Today we begin with the reflections of US-Brazil Connect
Global Leader Fellow Emily Galas. Enjoy her reflections about her
experiences in coaching and the lessons learned by receiving the love of
her students. Thank you Emily for sharing your story.
"When I was accepted to the Global Leaders Fellows Program, I did not believe it at first. And to be honest, the more I learned about the teaching responsibilities of a Fellow, the more apprehensive I became. I do not have an education background, have never taken an education class or managed a group of teenagers! My team coordinator and education specialist assured me, “You were selected because of your skills and abilities. They know you can do it, and so do we.”
I studied Latin America in college, even taking a special course on Brazil. But no amount of reading could have prepared me for what I just experienced there. It might seem daunting to spend a month working and living so closely with a group of strangers, especially considering I was preparing to graduate from university as we were preparing. But when our team met at our hotel in Macieó, we were hardly strangers because of our Google hangouts and Facebook assignments. Our introductory weekend workshop in Denver gave us the chance to physically meet these people we had only met virtually, and to know them even better. We openly discussed our collective expectations and fears for the time abroad, but our varied backgrounds, team building exercises and time together prepared us to support each other.
When I arrived in Brazil, I was so nervous to meet my students. I was terrified that I would not live up to their expectations. All they knew about me was from video chats and Facebook posts. What if they don’t like me in real life? What if I can’t handle being in front of a class, with 24 expectant and eager eyes on me!?! As I learned more about the USBC model, I learned that the class isn’t about me. It was a group-led class, with me being integrated into the group, not directly leading it. Unlike a traditional teacher role, I’m not at the front the whole time.
It was a privilege to be a coach to all of them. Between transportation and time at school, they could spend 12 hours a day or more away from home. Considering other responsibilities, like homework or family, my students had very full days. Even so, their love greeted us every day. No matter how many buses they took to get there, or how wet they go in the rain, they entered class with smiles every morning.
I learned so much from my students, perhaps even more than they learned from me. They sacrificed their entire winter break to spend weekdays with us, learning English from native speakers. The amount of love and affection I received from my students and the community, I hope to share that same outpouring with others. I was also struck by the optimism of the Brazilians I came across. Many of my students viewed corruption as a huge problem looming over Brazil, but saw themselves as part of the solution. One student wants to be an officer in the national police, fighting corruption within the force. Another aspires to be a judge, pursuing corrupt politicians. This hope in the midst of other issues within Brazil somehow reinforces their faith and hope a way that Americans cannot readily comprehend.
Now that I have returned home, I feel a little colder and it’s not from the air conditioning. I didn’t know it was possible to grow to love a group of strangers so deeply in only a month, but that’s exactly what happened. I sincerely hope to return to Brazil and visit my students again. I may have a growing case of Brazil Fever….
"When I was accepted to the Global Leaders Fellows Program, I did not believe it at first. And to be honest, the more I learned about the teaching responsibilities of a Fellow, the more apprehensive I became. I do not have an education background, have never taken an education class or managed a group of teenagers! My team coordinator and education specialist assured me, “You were selected because of your skills and abilities. They know you can do it, and so do we.”
I studied Latin America in college, even taking a special course on Brazil. But no amount of reading could have prepared me for what I just experienced there. It might seem daunting to spend a month working and living so closely with a group of strangers, especially considering I was preparing to graduate from university as we were preparing. But when our team met at our hotel in Macieó, we were hardly strangers because of our Google hangouts and Facebook assignments. Our introductory weekend workshop in Denver gave us the chance to physically meet these people we had only met virtually, and to know them even better. We openly discussed our collective expectations and fears for the time abroad, but our varied backgrounds, team building exercises and time together prepared us to support each other.
When I arrived in Brazil, I was so nervous to meet my students. I was terrified that I would not live up to their expectations. All they knew about me was from video chats and Facebook posts. What if they don’t like me in real life? What if I can’t handle being in front of a class, with 24 expectant and eager eyes on me!?! As I learned more about the USBC model, I learned that the class isn’t about me. It was a group-led class, with me being integrated into the group, not directly leading it. Unlike a traditional teacher role, I’m not at the front the whole time.
It was a privilege to be a coach to all of them. Between transportation and time at school, they could spend 12 hours a day or more away from home. Considering other responsibilities, like homework or family, my students had very full days. Even so, their love greeted us every day. No matter how many buses they took to get there, or how wet they go in the rain, they entered class with smiles every morning.
I learned so much from my students, perhaps even more than they learned from me. They sacrificed their entire winter break to spend weekdays with us, learning English from native speakers. The amount of love and affection I received from my students and the community, I hope to share that same outpouring with others. I was also struck by the optimism of the Brazilians I came across. Many of my students viewed corruption as a huge problem looming over Brazil, but saw themselves as part of the solution. One student wants to be an officer in the national police, fighting corruption within the force. Another aspires to be a judge, pursuing corrupt politicians. This hope in the midst of other issues within Brazil somehow reinforces their faith and hope a way that Americans cannot readily comprehend.
Now that I have returned home, I feel a little colder and it’s not from the air conditioning. I didn’t know it was possible to grow to love a group of strangers so deeply in only a month, but that’s exactly what happened. I sincerely hope to return to Brazil and visit my students again. I may have a growing case of Brazil Fever….
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