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Quote From Before We Left:. ?Knowing that we are entering into a different society sparks an opening light to a darkened tunnel. I look forward to meeting new people and socializing with them. I look forward to learning new things and learning about a new culture. I also look forward to returning
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1. Quotes from Participants in ASU’s Department of Teacher Education’s Study Abroad Trip to Sweden, Holland, and Belgium
Spring 2008
2. Quote From Before We Left: “Knowing that we are entering into a different society sparks an opening light to a darkened tunnel. I look forward to meeting new people and socializing with them. I look forward to learning new things and learning about a new culture. I also look forward to returning home and sharing my great adventure.”
3. Quotes From Reflection Journals “While my experience in Sweden is different from anything I have experienced before, I have sincerely enjoyed every moment and cannot wait to encourage others to experience it.”
“I’m very appreciative for this opportunity and will not waste it missing people at home.”
4. Quotes About the School Visits “From what I saw, most of the school instruction was independent, not whole group. Each day the students are given free research time to research anything they wanted. The students must participate in textile (Home Ec.) class and wood shop. Overall, the school was WONDERFUL!”
In the elementary school…“They all pulled out different math books & started working. This was very interesting to me because none of the students were on the same page.”
5.
“I had so much fun in my school today. I learned that the grades were mixed part of the day and that the students in a class are not all studying the same thing at the same time, they move at their own individual pace. This is very different from our schools in the US. The children at the school were very friendly and took us outside and we made snow angels and rode down the hill on the sled with them. I really enjoyed my visit today and have a lot of new ideas to take back to the states with me.”
6. “Today I learned a great deal about the Swedish School System. Based on what I have seen, the children here are well prepared for becoming reliable, independent, & responsible adults. They are assigned individual schedules in which they really stick to without any instruction. They make learning fun and interactive throughout the entire school. Words just can’t explain the setup of the schools here. It is so wonderful. I believe any ASU student who decides to return or come to Sweden for lab will really enjoy it. If it was a two week apprentice lab I wouldn’t mind returning myself. But I know I would have to be here much longer than that. As a whole, I really enjoyed my visit & the students.”
7. “For lunch (in school), the children are able to serve themselves.”
“They could also go back and get seconds!”
“The children in school had two thirty minute breaks, which were breaks for the teachers. Also in the Swedish school system, many school children take their shoes off as they enter their classroom.”
8. “While the teachers did not seem to apply any management techniques, the students were responsible and independent. They knew when it was appropriate to behave playfully and when to focus on school work. The teachers allowed students ample time to play which seemed to release energy that may avoid poor behavior.”
9. “I will always remember seeing the students crouched over the table as the teacher was explaining the life of a caterpillar. I will remember the expressions on their little faces that showed they are more interested in learning by doing. I walked away from this experience with many ideas for my future classroom.”
10. “This trip has been a once in a life time experience for me! I have had the best time learning about a new culture and the way teachers teach! I saw so many ideas and sights that I will never forget! My favorite part of the trip was meeting all the children and teachers who welcomed us into their classroom. I could not thank them enough for making this experience one that has touched my heart so deeply. They respect us and made us feel right at home. All the schools were wonderful and I couldn’t have asked for a better time here on my Sweden/Holland trip!”
11. “The International educational system has introduced me to some great ideas. The concept of learning to learn has great meaning behind it. This concept appears to be practiced throughout Europe. I believe it is a wonderful way of looking at Education. I highly recommend that everyone participate in at least one study abroad excursion. It was wonderful.”
“I really liked how all these countries tried to get the children to be very independent. That is a characteristic that children need to have. They do not need to feel like they have to depend on everyone else to do things.”
12. “The positive aspects of this trip have definitely been getting to know new people and experiencing a new country. On this trip I had so much fun with people I had never met before in my life. I laughed many, many much needed laughs and relieved a lot of stress and tension. My time with everyone was so rewarding and fulfilling, I know that each of us who participated will have memories that we share.”
“Being in the international schools helped me get a feel for what it is like for non-English speaking students that I may have in my class. I feel that I will be open to new approaches and to students of all nationalities.”
13. “One of my best experiences had nothing to do at all with the educational part of this trip, but the building of my own personal development and maturity. I have learned more about myself and what I can do than in any classroom, no matter how good it is.”
“I have learned many things but the most important and simplest thing is that the school is for the children. The school should not be built for the teachers, parents, government or any other persons. The student’s growth and development is key and no tests or standards should take anything away from that. The teachable moments are what children really learn from.”
14. “It was so neat to say that in a week and a half we went to three countries and have been in the snow and at the beach! I feel like I am incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to go on such a fantastic, once in a lifetime trip! Lastly I am incredibly thankful for all the preparation, time, and effort that the professors have put in this trip! I have had a blast!”
“One of the things that I have learned is that almost every person will take the time to help you out when you need it; as long as you have a smile on when you ask.”
15. “My experience getting into Amsterdam is one that I will never forget! A lot happened, including getting engaged!”
“I feel that I have learned so much about the culture of Holland and Sweden. They value their coffee breaks. It seemed that everywhere we went, whether in the schools or the lectures at the University, we were going to have a coffee break around 10am. I have also learned that in both cultures bikes and walking are the predominant modes of transportation. Another thing that I noticed is that they value punctuality very much. The culture of Holland was very interesting to say the least.”
“We have a fast pace system but the Swedish people take everything so slow.”
16. “The first lesson I learned today was to not assume your pants will dry overnight after you hand wash then in a bathtub. You also should not wash all of your jeans and waste time blow drying them. That does not work very well. The Kevkenhof Gardens were an amazing break. It was like the Disneyworld of flowers!”
“I have now eaten McDonalds in every European Country I have gone to.”
“Overall, I really enjoyed my visit and I would love to come back someday for an extended trip to research and observe on a very detailed level.”
17. “As Dr. Pendegraft said ‘This is an experience I would not trade for the world.’ I agree 100%”
18. We hope you’ll join us on our next trip abroad!!!
