As I record my final grades and pack away the final school supplies, I realize that this school year is about finish. I will spend the summer vacation with my family and preparing for the next school year, but what a school year it has been. I will never forget the experience that I got to share with my students and the entire Al-Salam Day School as I traveled to Bangladesh to correspond with other teachers and students. I will cherish the time that I got to spend with my fifth grades students and their willingness to enhance each concept that was taught in the classroom. To my seventh and eighth graders, thank you for a wonderful world history class, I enjoyed teaching you about world history and appreciated your comments about Islamic history and history of your families’ nations, I will miss the graduating 8th graders and will always remember the memories that I have educating your class. Good Luck in the future. 6th graders I look forward to having you next year and will continue to use of the technology that we have learned during class this year. I hope that we can exchange these ideas with students around the world.
To all of my international friends, thank you for your communications and I consider all of you “friends.” I would also like to thank my former teacher, mentor, and friend Mr. Theobald for his guidance and experience. I hope that you have a wonderful retirement and hopefully looking forward to keeping our interactions with our classes going. I would also like to thank all of the wonderful students that I have meant through my on line programs, and I hope that we can continue that communication next year when I return to school.

Thanks to All

My Thoughts on Bangladesh

It was truly an honor to represent the RI-SOL, as part of the 2010 Teacher Exchange program, during my trip to Bangladesh. Having the privilege to work in an Islamic school in the United States, I thought that I had a feel for the culture. As I stepped off the plane, I realized that I had only a glimpse of this wonderful culture. As a world geography teacher and trying to connect and communicated with the world, you think you understand a country’s culture, but you never fully understand it until you have lived and participated in that culture. The two weeks in Bangladesh help changed my approach to my educational duties, my approach to teaching in the 21st century, and how I want to impact my students and the world.
It is difficult to pinpoint one or two things that I would classify as a highlight, because the whole trip was a phenomenal experience. The first thing that capture my attention was the sights, the sounds, and the atmosphere of Dhaka, Bangladesh, which you only really get from walking the streets or riding around in the rickshaw. I especially enjoyed the history and the different influences of culture that shape the country of Bangladesh. Teaching Indian culture and history to my students was one thing, but to show pictures and gain knowledge through experiences only enhance the class’s interest. The use of technology and the interaction with Bangladeshi students only furthered their interest in this subject. I hope that we can expand this experience during the next school year as my class is eager to interact using electronic communication (epals website) and the global connecting exchange information page. (ning website). I hope that my student’s acquaintance with other students around the world turns into life long friendships.
In addition to the atmosphere of Bangladesh, I will never forget the educational values that the teachers and students try to represent even though they have limited resources. The intelligence level of many of the young ladies and gentlemen that we met were superior. I saw a motivation for learning that students in the United States sometimes take for granted. I was also impressed by the knowledge of technology that these students had gained with only a handful of computers for thousands of students and admired their determination to grow intellectually through our exchange program. Even more interesting was the fact that I had the opportunity to connect again with some of the exchange participants from last year’s exchange trip to the United States. I enjoyed the opportunity to host them in the United States and seeing them again and their growth in their educational level really made me realize how important global education can affect many lives. I hope that these connections that I have made will only strengthen in the future.
In the same light, the people of Bangladesh were a highlight of the trip. Whether it was the Bangladeshi director of Relief International, Nazrul, the teachers at the teacher’s workshop in Chittagong, or the students in the informal school, each person we came across brought out the wonderful experience of Bangladesh. I will never forget the looks and interactions that Jack and I had while we communicated with the people of this wonderful nation. From the rope games and hopscotch at the train station or the exchange at the workshop or the wonderful conversations that we had at our dinners, the people of Bangladesh are truly unique and very intriguing once you make the effort to establish a rapport with them. So many people in the United States only want to focus on themselves at times that they are missing a great learning opportunity and a remarkable experience. I hope that this trip, my communications through my blogsite and facebook about this trip will help open the eyes of those that are blinded to the culture of others. I will never forget the smiles and expressions on my young children’s faces, as I gave them their gifts from Bangladesh. From the tea set for my four year old daughter, to the cricket bat and flag for my seven year old son, to the book of folk tales for my 5 year old son, to the toy Bengali bus for my two year old son I could see their desire to want to experience more of this adventure that I had brought home with me.
I cannot express the thanks for the staff of Relief International, the staff at the State Department, and the staff of Relief International-Bangladesh for this incredible journey. I hope that Jack and I were a small light in the process of connecting the United States with the people of the world. I know this is only one step in the process of connecting and interacting with the students and teachers of Bangladesh and the hard part of executing this global exchange will slowly become reality. I again thank everyone involved with the process and hope that I can work with this wonderful staff again in the future. I look forward to the challenges and the joys that this program can give educators, students, and families around the world.

Res

Sorry that I have not written on my bog for the last couple of days. I have been dealing with jet lag and exhaustion. I would like to thank all the people who made my trip possible and who made my trip so memorable. I will never forget the looks on the student’s faces when Jack and I arrived at their schools. Working with the teachers at the Workshop was very enjoyable and it was an honor to share what I have learned in the educational field. I look forward to communicating and interacting with my new friends. I will never forget the people that I interacted with and will never forget the experience. This adventure changes my ideas about education and technology. It also helped me to realize that globalization is needed in every social studies department. I hope that Al-Salam Day School and the schools in Bangladesh become life long partners in this endeavor.

Mr. D’s Responses:

Question 1: The rickshaw ride was a unique experience, but Jack and I both agreed that it was the best place to understand the “senses” of Bangladesh. The car restricted the smell, the sounds, and the sights of Bangladesh, but with the rickshaw you were right in the middle of everything.

Question 2: I could live in either one of the two countries, but my family would have to be with me. Both countries have things I enjoy but, and both countries have their own problems as well. So, the answer would be the United States because that is where my family is.

Question 3: The major difference between American classrooms and Bangladeshi classrooms is the class sizes (Bangladeshi classrooms average 60-70 students for 1 teacher) and the amount of technology that is provided in the American classrooms.

Question 4: My most memorable part of my trip was the time that I interacted with the students of Bangladesh during our visits to Bangladeshi schools and the wonderful conversations that took place during our meals. I learned so much during this adventure.

Question 5: I really didn’t get to see true family life in Bangladesh, but would love to have the opportunity to experience that one-day.

Day 6 Update

Today was a wonderful day in Bangladesh. First, we went with Nazrul and Lazina to the America Corner, which is a part of the U.S. Embassy here in Dhaka. I am new to all the security devices that goes along with government buildings, so I had to laugh when the security officer made me open up my water bottle and take a big gulp of water. The visit was very nice and informative. I look forward to working with Catherine and this department in the future. After lunch, we went to a non-formal educational center in North Dhaka. Out of all the schools that we visited this one probably touches my heart the most. Most of the students come from very poor homes, but their intelligence level is incredible. The students and teachers were so open and responsive. Most of the students attend school for half the day and then are force to work out side of the home to provide money for their families. The students showed me their artwork and also sang song for Jack and me. I really understood the faces of these children. As I interact with each child I see a look of hope, but also a look of pain. I hope that by our visit today, we bought a glimmer of hope to them. I really look forward to connecting my classroom and school with these children. I hope that my blog has captured some of the essence of this culture. I will really miss all of the faces of this beautiful country when I return back to America.

Dear 5th Grade Students at Al-Salam Day School
It was wonderful to see your smiling faces again. I really enjoyed our video conference and your questions for me were intriguing. I will see you on Friday, Inshallah.

1. How was your first rickshaw ride through the streets of Dhaka?

2. Which country do you like better the United States of America or Bangladesh?

3. Out of all the food that you have tried which one do you like the best?

4. What is the major difference between American classrooms and classrooms of Bangladesh?

5. What has been your most memorable part of your trip?

6. Did you have an opportunity to play a game of cricket?

7. How is family life different in Bangladesh compared to family life in America?

Excellent Questions, I will think about these and answer them tomorrow.

Teacher Conference in Chittagong

Jack and I had a wonderful time teaching other teachers at the Teacher’s Workshop in Chittagong. You can see from the pictures our excitement and enthusiasm. It was an honor to work with the teachers of Chittagong, Bangladesh and hope that we can grow our connections with their students and ours. After the 2-day conference, Jack and I went to Chittagong Steel Mills H.S. and met their headmaster and teachers. I would like to thank all of them for making us feel so welcomed. Then, we went to the beach and waded in the Bay of Bengal. It is amazing the amount of people that Jack and I can attract to us, but I love interacting with the children of Bangladesh and will never forget their smiles. On the train ride back to Dhaka, our train was delayed for 2 hours. During the lay over in Laskan Junction, Jack and I had the chance to teach children different types of fun games like thumb wrestling and rope tricks. It was such a wonderful time just to relax and interact with the village people of Bangladesh. Life in the villages is much simpler than the city, but the harvest and the thrashing of the rice was an incredible site to see from the train ride. I wish that we had to opportunity to visit some of those people. Well, we are back in the capital city of Dhaka and I am looking forward to another rickshaw ride. This time I will get some pictures.

Day 5 Update

Last night, I took my first rickshaw ride through the streets of Dhaka; you really get a sense of the city from the seat of the rickshaw. The sights, the sounds, and the smells (which are unique) really bring out the atmosphere of the city. The rickshawallah, the driver was wonderful and even taught me a little Bengali. “Kemon Acho Rayan, Dhanyabad for the presentation. Today, we took a 7-½ hour train ride from Dhaka, the capital city, to the seaport of Chittagong. Along the way we saw the rice feeds of Bangladesh along with the palm, jackfruit, banana, and bamboo trees. The fields were very lush and green and it reminded me of the wheat fields back home. It was very interesting to compare the busy streets of Dhaka to the quiet villages of Comilla and Feni. The city of Chittagong is a busy steel and industry seaport located along the Bay of Bengal that reminds me of my college trip to San Diego. It’s not as hectic as Dhaka, but it is still very busy. After checking in at the hotel we then went to Pahartali Girls’ High School. This is the school that I have been working with over the past year. There to meet me was the headmaster, my partner teacher Manumul and one of last year’s
exchange student Jannatul. It was wonderful to see familiar faces and the young ladies at the school were very polite and ask very inquisitive questions. They also sang us the Bengali national anthem and smiled and laughed at our comments to the questions. I am hoping that my students will embrace this wonderful opportunity to expand their culture.
The internet connection in Chittagong is very limited, so be patience with my blog responses.

Pictures and Reponse to Comments

Thank you so much for the comments about my posts. Culture is such an interesting topic. Today during breakfast Jack had a bowl of dal and a Pakistani gentleman came over, took the spoon and proceeded to eat some of the dal without asking. The gentlemen thought we were rude because we looked at him strangely. I hope that you see the differences in this illustration. There are many things that we as Americans must watch, while we are here. It is rude to show the bottom of your feet and point your feet at someone. The thumb up gesture is also considered rude and highly offensive and I have to be very careful. Another thing that we must adjust to is the rolling power outages. When these happen we lose power for an hour. To answer some of your questions, Devin and Ryan I have drank about 20 1.5liter bottles of water. I use the bottled water for drinking purposes and brushing teeth. The going rate for a bottle of water is 25 taka, or about 27 cents a bottle. Steven and Sierra, when we flew from Chicago to Abu Dhabi, we flew over the Mediterranean Sea. We were one of a few flights to take off from Chicago that day. We were supposed to fly over Iceland and Europe. Zach and Jonah, they grow and sell many things here in Bangladesh, jute used for many rope, baskets, and carpets or rugs, rice, coconut, watermelon, mango, and many other items. They also use natural gas instead of diesel and gasoline. Dalton and Kolton, I would probably say removing your shoes before entering their home, but maybe my students can think of other things. Merritt and Nathan, you are frown about very highly because you are sort of disrespecting their beliefs. I thank you all for the wonderful comments. Looking forward to more of the comments.