Hola to our family, friends, and loved ones back at home! Today we learned about the Nicaraguan education system in comparison to the education system in the United States. Our question of the day was as follows: How important is education in a developing country and how can we be educated with a global awareness? We kept this question in mind throughout the day as we went through our academic seminar, listened to a guest speaker, and visited Nicaraguan high school students.
We started the day out at 8:00 with a breakfast of French toast and fruit (the hostel loves to make American meals for us once in a while). After breakfast, we compared and contrasted the Nicaraguan and American education systems in a team sorting activity. We discovered that in the United States, the richest country in the Western Hemisphere, 88.1% of the entire population holds a high school degree. In comparison, in Nicaragua, the poorest Spanish speaking country in the world, only 45% of children who enter primary school continue to high school, making the country’s secondary school enrollment among the lowest in the world. After the sorting activity, we discussed as a group the importance of education and the consequences of being without one in an innovative world.
After our academic seminar, many of us went out to local cafes to go over our English tutoring lesson plans. My group went out to SN cafe, where we ordered amazing Oreo frappes and mochas. The coffee shops here in Nicaragua are definitely better than the Starbucks and Peet’s we have back at home. After reviewing our lesson plans, we headed back to the hostel to hear from Fernanda Polanco, a student from Matagalpa who is currently studying in England to be an English teacher. After sharing her story, we asked her questions about her opinion of Nicaragua’s education system as well as her plans to implement change. When asked about her motivation to continue her education, Fernanda responded, “I never wanted to go to school when I was younger, but that all changed when I met teachers who inspired me to be all that I could be. I now aspire to be one of those people so that I can change lives as well.” Fernanda will soon be traveling to the United States to study in Michigan on a scholarship. Many of us were inspired by Fernanda’s work ethic and goals for her future.
After lunch, some of the group went out with Alex to exchange our American dollars for Nicaraguan cordovas. It was a bright and sunny day until around 1:30pm, when it began to pour. Despite the rain, we walked to San Francisco de Asis, a local school, to meet with ACCESS students. ACCESS is a program funded by the American embassy that sponsors children in developing countries so that they can have a chance at gaining an education and one day study at a university. Soaked from the walk, we entered the classroom and were met with warm smiles. We separated into groups of about 5-7 and talked to the ACCESS students about their daily lives and aspirations. In my group, each of the three young girls were already fluent in English. I discovered that they each had amazing goals: Zaidel wants to study graphic design, Freydell dreams of becoming an architect, and Fernanda wishes to go into medicine. Each of the groups also had to come up with a creative presentation to give the entire class. We decided to write a rap portraying the similarities between our American and Nicaraguan cultures. Other groups danced, sang, and played games together. After another hour of playing games, our group said our sad goodbyes and braved the heavy rain once more.
Returning the the hostel, we quickly ate our spaghetti dinner and prepared for our second English tutoring session. Several people felt sick, so they had to stay behind at the hostel (Don’t worry, parents. We’re in good hands😊). After returning from English tutoring, we had our nightly meeting. We discussed once again the importance of education, and the opportunities it brings to people who gain it. Our team also talked about the importance of obtaining a global awareness so that we, as leaders, will be better equipped to catalyze change.
Today was definitely an eye-opening day where we learned about Nicaragua’s education system and it’s shortfalls. Despite this, our group was incredibly inspired by the stories and goals of Fernanda and the ACCESS students. We are all very excited for another spectacular day in Nicaragua tomorrow! Adios!
Loved the Peet’s and Starbucks reference!!
Glad to hear you’re doing well and still enjoying Nicaragua as much as you did since day one, if not more so 🙂
Take care of yourself and stay happy (and enjoy the rain).
Sounds like you guys are learning a lot, meeting a lot of really cool people, and having a lot of fun! Reading these posts each night is the best way to end the day. I look forward to it every night! And so great to see a picture attached!
Mia, Ant said tell you “what’s good!?!” And Grandpa said “enjoy the rain!” We love u and g’nite!
Keep the blogs coming and the pix if possible! Can’t wait to hear what tomorrow will bring! 🙂
Kristen, thank you for the vivid description of your day! Those of us back home love reading about what’s going on. The more details, the better!
This program is giving all of you the gift of a lifetime through the personal growth you are experiencing and the proof that you really can make a difference in this world. How wonderful it would be if everyone could learn the things you are learning. Kudos to you all for working hard and loving it and keeping up your enthusiasm and efforts!!!
Taryn, come back with your favorite recipes and we can keep your Nicaraguan experience alive in a small way. We’re really missing you – Aunty, Uncle are Grandpa are asking about you and we can’t wait to hear all about your adventures. Everyone stay safe and keep having fun!! We are very proud of you all!
This is a great narrative on the importance of education. It made me think of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakastani girl who was shot by the Taliban because she openly supported the education of girls, contrary to the beliefs of the Taliban who were trying to control the area where she lived. Malala survived the attempt on her life and she became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize because of her continuing vocal support of human rights. She believes one person CAN make a difference. I believe that you are all seeing this firsthand. I see a bit of Malala in all of you. With all these eye-opening experiences I’m glad to hear you are all enjoying the food (great organic grass fed carne and fresh fruta and vegetables) and the lluvia yesterday. I miss you Lil.
Brian–I hope you are having an amazing time! You’re blog entry after being leader of the day was inspiring and beautifully written! So excited to hear about more adventures. Sending you lots of Spartan love from summer school!
Hi guys!!! Skarleth & Brian!!! I’m so glad you two are spending so much time together!! Sending love and being super jealous of you guys over here in CA! <3
Hola Glimpsers! Thanks for the last few days of posts. It sounds like the $1/day and day at the dump were very thought-provoking and deeply felt. We are so fortunate to have been born in America – I am glad you are all being exposed to the challenges of being born in a developing country. You are all having such incredible experiences – teaching English and learning about the history and culture of Nicaragua. Keep the blogs coming – thank you!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Kristen. I loved hearing about Fernanda and how her outlook on education, and her life, was changed by teachers and people who were willing to inspire her to “be all that she could be.” You never know how all you Global Glimpsers are making an impact on the people you are tutoring. Your willingness to be patient, fun and encouraging is helping them believe in themselves and to know that they too can be all that they can be. Just by reading your blog posts, I can tell that your group is doing great things and you’re learning great things too. Also, so glad you got to experience some rain!! Something we haven’t seen for a while in California 🙂 I hope that you keep enjoying all the wonderful food and coffee. Sarah knows that one of my most favorite things to do is to sit in a fun cafe sipping a yummy coffee! Hope everyone is feeling better too! Hi Sarah! We are missing you, but we know you’re having a great time. Hi to everyone else too 🙂
Being that you all are in the midst of your own academic careers, it must have been especially powerful to learn of differences in the two country’s educational systems. Also, that all it takes is one teacher to make (or break) the will to learn and excel. Thanks for the photo, keep them coming along with the posts! Jordyn, did you get an Oreo frappe? Did it make up for missing out on an awful awful? I will remind you of how good they are when we have one on Monday! . Love ya.