Journal Week 5

Last Saturday was a long day. A couple of the other student teachers here at Lincoln and I joined the students for a day of planting trees in order to fulfill our service learning requirements. The project was a lot of fun, but it was hard work. The hilly terrain, rain in the morning, along with heat and mosquitoes in the afternoon added strain to the job. Throughout the day, I had a chance to talk with a lot of the students about their high school experience and their plans after school. (Proficiency 3.3: Candidate builds collaborative and respectful relationships with colleagues, supervisors, students, parents and community members.) Many of the students have plans to attend major universities within the United States. The IB program at Lincoln is highly favored. Two of the students I met transferred to Lincoln to be a part of this program. Knowing how important the IB program will look on their high school transcripts and increase the likelihood in being accepted into of their college choice, transferring was a great option for them.

The travel to the site was two hours there and back. We planted trees for two hours and we took a lunch break. After the lunch break, we planted trees for an additional three hours. We then went to a small restaurant for dinner, in which I had the Chorreadas, an extremely popular corn dish that everyone recommended. I didn’t particularly favor the dish but it is always nice to try something new.

I only had the opportunity to see the student twice this week. The first class was on tactics used during invasion games. For the second class we did a quick review, took the post-test, and played basketball games the remainder of the class. For the lesson on tactics I decided to use games the students already knew and enjoyed playing in order to teach tactics. (Proficiency 2.1:  Candidate demonstrates knowledge of how learners develop, learn and think.) I figured this would be the best way for them to understand how tactics were used in basketball. A lot of the students play soccer and the remaining students enjoyed the game of team handball. I gave the students the opportunity to play both games during class. Throughout the class we would discuss on the ball and off the ball tactics. I explained to them how the tactics used in team handball and soccer related to basketball. (Proficiency 1.3:  Candidate connects Health and Physical Education content to other disciplines and applies it to common life experiences.) The students enjoyed the class and they were able to explain the use of tactics in basketball at the end of the lesson.

This week was full of a lot of fun and new experiences. First, I had the chance to celebrate my birthday in another country. My birthday was on the 14th. It seemed as if everyone around me was more excited about this day than I was, starting with my host family and ending with my students. My host family made me a special breakfast and I received many birthday wishes along with hugs and kisses. The PE department made me a cake and sung happy birthday to me and one of my students even made me a chocolate truffle. Though, I couldn’t celebrate my birthday with family and friends, it was nice to be amongst people that are loving and caring enough to celebrate my birthday with me. (Proficiency 3.3: Candidate builds collaborative and respectful relationships with colleagues, supervisors, students, parents and community members.)

Secondly, I experienced how Costa Ricans celebrate their independence. Independence Day was the 15th of this month. Therefore Wednesday was the last day of school for the week. The school started their celebration on the previous Friday and it ended on Wednesday, the last day of school this week. From Friday to Wednesday, the school had a number of assemblies and other things that celebrated the Independence of Costa Rica. They played native music, performed skits about their history, the younger students even dressed in native outfits/costumes. They also served and made native food to share with the student body. The students were served tamales, plantains, rice, and beans. In the teacher’s lounge was an assortment of popular/common foods from the different provinces in Costa Rica. I enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of their celebration and learned more about the Costa Rican culture this week. Before coming here, it never crossed my mind that other countries celebrated Independence Day. Now I have had the pleasure of experiencing the way another country celebrates their independence. Though it is done a lot different in Costa Rica, it is done in the same spirit as it’s done in the U.S.

To end a great week with my students, I spent a long weekend in Panama. This was a much needed break where we went snorkeling, kayaking, bike riding and spent time at the beach. Other than the fun adventures in Panama, I also had the opportunity to observe and experience a culture outside of Costa Rica. Panama almost seemed more like a “third” world country than the typical area we live in. For example, there were hut type homes everywhere and some huts without front doors with whole families living there, and women carrying baskets of food and water around. I felt a little bad because we were going on a vacation there but this is how and where people live. However, on a brighter note, when we arrived to our destination I felt like the area was more “Americanized” because most of the people in Panama speak English or broken English, and US dollars is their main currency. Also, the menus at restaurant are in English and Spanish. The hostel we stayed at was ran by Americans, and there wasn’t much hustle and bustle and loud noise as in Costa Rica. Instead, the average person travels by bike or on foot, which made the area seem serene.

The opportunity to student teach internationally is an experience I will never forget. To be able to experience another country's Independence Day celebration and to travel to another country and experience their lifestyle was both an eye opener and an enjoyable adventure. It changed my outlook on what I previously thought was normal. Being here helps me to realize that every culture has its own norm. Just because it doesn’t match up to what I am used to doesn’t mean it’s done wrong. I am curious to experience more of Costa Rica and all it has to offer me in the time I have left.