Last week something out of the box took place in beautiful Arequipa. More than 60 young students attended the first Immersion Class 'School is out, learning is in'. Students from UNSA (Universidad Nacional San Agustin) and IPSA (Instituto Superior Pedagógico de Arequipa) were our stars. Debra Burgess, English Fellow, and the staff set our hearts on organizing this event since November 2013. We just didn't know how it would be, but the results lived up our expectations. From February 3rd to February 7th, magic 'touched' our hearts. Monday, February 3rd
Having woken up at 5:30am I just didn't know how many students would attend the event on the first day. Arequipa sun hit me like my ex had slapped me. Debra, Ryan and me were beyond excited. We took everything we needed: hats, bottles, a tent, wood, etc. Everything needed to go according to plan.
'Saint Romy', our amazing taxi driver, was already waiting for us. '¿Cómo está señora Debra?', he asked. -'Estamos listos', Debra said in her advanced Spanish . But I can tell Debra was kinda nervous. That was her event!. She had lots of expectations in mind. She needed to shine.
Arequipa as beautiful as it is welcomed us on the first day of the English Immersion. Students were already coming and we were doing out thing which was welcoming them. At promptly 8:30am, a piece of song was played and we went down the stairs of the auditorium. Nervous as I am, Debra led the line of teachers (I was in the middle). We hit the stage and nothing could get the best of us. It was the moment to rock!
I was in charge of doing the ice-breakers every single day in order to cheer everybody up. Debra said I would be good at that. I took that. The 'Find Somebody Who' activity was amazing. All students moved, got up on their feet, and interacted with one another. I was walking on air seeing everydoby taking part in the activity. So happy I could die.
At 9am, it was time for the 'Language Class'. Ryan and me had 'Group 2'. 10 amazing girls were looking at me as they were seeing a ghost. Am I scaring them? - I wondered. I had a feeling that they thought I was 15 or 17!. Couldn't blame them T_T. Monday's theme was TRAVEL and Ryan, as crazy as he is, set up one of the most amazing activities I have ever seen in my teaching life.
At 1:30pm, my girls were kinda tired, but tired in a good way, I would say. Everything had been new to them. We just talked about the day and I could hear all their comments and ideas. Mara, a 40-something-year-old woman, bombed me with her ideas and comments. She had lots to share. It was time then to go. That first day got me to notice how important is for new teachers to be exposed to new activities.
3pm hit the clock and Romy was waiting for us. I was exhausted, but happy at the same time. Everything went according to plan. Debra was swelling with pride. Were were walking on air! Morgan, the sweetest girl on Earth, joined us in our way home.
At around 4pm, I got home and I just badly needed a shower, a cold shower. Hours passed and it was time for dinner. Debra had cooked such a delicious one. No rice had I seen. Didn't matter. Everything was perfect. After doing the dishes, I hit my bed thinking and thinking what I would do for my activity. I was in charge of the 'Pollution' activity which was going to take place on Wednesday. I couldn't sleep. Tuesday was going to be another amazing day, to say the least. I had to sleep...
Did I come up with a Pollution activity?
Did I have the right materials?
Did I wake up on time?
To be continued ...
