The School

Today completes my second day as an intern at Global Ednovation. This is a school for preschool and kindergartners. We start at 7:30am and go until 10:30 Monday and Friday and 11:30 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. There are about 50 kids, and it can get pretty hectic and incredibly loud. It is a very formal setting—I am called Ms. Alli and referred to as the "special friend." I am the only AIESEC intern working here, all the other teachers are older, but most only by a few years. All the kids have to shake my hand every day as they leave the school. But this hand shake is not what we think of as a handshake. The child will lightly grasp my hand and touch it to their cheek. Sometimes they give it a kiss.

I gave my host family a small book about Iowa when I got here. They liked it. But they think it is some kind of other country. They asked me if we still speak English, and the fact that we have a flag really throws them off too. There is a picture of a Native American that has given them all sorts of ideas that we are connected with our past culture and have songs and dances and food and feathers and special spirits. They don't understand that we really don't have traditional dances, songs, or food. We eat corn, yes. And burgers and pizza. So they want me to do a traditional dance or sing a customary song for graduation. Any suggestions are much appreciated!

The teachers are all very nice and enunciate each word. They laugh all the time at everything. 95% of the time I have no idea what is so funny. It is probably me and my confused expressions. But after a few pictures and the collective efforts of the group...we agreed to all go para-sailing after graduation! I am SOO excited for that!

Last night I went to an Indonesian carnival-amusement park sort of place with Ocha, Vidia, and some other friends. We rode go-karts, took a walk on the "love path," did a mirror maze, went on two spinning rides, and watched traditional dances as well as the "water dancing." Water shot up in pretty designs to lights and music.

This afternoon, I went with Ais, Faris, and Kiky to the pool in their neighborhood. It felt great to be able to get some exercise again, even though it was only a little. Most of the time I was trying to help the kids learn how to swim. And this was definitely more in my element than the earlier instruction! It was like lifeguarding all over again. I can't communicate with Mr. Naim's kids in their language...but I certainly made good use of nonverbal skills. Blow bubbles - get them to copy you. Happy faces - they did something right. Rapidly talk in high pitches - and they kick. Magic.