EMILY
Elementary Education Alum & Grade 4-6 Teacher |
EMILY
Elementary Education Alum & Grade 4-6 Teacher |
Leaving Switzerland was bittersweet. I felt some sadness leaving this beautiful place which gave me a sense of peace and tranquility, but at the same time felt excited for what was ahead – France. I have been to France before and really did enjoy my time. I was in Paris, so of course there was a romanticism about it that left a warm and fuzzy feeling. This time, for me, France was a bit beauty and a bit beast. We arrived in the city of Strasbourg, and it was instantly apparent that we were not in the Swiss countryside anymore. All along the street into the city, there were tent camps and people sleeping on the sidewalk. It had a dirty city feel which reminded me of my time living in New York City. It was loud, busy, and there were bikes EVERYWHERE. It made it tricky to walk – and even sometimes dangerous. We settled into our hotel, which was very nice, and then made our way out for dinner. The next day, we did a city scavenger hunt walking tour, which was so much fun and a great way to see the city! I would definitely recommend this type of tour. While walking around exploring the city, I kept getting conflicting feelings. I would see incredible beauty in one glance, and then glaring reminders of poverty and struggle in another. For example, on our way to dinner, we crossed a bridge covered in colorful flowers with swift flowing water underneath. Then we walked past an alley way with mattresses and garbage everywhere. During the walking tour/scavenger hunt, there were so many incredible sights – statues, flowers, gardens, architecture. But this was balanced by cigarette butts (it seems like everyone was smoking!), trash, protests, looting and rioting. During our time there, many protests (some of them violent) were taking place because of a police shooting of a 17-year-old boy. The boy, Nahel Merzouk, was fatally shot during a traffic stop which was caught on video. In the video, it appeared that the police were not in any immediate danger but shot and killed the boy anyway. Many French people believed that the boy was a victim of discrimination. Our group was directly affected by the protests, and some even had to run back to the hotel to avoid chaos and potential danger from the crowds. While out on our walking tour, we heard a lot of police sirens and the air smelled of something burning. When we checked our phones, we could see that the protests near us had gotten out of hand and people were looting stores and setting things on fire in the street. The decision was made to go back to the area of our hotel for safety. On the walk back to the hotel, I felt a sense of duty to join the protesters. As a young undergrad, I joined many protests – once even driving several hours to protest at the Republican National Convention in NYC. While living in NYC, I had a job which centered around advocacy, and I participated in many protests throughout the city as well as in Albany. However, on this particular day, I felt something I had not felt before. I felt fear. That was new for me. I don’t know if it was because I was in an unfamiliar place or if it was because I knew there had been some looting and fires and it felt like an unpredictable situation. Maybe it was just because I am older now and I have a family to think about before myself. Whatever it was, it was unsettling. I did the safe thing and went back to the hotel. The unsettled feeling stayed with me, though. I felt empathy for those who were affected by the tragedy. I reflected on the similarities between what was happening in France and what has happened (and is still happening) in my own country. What is the right thing to do? How do we solve this problem? Damaging local businesses and robbing an Apple store certainly can’t be the way. There has a to be a better, more effective way to express our frustrations while making positive change. Being in Strasbourg – a place with a true city balance between beauty and grunge – at this particular time, was really quite moving. It was a reminder that life is not as perfect as it felt in Switzerland. Life is full of struggles and it is important for us to remember that and to keep fighting to make the world a better place for everyone.
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I try not to have expectations about anything in order to avoid disappointment, so while I had heard a lot about Switzerland and its beauty before the trip, I didn’t get overly excited. Man was I pleasantly surprised. The time spent there still feels like a dream. From the smooth process at the airport, to the enchanting beauty of the Swiss Alps, to the friendliness of the people, to the charm of the local school we visited, to the fresh air and clean water, to the delicious food…it was all absolutely amazing. I have traveled throughout Europe, but never had the pleasure of visiting Switzerland before. I know people who have, and they described it very favorably. They also said to be prepared to pay a lot of money for things while there because it is very expensive. I think you get what you pay for. The time spent there and the experiences I had were really fulfilling and inspiring. It was my first time ever travelling on my own (without family, my kids, my friends), and I could not have had a better experience. The beauty of the land is something like I have never seen before. Everywhere you look there are flowers and mountains. I was really in awe of the amazing gardens everywhere. There were vibrant, colorful flowers covering houses and yards. In Lauterbrunnen I came upon a cemetery which was also full of flowers – each individual plot planted full of colorful annuals. It felt so peaceful and serene – a place where you could really reflect on life and appreciate the beauty of the little things. Switzerland was not only a treat for my eyes, but for my soul as well. I have been struggling with some health issues lately, and the stress was weighing on me. My time in Switzerland renewed me and gave me a sense of accomplishment. I had time to relax, reflect, and challenge myself. The group took a trip to Schilthorn at the top of a mountain in the Swiss Alps. I could not have imagined how amazing that place would be. It was just incredible, and so freeing to be there. There was nothing – no houses, roads, buildings, etc. – anywhere. It was just mountains and nature. I loved it so much that I decided I wanted to go to Jungfraujoch – The Top of Europe. This mountain top was even higher and was completely snow covered. There was even a glacier to walk through, which was so cool – you could see layers of ice and sediment. I was just in awe there. It was truly inspiring. Switzerland will forever have a special place in my heart, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to visit. I hope to get back someday. I was such a magical place, and it was the perfect start to the trip. “Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books.” -John Lubbock This quote is quite representative of the observations I made and energy I felt while visiting the Tatatuck Waldschule in Riggenberg, Switzerland. The school is what is known as a “forest school,” and it was founded by Marianne Tschan. She was our guide for our visit and was more than happy to share her philosophy and wisdom. There were many interesting things about the school visit that made it a truly unique experience. We were able to spend part of a morning at the school and observed some of their morning rituals. The school is a private pay school with students from ages 2-8 and is conducted completely outdoors, in all seasons and weather. I had never even heard of this type of school before, so I was immediately intrigued. There is very little structure and parents are welcome to join the children until the children are comfortable being there on their own. On this particular day, there were fewer than 15 students, 3-4 parents and a baby sibling as well. The students arrived, meeting in a fire station parking lot. They were greeted by a parent, who also acts as a teacher. She was singing – “Guten Morgen (student name)” and all of the children lined up. It was evident that the children were used to the routine, and that they felt comfortable with the teachers. They were then led up a hill to a log, where they were seated for some greeting songs. The repetition of the daily routines helps students learn to feel comfortable participating when they are ready. After that, they went even further up the hill into the forest where they would spend their day. In the forest there are a couple of small, primitive looking structures build of wood which are used for the school. They are not to provide shelter but were storage and play areas. The children begin the day by gathering at little wooden benches and having snacks. They all seemed joyful and enjoyed sharing a meal together. After snack, they were able to go to the play area. There were not really many toys – there were some small fabric dolls – so much of the play was done using nature. There were some ropes up the hills which the kids could climb. Much of the play I observed was imaginative, unstructured play. There was also a gathering time when they sang songs, danced, and played instruments. We only stayed until 10:30, but the children stay daily until 2 so there is much more to their day than I could observe. The school is designed to allow children to feel one with nature and to develop at their own pace without rigors of traditional school. Children were able to explore freely and learn to appreciate nature. There is no direct instruction, but a lot of repetition and play. Overall, I liked the school and I think there are many benefits to children. I liked how they were able to develop and use their imagination and creativity. This is extremely important for students and for our society, as the children will be the innovators of the future. I also liked how it felt like a community with parents and younger siblings able to join. I think this could make the transition to school easier for many children. There were some things I was left wondering. I did not see any books (there may have been some), which I thought of after we left. I don’t think children necessarily need explicit literacy instruction in the primary ages, but I do think exposure to books, and being read to, is important. I also wonder about students who have learning difficulties and how this school can help meet their needs. Marianne said it almost never happens that children do not meet their expected milestones, but I wonder how they handle it even in rare cases. I am grateful to have gotten the experience of visiting this school. Learning about forest schools and seeing how this type of education is executed has given me a more informed opinion on education in general. The above photos are of the forest school play area and gathering/eating area. The top right is a view from the edge of the forest - what an incredible environment in which to learn. The bottom left is the school bathroom - reminiscent of camping.
It is hard to believe, but departure day is almost here. I thought I would be more anxious or emotional at this point, but I still cannot comprehend that this is actually happening. It still does not feel real. I am going to Europe for six weeks...three of those without my babies for the IPDS program. I think saying goodbye to them will be when it really hits me.
I have waited for this trip for two years and I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity. I applied for last year's program, but it was canceled. In hindsight, I think that was for the best because I have had more time to prepare, both professionally and personally. Professionally, I have had more time in my role as a GT teacher and have a better understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses in the classroom. This will be beneficial for me when I am working with students in the German classroom. Personally, I feel a little better about leaving my children, as they are older and a little more independent. When thinking about what I am most looking forward to, it is impossible for me to decide on just one thing. Having time to explore and enjoy other cultures after a pretty intense year will be wonderful. I love learning about other people and places so that is going to be a true pleasure for me. I am also really excited (and really nervous) about being in a classroom full of German students. I just cannot wait to see how their day is, how they behave, how they communicate, how they demonstrate learning...all of it. I am especially excited about being with Marina. She is the teacher from Germany who visited my classroom and stayed in my home for this exchange. Now I will have a chance to be in her classroom and stay in her home. She is a phenomenal teacher and a true delight, and I know it will be like visiting an old friend. My feeling about the trip are mostly positive, but it is not all peaches and cream. I have had some health issues recently so that is weighing on me a bit. The worst thing for me though will be leaving my children. My sons are 13 and 9 and I have never really been away from them. We are very close and I am their primary caregiver. I know they will be well taken care of when I am gone, but it does not alleviate my worry or soothe my heart. I am super grateful for instant communication like Facetime! Here's hoping for smooth travels for us all. I am hoping to be posting next week from Europe with great experiences and photos to share. :) |
AuthorHello! My name is Emily and I am a gifted education specialist. I live with my husband, two children, and our dog. It is going to be difficult to be away from them for so long, but I know that this IPDS opportunity is a once in a lifetime experience. I am so grateful and excited to learn about the education system and spend time in a real German classroom. I cannot wait to share all of the adventures and personal growth that await me. ArchivesCategories |