Hi everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your first few weeks on TAB – I know I am:)
The last couple of weeks volunteering at the school in Madrid have been absolutely incredible! Even though we are only there on Mondays and Tuesdays, every one of those days has been filled with rewarding experiences as I engage with both the students and staff, learning more about the Spanish culture and education system. The students are enthusiastic, curious, and eager to learn, which makes this experience even more fulfilling. I’ve had the chance to assist in classroom activities, help students with their english, and build meaningful connections with the children in the 4th grade. Since I’m in the secondary chemistry route, I was initially very unsure if I’d enjoy working with a 4th-grade class. However, I approached it with a positive attitude and have come to realize that I surprisingly really enjoy being with this age group. Compared to high school students, younger children make you feel like a hero and show so appreciation!The sense of community and the vibrant atmosphere at the school have made this experience so far truly unforgettable.
As one of the other girls mentioned in her blog post, I found it has been extremely interesting to observe the cultural differences between Canada and Spain. For one, everyone is much more affectionate than I am used to. The first day when we met one of the directors, I was ready to shake her hand but she came in with a hug and several cheek kisses! Same goes for my first encounter with the teacher I have been paired with. Then I started to notice that the students behave in the same way. The girls (and some of the boys) in my class were very quick to start hugging me, holding my hand, and sitting in my lap. At first I thought to myself ” wow, this is kind of weird ” but now I see it is their way of showing me that I am welcome and that they enjoy my presence, which is wonderful! Another topic that surprised me was how seriously they take lunch time. It is nothing like what I was used to growing up. Lunch time is a whole event. We walk together to the cafeteria with the students lined up behind us, where they get their meal which consists of a perfectly balanced diet everyday. Then the students sit down and are encouraged to use a fork and knife for everything (it is frowned upon to use your fingers). The teachers then only let them leave to the playground once most of their food has been eaten, especially the vegetables!
During our free time, we enjoy exploring Madrid and have spent some time travelling to different Spanish cities, showing us just how beautiful this country truly is. I have been to Toledo, Segovia, Alicante and am planning Barcelona for next weekend. Every city has it’s own history and is unique in it’s own way. I also had the opportunity to fly to London for a couple of days to visit one of my long time childhood friends. I feel so lucky to be here!
Natalija
(P.S – I tried to upload some photos, however, it won’t let me, I will try to figure it out for my next post)