EIL Intercultural Learning

Just got back from Visiting Jamie in Barra de Potosi. The place is very nice but very small. Jamie works in a small lovely library for kids. The kids were such a charm they were always happy, playful and most all very respectful. On arrival they had us working up a sweat as they were preparing for a presentation and had to get allot done. I was glad to be there and to able to do the little I could. Laura was amazing coordinating all the work and Jamie, Cecilia Fernanda all the volunteers and I got to do our bit.

Today I got great news! By the end of this weekend I’ll be moving in with an English girl! I am currently living with Mr & Ms Kumar, they are an amazing elderly couple. Although I have been missing the company of my own age!! I literally am so excited ha as I think it will be brilliant or I suppose we could kill each other! The room is tiny; it’s so small so we are definitely going to be living on top of each other!!!

Hi Everyone. Ok so I know I am back in Ireland already and as great as Dublin is, I am sure I won't be able to top my stories from Ecuador. But, I wanted to post one more time on this journey. I wanted to make a point of saying that in winning the travel award, I was not only lucky enough to see a new part of the world but I was able to create a HUGE change in my life. Something I have noticed more recently. I called the blog post 'Memorias de Ayer' for a few reasons. Firstly, to try and be dramatic and try and get you to read this :) .

Hi all! I came back home more than three weeks ago but it still feels that I’ve been dreaming.  I could never imagine that I will miss Ghana, new friends and African way of living so much...  Actually, I’ve experienced cultural shock coming back to Ireland.  I don’t even know why but something has changed...  maybe the environment has changed or I have changed...  I think it is a bit of both!  It is still very hard to stick back to routine and I still live by Ghanaian time, e.g.

I've been back on home turf nearly three weeks now and have well and truely slotted back into my life here; albeit with a new sense of self, a fresh perspective on situations and circumstances, and a whirlwind of memories of Guatemala accompanying me as I go. My first few days back in Ireland were filled with mixed feelings. It was lovely to see friends and family again, to be in familiar surroundings where I know how most things work and to be able to communicate in my native tongue and articulate whatever I wanted to say without the challenge of a foreign langauge.

We pray for children
who love to laugh and be tickled,
who stomp in puddles wearing new wellies,
who enjoy a sweet from grandma's special jar,
who sit on father's knee and listen to a story.

We pray for those
who stare blankly at a confused world,
who never play 'pirates' or 'donkey' or 'count potatoes',
who never skip or have fun...
too captured by the hurt and pain around them.

Well its been a while! Its very very overwhelming sitting here right now trying to think how on earth I am ever going to be able to explain my experiences of Guatemala and please know that it is simply impossible for me to say all that has happened here, even if I spent the whole night writing! To explain all the cultural differences that I have come across during my experiences here would take a book in itself, as would to explain the emotional cycles I have been through.

Hi! Going through everything I have written, I realize that I describe Ghana in very general terms.  The main point is missing – Ghanaian Spirit!!!Ghanaians are famous for their drumming but they are also very good dancers and singers.  These three components are present in any public event or celebration, such as weddings, birthday parties, church service and funeral. 

Hey everyone, While I have an opportunity I thought I'd drop a line and talk a small bit about the social aspect of 'teaching while traveling'. Of course, you would have to try quite hard to go to another country and not meet anyone new but I have to say the social culture of Ecuador is unlike any other I know. I knew, seeing as this was the first time I was to leave Europe, I would notice some differences and indeed some stereotypes. Which really is true. My first two weeks, in Quito, allowed me to get to know other volunteers in the school.