Teaching Abroad - Education in Carpi, Italy
Some of the most important aspects of teaching abroad are personal growth and cultural immersion. Whether it comes from stepping out of my comfort zone to speak a new language with native speakers or trying to navigate a labyrinthine city, these experiences abroad have shaped who I am today. By living with a host family, teaching in Italian schools, and traveling around Italy, I immersed myself in the culture. This immersion fostered a sense of empathy and appreciation for diversity. These will be key characteristics I need to be an educator.
Teaching at Collodi changed my perspective on education and life itself. I was able to view tasks and situations from a different perspective, which I believe is very valuable in our globalized world. I learned that there is always time for learning, no matter your age or income, and I saw the importance of incorporating public speaking into a classroom, encouraging students to use their imagination, and giving them chances to collaborate with peers on projects. Teaching at Collodi gave me greater resilience, flexibility, and patience. I also learned how to embrace change, a life lesson I will never forget.
Teaching abroad is more than personal growth and immersion; it also involves serving your new community and building relationships with those inside and around your classroom. While building relationships look different for everyone, its importance is consistent across cultures. Relationships build a community, which helps shape a classroom. Although I had previous experiences building relationships, doing so abroad was new and challenging due to the language barrier. I had to work extra hard to connect with my students. The main way I did this was through play. I played with my students during breaks, recess, and gym class. I recognize that this may not be the best way to build relationships in my future classrooms long-term, but while in Italy, it made the most sense for me, especially since it came naturally to me. By building relationships and sharing experiences with students, I created the welcoming space needed for learning a new language.
This journey was not without its challenges. I experienced cultural misunderstandings, homesickness, and language barriers. However, I became a stronger woman and future educator by persevering through these challenges. Reflecting on my time in Italy, I can see how much I have grown. From a young woman who had never flown alone or traveled abroad to exploring cities solo on weekends and ordering at restaurants in Italian, I have come a long way. I will hold the experiences and lessons I learned while traveling abroad close to my heart because they have reshaped my outlook on life, taught me new skills, and made me the young woman I am today.
If you are interested in reading more of my blogs here’s a link to my digital journal.
https://sites.google.com/view/jordanjacobson-abroad-in-italy/reflection
