Today was yet another beautiful morning filled with muffled cries as we knocked on the doors for the 5:45 wake up call. After taking some time to get ready we sat down and ate another wonderful breakfast. After breakfast began our biggest adventure of the day. We split into two groups and went to two different schools, Colegio San Luis and INEP. We observed many differences between the two schools here and the ones back home. Everyone was shocked by the difference in attention level despite the lack of focus we were able to make friends with students and make memories we won’t forget.
We proceeded to walk back to the hostel to find lunch was ready. Everyone enjoyed their meals along with the exchanging of experiences from different schools. For lunch we had chicken with rice and a side of salad. After lunch we proceed with the rest of our day here at our lovely hostel or home as I call it. I believe it is our home because all of our peers are very close and like a family.
We then began free time which most of us took this opportunity for a well needed nap due to the very early wake up call. After our free time we moved on to our Education Seminar. Education was our topic of the day and we began to discuss our experience shadowing a typical high school student. We also went in depth and paired different stats of both education in the U.S. and in Nicaragua. Most of us were shocked with both stats in the two countries. As we began to wrap up our seminar our speaker today, Anjie, came to share her experiences with education in Nicaragua. Anjie grew up in Mississippi and went to college for education to become a teacher. In her summer of junior year in college she moved to Spain. She stayed for one year and then the Peace Corps assigned her to Nicaragua. She has lived in Nicaragua ever since. Anjie came to speak about how the education system with both teachers and students works within the Matagalpan community. The teachers usually have multiple jobs because the pay is very little compared to other countries. The teachers go to class most of the time but when there is no teacher for that day or not enough substitutes the class is run with just directions on the board and no supervision. Sometimes the system does not have enough teachers and the students either want to learn and listen to the teacher and if not they do what they choose because the teachers do not force them. We discussed with Anjie how the school system is run overall. Anjie left us with many different thoughts such as how can this problem be addressed? And why is the government not contributing more funding towards the education system? Anjie answered all of our questions and opened our eyes towards the education system in third world countries. The education system in Nicaragua is vastly different than the one we are used too at home, and with the help of Anjie we were able to clearly see the roots of the problems.
After our meeting we sat down for a lovely meal of chicken and tortilla chips with salad. After our brief meal we sat down in our English tutoring groups to discuss our plan for the next day. To end the night we all bonded off a pack of family sized Nicaraguan Oreo’s.
Chase and Daniel,
Thanks for a great post today! I feel as if I am there with you especially in the school. Regards to all the Glimpsers especially Caitlin and Maddie!!
Love,
Kathleen
Chase I see that you posted article/ Did you help write it also?
Each day you are learning some new ideas about culture and people,
it will certainly open your eyes about worldly events.
Miss You, Love, Dad, Mom, Chris, & Kiba………
Chase I love hearing about your day. It all sounds so amazing. Tomorrow we celebrate daddy’s birthday. Aunt Viiki came home and saw the house and I just dropped her off at the airport. Looking forward to hearing more details of your fabulous trip. Xox mom
SOUNDS LIKE YOU & THE GROUP ARE HAVING A GREAT TIME. I READ THE BLOG EVERYDAY. I HEAR YOU OFFERED YOUR MECHANICAL SKILLS…GOOD SHOW. STAY WELL & HAVE A SUPER TIME. LOVE YOU.
Hi Guys! I feel like I am right there with you, as I just did the trip with the prior delegation. I am so happy you are living the Nica life, learning so much, and making so many connections and memories. Yaaaaas to Eryka and Taty! 🙂
Hi Daniel,
We are so happy your experience in Nicaragua is going so well. Can’t wait to hear more about it when you come home. Reading these blogs reminds all of us how fortunate we are to live in our country. Continue to learn and make memories.
Love you and miss you,
Aunt Tee, Uncle Doug and the Boys
Taty and Erika! The smiles on your faces are priceless 🙂 can’t wait till you guys get back and we can talk about all the great things Chelsea and Dennis planned for you guys.
Chelsea and Dennis! I miss you guys very much but not as much as the Gallo Pinto 🙂 just kidding!
xoxo
Proud of you Daniel. .keep up the good work…make friends, help all you can…take lots of pictures and journal. ..can’t wait to see you, read all you’ve written and look at the photos. Maybe you can even continue to write to the students when you get back…get addresses..We miss you and love you..Mom, Dad and Buddy xxoo
Caitlin – Loved your blog; Love you; be Safe!! Grandma and Grandpa
Hi Caitlin and all – love the updates and pictures… We miss you but know you are having a great time and learning a lot! Love you… Sheila
So I wanted to be annoying and try to comment on like every blog, but obviously time is limited and the clock is ticking so yeah…. See you guys at the nightly meeting! (Synthia)