Teaching Abroad

Last winter, I took my STEM practicum course in Stolkholm, Sweden, where I planned and taught two different STEM integrated units to both 5th and 6th grade! Each day for one week, I acted as a full-time classroom teacher, where I taught lessons, stayed after to reflect, and planned for upcoming lessons. This was overall an eye-opening and self-reflective experience that I will forever be grateful for! Below I am going to describe what my experience was like.

My experience

When I first applied for this opportunity, I was slightly unsure and terrified. Going to another country for the first time without my family was quite nerve wrecking and the overall process of experiencing a safe and successful trip also worried me. However, we got there safely and I had a great time. Although I can’t say everything went as planned as we had a few hiccups trying to find our hotel in our first stop in Lithuania. You know the quote, “Sometimes you need to get lost to find yourself”? Well that was what was keeping us sane and motivated to keep pushing. After a mile and half of wondering around with our luggage, we finally found it, and by the second day we new our way!

Another part of our trip that caused some anxiety… was moving in with a host family when we got to Sweden. This was often a little awkward as it was a little out of my comfort zone, but they taught me so much about their country and welcomed me into their home!

Now its the first day of teaching in Sweden. After free exploration in Lithuania and Latvia, it was time to get a little serious and teach the unit we have been preparing. To get to school, I had to take about a 20 min bus ride which was also a new experience for me. But this time was used to relax and listen to music that would prepare me for my day. Once we were at the school, my co teacher and I had a busy schedule where we would go from 5th and 6th grade teaching the units we prepared prior to departure. After school, my peers and I would stop at the mall or stop for a snack. We even had the chance to go to a Ice bar!

Conclusion

This experience has taught my so much of not only traveling but also myself. I never thought I would travel a country by myself and I look forward to any upcoming adventures I create for myself. With all that being said, I advice you to try looking in to volunteering in another country. As a teacher, it is so interesting to see a classroom in a different perspective, where things may be completely different.