Week 16 - Professional

History Quote

As this week approached I was very excited about the class trip on Friday to Brussels, to go and see the European Parliament! This really was because I was getting to travel and see a part of Belgium and therefore broadening my horizons and seeing more. Before this however, we still had our usual class and one class really stood out for me which was classroom of diversity when the lecturer was placing stereotypes based on our countries to try and get us to tell him our own narrative. This made me then think of how history of something will never be forgotten, especially when it is about a country. As Winstin Churchill said:

“Study history, study history. In history lies all the secrets of statecraft.”

The class also got me to think about how questions asked by someone really is the cornerstone of a discussion as the lecturer’s questions always got a good response and the discussion itself never fell silent but only from the instruction of the lecturer himself. This then reminded me again about the numerous times we are told at Stranmillis about open ended questions. As stated, open ended questions result in children who “are able to relate something of meaning and respond to the person/people with whom they are communicating. In this way, open-ended questions are used to positively build and deepen relationships.” This shows that the method worked well on me as I now relate well with this lecturer as he interested me and helped me discuss through the use of good questioning. This again proves what many theorists say:

“Questioning. Thinking. Understanding. These three processes interact in a dynamic fashion to advance student learning, performance, and achievement.”

EU Parliament, Brussels 

As the week moved on Friday came and here I got to take my first steps into Belgium by visiting the EU parliament in Brussels. The day consisted of going inside the museum where we got to read different facts and figures all about each country that was in the EU and of course I was very eager to read about the UK. We also got to meet a politician representing The Netherlands and here eager questions again were asked… and I also put my structuring effective question skills to good use as I asked a question about the Euro.

We then also got to take part in a role-play as we pretended to be politicians for the EU and we had different roles to take and participate in. Here I fully enjoyed being a politician as I am a nerd at times when it comes to politics (don’t tell haha) but also I got to step up my game and be the person in control of what my party did. This was loads of fun as I love taking on the role of being a leader! The day was full of fun and we did all fully enjoy ourselves.

We then got to finish of the day by travelling around Brussels on foot admiring the numerous chocolate shops

Belguim Chocolates

and waffle stands… as we all know this is what Belgium is famous for! To say the least the chocolate was incredible and after we had got dinner I didn’t get to try out the waffles but this gives me a good reason to come back some day! All in all, this week kind of went past me without me realising. The week was full of me being studious, social and of course continuing to build and grow closer in friendships! I just hope that my remaining weeks continue to be brilliant and full of fun with my friends here that I know I will never forget.

P.s. Top tip for this week… Never wish your life away because someday you will realise that your life time adventure will nearly be over (you won’t understand this until you are in a similar situation.)

References

Appalachia Educational Laboratory. (1994). Questioning and Understanding to Improve Learning and Thinking (QUILT): The evaluation results. A proposal to the National Diffusion Network (NDN) documenting the effectiveness of the QUILT professional development program. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED403230) Available: http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/6605_walsh_ch_1.pdf. Last Accessed: 29/05/13

Churchill, W. Brainy Quote. Available: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/winstonchu111304.html#TRPfw0dzK5xqWiHE.99. Last Accessed: 29/05/13

Open Ended Questions (2013). Available: http://storiesandchildren.com/open-ended-questions/. Last Accessed: 29/05/13

Week 15 - Cultural

Quote on Teaching

As university and placement started back this week we really did get back into routine and this was evident that we weren’t used to it as many afternoon naps were taken when I returned from placement or class! In placement this week I continued to teach English to my group 8 class and on Tuesday ended up to be a brilliant day as we got to visit and experience a young toddler class (nursery) with children at the age of 2/3 years old. I thoroughly enjoyed this as I love playing and acting the fool with the younger kids! We also got to make a video for our teacher Ingerbord on our experience of the our school and what we were doing at The Vonkenmorgen. This was a video that was going to be presented to teachers all around the world as my teacher was going to a school conference in Northern Ireland (randomly!) and so Souzy and I were going to be movie stars! However I was excited at this because it got to show teachers why we were on Erasmus and as international students what we actually doing while staying here.

This week however for me mainly was to get my assignment on Dutch Culture and Society finished off completely as the assignment date was creeping up. The assignment consisted of selecting fifteen photos that I thought were typically Dutch to me. So anything that I now relate to being Dutch in my eyes was able to be selected and then I would have to write 200/300 words on why I have chosen these pictures.

My OV Chip card

One of my choices was my OV Chip card that I use for the bus for placement. The reason I picked this was because I never really use public transport at home and so now that I use it here it is a big change; making me more Dutch already as many Dutch people always use trains and buses etc. Plus the OV Chip card saves me money when travelling on the bus and this is always a big advantage! Furthermore, I will always keep this card as a constant reminder of my Erasmus stay here in Holland!

My Travel Wall

Another selection was my Travel Wall that I have decided to begin here in Nijmegen, as I have been travelling to a few places over Europe. Since being here I have travelled to Amsterdam a few times, I have been to Delft and The Hague and my favourite Berlin! It will also conatin ticket, brochures etc from Bordeaux when I go and Brussels too!  I also have kept boarding passes of flights, train tickets, museum passes etc. As much as I love to travel and see things I also love to look back and reflect of what I have done and where I have been. The wall is filled with my Erasmus memories and so when I go home and start to put the travel wall on my own wall in my bedroom I will always remember my Erasmus experience and of course my time of becoming a little Dutch here in Nijmegen.

“Some memories are realities, and are better than anything that can ever happen to one again.”

Willa Cather

Throughout completing my assignment I had fun when thinking of why the certain things were Dutch to me and made me reflect on how much fun I have had here in The Netherlands. It made me think how much I have learned and changed as a person. As Jane Austin describes in one of her books she states:

“Reflection must be reserved for solitary hours; whenever she was alone, she gave way to it as the greatest relief; and not a day went by without a solitary walk, in which she might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant recollections.”

This shows that reflection gives an unexpected sense of happiness produced by looking back upon what you have done and I completely agree with this.

By the way here’s a list of all the fifteen things that I have chosen that are typically Dutch to me:

Nijmegen Bridge

1. Half Pints of Beer being served when you ask for a beer at the bar.
2. The crazy weather that’s worse than Northern Ireland.
3. The Dutch obsession with using beer mats with every drink and bottle.
4. My OV Chip card and use of public Transport.
5. The lack of WIFI in most places.
6. “Enjoy your meal” being said before each meal.
7. My new favourite oranges; Blood Oranges.
8. Public Peeing Stations on nights out on the main street.
9. My travel wall.
10. Nijmegen Bridge that I see/cross over all the time.
11. My precious bike lock.
12. The Windmill at the top of the hill so cycling gets easier after this.
13. My towel that acts as my pillow here on Erasmus.
14. Paying to Pee – paying to use the toilets in most places.
15. Wooden structures in front of people’s houses/gardens.

P.S. Top tip for this week whenever you have to look back upon what you have done, do not think of the ‘what ifs’ but think of how much you have done and achieved in your own travels.

References:

Austin, J. Available: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/reflection. Last Accessed: 20/05/13.

Cather, W. Available: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/memories_2.html#87jSheA4VAL8talM.99. Last Accessed: 20/05/13/

Week 14- Personal

As week 14 approached I was very excited for the main fact being that I was going to see my parents for three days and this made me very happy! However, before I could see my parents I had a very sad goodbye to say as our friend Jodie (Dojo) from France had now finished her period of Erasmus and was heading back to Bordeaux on the Tuesday. So we all had a dinner together and then had a small party to spend our last night together as an Erasmus family. As soon as Tuesday came we instantly missed her as a gap now was evident in the group… the only good thing is that we are going to Bordeaux in June to see her once again!

“Good bye may seem forever. Farewell is like the end, but in my heart is the memory and there you will always be.”

Walt Disney Company

Wednesday soon approached and I went to Amsterdam airport to pick up my parents and as soon as I seen them it felt like I had never left them! When we finally got back to Nijmegen after the train journey, we went and got food and then went for some drinks. I got to have a proper catch up with my parents and tell them about everything I have done and everyone I have met. Through this I realised how much I have done and achieved during the past three months. I also realised the coolness of how many new friends that I have made during Erasmus and the amount of different places where everyone is from. It means that I for sure won’t be alone when travelling the different places of the world as I have friends in many places now!

The next day I took mum and dad all around Nijmegen showing them viewpoints and the different parts of Nijmegen city centre; numerous shops, main street and of course the beer brewery! The brewery really impressed my dad and we really did love trying all the different beers that the brewery had to offer. I then took my parents to Vossenveld too to show them where I stayed. Here they seen the canal and got to meet my friends, which ended up to us deciding to have drinks together later on in the night! The rest of the day we walked about, ate in restaurants and finished a day that was perfect in my eyes.

The Friday then was also a good day but was also sad as I had the thought of saying goodbye again looming over me. Nonetheless, my parents and I shopped around and bought some presents for my sisters and nieces. Again, it just felt like I was home with the general carry on

with my mum and dad and with my dad’s usual windups to me. As the day itself was gloomy and a little rainy it maybe was a sense of pathetic fallacy as my mood, like all of us was a little gloomy because no one wanted to say goodbye again but we all knew that we had too. We continued to walk around Nijmegen and visiting of course more bars and restaurants; I was happy as mum and dad continued to treat me! We then finished off with a meal in a restaurant and went back to their hotel to rest. As we sat and watched TV together I just thought “this is just like home…” and I didn’t want to leave. Nonetheless, I said the dreaded words of "okay I have to go" and then the goodbyes were said. Sad as they were I will see them in June again so its more of a “see you later”. Thankfully they landed back in Northern Ireland safe and told me they had a good time, which was the main thing.

"Family is not an important thing. It's everything."

Michael J. Fox 

Once again I felt alone, but with my Erasmus family we had a party on the Saturday night and I felt just back to normal as I knew my friends would always be here for me in The Netherlands.

P.s. top tip for this week no matter if you miss your family and you feel lonely when they leave. You have always your friends!

References:

Fox, M.J. Available: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_family.html. Last Accessed: 14/05/13.

Disney, W. Available: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/goodbye. Last Accessed: 14/05/13. 

Week 13 - Cultural

HOLLAND!

As spring break began here in The Netherlands we were very happy at the thought of being off and class free for two weeks! This was even better as we didn’t have a break at Easter so we were having our well-deserved rest now. Furthermore, we very excited for Queens Day that was approaching as we had heard so much about this day where everything turns orange and everyone just has one big party celebrating the Queen’s birthday! Even more exciting in my eyes was the fact that we were experiencing the last Queen’s Day for a while here in the Netherlands as she was stepping down and letting her son become King.

As Queen’s Day approached all the Erasmus group had decided that we would go to Eindhoven and celebrate the day. Amsterdam would have been amazing but then we also knew

Some of the Orange Army in Eindhoven!

it would be way to busy and would probably end up getting all split up… so Eindhoven seemed the best place; somewhere different and somewhere we knew that would not disappoint. Using the quote of Abraham Lincoln “United we stand, Divided we fall” was good to describe our orange looking army as we wanted to have a brilliant day with everyone together and no one left behind! So we left Nijmegen early on Tuesday morning, dressed in orange and decorated with red, white and blue (colours close to my heart haha) and we got to Eindhoven eventually after a few songs being sang on the train. As soon as we got out of the train the place was packed with people and full of music stages and decorations everywhere… something I had yet to see in The Netherlands. The only thing I could compare it too would be like Saint Patrick’s Day or The 12^th of July only multiply this by about five as everyone you could think of was there; children, teenagers, youth, adults, parents, grandparents etc. and everywhere was packed and everyone was buzzing!

The street packed full of people!

As the day went on we got to listen to music all day and obviously had the occasional drink. The entire Erasmus group stayed together just about as some of us did end up getting split up – no wonder with the amount of people all looking the same all dressed in orange! None the less we all had a brilliant day celebrating Dutch culture proving to us that the Dutch really are proud of their culture and their monarch. We constantly hear now about how religion really isn’t big in The Netherlands any more as most people are atheist and about how people do not support the monarchy, however this was clearly proved wrong on Queen’s Day. This could however could be people just enjoying their day off instead of showing support of their Queen but this is a debatable matter that you can decide.

“Our culture now wonderfully, alchemically transforms images and history into artistic material.”

Saltz, J

We finished off the day as we started it back in Nijmegen, at Vossenveld, at the canal. We all sat together talking at the canal and some played some music on the guitar and we all had a few drinks. It really was the perfect way to finish off the day as we all really did have an awesome Queen’s Day… a day that I will never forget. As Bob Dylan said:

“Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them.”

P.s. Top tip for this week no matter when you get split up from people and panic sets in that you are lost and what are you going to do? There is always somebody trying to ring or text or find you because they are worried about you. More or less… You are never alone.

References:

Dylan, B. Available: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/memories.html. Last Accessed: 06/05/13.

Lincoln, A. Available: http://www.searchquotes.com/search/United_We_Stand_Divide_We_Fall/. Last Accessed: 06/05/13.

Saltz, J. Available: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/culture_4.html. Last Accessed: 06/05/13.