Vietnam Team Journal: Wednesday, November 24
Quote: “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
Today was the long day for teaching, plus after-school activities. My classes went good, even with one seventh grade making and shooting spit wads the whole period and two cancelled classes. At lunch, a former teacher at the school, who I had kept in contact with, met me across from the school at the coffee shop where we had a nice visit and got caught up.
In the evening, we ate at our favorite pumpkin soup restaurant and then hurried back to the hotel to wait for some students to take us on a walking tour of this old quarter area. They arrived a little late, so we passed the time talking to other guests. About 20 students divided into three groups, and off we went in various directions. I had about 8 boys and one girl. My group took me to an old church, a bookstore, the Opera House, and a street coffee shop. The eleventh grade student leader was very good about trying to speak to me in English and directing the group. He even made sure we used the crosswalks, not that that makes any difference here in Vietnam.
Towards the end of the walking tour, we sat in these little Barbie-like chairs for coffee and ice cream. They told me to be careful because it might collapse, but it held nicely. And then I had to get up!! Ha!! After we got back to the hotel, students waited for their parents to pick them up. I went to my room and slept soundly until 5 a.m., my best sleep so far.
Roger Rossman
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Team Journal ~ A Global Volunteers Poem!
Vietnam Team Journal: Monday, November 22
Quote: “The world is a book and those who do not travel have read only one page.”
Four adventurous Americans are we,
Came to VietNam to be
Volunteers for an organization called Global.
Some may think we are crazy or noble.
The students are what we want to reach,
And English is what we have come to teach.
Karen and Roger and Frankie and Pam,
Are the ones who must pass the students’ exam.
Will we be successful?
Or will we be dreadful?
Time will tell after the final bell.
Frankie Sugarman
Quote: “The world is a book and those who do not travel have read only one page.”
Four adventurous Americans are we,
Came to VietNam to be
Volunteers for an organization called Global.
Some may think we are crazy or noble.
The students are what we want to reach,
And English is what we have come to teach.
Karen and Roger and Frankie and Pam,
Are the ones who must pass the students’ exam.
Will we be successful?
Or will we be dreadful?
Time will tell after the final bell.
Frankie Sugarman
Friday, November 19, 2010
Please Vote for Global Volunteers this Weekend!
Global Volunteers is engaged in a contest entitled 'Full Page Project' - put on by the Star Tribune newspaper in the Twin Cities - through November 21 amongst Minnesota non-profits and the winner will receive a free full page ad in an upcoming addition of the Sunday paper!
Please vote for us this week ~ you can vote once per hour!
Here is the link where you can register and then vote for Global Volunteers (please copy and paste the link): http://startribune.upickem.net/engine/Registration.aspx?contestid=22815
We would also encourage you to pass this link along to your family and friends, colleagues, classmates or students, and post it on your personal Facebook page or blog if you are able. Let us know if you have any questions, and remember voting goes until 5 p.m. Sunday!
Thank you for your support.
Please vote for us this week ~ you can vote once per hour!
Here is the link where you can register and then vote for Global Volunteers (please copy and paste the link): http://startribune.upickem.net/engine/Registration.aspx?contestid=22815
We would also encourage you to pass this link along to your family and friends, colleagues, classmates or students, and post it on your personal Facebook page or blog if you are able. Let us know if you have any questions, and remember voting goes until 5 p.m. Sunday!
Thank you for your support.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Conclusion
By Phil
Francoise arranged for our going-away party to be at Hoa Binh, which turned out to be an excellent decision. The food was great, and we had time to relax and say goodbye to each other, as well as to the staff of Hoa Binh who have become our family. The team shared toasts to each other and to our hosts, recognizing Vietnam for the enigmatic and promising nation that it is. Everyone’s plans for leaving Ha Noi were dissected, with intentions expressed for meeting again soon. There was general agreement that the 11th Global Volunteer team to Ha Noi was an enormous success, owing to a well-functioning and compatible team and calm leadership. Sadness tempered by knowledge of a productive experience was the general tenor as each of us got up to say goodnight and give final hugs.
Next year in Chennai, Peru, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, or Hanoi!
Francoise arranged for our going-away party to be at Hoa Binh, which turned out to be an excellent decision. The food was great, and we had time to relax and say goodbye to each other, as well as to the staff of Hoa Binh who have become our family. The team shared toasts to each other and to our hosts, recognizing Vietnam for the enigmatic and promising nation that it is. Everyone’s plans for leaving Ha Noi were dissected, with intentions expressed for meeting again soon. There was general agreement that the 11th Global Volunteer team to Ha Noi was an enormous success, owing to a well-functioning and compatible team and calm leadership. Sadness tempered by knowledge of a productive experience was the general tenor as each of us got up to say goodnight and give final hugs.
Next year in Chennai, Peru, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, or Hanoi!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Friday, October 8th
By Roberta
NBK teachers waddled off to Thursday classes savoring the aftermath of the sumptuous Wednesday night banquet given in our honor by Mr. Hoa, Mrs. Hoa, and the English Dept of NBK.
Morning classes had some missing students who were learning songs and dances marking the 1,000 year anniversary of Ha Noi. A production will be held Friday at the school. The stage is set up and acts are rehearsing. The students are hyped up today, anticipation about weekend activities are apparent.
Friday ends our team’s teaching at NBK. It appears we have come a long way. At the primary level, we have learned to be over prepared with multiple activities for each hectic class. Middle school teachers find joy in the openness and curiosity of the students as they practice English. High School classes have a depth of discussion and breadth of information that is ripe for extension activities.
By Terry
At this point in our teaching lives, students recognize us on our way to class, smile, say “hi!” even engage in conversation. This is a distinct pleasure for all. Many classes entail presentations (or introductions to same) and our task is to offer friendly but specific feedback. Teaching the phrase “ladies and gentleman” seems a constant.
Dinner with FTU officials, at a distant restaurant was relaxed, informative, and quite delectable. Francoise – who certainly knows – remarked that the spring rolls are the best she’d ever tasted. Conversation with V.P. Nguyen Dinh Tho and Vu Hoang Nam, Manager of International Affairs, along with their assistant, was quite mutual. It centered on 3 topics: the history and development of the university, the life and times of the Vietnam nation, and small talk. Live Vietnam itself, the conversation was friendly, courteous and charming.
The penultimate day of our common sojourn was typically active. A good time! For the FTU bunch, the stroll home (after being dumped by the taxi at the opera house square due to road closure), entailed a very military parade, reminiscent of May Day on Red Square circa 1959.
NBK teachers waddled off to Thursday classes savoring the aftermath of the sumptuous Wednesday night banquet given in our honor by Mr. Hoa, Mrs. Hoa, and the English Dept of NBK.
Morning classes had some missing students who were learning songs and dances marking the 1,000 year anniversary of Ha Noi. A production will be held Friday at the school. The stage is set up and acts are rehearsing. The students are hyped up today, anticipation about weekend activities are apparent.
Friday ends our team’s teaching at NBK. It appears we have come a long way. At the primary level, we have learned to be over prepared with multiple activities for each hectic class. Middle school teachers find joy in the openness and curiosity of the students as they practice English. High School classes have a depth of discussion and breadth of information that is ripe for extension activities.
By Terry
At this point in our teaching lives, students recognize us on our way to class, smile, say “hi!” even engage in conversation. This is a distinct pleasure for all. Many classes entail presentations (or introductions to same) and our task is to offer friendly but specific feedback. Teaching the phrase “ladies and gentleman” seems a constant.
Dinner with FTU officials, at a distant restaurant was relaxed, informative, and quite delectable. Francoise – who certainly knows – remarked that the spring rolls are the best she’d ever tasted. Conversation with V.P. Nguyen Dinh Tho and Vu Hoang Nam, Manager of International Affairs, along with their assistant, was quite mutual. It centered on 3 topics: the history and development of the university, the life and times of the Vietnam nation, and small talk. Live Vietnam itself, the conversation was friendly, courteous and charming.
The penultimate day of our common sojourn was typically active. A good time! For the FTU bunch, the stroll home (after being dumped by the taxi at the opera house square due to road closure), entailed a very military parade, reminiscent of May Day on Red Square circa 1959.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Thursday October 7th
By Tim
Thought of the day: Random acts of kindness are good – organized act of kindness are better.
The day is off to a good start with an organized team meeting. The end of our time in Ha Noi is approaching. The high school team will meet in the home of the school president before what surely will be a good dinner and party.
Our morning taxi commute was challenged by street closures and signs of people gathering for a celebration- saw some floats parked in front of the Opera House too. The street traffic seemed extra frenetic, which I believe was heightened by the blaring music from rusty speakers along the way.
At school, we reported to our scheduled classes to continue towards our goals of encouraging spoken conversations. Another go at e-commerce where discussions included advantages and disadvantages for this newly emerging method of Vietnamese commerce.
Because this is our second meeting, the students this week seem more at ease and willing to try a series of questions and answers! My afternoon writing class was a lively discussion of process analysis writing as taught by a discussion of food and how to make dinner. The students and I had fun.
Thought of the day: Random acts of kindness are good – organized act of kindness are better.
The day is off to a good start with an organized team meeting. The end of our time in Ha Noi is approaching. The high school team will meet in the home of the school president before what surely will be a good dinner and party.
Our morning taxi commute was challenged by street closures and signs of people gathering for a celebration- saw some floats parked in front of the Opera House too. The street traffic seemed extra frenetic, which I believe was heightened by the blaring music from rusty speakers along the way.
At school, we reported to our scheduled classes to continue towards our goals of encouraging spoken conversations. Another go at e-commerce where discussions included advantages and disadvantages for this newly emerging method of Vietnamese commerce.
Because this is our second meeting, the students this week seem more at ease and willing to try a series of questions and answers! My afternoon writing class was a lively discussion of process analysis writing as taught by a discussion of food and how to make dinner. The students and I had fun.
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