Yikes! What a week it has been.....
I think the only other time that I have experienced culture shock like I have this week is when I went on my first trip overseas to Thailand. For as much as I think that I've immersed myself in the culture when I travel, this experience is already on a whole other level. I have run the gamut of emotions but now I am feeling much better and like I am meant to be here.
We spent our first day in the school on Monday. It is interesting because it much different in the schools here but there are similarities as well. The first few days were really hard for me but by mid-week I got my groove back (a little) and started connecting with the students and the teachers. The kids are so sweet and kind and they appreciate a supportive teacher more than anything. I just observed the class and helped out the first couple of days and then I taught my first lesson on Wednesday. It was after this lesson that I was able to really shift and connect with the students. I feel that I am starting to create relationships with them and I already like them so much.
There is just so much to say about this experience so far that I don't even know where to begin. There are a lot of good things and then there are also many things that can be changed. I am working really hard on not passing judgement because you don't know about someone else until you walk a mile in their shoes. We have been in the school for 5 days so it would be a little premature to start making statements about what they are doing and so on. I do know that they've got a really great thing going and the students are incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated teachers and Principal and Vice Principal.
Aside from our time in the school we haven't done much else. It is really hot here but the wind has been blowing constantly since we've been here and that helps to cool things down. It doesn't help much in the classroom but when we are cruising around town it definitely keeps sweat to a minimum. I have rented a bike for the time that we are here so I can cruise and easily take care of errands, which is nice. The house is still great and very convenient being so close to the school. The funny thing is that when we rented it we had no idea that it was as close to the school as it actually is. All of my VIU peers are doing well. Everyone is having a really great experience and is happy to be here in Belize. This week has been a trip but so amazing at the same time. As I write this I am already excited to go back to school tomorrow to see my students. They are just so cool.
