Trinh is an AIESECer from Germany, who participated in the Global Citizen program in Colombia. The following is her OGX experience, edited by Joanna Mäki-Valkama.
"My name is Trinh Nguyen. I am a 21 years old Vietnamese-German AIESECer from Stuttgart/Heidelberg Germany. In Germany I study psychology.
I had my AIESEC experience in Colombia, in a project which taught kindergarteners and pre-schoolers English. I heard about AIESEC from my mentor in the university. A CEEDer (Cultural Envoy for Exchange Development) from Colombia recommended the city, after which I found my project from the database.
Prior to arriving I expected Colombia to have warm, open minded people and a beautiful countryside. I also considered it a little bit dangerous, and expected I'd have to have a lot of spontaneity. And not too keen on looking at the time! From the project I expected to get to teach kids as well as being supported and appreciated by the teachers.
Did project description and reality match? Well yes and no, I didn't do as much planning as I thought I would be doing. I didn't know about the importance of religion to kindergarten teaching either but other than that everything was as I expected it to be. I supported and helped the teachers during their lessons and taught English vocabulary through songs, talking with the kids and nursery rhymes. I also got to present things about my own country in their weekly assemblies. I even taught English to the teachers!
Working with kids is really hard but also rewarding! You feel so proud hearing them start singing a song you just taught them out loud! I would recommend this project to anyone who loves children, is patient but has the ability to raise their voice when needed."
Prior to arriving I expected Colombia to have warm, open minded people and a beautiful countryside. I also considered it a little bit dangerous, and expected I'd have to have a lot of spontaneity. And not too keen on looking at the time! From the project I expected to get to teach kids as well as being supported and appreciated by the teachers.
Did project description and reality match? Well yes and no, I didn't do as much planning as I thought I would be doing. I didn't know about the importance of religion to kindergarten teaching either but other than that everything was as I expected it to be. I supported and helped the teachers during their lessons and taught English vocabulary through songs, talking with the kids and nursery rhymes. I also got to present things about my own country in their weekly assemblies. I even taught English to the teachers!
Working with kids is really hard but also rewarding! You feel so proud hearing them start singing a song you just taught them out loud! I would recommend this project to anyone who loves children, is patient but has the ability to raise their voice when needed."
No comments:
Post a Comment