Greetings Global Glimpse family and friends! Our name’s are Stella Nguyen and Gina Ni. Today we shared the role of El Lider Del Dîa. The theme for today was education and we visited the high school Modesto Amijo and shadowed Nicaraguan students. As co-leaders, we worked very hard to divide the responsibility for the best of us and the group as a whole. Education day was presented to us with the purpose of understanding the similarities and differences between U.S. education and Nicaraguan education. As Malala Yousafzai said, “ So let us wage a glorious struggle against illiteracy, poverty, and terrorism, let us pick up our books and our pens, they are the most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution.” We feel, as an entire whole, education is very important and the setting students are placed in hold the power to affect academic outcomes.
Our day consisted of a later wake up call at 7:00am to be ready for the day. We had about an hour to prepare ourselves for the day, which came to be an omelet breakfast at Comedor Imabite. Our first academic seminar required us to compare and contrast the statistics given by Elly and Daniel between U.S. education and Nicaraguan education. We were given the order to choose the most shocking statistic in our minds and the group came to a common agreement that the rate of high school drop-outs was much higher than any of us would have guessed. After the academic seminar, we were given approximately an hour and a half of exploration time. The groups split up due to the places we wanted to explore, so groups wandered the streets of Nicaragua to their hearts content. Majority of the group was able to try a much anticipated and popular coffee shop called Casa Del Cafe. After free time came to an end, we all headed to Comedor Imabite to have lunch. As soon as lunch was over, the group took a public bus, which was very hectic and crowded, to Modesto Armijo high school to begin an experience that will leave an impact on the way we view education. Unlike the usual format of public education in the U.S., Nicaraguan public schools set a dress code of white shirts and blue bottoms for both males and females. I, Stella, personally believe that the mandatory uniform drew the path of a new outlook on the way students are presented at school. During the school day, which was approximately two and a half hours, delegation Leon 1 was placed into different classes of all varieties of topics. The delegation was able to listen in and experience the teaching ways of Nicaraguan professors compared to U.S. teachers. We, Gina and I, were able to experience Physical Education in Nicaragua and we both came to the conclusion that the people here were much more fit than the people in the U.S. because of how much physical activity was expected of them during their class. After school came to an end, we all took the public bus back to the hostel and were left with 45 minutes of free time to self-reflect on our experience. After self-reflection was over, we all ate dinner. As a daily routine for all of us, we directly head to Facultad de Derecho, UNAN-Leon for English Tutoring. English tutoring with different levels of ESL students is always an activity the delegation looks forward to because we are all placed in a position of higher responsibility to make sure that the students assigned to us clearly understand the lesson of the day. Nightly meeting then began at approximately 8pm where we all conversed about our day, what we enjoyed and hope to improve, and all the things we appreciate from each other. At the end of the day, I learned that being leader of the day means more responsibility, more stress, more management, more organization, and ultimately the mind of a leader are the necessary factors in order to be successful not only for yourself but for the group. As a leader, you must lead by example and demonstrate to your peers how a leader should compose themselves. Our most surprising moment of the day was how sports hold the power of uniting any group of people to communicate and bond merely by understanding how to play the game. Despite what ethnicity, language, skin color, etc. that you label yourself as, a common activity, or in this case sport, can make you feel as if there are no physical or educational differences between one another.
As a sum, receiving a glimpse of the life of a Nicaraguan student was vital to our individual and group growth. This trip has taught us so much about who we are, who we want to become, how we will handle situations when placed in a new environment, and ultimately, learning to compromise with different types of people from different backgrounds. We all sincerely appreciate the attention of our loved ones to our blog and look forward to hearing your thoughts daily.
Hello global glimpse, Sounds like another educational day. I’m glad that you guys are having some free time. Michael please remember to take pictures. Make sure to budget your money. Feel free to give us a call and let us know how you’re doing firsthand. If not that’s okay too we love you so much. See you next week. Love Mom
Aditi!!!!
So much has happened while you were gone! I got to go and see the sims studio and see how they make the game. I also got 3 free sim games, a backpack and a headband inspired by the game. There was also a regional field trip so all the programs from the bay area came to EA and the CEO came and talked to us and I was able to get a picture with him. I finally got my shirt, I will show it to you when you come back. I also made a bunch of new projects and made a website that shows all of them. My mentor is even teaching me how to animate, but all I can make so far is a bouncing ball. Tomorrow I’m going on a field trip to Ford motors and I will tell you how it goes later.
I miss you so much! I hope you’re having fun! I can’t wait to hear all about it when you come back.
-Dipti
Hello Sophia
I can’t wait to hear about your daily reactions to all the differences you are seeing in daily life.
Tell me more about the project when you have a chance.
All cats are fine, tio wants to know what you think and feel about his country. How is your Spanish now?!
Love mom
Another busy day for the group and yet more important lessons learned. We are inspired with all that the delegation has experienced and done in such a short time.
It was great to hear your voice yesterday Maya! You are experiencing many different things and it’s important to take it all in as new pieces of knowledge will help in life. Dad and I are so proud of you!
Dear Kush,
Hey boo sorry my post didn’t go through yesterday. 🙁 Anyways I went to the mall last night and then Cheesecake Factory. I ate so much bread that I could barely finish my pasta but i did it!!! Yo girl talented!! ? Might take Peach on a walk later in the afternoon (it’s 1:55 as I’m typing this). I hope you’re having a good time despite any obstacles that get in your way. I know you can overcome them. And sorrt for the way I was acting, I’ve just never been apart from you for so long and it’s driving me insane. 🙁 Just know I miss you so much and I can never seem to get you out of my head. I hope I hear from you soon ?
Te amo mucho,
Tiara (Tuna)
Hi Kush,
It was such a nice surprise to hear from you today. We are missing you a lot and these blogs are a wonderful source for us to get a peek into your day-to-day life there in Leon. I read them multiple times a day and it is a special treat to see your smiling pictures from time to time. I can’t thank enough all the leaders for taking time to write everything in such detail.
I forgot to tell you when you called that you should buy small souvenirs for everyone who contributed for you to be part of this wonderful experience.
Lots of love,
Dad
I need a one dance got a noel and nancy in my hand
Hi Mallie-
Papa and I have been reading the blogs everyday and it looks like your delegation has been very busy. I’m sorry that I haven’t had a chance to respond the last couple of days on the blogs, I have been very busy as well. Everyone is doing great here. Tha is doing very well too. Coco & Knukles are the same as usual. Knukles have been digging for gold in the backyard again and Coco probably gained another pound or two from the box of sweet potatoes that Tra brought over. I had a girls pool day last Sunday. Sopheak & Penny were over and we lounged in the pool all day. They said I made the best “mic-ka-lay-da”. <—–hahaha It was a day of no kids and just the 3 of us in the pool… and then we had some party "clashers". Can you guess who? Yep, no other than your little "brother" and Bri-Bri. I was in shocked, he came when there was no kids, because he heard it was an all girls pool day. LOL! I let him "clash" my pool day and he actually got into the water. He misses you too! The donut floaties are here, and they are HUGE! I bought a strawberry and a chocolate one. I can't wait for you to see them. Anyhow, I hope you are having an experience of a lifetime. I am very thrilled that you have this opportunity to see the world and immerse yourself in another community, experience another culture and meet new people. I know that your delegation may cross some challenges but I hope you all will take the exposure on this trip and grow into amazing young adults. You all have a chance of a lifetime. The world is your playground.
We miss you and love you. See you in 9 days!
Love,
Mommy & Scary
Hello Everybody! Hello, MALLIE!! We miss you and hope you’re having fun out there. Harry got a new hair cut, a summer style so it’s short. Samuel just plays his Mario games ALL DAY. Seriously from 8am to 5pm like a full time job. He kind of reminds me of me. I survived Austin 100+ degree weather and humid. Going to Outside Lands next week. Smell you later. Be safe. Catch Pokemon if poss.
Kali,
Received your email today. Thank you. Can’t wait to see you in 8 days. Lucy sends her love too. Papa is going to Hawaii again tomorrow to see Grandma. They all sent their love to you.
Love, Papa
Hi Mallie-
Papa and I have been reading the blogs every day and it looks like your delegation has been very busy. I’m sorry that I haven’t had a chance to respond the last couple of days on the blogs, I have been very busy as well. Everyone is doing great here. Tha is doing very well too. Coco & Knukles are the same as usual. Knukles have been digging for gold in the backyard again and Coco probably gained another pound or two from the box of sweet potatoes that Tra brought over. I had a girls pool day last Sunday. Sopheak & Penny were over and we lounged in the pool all day. They said I made the best “mic-ka-lay-da”. <—–hahaha It was a day of no kids and just the 3 of us in the pool… and then we had some party "clashers". Can you guess who? Yep, no other than your little "brother" and Bri-Bri. I was in shocked, he came when there was no kids, because he heard it was an all girls pool day. LOL! I let him "clash" my pool day and he actually got into the water. He misses you too! The donut floaties are here, and they are HUGE! I bought a strawberry and a chocolate one. I can't wait for you to see them. Anyhow, I hope you are having an experience of a lifetime. I am very thrilled that you have this opportunity to see the world and immerse yourself in another community, experience another culture and meet new people. I know that your delegation may cross some challenges but I hope you all will take the exposure on this trip and grow into amazing young adults. You all have a chance of a lifetime. The world is your playground.
We miss you and love you. See you in 9 days!
Love,
Mommy & Scary
Hope you’re having a special time and taking lots of pictures!! Such a great experience and lots to learn. Can hardly wait for your return so we can get the whole story first hand. Los of love, Grandpa
Hi Sean,
Tonight Ryan had fun looking at the pictures and finding you in so many. He especially liked the one with you eating an ice cream cone. Your mom forwarded your note to us. We can’t believe you are getting used to being hot and sweaty! What a great experience you are having! Have a great week. Love Aunt Julie, Uncle Todd and Ryan