

World Weather

Are you wondering what fall weather will bring and how to prepare appropriately where you're living? Matt, a Tanzania WorldTeach volunteer, recounts his experiences with "rainy season" in Tanzania, and the fascinating beauty, power and universality of nature.


Right now in Tanzania, we are in the midst of the rainy season of the year. 


At times it can be a fascinating display of nature's power that I never really experienced back in the US. I can see why it's called the "rainy season", since it tends to rain just about every day. However, it doesn't rain hard every day. Some days there is just a brief shower and other days it will rain so hard that it can wake you from the deepest sleep. With all of the setbacks that the rainy season has brought, it's not all bad. The rain has certainly improved the scenery. Now all of the fields and mountains are incredibly lush and green, and it makes for some really beautiful sights. It's also amazing to see how fast the crops can grow, since this is the season when most people are planting and growing their harvest for the rest of the year. At times when it's raining the hardest, I know it's going to make a mess of things outside, but when it is raining it's cool to just stare in awe at how much rain can really fall at one time. 


Even though the rainy season has its ups and downs, I'm glad that it's come at the tail end of my time here. It's both a fascinating, and at the same time miserable, display of nature's power. 


Interested in experiencing Tanzania? Applications are being accepted for the Tanzania semester program on Mafia Island until November 1, 2011. Learn more here!

Getting to Know Namibia

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie aren't the only ones traveling to Namibia. WorldTeach volunteers have the chance to live and work in this vast, beautiful country as well.

The cultural and topographical diversity of Namibia truly makes it a kaleidoscope country, rife with stellar hues, striking scenery, and endless possibilities for adventure. The Namib Deserts, vast expanses of red sand boasting the largest dunes in the world, swiftly descend to the Central Plateau, the hub of Namibian life and industry, eventually tapering off and giving way to the lush greenery of the Caprivi region in the east. With such diversity and so much to see, it is no wonder that Namibia boasts the highest rate of WorldTeach volunteers who extend their contracts to stay beyond the term of service. This photographer's paradise is the birthplace of not only Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, but also an original WorldTeach partnership that has lasted for more than 20 years.

Kaylan, a Namibia WorldTeach volunteer, describes not only the stunning geographical aspects of Namibia, but also the rich cultural landscape she has encountered.

Yesterday we drove from Windhoek to Tsumeb, a four hour drive through central Namibia. It actually felt more like two hours because I was so enchanted by the fact that at that moment, I was living my dream. Driving through rural Africa, passing Africans on the never ending roads and sifting through the never ending valleys. It was out of this world.

Portraits of Colombia

WorldTeach volunteers not only get to know their schools and students, but they are truly integrated into the community and culture around them. Jenna, a Colombia WorldTeach volunteer, shares some insights about the people she sees every day. 

Socially, life is great. I love the passion Colombians have for music, singing, and dancing. All of the aforementioned are always present at every Colombian gathering. Monteria is a super happy city and I love spending time with the people here.

As I said before, every Colombian I have met has been friendly and welcoming. Colombians are also extremely laid-back. An expected 15 minute trip to the bank can easily turn into a 5 hour adventure filled with stops at friends' houses, walks through the park/centro, and stops to eat ice cream (I speak from experience). Sitting outside after dinner and chatting for hours is something to expect daily. It's very different... in a good way. Colombians are such warm people. 

Are you interested in going to Colombia? There is still time to apply to be a WorldTeach volunteer! The deadline is October 15, 2011. Click here for more information.

October Alumni Newsletter

From Independence Day celebrations in Latin America to New Years in Asia, WorldTeach volunteers gain first-hand exposure to numerous holidays and festivals in their countries of service. Volunteers try new dances, eat new foods, and most importantly, learn more about the culture they live in. Sometimes our volunteers play a special role in the festivities as a teacher in their community. Click here to read about all the celebrations!