This will be a short post, but I needed to get one in before we leave for the game park tomorrow! Unfortunately, I attempted to put up some pictures but the computers here are slow so I haven't even been able to upload any! Hopefully I'll be able to put some pictures up soon...
Anyway, today we visited another primary school. I haven't been too thrilled with visiting the primary schools because this really isn't my area of study, but I've been sticking to the older classrooms anyway. The school was called Paul Sykes Primary and I was impressed again by the implementation of different cultures within the classroom. I sat in on a grade 5 class during and Arts and Cultures lesson. The students were learning about drama, and when I looked through their activity books, they had many different types of cultural expression (Zulu and Indian dances, different art forms, etc.) Each classroom had about 45 students---and for those of you unfamiliar with the set-up in the states, usually classrooms do not have any more than 25 students. The teachers here have to deal with almost double the children! The school also teaches Zulu as a subject.
After I sat in on this class, we went out for the break with the kids. This was a bit overwhelming because all 1,200 kids that attend the school were outside with us! I had a group of about 20 kids surrounding me and asking questions. They are so cute..asking if I have ever seen any celebrities and all about snow. I'll have to post pictures once I can finally do that! They are OBSESSED with cameras :-)
After the break, John insisted that I go to the doctor because I have been sick for a week now. I went, it took about 20 minutes and then I left with medication in hand. It was so much different than in the states. Even though the people here have to pay for insurance, the doctor did everything for me for free. We said, "Do we pay up front or how does this work?" and he just said not to worry about it. He had the medication right in the office too! Crazy. Also, it turned out to be some bronchitis thing...I'm fine though...just a sore throat and stuffy nose. Thankfully, I've still been running on the boardwalk here in Durban!
After going to the doctor, the whole group went to UKZN for a lecture. It was a really interesting one about the balance between caring and teaching. This woman got me thinking about what it means to be a teacher. I'm hoping I figure this out through my many experiences prior to taking a job.
Anyway, that's all I have for today. I think I'm going to shop in the mall now (2nd largest in South Africa!) I most likely won't be posting until Monday because we are going to Hluhlue Game Park tomorrow afternoon. Have a great weekend!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Going to Hluhlue Soon!
Posted by Erin at 2:24 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Hopefully you start feeling better soon, buddy! You always get sick on vacation. I already said that in another comment but I can't stress its accuracy enough. :)
Hey! I was telling my mom today about how I talked to you on the phone and she was asking about how it's been speaking with everyone -- like, she was wondering whether their accents sound British-like (since they probably learn British-English) or totally different or whatever. Has it been difficult understanding anybody?
Andrew took off today for Romania. My friends are all such world travelers! Miss you guys!
Erin!! Your posts are sweet and a great way to help me procrastinate :). I think it's funny how the doctor treated you while you were there. How is the medical system set up (like for insurance and premiums and things like that?)
Stuff at home is the same as always except the cats aren't fighting as much :). Olive misses you!!
AL! ummm I asked some of the people in the group just to make sure I'm telling you the right thing about the accent :-) They definitely sound more British than we do, but really totally different. It also depends on who you're talking to. If you're talking to a white person, they're either going to sound British or sort of Dutch. The Africans sound much different. I haven't had as hard of a time understanding people as they have me :-) They say we talk really fast so sometimes I have to tell myself to slow down!
Kelly! I'll have to get back to you on the insurance stuff...our driver told me about it, but I think it's kind of complicated. I'm pretty sure it's similar to the states, but less corporate? Give Olive a treat for me!
Post a Comment