Last School Visit

On our last school visit, they rolled out the red carpet. We visited 115 Junior High. When we arrived at the school the students were in two rows you know like when they announce the starting line up at basketball game, well it was like that. All 9 of us stepped out the van and walk and waved as the students played the drums and saluted us, once we got to the end of the line they placed on us these scarves from North Sumatra on the east side if the Java Island.  They were very pretty and were all in different colors.  They told us that they mean may God bless you always. We were all like wow!!!  Then we were led into the Principal office where we were given some snacks, water and coffee.

We were divided into what classrooms we were going to visit.  We were not prepared to teach a class not one bit!! The teachers were handing off dry eraser marker like we know what we were doing!!  I was like really; I have no idea what I am supposed to be doing and how long I am going to be doing it! So we asked them what they knew about America and what did they want to know about America.  They looked at us like we had 3 heads. We later figured out that the students were not used to being asked questions, they are used to the banking model of teaching, where the teacher deposits information into the students the student then goes off and makes meaning on their own rather than  challenging the  teacher and having a dialogue back and forth, that is seen as disrespectful. Well we then played a game of Heads down 7-up- LOL!!!!!!! They loved it and really got into it and so did the teacher he was laughing and tossing his head back.

Once we were done there we were lead to the multipurpose room where the other teachers were and the students preformed a traditional welcome dance. We also got a couple of songs from their choir that really look like they should be on Glee they were good!! We gave our presentation of Iowa State University.  There was a lot of questions about scholarships and information about how to study in the US.  At every school we went to we were asked about scholarships for study and how to study in America.  They gave a presentation of their school accomplishments. Then we ate lunch.  It was really a nice day!!

The van that we have been riding in, we refer to the Golden Chariot, the van broke down while we were in Jakarta at the Junior High School.   The day before we heard noise that sounded like a fan belt but we blew it off and got stuck in Jakarta! The junior high Principal Ms. Maria gave us her personal driver and the school van to take us back to Cikarang. Just as we were about to leave 6 pizzas from pizza hut was deliver to the van!!! This really made our day and the trip.  The cup of hostility was over flowing and we were very appreciative.We got back in just enough time to freshen up and head over to Mr. Johns for our farewell BBQ at his home.