Friday, March 25, 2011
Hello guys, its Jenn and Faozia blogging today =). Today in general was very bittersweet for all of us. On one hand, most of us were so excited to finally be going back to our own hectic and comfortable lives back at home, but surprisingly we were also very upset and sad about leaving the students and teachers we had worked with. A lot of us had formed amazing relationships and connected with so many great and unexpected students that it was very hard for us to believe that we were never going to see these kids again. Even though it was only a week, most of us had felt that we have interacted with these kids for months. Every day of the week we have been there, we have formed new relationships and connections with different students, including today.
Faozia and I worked with the same teacher this week, Ms. Heather, in social studies, and as a farewell to our classes, we had made each student an award, while also acknowledging special students that have especially affected us. The kids were very grateful to have received the awards, and had all applauded for each other as we were giving it to them. We thought it was very respectful and mature of them to do that. We also asked them to share some of their immigration stories, which they were surprisingly shy to share with us, but as we asked them more specific questions they opened up with how many years they have been in the United States. Most of them answered around 2 years, but some had also only been here for a couple months. The ones that have been here for a few months had surprised us in that their English improvement was tremendous and actually surpassed a couple of the students that have been here for over 5 years. As we got to talk to some of the students more today, we have realized that most of them know what is going on in class and can think critically about it, but don’t feel comfortable enough to say their thoughts out loud to the entire class, in fear of saying something wrong in English.
During lunch, we ate in the teacher’s lounge and shared all of our experiences and impressions with the teachers as a final reflection. The teachers also shared what they had to say about us being there, and they were very grateful for all of our help and time we had given to the students. The teachers also reflected on the impact that we had on their students in just one week of being there. The rest of the time we spent in the gym learning the special art and practice of Capoeira. Capoeira started off as a form of fighting between slaves in Brazil but later transformed into a martial arts dance. The school had an alumnae from Bronx International come back and actually teach the art form to students. A lot of them were bored and did not want to participate, but there were some that seemed very engaged in the activity. The instructor’s name was super cute, but was short and wore white pants, which did not bode well for him. While we both observed and participated in some of the easier activities, we were very impressed to hear that he was teaching the students that the point of Capoeira was not to fight, but instead to work as a fluid unite and react to the other person’s move. It was very interesting to see them “fight” one on one and perform it in an art form.
By the end of the day, we were all taking pictures and saying goodbye to all the students that we had taught. A lot of them had hugged us as we were leaving and expressing their appreciation towards us for being there this week. Some even asked us to come back next year, and asked for our emails and Facebooks.
When we came back to our hostel, all of us collapsed on our beds and basically fell asleep until 5:30pm when we had to leave for dinner to Tom’s Diner (the SEINFELD diner) on 112th and Broadway. The food was pretty good, and it was really cool to see all the signed Seinfeld replica hanging on the walls of the diner. After the diner, we passed by a bubble tea place where both Taylor and Tasnia had their first bubble tea, ordering milk black tea and peach green tea respectively. Taylor then took the initiative to collect the tapioca balls in his mouth, and proceeded to take a picture of himself doing it. We also passed by a Ben and Jerry’s on the way, and could not refuse a deal of buying 3 pints of ice cream for $12.
After finally getting back to the hostel, we started our reflection for the last time =( . It was so inspiring for us to hear all that we have learned from both each other, and our experience at the school. We played a game during reflection called “Touch Someone” (I swear it’s not actually dirty), in that Jem would tell everyone to close their eyes, and touch someone to open their eyes and tap 2 people who fit the statement that she was saying. The statements ranged from “someone that makes you smile” to “someone who you had seen inspires someone else”. It was really great to know that even though you’re not trying, you are still affecting people in your group in positive ways.
When reflection was over, we played a full game of Pictures (like telephone but on paper), and the end results were hilarious. After Pictures, our group was tested to see just how strong our bond with each other is, and it was amazing how after a week, a group of 12 strangers with nothing in common from before expect an interest in immigration, can come together and support each other in times of need.
To get out of the hostel one last time we all took a trip around 10:30pm to finally see Central Park and see the moon, which was apparently non-existent tonight. A lot of us were scared that murders and muggers were in the park, but strangely all we saw were dog walkers. After a round around the park, we came back to the hostel to pack up all our stuff for our departure tomorrow!
This whole experience for all of us has been eye opening and challenging. Some days for us went really well, while other days were a little more difficult. For me personally, I thought that this trip was so inspiring. Immigration has always been an issue I would hear about, but kind of always pass over. However, being immersed in this urban international high school in the Bronx, while communicating with both the teachers and students, has changed my viewpoint on so many things. At first glance and impression these students seem like violent kids that don’t understand anything that is going on in class. However, after just speaking to them or seeing how they interact with each other, I have realized that they each have so much potential and that the language barrier is a huge factor that keeps many students from participating in class, or paying attention. All the students and parents that we have met have been so grateful for our help, even if it might have been the smallest thing we did. That amongst many other things has made this trip worthwhile and extremely rewarding, and I know that I would never have imagined that it would affect me this much.
Despite all the early mornings and exhausting days, this ASB trip has been beyond amazing, and I am so glad that I got to be apart of it. =)
PEACE OUT NYC!
Faozia & Jenn
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