TEE-AHNA
Elementary Education |
TEE-AHNA
Elementary Education |
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?” –Marianne WilliamsonThinking back to the day I was in my Complex Director Jocelyn Tejeda office… she said "what's stopping you from going to the Dominican Republic?” I replied “I don’t know I just have a lot going on with school, money, work blah blah…” She asked again “what's stopping you from going to the Dominican Republic" and I thought and said "myself." It wasn't those things stopping me, it was my fear and worry stopping me because deep down I made myself believe it wasn't possible. I am grateful for Jocelyn although she's no longer my Complex Director. I'm grateful she pushed me because without that conversation I probably wouldn't be here today writing this blog. I realized that the smallest impacts with people are the ones that matter most! For about an hour we sat in her office she rid me of all my excuses and formulated a plan of action for me with due dates for myself, she made me throw out random ideas of how I can raise money, work it out with school and how by any means necessary I made it on this trip! With the help of my amazing family for fundraising, hard work, savings and applying for scholarships I made it happen and it has been by far the BEST decision I made in a long time. At our farewell dinner we discussed Roses and Thorns of our trip. A rose of mine was being at the Mariposa Foundation with the girls because it was such an impactful experience. I realized that although we were not with the Mariposa staff and girls for months we were with them long enough to make a small impact we probably don't even realize helped them or motivated them in the way Jocelyn did for me. We gave the girls an opportunity to see themselves as a teacher and that's impactful in itself. I think sometimes we think that the tangible items are most important. I thorn of mine during this trip I kept thinking and feeling like I wanted to do more. Like my purpose sometimes didn’t seem as impactful. I wanted to do something I can physically see like re-building a home for someone or donating more money, food and supplies, I felt the girls deserved more and I kept thinking what we were doing at the foundation was good enough. That thorn soon began to break because I realized that in reality those tangible items could all be gone in a flash, but guess what will always be there? The way you made someone feel…the way you impacted their live in a positive way. Time doesn't mean anything and nor does materialistic items, and that is something that I took away from this trip. I learned to appreciate what I have rather than complain about what I don't. I learned from Mary Jane how to be a resourceful teacher and bringing fun into the classroom is important! The farewell dinner was beyond the most emotional and heartwarming experience because we all realized how far we have come and how much we learned. My growth in just a matter of 18 days is remarkable. I witnessed myself thinking differently and acting differently because of my experiences. Many things that were important to me before this trip didn’t matter anymore. I learned to appreciate the little things. After feeling like I wanted to make an impact I spoke to Sarah and Alyssa who work at the Mariposa Foundation about the organization I'm a part of on campus which is P.U.L.S.E (Powerful United ladies Striving to Elevate) I told her how much I loved the Mariposa Foundation and what they stand for. I informed Alyssa about how I would be honored to have her come and speak at Buffalo State, so my organization can host a fundraising event for the Mariposa Foundation! Just like that she agreed, gave me her contact info and we discussed a month. I couldn't believe that I was making strides to making a change on MY college campus. I hope that this event can open up doors for the Mariposa Foundation and hopefully allow them to expand in the United States. This kind of work is necessary in all parts of the world because many young females are struggling in a world and need a support and guidance. I want to actively stay involved in this Foundation and I think this is the first step. One thing my professor Wendy said that really stuck with me at the farewell dinner is: “Don't be afraid to take a peek into the other side of the door because you never know what opportunities are over there, but also keep in mind don't close any doors behind you because in the future those people can be the same ones to assist you with your next steps.” Everything starts with one small effort and all the amazing people I've met from the teachers, the staff at Mariposa, Tricia who is the founder of Mariposa are all my role models to keep pushing forward. They are my constant reminder of why education is SO important for our youth. If any profession, teachers have the opportunity to make change one student at a time. I took in great life lessons from many of the people I met through the Mariposa Foundation.
I saw how each of these people changed my prospective on the world and on teaching in general. I give thanks to all the amazing people I met here and hope to meet them again later down the road. Back in the states I would have thought first day of teaching I needed the entire Staples store in my backpack. I would have thought I needed the nicest clothes and to have everything organized perfectly from the beginning of my lesson to the end. However, being as to prepare lessons at Coral on a whim taught me a lot of things. The entire last week teaching at Coral Private School I realized all you really need to be a great teacher is a creative lesson, a board, something to write with, students and passion for what you do! I was filled with anxiety when we were told we had to teach 4th grade because I felt so unprepared. I didn't have the supplies, printer, and enough Spanish vocabulary, so I felt like kind of defeated. Then I thought back to the creativity I learned from Mary Jane and thought we have construction, we have chalk, we have a board, markers and students... why not my play a game! And just in that moment me and 2 of my others classmates thought of a grand idea to teach the students about clothing. All week we made up different exciting activities to teach the students a variety of words all pertaining to the category of clothing. The first day we played “steal the bacon” in the classroom with homemade sentence strips. We put on the strip “Como se dice (blank) in Ingles” and had the students’ race against each other to see who guessed it the fastest. The next day we made a stick figure of a boy and a girl on construction paper, made paper clothes, jewelry, shoes etc., split the group up into two teams and had the kids dress the stick figure based on what we called out in English. Then the last day we played Bingo using the words all the clothing vocabulary they learned all week. Each lesson built on each other and got harder and harder. They absolutely loved it, some students even got competitive while playing the games they were so into it! I was like wow with everything handmade, no smart board, no printer, not a lot of materials we created a lesson where the students were engaged and learning! By the end of the class students could tell you what they were wearing in English! That goes back to what I said before about being grateful for what you have and using it to its best ability. It doesn't take a million things to be a great teacher it just takes one great teacher and believing in your abilities. The students are always going to be eager to learn if you make it interesting enough. Positivity spreads and if we are excited and confident about the lesson that same energy will reflect on to the students. So what did I learn from this trip? Well a lot, but most importantly I learned what it means to be appreciative and resourceful! I never understood until now how my mom can go into the kitchen and make a whole delicious meal out what I deemed as "nothing to eat" when I looked. However, now I realize that my mom was looking at the glass half full and not half empty. She saw what I failed to see. I am grateful for the many lessons I learned on this trip. Teaching is not always about being the teacher, it’s about being a student sometimes too. Farewell to my housemates/classmates in the Villa. Living with 6 girls was an emotional roller coaster, but it was fun at the same time! We stuck together and built so many great memories together that I will never forget. We left Friday afternoon with a bittersweet feeling to be leaving. I can't believe it was over so soon, but I know we will reunite again. A group of great teachers.
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Being in the Dominican Republic was birth to many of my first time experiencing. Starting off with the plane ride and ending in our last adventure which was horseback riding it has truly been one for the books! This weekend we had a tour of Puerto Plata which was absolutely remarkable! It has so many tourist sites and beautiful landmarks. We went to El Teleferico de Puerto Planta where we were able to see the entire city from high in sky. We went up about 2,624 ft. on a cable car to the mountain Isabel de Torres! Although it was kind of foggy, seeing the city from that view was so breathtaking. One reason I love the Dominican Republic is because of its beauty. I appreciate the tall palm trees, hot weather, oceans and beaches because living in the city all you ever see is buildings, busy roads and stores. As I gazed down I felt like I was in a hot air balloon just slowly floating through the sky. The tour guy gave us facts about the mountains and the city. Once we reached the top we were able to go to the huge Statue if Jesus (Christ of the Redeemer.) Many people come to visit this statue to pray by it or even take pictures. There were guides outside the statue who took a lot of cool pictures of us with the statue and by the landmark. They positioned us in a way it looked like we were holding the statue of Jesus in our hands. The statue stands in the on a dome that was originally camouflaged in grass to watch the shore line and the air for threats. Currently inside the dome there is tons of gift shops. I went souvenir shopping for my family and brought a lot of cool items. Hope my family likes their gifts! After that we then made our way to Fort San Felipe which is an historical landmark of the Dominican Republic. This fort was actually used to protect the city of Puerto Plata from pirates and corsairs and we got a chance to go inside and get a tour! It was crazy to be tracing the steps of people like Christopher Columbus who actually touched base here during his long journey centuries ago. The fort overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and was placed their specifically to protect the entrance to the city’s seaport. The view of the Atlantic Ocean was so beautiful. While going through the different rooms and we were also able to see all the different equipment that they used in the fort such as bombs, and dangerous machinery. I couldn’t believe that in this very place history was made. We also went to El Espigon (Cigar Factory) where we learned how authentic Cuban cigars and cigars are made. My favorite part was learning how to Merengue. Merengue is a type of music and dance originated right in the Dominican Republic. She performed for us and then got us all up and moving to dance along with her. I was having such a good time as we went through the conga line and played limbo. She taught us a few moves and we all danced in one big group together. I believe dancing and music is a way to bring people together, no matter what culture you are. One thing I love about Merengue music is the beats because it has so upbeat and fun. Every time I hear it I just want to dance. Good music is good music and I definitely enjoyed learning this style of dance. To enjoy the remaining of our weekend myself and a few other girls decided to go horseback riding for a classmate’s birthday. I must say for my first time riding a horse I did pretty well! Sadly, the horse instructor didn’t really teach us or show us how to properly ride a horse because I think he thought we had experiences before being that most people in the Dominican Republic have rode a horse before. Maybe that was a good thing he let us be more independent because I learned how to direct my horse (turn, stop, go etc.). We rode the horse on the beach for about 45 minutes both ways then got on a motor boat to rest at a small crab shack. I thought horseback riding was very realizing although even though my thighs began to hurt because the horse started running really fast. It was hard to control at first but once I got the hang of how to position my body perfectly so it doesn’t strain my legs and back it was good. The horse was very nice and didn’t give me any problems. It was actually cute because my horse seemed very competitive. It was one of the horses that always stayed in the front of the trail. Every time one horse started to speed up my horse was right along with trying to get ahead. I was glad we were able to go on one last adventurous outing for our last weekend there. Overall horseback riding was very peaceful and relaxing and would definitely do it again.
The last day at the Mariposa Foundation was a very emotional experience for me. I made such a connection with my Spanish teacher Mary Jane and many of the girls. We also got a chance to meet the Maripositas (under age 12) that morning. It was such a heartwarming time to be with the younger girls and see the many similarities and differences. I kept thinking how lucky these girls are to be surrounded by true love and support from the foundation. These girls were all so full of life and ready to interact with us as soon as they met us. We started out playing different icebreakers, which they were in charge of leading. Being around the younger girls made me remember why I love to teach because it can never be boring. Kids are so full of energy and joy it makes me happy. As a teacher every day is a new challenge and adventure to explore the unknown. We got a chance to rotate throughout classes with them and learn with them. My favorite moment was reading Cinderella to one of the Maripositas. At first I was really nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. Although I know the story of Cinderella from my childhood, I was scared to pronounce the Spanish words incorrectly and embarrass myself. Mary Jane had partnered me with one of the girls who was still learning how to read, so I knew I had to try my best and this would be even more of a challenge. As I started reading and stumbling over the words, I realized the little girl enjoyed reading with me. She made me feel comfortable to read with her and suddenly I wasn’t nervous anymore to make a mistake. Being that she was also learning how to read, I think she felt comforted knowing I was learning too. A few times I even stopped reading and let her try. What I enjoyed most about her reading is that she used the context clues (words and pictures) to help her tell the story. For most of the story she made up her own words as she glided her fingers through the sentence. She had such a big imagination. I thought this is what education is. Education is about taking chances with your learning and not being afraid to fail. I realized that kids need to see your weaknesses as well to know nobody is perfect, not even a teacher. For like the first time in my life I learned what it felt like to not be so sure of myself. After we read we both created a drawing of the evil step mother from the story. She was so eager to learn from me as I drew. She would stop to color in my picture and make sure it was nice and neat. I helped her draw her picture as well and she was really happy. Although it was a language barrier between us the fundamentals were still there and we made a genuine connection. Being a second language learner is all about taking chances with words, and using story clues to develop your vocabulary. I heard this quote once that said “if you never fall…how will you ever know what getting up is like?” Had that experience with her not challenged me, it probably wouldn’t have been as significant to my growth. The Mariposa girls we worked with while volunteering at the Foundation and taking Spanish classes. Later that day we reunited with the Mariposa’s and had an eventful day! They spend all week coming up with different activities for us to engage in with them. I felt like the last day I was at one big family reunion. Everybody was enjoying the beautiful weather smiling, dancing, singing different Hispanic and pop culture songs, swimming and playing games. It was so much joy in the air! We got a chance to take several pictures with the girls and make silly videos. We really got to see their playful side. My favorite part was getting a chance to dance with the girls. There was one girl Katiana (black shirt and black shorts) who was teaching my group the dance routine that her and other Mariposa’s made up. She is so bubbly and fun, just an overall amazing personality! She is actually practicing her English and wants to improve, so tried her best to speak to us in Spanglish (Spanish and English mixed). She was so caring and mature for her age we all just really enjoyed learning from her…and did I mention she is an amazing dancer! This was the one activity I felt I was really good at, because since I was little I loved to dance. Watching her kind of reminded me of myself when I was her age always eager to dance and have a good time (well I’m still like that lol). We performed our routine in front of the other group and everyone was cheering us on. You could see in the girl’s eyes they were happy we actively participated and enjoyed it. I’m glad for once they were able to be the leaders and have someone follow them. We also played a game in the pool where half of the team had to go into the pool and grab the scrabble pieces at the bottom, so then the remaining group members can create sentences in Spanish. We were learning and having fun at the same time! My group came up with the most words which made me proud because that means overall I’m learning. This Spanish class actually has helped me improve my Spanish. These are lessons and skills I want to take back with me when teaching not only English Language Learners, but regular students as well. Sometimes we see lesson planning as this huge deal, while in reality if it set up more like an activity the actually lesson can be incorporated anywhere. These girls brought the fun back to learning and taught us outside the box. We were all split into 3 classes and this was my class. These 3 wonderful Mariposa's and Mary Jane was assigned to teach us Spanish. Couldn't have asked for a better class :) P.s the wet spots are from the bathing suits underneath their clothing. It was such a bittersweet experience because although our day was filled with so much joy it was also really sad. We reflected on our experiences with our teachers at the Mariposa and got a chance to go around and share our best moments. Suddenly as we all shared I began to cry, along with majority of the group. I had so many great memories and built such a great relationship with Mary Jane. It’s crazy how much of an impact someone can make on you even in a short period of time. The experiences I’ve learned from Mary Jane and the girls is something that will never be forgotten. The girls are extremely lucky to be in a program like this and I cried in tears of joy because of that. The Mariposa Foundation made me feel like family and never once did I feel like a visitor. Everyone showed us amazing hospitality, generosity and patience! I couldn’t have asked for anything else besides more time with girls. I really hope someday I can come back and volunteer again. But until next time, te extrañaré…I will miss you. Me playing around with the girls trying to learn their dance.
This past week we visited many public and private schools throughout the Cabarete area. It was a real eye opening experience to witness the many educational and economically barriers many of these schools face. One thing I had to realize when viewing many of these schools is that is not to compare their private and public schools to the ones in the states, rather step into the schools and see them for what they are in a developing nation. The states is way ahead of these schools in: educational standards, technology, teacher preparation, pedagogies, resources and support from outside sources. Because if this, many schools operate only for 3 or 4 hours long depending on the grade level and time of day (morning or afternoon). This cuts the cost of providing everyone with lunches or breakfasts or hiring more teachers. The students lose a sufficient amount of content being that the school days are extremely short. Also curriculum is cut short when the weather is bad. Schools either close or most students don’t come to school when it rains, floods or there’s no electricity. If their home is flooded, school is not a priority. The priority is remaining safe and helping your family. If it’s pouring and they are entrenched in water they are unable to walk to school which can be miles away from their home. Many families don’t own cars because of the expenses so walking, riding the bus or motorcycle is their main form of transportation. In addition, none of these public and private schools offered services for students with special needs because of the lack of resources, and teachers who specialize in special education. If students have severe mental or physical disabilities they go to the only special needs school “nearby” which is on Puerto Planta. Students with learning or behavioral disabilities are usually sent to a child psychologist to try and figure out how to support the child’s needs. This was very unfortunate and it made me feel like students with special needs were not priority, like their education didn’t matter. First and foremost I think education starts with how YOU were taught. Many of these schools go through 4 year teaching preparation programs and that’s it. They aren’t required to obtain a master’s degree like teachers in the states (most principals obtain a master). Most of the teachers were taught in a traditional manner which is replicated in all the classrooms I saw. Most teachers especially in the private schools believe if the students are disciplined, and attentive that’s more important than the creative pedagogies. There wasn’t enough books for everyone in the classes so in most classes one student read at a time out of a textbook or the teacher lectured and students wrote down information. This is the total opposite of what I was taught to do in my teaching program which many times made me cringe inside. However, maybe this is only style of learning they can afford or have the means to do. For example, in the one room school house we visited children didn’t have toys or gym equipment so a common game they played was throwing rocks. It made me put things into perspective that in a school that doesn’t even have enough books or materials for students their main focus wasn’t adding creativity to their lesson because they didn’t have enough resources to sustain it. As I went through these schools and saw how much they were holding it together independently to give their students an education while the government gives little to no support it just baffled me. I thought, what is most important? Why is the community, parents and nonprofit organizations coming to assist these schools more than the government is? Schools should be a priority but sadly it wasn’t. Many of these schools especially private get little to no help from the government, because the government doesn’t agree with their practices. The government likes to gain control of school systems and because it’s a private school many of those regulations and restrictions can’t apply. Public schools are usually more supported by the government and even then it’s nothing more than decent desks for students to sit in, a chalk board, a few books and a shelf. Teachers made their own bulletin boards, signage and activates (if there were any). Although I couldn’t speak the language I kind of got a sense that the students weren’t engaged in either the private or public school. I found that the private schools bad talked the public schools and the public schools bad talked the private. School leaders in both schools I believe took pride in their schools and what they had to offer even if it wasn’t much. I had to take into account that New State Education system is ranked one of the “higher forms of education” because of the teacher preparation programs and requirements. For a developing nations some of these schools would be ranked higher than others in that area. Depending on where you are in the world the standard for education changes and in a place like Dominican Republic is not uncommon that most students don’t make it through high school. Men usually adopted trade jobs and women usually were housewives. Currently, people are realizing how important an education is and it is starting to be valued more. Trica (Founder of Mariposa Foundation) said that the standard for education in the DR is slowly increasing as time progresses. She remembers when anyone with some form of education around 16 years of age would be teaching their friends and family members, then it went on to high school graduates can teach, and now it’s a law that to be a teacher you must have at least a undergraduate degree. It’s good to know that there is some progress, and I hope eventually it get better. Everything takes time and in a nation that deals with bigger poverty stricken issues and frequent natural disasters sometimes education takes the back burner. Below is some additional information on a few of the schools we visited. I made some observations and interviewed some school leaders. Coral School is private school which opened in 1993. The principal Miguelina Zayas has an undergraduate degree in Spanish Education, with a masters in Administration and currently she is completing her degree in Child Psychology to try and combat some of the learning disabilities because currently many teachers don’t have knowledge on how to properly deal with special needs students.
Puerto Cabarete Public School which Mariposa Foundation donated over 80,000 into this school which is far more than the government ever has. Trica’s other former non-profit DREAM also built bathrooms, a cafeteria, in celling fans, more walls, selves, cabinets, library and more! One thing I love about the community is that although the government isn’t as involved as they should be, they come together to make due. It crucial that parents and community officials work together for the students to obtain an education.
La Cienega translates “the swamp” which is one of the poorest neighborhoods in Caberete. It is the largest public school in Caberete ran by Principal Hermon. The Mariposa Foundation also donated things to this school in the past.
Punta Cabarete School is one of the oldest school in Caberete which is a one room school house. This is a public school ran by principal Aidelisa Fana who is also a teacher at the school as well teaching English and Spanish. She is extremely hardworking and makes due with what she has. Her school is very underrepresented but the community and the Mariposa Foundation has donated books, supplies, and helped build things within the school and paint.
Cadin School is a private school is considered a school for middle-upper class families. Principal Falvia has also taught unconventionally for many years before opening up her own school. Very hardworking and believes in a traditional education.
This past weekend was packed with some amazing memories! Saturday we visited the Mirabal Museum Chasing the Butterflies Tour in Saldelo which is the home to the four Dominican sisters Minerva, Maria, Teresa, Dede and their mom after their father died and their husbands were out in prison under the ruling of past Dominican Republic President Trujillo. It was such an eye opening experience to actually step foot in the home to such remarkable, and powerful ladies in history. After studying the Mirabel sisters the positive strides they made for their country in the book In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez I was truly empowered. As stated in my prior blog 3 out of 4 sisters were assassinated for rebelling against the dictator, Trujillo. But their Mariposa symbol still lives on as a reminder and honoree value to this country of their strength, resilience and hope they gave to the people. Sister Dede, the one last survivor of the 3 sisters continued on their legacy until her passing in 2014. She believed like all her sisters there was still hope in the Dominican Republic, even visiting the Mariposa Foundation were their mission and goals are being achieved. We were able to have a tour of the entire home of these sisters which helped give me insight to who they were as individuals. For example, from their home (aside from reading the book) I could tell they belonged to an upper middle family because of their kitchen/common areas (which was modern for the 1950s), antics, artwork, books, diplomas, garden, clothing, size of home, geographic location and most of which remains were untouched and blocked off either by a guard or rope. These girls all had their own talents and dreams which was represented throughout the home. What I found most touching about the museum was the burial ground of the 4 sister’s right in the middle of the garden. Before Dede passed she had all her sisiters transported to this home, to be buried right next to each other. This makes me feel comforted because I know although the Mirabel Sisters are passed away their legacy and positive spirits lives on internally and externally. The graves are dug inside of this beautiful stone with a water foundation in the middle of it. The water which represents life, the rock represents internal life and the top separated from the rest signifies their lives being cut too short. The message behind their burial ground was breathtaking and to randomly see butterflies in the garden gave me goosebumps that their present was there. I couldn’t believe that I was standing on their burial ground of these sisters. I wonder what the Dominican Republic would be like now if all 4 women were still alive today. Their home was kept in top condition by guards, and few staff members. Most of their belongings are still remaining as they left it which was nice. For their story to be carried on in this museum, and their movement to create change around the world proves there is hope. As I walked through their home I took everything in and thought; now everything makes sense. The dots connected between the Mariposa Foundation, historical experiences and the book. I was honored to be tracing the steps of the Mirabel sister. Omgggggg! I must say zip lining and the monkey jungle has by far been the most adventurous thing I have ever done in my life. That Sunday we went to the Iguana Mama Monkey Jungle and Zip line Tours and I remember seeing the mountains through the window thinking “no freaking way…that’s not where we are zip lining right?!” I went zip lining 3 times before this, but I have never been on an EIGHT consecutive zip lines with different speeds, heights and lengths! Boy was that a rush of and thrill and excitement. Every line was like a new adventure to discover. As we all hiked up the trails to the next zip lines I remember not feeling scared at all because I was so anxious. There was ONE out of all the zip lines I was terrified to go down and that was the vertical drop. I felt like I was in the movie Divergent when Tris had to jump down that black unknown hole once she was inducted into dauntless (no seriously that’s exactly how it looked lol…sorry if you’re not a Divergent fan like me). However, with the encouragement of my peers and extra push from the guides I carried enough courage to jump…and yes I screamed all the way down lol! I was SO happy I did it though because that was one fear I overcame, just like Tris. It also helped that zip line leaders and trail guides were men (lol), they made it their business to make sure we had a good time, full of excitement and joy! They all had celebrity names such as Will Smith, Justin Bieber, and Kendrick Lamar. There was one moment on the vertical zip line I asked Will Smith “do I have to go, is there stairs around?” He sadly told me "no this is the only way"…which later I found out it was a lie, but that was his way of getting me to find the courage to go down. I felt safe and comfortable being surrounded by peers and also by guides who cared to make our experience more than just a ride down a line but a long lasting memory. I would definitely go again if I had more time! The monkey jungle on the other hand…I’m not sure how many times I would go. It was a cool experience but really really scary for me. I had NEVER stepped foot in a zoo so imagine how I felt walking into an indoor monkey jungle…it was nottttt gumdrops and lollipops lol. I hid behind random people for a while until I became comfortable to walk alone and even then I remained close. The monkey jungle didn’t only have spider monkeys, it had birds, turkey’s, rabbits, iguanas, lizards, and other animals all around flying, walking and jumping freely. I couldn’t help but scream and jump every mintute because it became overwhelming. When the tour guide asked me if I wanted to feed the monkey watermelon and seeds I denied her offer. I witnessed my peers being practically attacked (not in a harmful way the monkeys are small in size and don’t have sharp crawls) by spider monkeys as soon as they were given the plate full of their goodies. Many of them who had about 3 monkeys on them at a time eating! Once I got comfortable and Shanelle (one of my peers) encouraged me I fed the spider monkey. However, I didn’t feel comfortable for it to get on my head, arms or shoulder like my other peers lol, but I was okay with that because at least I warmed up. We also got to view the capuchin monkeys in the large cage. These monkeys aren’t allowed to run around freely due to the fact they are very harmful wild animals. None of these monkeys should be pets, but most importantly they can be dangerous so they are keep in a large cage together. This was less scary because I knew that viewing them couldn’t cause me any harm. I like seeing their natural habits and how they coexist together. Monkeys are highly smart animals and would even respond to their name. There was one monkey who was actually smiling at us and showing off. When one of the viewers left the monkey even got sad and frowned lol! It was fascinating to see how human like these animals are. I must say the monkey jungle was out of my comfort zone but I’m glad I stuck through it and didn’t back out.
The first day of Spanish class was great! I loved the lesson because it mixed art with instruction. We colored different fruit and drew our own artwork in which we had to fill in correctly with colors. We also played Spanish bingo in which Mary Jane (our Spanish teacher) used rocks from outside as the item to cover the squares on the bingo board. Mary Jane is such creative and intelligent teacher. I felt this game broke the ice a little with the girls and they began to warm up. I must admit sometimes I wish I could speak fluent Spanish so I can talk with the girls to get to know them better. I was blown away by her ability to make a great lesson with limited educational materials available. This style of learning helped me to pick up Spanish faster. It made me reflect on how in the United States teachers have resources but choose not to use them creatively in their lesson. Teachers in the United States have so many restrictions on what and how they teach the students. Common core has made it hard for teachers to be in the classroom. However, at the Mariposa Foundation they try to offer a wide variety of activities and they are more flexible because they don’t have those strict standards to follow. The girls were also involved in our learning as they circulated the classroom and helped us. It was cool to see the Mariposa girls in the driver’s seat as we learned from them. Although they didn’t speak much English they tried to their best to understand what we asked. They seemed so excited to be our teachers and that made me happy. I realized that the more students out themselves in those positions of leadership now the more they will strive to be the next teacher, lawyer, officer or doctor. Mary Jane like the other teachers have such a great bond with the students. Mariposa’s small class sizes helps teachers get to know their students better as they grow older in the program. I loved the atmosphere of the classroom it was so comfortable, calm and family like. She took what easily could have been a lecture and turned it into something engaging for everyone. The picture below is of three of the Mariposa girls I will work with often on Spanish lessons with Mary Jane. They are truly all sweet girls. I toured Callejon de la Loma a town in Cabarete. This town is different from the El Campo in which it’s more considered an urban community rather than countryside. There are disadvantages still that may affect the people living in this area such as shortage of power, natural disasters (storms and hurricanes), unfinished homes, overcrowded, nosiness and more. The living styles were different but still similar in many ways. The people are still extremely self-sufficient; growing vegetables and fruit trees, cooking, cleaning, construction of their homes, and selling goods! We got a chance to see the private community school that the girls go to and also met some of the girl’s family members. Sarah (blue shirt) who gave us a tour also lives in this community which I was shocked to see. She explained when she moved to the Dominican Republic she knew she didn’t want to be surrounded by tourists, she wanted to fully immerse herself in the culture and language. Although this isn’t the lifestyle she is use to at home, she said she would rather live in this area. I thought this was a great way for her to better get to know the Mariposa girls and gain authentic relationships. While Sarah gave the tour it was so beautiful to witness girls running up to her, families saying hello and smiles being exchanged. She developed a great relationship with parents and students by living in close proximity to them and supporting them at the Mariposa Foundation. This is something I wouldn’t normally see in the States. Most teachers live hours away from their student’s schools which sometimes makes it harder for them to understand the students’ needs and struggles. I felt Sarah had a personal connection with everyone in their own way and it was great to see! Aside from the schools, the community also had what is called in the United States “corner stores” and/or “bodegas”. All of them are ran by a families and they sell a little bit of everything you will need. I thought this was important because it serves people who can’t make it Janet’s grocery because it may be far from their homes. I found this relatable even in the states because in lower income neighbors bodegas are usually always available. Many homes in this area are still are unfinished due to the flooding and it never got finished or the family doesn’t have the money to finish it. Also in this area there a few homes that have refrigerators, windows, furniture and well-structured homes which is commonly from using the process of remittance which is having a family member (usually from the states) who is working there send money to them to support their home and family. There was also a gym, lottery booth and pharmacy. I learned that the lottery booth are growing in communities and families tend to play them hoping to win money to support their families in reality they are wasting money rather than saving it. I feel as though the company who puts them in these communities know the negative effects of it but still do it to make extra money off people. It’s sad that there are things like this put into lower income communities. Although people are entitled to make their own decisions sometimes it’s set up for the poor to remain poor and the rich to become richer. Moreover there was also a pharmacy although it was closed. Sarah explained to us how the pharmacy really isn’t to be trusted. Internationally sometimes there are not strict or enforced laws on prescription and nonprescription drugs. Sarah mentioned how someone can complain about a headache without having a prescription just to receive over the counter medicine. That concerns me a lot because younger children can probably easily have access to drugs. While walking around meeting families we met children who are at the Mariposa doing great things. One young girl is currently at Mariposa really touched me because she is extremely ambitious and hardworking. We learned that once she became an advanced swimmer she went on to compete in a surfing competition and won first place. She also learned circus tricks and performed at Mariposa. I learned she is a very smart and talented girl and hope to go to college one day. The Mariposa Foundation has done so much to assist each individual girl with their interests and dreams. The value of education is so important to these girls and it makes me realize how careless and taken for granted education in the United States. Many of these girls are breaking barriers in their family of being the first to graduate high school and go to college. Education is a privilege when living in poverty because your family usually wants the girls to stay home to help around the house. To receive a fully paid private school education in addition to the services at Mariposa gives these girls a purpose outside of cooking, cleaning and running errands. It gives them hope. After having this tour I realized that there are similar things like this happening in our own backyards. There is poverty everywhere and I think being in Buffalo which has the highest refugee numbers we need organizations like Mariposa. Even if some practices are replicated I think it will make an impact. My goal when I get back to the states is to taking what I learned internationally and bring it to the national and local levels through community service.
Muchacha Power means Girl Power. The first time I visited The Mariposa Foundation I fell in love with the work that they do. We received a tour of the Mariposa Foundation which is located in Cabarete (the same area we stay currently) and met the girls for the first time which was truly such an empowering experience. The name Mariposa means butterfly, and butterflies represent transformation. The Mariposa foundation uses the butterfly as a symbol for transition, freedom and peace. The name Mariposa was not only chosen because of its powerful message, but because of its historically rooted importance to the Dominican Republic. Mariposa was a code word used by the four Dominican Mirabal Sisters who opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo and were involved in underground activities against his regime. Three of the sisters were assassinated on November 25th 1960 which is now a designated day declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to stop gender-based violence. To be completing service work in a place that honors these 4 women is truly a remarkable opportunity. I was blown away by the strides this foundation is making which is why I decided to focus my research on the foundation and the positive impact it has made in the girls lives short term and long term. These women risked their lives for their country’s independence and women to be able to educate. These women are a role model for change, feminism, and bravery because their efforts has influenced millions across the world. Women are some of the most underrepresented and unvalued in the world which is why this foundation focuses solely on females in poverty. The Mariposa foundation mission which is to educate and empower girls to create sustainable solutions to end generational poverty. The Mariposa Foundation believes investing in access to health care, safety, education, and foundational skills for these girls so it will have a tremendous impact on not only themselves but the family members that come after them to stop generations of poverty from continuing. It’s common that females in the Dominican Republic are pregnant before the age of 16 which causes those to either not finish school or rear towards the wrong path of violence, disease, child marriage, and prostitution just to support their families. If the girls are invested in early before age 12, they are at a higher risk of being successful in life. Their mission aligns with my role on Buffalo State campus both academically and socially. Having a minor in Urban Civic engagement and being the current executive board Community Service Chair of P.U.L.S.E Powerful United Ladies Striving to Elevate our ultimate goal on Buffalo State Campus and the community is to educate, elevate and empower. I felt as if all the stars were aligned perfectly for me to be a part of this movement because this is what I have a passion for. Being an African American female in education is uncommon in most schools and my passion for education stems from that underrepresentation. I want to be that bridge for students of color and students living in poverty who are at risk for many educational, social, physical and emotional disadvantages. I want to be a positive role model for women, which the Mariposa Foundation ultimately strives to do. My minor has shown me how to work with students in poverty as I completed several community service projects and courses on diversity and sociology. I am truly grateful to further my education at the Mariposa Foundation and while being here I know I can make a huge impact even if it’s just one girl. I want to take the things I learned in the Dominican Republic to Buffalo and spread the mission of the Mariposa Foundation through my work with P.U.L.S.E. The Mariposa Foundation hopes this model for education and empowerment of women can be replicated around the world not just in the Dominican Republic. What I found cool about the Mariposa Foundation is that it doesn’t solely focus on education. It always strides to make learning fun in all means and teaching girls lifelong skills they can use daily or down the road. The foundation tries to tap into the girl’s talents and dreams and give them a voice to educate others and most importantly believe in themselves. The girls who attend the foundation are given a scholarship to attend Private School which is incredible! The Mariposa Foundation has become so popular in the last few years that there is a waiting list. They also have a rule which guarantees the sibling of the current girl’s membership once they turn 7 or 8 up until they are 18 years old. While on the tour of Mariposa we were shown different rooms where volunteers and staff educate the girls. Some things that really caught my attention was the dedication each individual room had to a particular female in history who was either Dominican, Haitian and even some from the states who made an impact for women. This gives students the motivation to be like those powerful women and shows them that they are the change. I loved the artwork on the walls, some of which some of the students assisted with during art class as a project. Students actually can walk the halls and say “I drew that” or “I painted this”. I felt the foundation was like a home for these girls and everyone felt comfortable. Each room also had its own purpose. There was a young adult and children’s library filled with bilingual books for the girls to learn English. There was also a heath room where girls learn about HIV/AIDS, proper cleanness, personal hygiene and health. The Mariposa Foundation believes this is important because some girls aren’t receiving this care and education at home. The girls brush their teeth at the foundation every day before lunch and go to the dentist free of charge once and/or twice a year. That is an amazing opportunity for them and they are getting properly taken care of which helps with their overall growth developmentally and confidence physically. The girls also have swimming lessons, where some compete in surfing competitions once they become really advanced! The Mariposa Foundation makes a statement every year of being one of the only Dominican group of girls to compete and that’s something to be proud of. The foundation also conducts cycling lessons, music classes, vocal, dance, instrument, video production etc. The foundation involves parents and teachers as well in making things to sell at the gift shop they have. People sell organic made peanut butter, handmade jewelry, wallets and more! The foundation also provides cooking lessons using some of the foods they grow right in their garden! Girls learn how to harvest and grow things like, fruits, vegetables and nuts then learn by a nutrition how to create a healthy meal that is still delicious! The programs that this foundation offers are limitless, did I mention some students took circus classes and actually performed it in front of family and friends!? The opportunities grow as the foundation grows and more talents are being discovered. It keeps getting larger as more volunteers bring their talents. It’s remarkable to see the girls have something to look forward to and learn. If you would like to learn more about the Mariposa Foundation and its mission please click on the link below and watch the video. http://www.mariposadrfoundation.org/ Imagine yourself playing a game of taboo or charades…it’s fun at first but then becomes frustrating because you can’t find the words to describe what you are thinking. Well that’s how second language learners feel when in the States trying to learn English…that is now how internationally trying to learn Spanish at The Mariposa Foundation. Part of our time at the Mariposa Foundation also involves Spanish classes. The older girls at the foundation (13 and up) have the opportunity to teach us Spanish while we teach them some English. It is more difficult than I thought to try and decipher what someone from another language is saying along with trying to figure out how to correctly respond. I realized my brain needed thinking time to translate. The first icebreaker we played was an introduction game of just Me Llamo (name) and a Spanish word that describes your first name with a motion. I said “Me llamo Tee-Ahna, telefono” This was actually really cool because even if I didn’t know the word someone was saying I knew the motion and I knew the first letter which made it easier to understand. Learning another language is like a constant guessing game, I have to always be attentive and observing. Mary Jane who is my Spanish teacher does an excellent job of speaking slowly and using gestures which helps a lot. Mary Jane told us that the fastest way to learn Spanish is to fully be spoken to in Spanish often because you are immersing yourself in language rather than what you’re comfortable with. It is very difficult and frustrating at times but I understand her theory and for the most part I think it works out because she is a great teacher and very creative! She made sure we understood along the way by checking for comprehension. We played games to learn Spanish such as steal the bacon and man overboard which we are familiar with in the States. Mary Jane added a spin on it which I think was incredible! For example for steal the bacon she gave everyone a number in Spanish and when your number was called you and the opponent would run up to the basket, grab and index card with a word on it and translate the word or fill in the blank on a white board. I must admit I sucked at this game because I haven’t taken Spanish since high school so it was more of a refresher for me lol. Man overboard was really fun though. We were told to walk around the room and when a word was called in Spanish we had to do the motion with a partner that goes with the word. I liked this game better because we only had a few words to remember. Some were Pero en casa (dog in house), un bebe (baby) or mochila (backpack) and they were repeated so it was like practice for me. I remember the motion for mochila was a piggy back ride and one of the Mariposa girls jumped on my back unexpectedly but I caught her and then we both started laughing. In the end we got a chance to reflect on the activities and I thought that it was a great way to learn! Although I wasn’t the winner of a game or completely fluent I still understood the basics and had fun. As a future educator I understand how important it is to be active while learning. Students retain information better when it being done in a form of a fun activity rather than a lecture; especially when it comes to ENL (English as a new Language Learners). I loved getting involved with the girls because they all had such playful personalities and sass I can’t wait to take more Spanish classes to try to get to know them better. Off on our first adventure to a cocoa farm in Rios San Juan in el campo (countryside), but first and foremost I have to be prepared! I thought it would be good to reflect on my daily “getting ready” routine in the Dominican Republic because it is very different from my routine in the States. My initial 3 most important tasks after showering is applying sunscreen with a high SPF, applying bug spray with DEET protection and having a full water bottle. These are things that many may deem as regular, but for me I rarely or close to never worried about in the States. Because I have darker skin, I thought sunscreen wasn't necessary because it really never affected me besides me getting a little darker. However, in the Dominican Republic the sun UV rays is far more dangerous than in the United States because it is much hotter and sunny for longer periods throughout the year. Long exposure to the sun’s rays can be dangerous and increases the chances of skin cancer and sun burn. My sunscreen has 60 % SPF because of the skin risks. We were instructed when in the sun regularly to move into the shade to protect your skin from the damaging rays. Moreover, bug spray with DEET which is the active ingredient in many insect repellent products is widely used to repel biting pests such as mosquitoes and ticks. This is probably most important because my physical health is in danger if I don’t protect myself from the mosquito-borne virus Zika virus or malaria and tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease which is prevalent in the Caribbean regions such as the Dominican Republic. I don’t go a day without applying bug repellant which is 40 % DEET because I am terrified of ever getting a bug bite and suffering an illness. Applying bug spray became as comparable to brushing my teeth, it has to be done daily, even twice a day. In the U.S I never cared to wear bug spray because we haven’t had any really serious outbreaks that affected my hometown directly. As for water, anyone who knows me knows I drink A LOT of water! The issue in the DR isn’t my personal consumption. I’m more cautious of the actual water I consume. In the Dominican Republic the tap water is not safe to drink, or cook with. However, you may bath and shower in it. It took some getting use to remember to always use purified water to cook and fill my water bottle with. It’s vital in this hot weather and long days I fill my water bottle with the purified water at the Villa. I have to be aware of the water I am drinking always and remember to always ask restaurants I eat at if they use purified water. The water is so toxic with bacteria, it will affect my stomach immediately if I ingest it. It made me realize how privileged we are in the States to have unlimited running water that is safe in almost in any region or town. Here in the Dominican Republic it’s common to purchase purified water by the gallons which can be very costly and inconveniencing at times. Some families who live in the countryside for example don’t even have access to running water so they walk miles to scoop water into a bucket or purchase purified water. I am grateful to have experienced this because it helps me appreciate something I never thought twice about. In the Dominica water isn’t wasted carelessly or taken for granted it’s used to its fullest. I try to remember it’s the little things like taking shorter showers, utilizing a water bottle instead of plastic, stop letting the water run while brushing my teeth or washing dishes and never wasting a glass of water because I think “I’m not thirsty anymore.” It’s all about adapting to your environment and I would never want to disrespect anyone way of living. I realized these 3 daily necessities (water, sunscreen and bug spray) changed my outlook on myself and the way I view things. I been keeping up with my daily routine and I might continue it for the spring and summer time in the States although it isn’t required. Personal care for skin and body is essential even if you feel you don’t need it. So far I’ve been doing well. My skin is looking better than ever, so vibrate and clear! Like the old saying goes better safe than sorry. Going to the Cocoa Farm which was located in el campo was by far one of the best impactful experiences of my life. I learned how to harvest and make cocoa from Freddy (green shirt) who is actually husband to Trica the founder of the Mariposa Foundation. Such a small world to meet him and obtain an educational experience and also personal memory. If I had to describe in a few words Freddy and his family I would say self-sufficient, caring, selfless and helpful! Everyone took part in the family tasks and our learning at the cocoa farm whether it was cooking dinner for us, teaching us to crack open the cocoa, mash the cocoa or show us around their home. Before coming I knew the living conditions was way different from my living in the States but it didn’t matter because I witnessed how independent and happy this family seemed. When we arrived we had to hike up a small trail to reach Freddy’s home and see the cocoa trees. This was an intense walk because with the sticky mud a lot of are shoes were getting stuck or sliding. I wasn’t upset my shoes were ruined because everything else was far more important. I learned that first the cocoa seed grow on the tree for many months. Then once it’s done you crack open the cocoa and find a white slimy coated cocoa bean. This white coating can actually be eaten and it tastes really good. I thought it tastes like sweet candy! I never knew that a cocoa bean was covered in that. We aren’t able to actually bite the bean because that would really not be tasteful or fun lol! Most people who grow cocoa beans just peel or wash the white coating off as much as possible leave them to dry then roast them in the oven. The next step would be to crack open the shell after it’s roasted which inside is the actually cocoa bean you can use. It was such a cool experience being with everyone helping the family crack open the cocoa seeds and I couldn’t wait to help with the next step. Now it was time to mash up the cocoa beans for the hot chocolate using a pestle and mortar which is the long stick and bowl (picture on left). This a common kitchen essential in the Dominican Republic and smaller ones are used to mash seasoning or other foods for intense flavor. I’ve seen a smaller one before while watching the food network, but never one in this size! Freddy said it’s been in his family for over a decade! It takes a while to mash the cocoa beans until they become a paste like texture, But when they are done you roll them into these almond shaped balls to store or sell to local coffee shops. Once it was a paste the hot chocolate was ready to be made. The hot cocoa was only made using water, fresh cocoa, sour orange leaf and a little cinnamon. The process to make fresh coffee or hot chocolate takes a while but in the end it was worth it because the taste is much richer and natural. I was so use to the fake version of hot chocolate from Dunkin Donuts or Nestle I felt when I drank this hot chocolate it tasted completely different. It was less sugary, stronger in flavor and thinner. I must say compared to the States It would take some getting use to, however I’m glad I tried it. As you can see from the pictures their house was self-made with wood from trees, cement, large leafs from all the surrounding mango, banana and cocoa trees. The family worked with what they had and welcomed us into their home with the best hospitality. The picture in the middle is their kitchen and dining area where Freddy’s mom prepared for us a traditional Dominican meal rice, beans and chicken which was amazing (I would say the best I ever had.) The stone, wood and fire heats up the pot to cook the food. This cooking process actually preserves the flavors and slow cooks the foods for a better result. Living in the countryside most families don’t have running water or stove tops, windows, showers and hardwood floors but it is still their home it’s important to always be respectful of that regardless if it’s something I am not use to. I am learning more every day to appreciate this way of living because in reality what more do you need than a roof over your head, a loving family and food on the table? It made me reflect on how people in the States or even us staying In Cabarete at this gorgeous estate people are living the complete opposite. I even get upset with myself at times is I complain about not having any more hot water or “nothing to wear”, or the latest fashion trends when in the end all that doesn’t matter. It made me think: sometimes we don’t realize how ungrateful we are for what we do have because we are always dwelling on what we don’t have. Comparing this style of independent living to even the poorest community in the States wouldn’t compare. When you step into someone else’s shoes your complaints become so microscopic to the hardships families in extreme poverty may face daily; such as the recent flooding that had homes completely destroyed by water. Just from observation I sensed comfort and happiness being with this family. Not to say everyone wouldn’t want or deserve more, it’s just important for me to realize putting myself in other people’s shoes is important. I had a chance to come out of my comfort zone and experience something I never had. I felt so welcomed by the family. I loved learning about the cocoa farm and seeing how they harvested many different fruits, vegetables and even live chickens. I think the food was so good because it wasn’t the processed food and seasonings were are use to having in the states. Everything was made fresh and so organic! Saying goodbye... couldn't end my blog without highlighting these two beautiful young girls! These are Freddy’s nieces and they made my experience so enjoyable! The girls quickly attached to a lot of us which made me feel super welcomed and comfortable. They liked taking pictures with us and following us all around the cocoa farm which was so adorable. We bonded on my mini bottle of hand sanitizer because they were fascinated by it. I was unsure if they knew what it was because from the look on their face they seemed curious. They kept pointing to it and finally I gave them some and they loved the smell! We couldn’t have much of a conversation because the girls don’t speak any English but what I did understand or know I spoke to the girls. These two make me feel excited and happy to become a teacher because their bubbly personality and energy is what I look forward to in the classroom. Children have a way of making me feel so loved. No matter where you are in the world a smile is universal.
Good news is the plane ride wasn’t scary at all! We got on two different airplanes to reach the Dominican Republic, one from Buffalo to Newark and the next one from Newark to the Dominican Republic. Of course I was prepared with my snacks (fruit snacks, trail mix, rice Krispy treats and water) with my neck pillow to rest. As I was boarding the plane I was so excited. I couldn’t believe that I was actually going on this trip, it still felt unreal. I kept comparing take off to a roller-coaster…starting out slow and steady and then gliding off with speed. Yes, it’s true my ears really did pop and my jawline did tighten from time to time because of the air pressure, but I was prepared with my chewing gum with helped for the most part. Take off wasn’t bad at all and I didn’t get motion sickness the whole ride which I was glad. I must admit I didn’t go to sleep prior to traveling because check-in was at 4am to the airport…so I was pretty exhausted! The second plane was about a 3 and half hour ride and within the first 2 hours I was consistently in and out of sleep. I sat in a triple seat with two other classmates and luckily I had the window seat which made it easier for me to soak up the amazing scenery of the ocean, clouds and mountains once I awoke. This was the most surreal experience ever! I felt as if I can reach out the window and grab a cloud how closely were flying over them. It was beautiful seeing the North Atlantic Ocean from the sky, and I just could not take my eyes off of it! As we got closer to landing I started to see more homes and greenery, it was like viewing a real life map. Surprisingly I find flying to be so relaxing because it’s like an escape from land. I am so thankful we were safe and my first plane experience was smooth sailing. I can’t wait to fly again. This is one momentous experience I will never forget. Finally we touchdown in the Dominican Republic at the Gregorio Luperon International Airport. This was the moment we all realized are sweatshirts and jackets were longer needed because the weather was absolutely gorgeous! The atmosphere of the airport was defiantly different from those in America. I noticed this airport didn’t have many restaurants or shops like the airport in New York and I also realized it wasn’t as strictly ran. Although many of the security didn’t speak English they were very clam and easy going. We learned that some natives make their money by going to the airport to help tourist with their bags to their cars. In the Dominican Republic people are self-sufficient and most jobs they make for themselves and their families. We were nicely greeted by Sarah and Fernanda who both work for the non-profit DR Mariposa Foundation (where we will be doing volunteer work at.) It was so warming to be welcomed to their country, they made all of us feel like family. We were picked up in the organization’s van which carried us to Cabarete Beach Houses where we will be staying. As we rode on the van through a town called Sosua the other girls and I all stayed out the window. One thing that stuck out to me about this town was the culture. I loved seeing the small shops such as clothing stores, coffee shops, and restaurants that were family owned. The street wasn’t filled with fast food restaurants like in the United States, instead I noticed organic fruit and vegetable stores. Everyone seemed to be a community. The shops looked like they were handmade with cement, trees and wood covered in paint and decoration. It didn’t have to be fancy for me to appreciate the work that these natives put in everyday to support to their families. Sarah who is fluent in both English and Spanish was extremely helpful teaching us about the culture and surrounding communities. She told us how in the Dominica there are really no followed traffic or rode regulations. People drive on bikes, motorcycles (moto), cars without streetlights, and signs. There is like an unspoken rule that if it’s bigger than you they have the right away always. People are propped to stop and move aside for vehicles. The driving is really fast also referred to as “synergized chaos” said Sarah lol. The police aren’t concerned with traffic violations as much as they would be in America. This seemed odd to me being that rode accidents are one of the major causes of death in the Dominica. I took this as a great learning moment; what not to do. I learned never to drive on the back of someone’s moto, walk in groups, look multiple times before crossing the street, try not to walk at night and walk on the beaches much as possible because it’s safer than the roads. Sometimes living in America we may take for granted the strict traffic laws, but it’s all for our safety and it teaches us how to not only protect ourselves but how to protect others. Cabarete is the tourist town we will be staying in. The Villa is equipped with a full kitchen, living room, dining room, outside pool, 4 bathrooms and 4 bedrooms with Wi-Fi and air conditioning! Did I also mention the beach was less than 3 minutes away from our Villa! I was astonished at the beautiful palm trees because I had never saw one in real life. The community is so peaceful and liberating I couldn’t wait to just walk around to feel the warmth of the sun and dip my feet in the pool. Although I would consider the beach houses extravagant, I love the feel because its home like. There are so many restaurants, souvenir shops, cafes, bars, clothing stores along the strip of Cabarete. I am excited to explore and venture out into these places. One cool thing to see along the beach is the popular hobby called kite surfing (or kite boarding). A lot of natives and tourists come to the Dominican Republic just to kite surf. It’s one for the most popular and fast growing extreme sports in this country. It’s so cool seeing hundreds of people on the ocean surfing, it was like nothing I ever seen before. Hopefully one day someone can show me the basics of kite surfing that would be a great experience!
It seems so unreal that I am leaving to the Dominican Republic in less than 24 hours. As I sit back and think about It I become more anxious about the many first time experiences I am about to embark on throughout this international journey. It’s hard for many people to believe that at my age I am just now about to go on my first plane ride, and international vacation. This year was the year I also purchased my very first passport! These milestone moments are things I will remember forever. I am so thankful to be a student at Buffalo State because it has offered me the opportunity to bring my studies abroad and assist those across the world.
Before saying my goodbyes to my family in Albany, NY my family consoled me and ensured me I will be fine. They told me to chew gum while the plane takes off, and try to get a window seat, make myself comfortable and most importantly relax. I never quite realized how nervous I was to get on a plane until the day became closer. I can’t wait to see the sky and clouds from the plane…I’ve only ever saw this in pictures or movies. I must admit I stayed up one night watching YouTube videos on how to properly pack luggage and carry-on bags for the airport. Because I never flew before or been out of the United States there were a few things I felt clueless about. I researched different things I should be aware of abroad and read other Buffalo State student’s blog posts which was helpful. I wanted to familiarize myself with the things that might seem obvious or regular for frequent travelers. Like the first time I learned how to ride a bike, and drive a car this is all new to me and as time goes on it will become second nature. For me this international trip is much more than an educational experience, it is a lifelong milestone and step towards my professional goals as an educator. I remember being in a classroom where I had to teach ENL (English as a new Language) students, but now the roles are switched and I am no longer in the driver’s seat. I am in the passenger’s seat learning and observing. This trip will make me become more globally aware of the things that occur outside of the United States. I’ve always read about cultural shock in my history textbooks and how tourists experience this for the first time when embarking on a new experience way outside of their comfort zone or abnormal for them. Cultural shock is the feeling someone gets when they are suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes such as music, community, customs, native people, food, environment, and/or language. I’m ready for this to happen to me because I feel the only way to grow personally is to put yourself in those uncomfortable situations. Some anticipations of mine include the gorgeous weather, meeting the girls at the Mariposa Foundation, the beach, zip lining and of course the food because I love Spanish food (let’s pray I don’t gain my freshman 15 back lol). I want to immerse myself in the cultural and absorb my surroundings to become more involved in my experience. |
AuthorHey everyone! My name is Tee-Ahna Gilmore and I am a senior at Buffalo State College majoring in Childhood Education and English with a minor in Urban Civic Education. I am super exicited to be going on this journey with IPDS-Dominican Republic 2017. Fun fact about me...this is my first ever international and plane experience! My main passion for this international experience stems from the positive impact I can make on the lives of young girls at the Mariposa DR Foundation. Giving back what has been given to me and enhancing my overall development educationally, emotionally, culturally, lingustically and socially motivates me. Hope my journey excites you! ArchivesCategories |