Although this experience was created as a learning experience for the students, I find that I have already learned so much as a faculty member. Some of the things I have learned (in completely and total random order):
- It takes a village to manage a small number of students in a foreign country . We are a team of three (two faculty members and a CIS Abroad representative) and we discuss the group, dynamics, and concerns daily
- I have remained open to the feedback from the students about the activities we are doing and made modifications as needed
- Jetlag is an unpleasant part of the trip and people respond differently to it. Some get over the jet lag really quickly, others require extra time time to adjust
- Using a WhatsApp group chat to keep everyone on the loop and information has been a lifesaver
- There will be good times and some challenging times; knowing how to cope with them is important.
- So glad I participated in the university orientation for faculty leading travel courses, several situations were easier to handle thanks to the information provided by the Office of International Programs
- I need to remember to write thank emails to everyone that volunteered their time to meet with the students (note to self)
I am sure I will have more to add to this list after the program is finished. However, this is a good start.
Some facts and opinions:
- Fact: Montessori schools in Switzerland are subsided and tuition is based on income
- Fact: The Switzerland has the longest train tunnel
- Fact: The southern part of the Switzerland is very different to the other regions (German and French)
- Opinion: I love Bachmann (Swiss chain bakery)
- Opinion: Swiss people are obsesses with time
Dr. Enilda Romero-Hall
UT Spartans Abroad 