Perdida De Tiempo

My Amity Experience
Explorations of Educational Aspects in a Different Culture

Name: ______________________________ Country: ____________________ School: _______________________________ in ________________________ Dates of Assignment: From _____________ to ________________

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Report Guidelines: The report consists of 12 sections that gradually build on each other. Please work on onesection per week to allow for substance and depth. The following is an outline meant to provide structure to your report. Do not simply provide short answers to the questions. Add pictures, graphs and other visual content to the written report and submit it to Amity Institute at the end of your assignment. Submission of the report is one of the requirements to receive the Certificate ofParticipation. 1. New Perspectives - Different Surroundings Describe impressions and experiences of your first days in the U.S. Do not focus on the assignment but on the new environment of a different country. • • • What caught your attention? What is unusual? Where do you find similarities?

2. First Explorations of your Assignment Look around at your host school and describe your observations. Where: •Begin with describing the school site and your classroom(s). • Add some photos Who: • How old are the students? • How many students are enrolled in the school? • How many students are in the classroom? What: • What is new, special, or different? How: • Will you be assisting one or more teachers about the school? • What is your initial role? 2

3. Children of the World Describe who you will beworking with over the course of your assignment Use the following criteria as a guideline: • . • • What is the ethnic background of their families? o How does it reflect in the students’ appearance/behavior What native languages are represented at the school? o How does speaking another language at home impact the students at school o How does this help or hurt them? What children are you workingwith? o Upper-class, inner-city, special needs, etc.

4. Inside and Outside Each school is uniquely embedded in its environment. Reflect on the impact this may have on your personal experience. • How does the location of the school influence teaching methods? Describe your observations. How do you handle situations that differ from your pedagogical views and personal experience? Have you experiencedexposure to poverty, violence, rejection or unfamiliar parenting styles? What was your reaction?

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5. Foreign but somehow familiar? … Or perhaps not? Living in another country is not always easy. Describe situations that have surprised you or made you feel uncomfortable. Using everyday situations, demonstrate the differences and similarities between your own culture and the U.S.

3Describe situations that appear to be remarkable. • Did you sometimes find yourself in a situation that was very familiar to you? Share your experiences. • What could be something considered to be normal in your country that an American may be surprised about? Include your views of specific circumstances from which you would like to distance yourself or which cause a negative reaction withinyou. For example, • children living in poverty or over-abundance • stress levels of students due to high expectations • students’ exposure to violence in their surroundings What resources are available to the students to conquer their adversities?

6. Understanding Cultural Aspects Prepare an overview of the general guidelines that are implemented at your school. • • • • What priorities determinethe work there? Which pedagogical traditions are visible? What are the guidelines that serve as a basis? What role does American culture play?

This reflects also the extent to which there are contacts between the American culture and the culture of your country through your presence. Please include specific examples. • • What impact has this interaction of the cultures on the operation of the...