Hi friends and family, this is Sayda, I’m from Conley-Carabello High School. Today was a very  busy day for us. We went to the University and met with Christino Comas, he was a teacher and a school director before becoming a professor. I feel like I know so much about his background, I could write his autobiography. He told us that the Dominican Republic struggles with providing quality education because they don’t have enough qualified teachers. The last six years have seen a lot of improvement in both undergraduate and graduate studies, he also says that the government has extended the school day for public school students / even providing them lunch. They’ve got the lunches covered, but the education is nowhere to be seen on paper, most low-income Dominicans can write their names, but are not what we would consider literate. Political corruption also deeply affects education funding. Now Comas has introduced many people to programs for adults – especially single mothers – that are available on the weekends.

Learning from Cristino Comas

Learning from Cristino Comas

The university here in San Juan de la Maguana was the first in the New World, it opened in 1507. For students who graduate from the public university here in San Juan de la Maguana, finding jobs after graduation is difficult because some need to stay local to support their families. Others leave San Juan to find work, and some just keep taking more classes.

Classes at the university have 25 to 35 students in each classroom (unlike the United States). Students respect their teachers, and do things like raise their hands to speak in class. If you’re late too many times, you will get kicked out of class.  The university used to provide bikes for the students, and now they have a bus for people who live in rural areas outside of town.

Let’s talk about your kids, because that’s what you’re here to read about. After the university visit, the GGers went to training for English tutoring classes, which we will begin tomorrow! Everyone is having jitterbugs about teaching the local kids, teens and adults. Some of us feel very confident and bold. They are the teachers of the future! (But not the boring kind.) Tomorrow is going to be our big day to teach the people of the Dominican Republic. We are now are part of the largest English program in the history of not just San Juan, but of the ENTIRE Dominican Republic. That’s a pretty big deal, if you ask me. Each GGer will have a local Ambassador to act as our TA, and to help with Spanish translations for those of us who aren’t fluent Spanish speakers.

Getting to know our Youth Ambassadors

Getting to know our Youth Ambassadors

Learning about the Dominican School System

Learning about the Dominican School System

Right now, at 9.45 pm, everyone is pulling their hair trying to write lesson plans for tomorrow. Students are having lots of mixed feelings about our lesson plans. Kyla is especially stressing, wanting her class to be perfect. Katherine and Ms. Richey say this is a typical Sunday night for teachers.

After our whole day of learning, we went to go get ice cream, thanks to  Global Glimpse. After saying goodbye to the ambassadors we went to the famous Sheila’s and had pizza for dinner. Now we have to get ready for Living Like a Local Day. The taps in the hostel have been turned off, and we will take a bucket shower in the morning as part of our simulation. Everyone is really excited about that.   

Stay tuned everyone for tomorrow’s blog. ….Dun, dun, dun…. {That’s the dramatic music of doom}