An incredibly rewarding teaching experience for Flinders University

COUNTRY: Nepal
PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: Education
WRITTEN BY: Heidi Stokes, Flinders University

Tashi Delek from Tashi ling ;)

So far this experience has been nothing short of amazing. We are learning Nepalese at school and Tibetan with our families at home. We are to starting to recognise just how lucky we are to be a part of this experience. At school we are slowly learning that even though we aren't here for long, our contribution and new methods of learning will benefit the students and the teachers learning from us.

At the beginning there were mixed responses to each of our schools and what was expected of us. As time has gone on we have all managed to fit in and are enjoying the teaching challenges we are faced with on a daily basis. At times it has been quite confronting both educationally and culturally, but we use the relationships we have created with both the students and teachers to break through these barriers. We quickly realised that ROTE learning is the main approach used to teach the students. Therefore our aim is to provide new, fresh methods that are engaging to help make learning fun for all.

Thought of the day- I speak on behalf of all 16 of us when I say ' although at times it can be tough having naughty students and struggle with language barrier challenges, this experience is incredibly rewarding. Seeing the joy on the students faces when you walk in the room to teach a lesson is nothing short of priceless.

When we are not teaching at school we have been enjoying a few side activities. We hiked to the Peace Pagoda which is also known as the Stuper. The Tibetans aren't overly superstitious (or stuperstiocios as April says haha) gotta love a good pun! They do suggest walking around the Stuper three times in a clock wise direction for luck.The views on the way down we're stunning and gave us another reason to love Pokhara, Nepal. After enjoying a nice lunch we went our separate ways for shopping and left April, Georgia and Andy to get their photo shoot underway...for their Indian visa's. Well photo shoot may be an exaggeration, some would just call them passport photos :)

This weekend there is an array of activities being enjoyed including yoga, rafting and paragliding. We are so lucky to enjoy the teaching aspect and also some fun activities on the weekend!

Thought of the day- 'If you can dream it, then you can do it'. Walt Disney :)