Plus, teaching in a different culture has opened my eyes and pushed my teaching abilities. In Guatemala, students learn by memorizing facts and presenting them back for tests and quizzes. So I have the unique challenge of trying to explain critical thinking exercises, like asking the kids to discuss a topic, and then giving me their ideas. Plus, in the Guatemalan culture, students don't want to stray from the herd and give their own thoughts. To make it even harder, I teach classes in subjects such as self-esteem and communication, which aren't really taught or addressed in schools. In short, I've learned how to navigate and teach in another language and be respectful in another culture while addressing important issues.
What I hope you learn from me and our time together is just to take that first step. The first step is always the scariest, and the journey can be hard. However, the important thing to remember is that you're not only trying to reach a destination. The journey shapes you for the better and equips you to take on those challenges head-on. If you were to ask me how I felt before going to my site, I would tell you I was terrified about how I was supposed to work and do all the things I need to do in Spanish without the support of the other volunteers. Now, I'm ready to "level up" in Spanish and am getting closer to being fluent. So I recommend taking that step: learn a new language, explore a new country, or try a new food. Don't forget to tell me about it, but until then, hasta luego.
