Hola Lacey, Que tal? I really enjoyed reading all three of your review articles and found I could relate to each one of them. Your review in particular about security in Mexico struck home with me because I lived in Bolivia, Costa Rica and Venezuela, South America for nine years and called this continent home. Your comment about ‘no amount of reading and research will tell you the entire truth’ about a country is very true – I learnt that things aren’t always as they may seem, (and that can go both ways.) You really have to know yourself and trust your gut, do your homework and grow eyes in the back of your head, (that being your intuition).
Part of me thinks had I known then what I found out later about living there, perhaps I wouldn’t have been courageous enough to have gone. (But if asked whether I’d do it again I’d say absolutely! What an experience, I grew tremendously in many ways.) Actually what I found once living there was that things were worse once then what was portrayed in the international news, but with Bolivia being a third world country, it wasn’t serious news fodder like Chavez’s antics in Venezuela. I also believe one adapts to their new environment, as most of us are doing on TAB, because we have to if we want to make it, especially in a country with a language you initially don’t understand. It is about many sink and swim moments, as you mentioned.
However, despite the daily uncensored graphic local news flashes on TV of robberies, car accidents, shootings, car jackings, kidnappings, murders and drug cartel issues, I managed to survive eight years of bliss with just two robberies, a broken heart (does that count?) and some shady bureaucratic business (you can’t trust anyone). It took me three years to finally leave beautiful Bolivia and the friends I loved like family, however I had reached a point where I needed to step away from the unpredictable ‘adventurous’ life and return to Canada to take a break as well as further my studies in education.
I also totally agree with you that when you are in another’s home you need to respect their rules, but, like you in another country where you stand out (as a potential target), I also learned not go out alone after dark, use only mobile radio taxes, to dress down when shopping at the markets, to avoid the jewelry and choose my friends carefully. For the most part I think you find your sixth sense becomes finely honed over time. Even here in a touristy place such as Honolulu I am on guard because where tourists go so do thieves, but I don’t let it ruin my TAB experience, I am just more careful due to unfamiliarity of it.
I nodded my head when you mentioned Edmonton being a scary place, not because I agree (haven’t been to Edmonton since grade 5) but because it goes to show that you need to be careful anywhere in the world.
Thank you so much for sharing these three great articles Lacey, you took me down memory lane! I also appreciated your candid thoughts as I can so relate to your experiences. It is wonderful that TAB provided you this amazing opportunity to in a sense visit your second home for an extended period of time and to see it from the perspective of an educator.
I wish you continued joyful success at your placement in Mexico, it sounds like a place that won your heart over the first time you walked on its lovely beaches as a child - I’ve been there and loved it myself! I think the organization is lucky to have someone as passionate about teaching as you are, and you probably feel the same way about being there with them. Do you think you may return to teach there? (Would you like a room-mate?) ; )
Hi Lacey! Reading your review today gave me a really nice sense of the way most people view education in the third world. I agree, I think a lot of people may judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to something or somewhere or someone they do not know. I find this especially to be true when it comes to judging another country and its culture and customs. I really enjoyed how strongly you put your foot down and called out the author! Good for you! The experiences we gain when living in a culture and learning the customs far surpasses those learned from the sidelines. The experiences are richer and more profound because they are authentic and come from a genuine standpoint rather than an academic one. I feel as though many people make the mistake of listening to authors such as the one who wrote your article and believe every single word they say because it is an academic journal so it must hold the truth and only the truth! I think this is so extremely close minded and ignorant! I commend you for standing up to the author and stating your case. This is extremely important for teachers when dealing with the politics of education but also teaching the importance of critical thought to our students. Thank you for this, Lacey! It was really refreshing to read. I look forward to reading more about your journey teaching in Mexico. Courtney
It was great to read and hear about the education systems in other countries. I really enjoyed reading your first review discussing and comparing Mexican and U.S schools: a world apart. I believe I was so interested in this article as I found it interesting how the education system, and how schools are run, are so very different compared to the States. Initially when reading I let my own bias get the best of me and found myself thinking how I am glad that the schooling system up north (where I am doing my placement) isn't 'weird' or deprived. However, after further reading your review I realized that the education system is the same up north, yet the school system itself is very different.
Even though the North has a different way of running their schools, then say down south does, that doesn't mean its better or worse, same goes for Mexico. It just means that this is what works for them (like you said); accordingly, it works for me. As a teacher I may see a school or education system run many different ways, yet if it works for the school then the way it is run is the right way! I couldn't agree more with your statement, "no matter where we end up as teachers, if we do not believe in what we are teaching, why are we doing it?". I 100% believe this is true and couldn't have said it better myself. As teachers we must have pride in what we teach and where we teach, when we do this pride will rub off on our students causing them to want to work harder as well. Good luck in your endeavours and have a great journey!
Glad to hear that you're not getting complacent in a place that you are extremely familiar with. I must say however that even though Canadians aren't the target of cartel violence, the rate of non-cartel related crimes against Canadians and tourists is nevertheless alarming. That being said, you don't seem to be oblivious to this reality and seem to be well aware of the obvious steps you can take to reduce your chances of becoming a target.
Simple lifestyle adjustments like not wearing flashy jewellery is one thing, but don't you think it's a shame to fear going out alone at night, or even at all? Having travelled to numerous dangerous places in the world, this is definitely an aspect of travelling I hate the most because it means that you have to always remain vigilant and keep your guard up. At least, however, it means you can avoid hangovers by curbing the amount you drink the night before!
But hey, you have the right attitude -- take the necessary measures to be safe, but don't let fear get in the way!
Hola Lacey, Que tal?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading all three of your review articles and found I could relate to each one of them. Your review in particular about security in Mexico struck home with me because I lived in Bolivia, Costa Rica and Venezuela, South America for nine years and called this continent home. Your comment about ‘no amount of reading and research will tell you the entire truth’ about a country is very true – I learnt that things aren’t always as they may seem, (and that can go both ways.) You really have to know yourself and trust your gut, do your homework and grow eyes in the back of your head, (that being your intuition).
Part of me thinks had I known then what I found out later about living there, perhaps I wouldn’t have been courageous enough to have gone. (But if asked whether I’d do it again I’d say absolutely! What an experience, I grew tremendously in many ways.)
Actually what I found once living there was that things were worse once then what was portrayed in the international news, but with Bolivia being a third world country, it wasn’t serious news fodder like Chavez’s antics in Venezuela. I also believe one adapts to their new environment, as most of us are doing on TAB, because we have to if we want to make it, especially in a country with a language you initially don’t understand. It is about many sink and swim moments, as you mentioned.
However, despite the daily uncensored graphic local news flashes on TV of robberies, car accidents, shootings, car jackings, kidnappings, murders and drug cartel issues, I managed to survive eight years of bliss with just two robberies, a broken heart (does that count?) and some shady bureaucratic business (you can’t trust anyone). It took me three years to finally leave beautiful Bolivia and the friends I loved like family, however I had reached a point where I needed to step away from the unpredictable ‘adventurous’ life and return to Canada to take a break as well as further my studies in education.
I also totally agree with you that when you are in another’s home you need to respect their rules, but, like you in another country where you stand out (as a potential target), I also learned not go out alone after dark, use only mobile radio taxes, to dress down when shopping at the markets, to avoid the jewelry and choose my friends carefully. For the most part I think you find your sixth sense becomes finely honed over time. Even here in a touristy place such as Honolulu I am on guard because where tourists go so do thieves, but I don’t let it ruin my TAB experience, I am just more careful due to unfamiliarity of it.
I nodded my head when you mentioned Edmonton being a scary place, not because I agree (haven’t been to Edmonton since grade 5) but because it goes to show that you need to be careful anywhere in the world.
Thank you so much for sharing these three great articles Lacey, you took me down memory lane! I also appreciated your candid thoughts as I can so relate to your experiences. It is wonderful that TAB provided you this amazing opportunity to in a sense visit your second home for an extended period of time and to see it from the perspective of an educator.
I wish you continued joyful success at your placement in Mexico, it sounds like a place that won your heart over the first time you walked on its lovely beaches as a child - I’ve been there and loved it myself! I think the organization is lucky to have someone as passionate about teaching as you are, and you probably feel the same way about being there with them. Do you think you may return to teach there? (Would you like a room-mate?) ; )
Hi Lacey!
ReplyDeleteReading your review today gave me a really nice sense of the way most people view education in the third world. I agree, I think a lot of people may judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to something or somewhere or someone they do not know. I find this especially to be true when it comes to judging another country and its culture and customs. I really enjoyed how strongly you put your foot down and called out the author! Good for you! The experiences we gain when living in a culture and learning the customs far surpasses those learned from the sidelines. The experiences are richer and more profound because they are authentic and come from a genuine standpoint rather than an academic one. I feel as though many people make the mistake of listening to authors such as the one who wrote your article and believe every single word they say because it is an academic journal so it must hold the truth and only the truth! I think this is so extremely close minded and ignorant! I commend you for standing up to the author and stating your case. This is extremely important for teachers when dealing with the politics of education but also teaching the importance of critical thought to our students. Thank you for this, Lacey! It was really refreshing to read. I look forward to reading more about your journey teaching in Mexico.
Courtney
Lacey,
ReplyDeleteIt was great to read and hear about the education systems in other countries. I really enjoyed reading your first review discussing and comparing Mexican and U.S schools: a world apart. I believe I was so interested in this article as I found it interesting how the education system, and how schools are run, are so very different compared to the States. Initially when reading I let my own bias get the best of me and found myself thinking how I am glad that the schooling system up north (where I am doing my placement) isn't 'weird' or deprived. However, after further reading your review I realized that the education system is the same up north, yet the school system itself is very different.
Even though the North has a different way of running their schools, then say down south does, that doesn't mean its better or worse, same goes for Mexico. It just means that this is what works for them (like you said); accordingly, it works for me. As a teacher I may see a school or education system run many different ways, yet if it works for the school then the way it is run is the right way! I couldn't agree more with your statement, "no matter where we end up as teachers, if we do not believe in what we are teaching, why are we doing it?". I 100% believe this is true and couldn't have said it better myself. As teachers we must have pride in what we teach and where we teach, when we do this pride will rub off on our students causing them to want to work harder as well. Good luck in your endeavours and have a great journey!
Review 3 was an interesting read Lacey.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you're not getting complacent in a place that you are extremely familiar with. I must say however that even though Canadians aren't the target of cartel violence, the rate of non-cartel related crimes against Canadians and tourists is nevertheless alarming. That being said, you don't seem to be oblivious to this reality and seem to be well aware of the obvious steps you can take to reduce your chances of becoming a target.
Simple lifestyle adjustments like not wearing flashy jewellery is one thing, but don't you think it's a shame to fear going out alone at night, or even at all? Having travelled to numerous dangerous places in the world, this is definitely an aspect of travelling I hate the most because it means that you have to always remain vigilant and keep your guard up. At least, however, it means you can avoid hangovers by curbing the amount you drink the night before!
But hey, you have the right attitude -- take the necessary measures to be safe, but don't let fear get in the way!
All the best,
- Nadim