I would like to use this blog to take the opportunity to express my gratitude for this opportunity. How many people can say that they taught in another country? Not a lot. This opportunity will definitely look good in my resume. That is definitely not the only reason I did this. I have learned so much from this experience. I learned that Americans are very arrogant. We expect that everyone should be able to speak English when they come to our country. We do not take the time to explore different cultures or try to learn the language. When we go abroad, we still expect everyone to speak English. In the small town of Castiglion Fiorentino, barely anyone speaks English. It has been so hard to not be able to communicate. I am now sympathetic towards people who come to our country and do not know a word of English. Just trying to buy food or wash my clothes is a challenge. The students in the Italian school that I teach at speak as many as 6 languages! That is crazy!! I know one language and I am 20 years old!!! This opportunity has given me many ideas on how to teach and how to run my classroom. I know how to communicate with people that are not able to speak English. This will be helpful since we have many immigrants come to Texas schools. It is going to be difficult going back to the United States and actually understanding what people are saying. Sorry in advance for talking Italian and using many hand gestures when I get home. It has become a habit.
Today, my group and I were interviewed by the Castiglion newspaper. We were talking about the differences between American schools and Italian schools. To tell you the truth Italian teachers do not care whether or not the students learn. They teach and the students have to choose to listen or not. The Italian teachers do not baby their students like we do in America. Surprisingly most of the students are willing to learn. They are excited to come to school! They go to school Monday through Saturday from 8:25 to 1:25. They do not have a lunch break. They are very smart! I observed an Italian math class and they were learning things that I learned in high school. High school in Italy is very different than America. Italian high schools are like college. You pick what you want to do and take classes that have to do with the career. They have different high schools for each career. I really like that because students can get a feel of that career before college.
Now I am going to talk a little culture. Italians are VERY laid back. Meeting at 7 means meeting at 7:15. You will know when you are having a school holiday a week in advance instead of a semester before. They canceled a poetry reading that some of our students were participating in that day because the handouts were not printed. I LOVE this life style! Italians even have a nap time! All the stores close around one and open again at four. I could see myself living here for the rest of my life. The scenery is so amazing. The bathroom window at the school has a better view than the best view in Texas. I love to go out, sit on the ledge looking over a gorgeous valley, and read. Forget TV, phones, and computers. I have survived 2 months without them and I am perfectly happy. I will just go sit on my ledge and read. I only use my computer now to submit reflections and talk to friends and family.
Tomorrow I leave for Cinque Terra. I am very excited!! Next week is my last full week of teaching. Then next weekend I go to Venice and maybe Milan. After that weekend, we put on the play Wizard of OZ. Then it is time to go home . Don’t get me wrong, I am excited to see everyone! But I really do love it here and I love everyone on this trip. We have become one big happy family! Saying goodbye at the airport will be very hard for us. Saying goodbye to Italy, my temporary home, will be very difficult as well. I love everything about it! Such an amazing place! If anyone is going I will go with you in a heartbeat!
Ciao
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