Global Learning
My passion for teaching social studies comes from a personal interest in learning about different cultures. I believe that social studies has the capacity to break down social and cultural barriers through education. Below, I have showcased some of my international experiences.
Limon, Costa RicaDuring the summer of 2006, I traveled to Costa Rica through a Rutgers Study Abroad service-learning program. In the small port city of Limón, I spent six weeks assisting English teachers at a local school. I worked with students to improve their vocabulary and pronunciation. This experience solidified my decision to pursue a career in education, and gave me invaluable experience in teaching multiple age groups, working cooperatively with faculty, and in cross—cultural communication. In addition to teaching the students of St. Mark’s, I learned much about Costa Rican culture and history through a Rutgers class I took while I was there.
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Northern IsraelI traveled to Northern Israel in January of 2007, shortly after the Israeli-Lebanese war. Through this service-learning program offered through Rutgers Hillel, I had the opportunity to assist in fixing up bomb shelters that had been used during the previous war. I also helped Israeli workers in the Northern forests to clear any damage, and prevent any further damage. While in Israel, I learned about the socio-political atmosphere, and the environmental challenges that both Israelis and Palestinians struggle with.
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Gracias a Dios, HondurasDuring the spring of 2008, I was fortunate enough to be able to travel with Rutgers Hillel to an impoverished rural farming community in Honduras. My group and I helped build a warehouse for agriculture so that the local farmers could store food for longer periods of time, thus obtaining better payment for their goods. More important than the physical labor, though, was the learning that took place while I was there. Through discussions with community members, guest speakers, and seminars, I expanded my knowledge about sustainability, alternative economies, the priceless value of education, and the effects of gender hierarchies.
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Lauchheim, GermanyThough I have never been to Germany, I have learned a little bit about this town through a penpal exchange system that I set up for one of my classes during my student teaching internship. Participating in this exchange helped my 8th graders broaden their horizons, and learn about life in Germany from students their own age. This expanded my students' knowledge of different cultures, while also developing their writing and communication skills. Over the years, I have also initiated and organized penpal exchanges for my students with other classes in France and Thailand.
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