Jenny
Onustack
For
the last four months, I have been completing my student teaching experience
on an American Military Base in Bamberg, Germany. A professor in the Education
Department suggested that I apply to student teach abroad and I was enthusiastic
about the idea because I have been interested in learning about other
cultures, but had not heard of any study abroad opportunities for Education
students. It is not well know, but there are many opportunities for Education
majors to student teach abroad. I was placed by the Department of Defense
in a first grade classroom at Bamberg Elementary School. Through this
experience, I have gained a greater appreciation of the German culture,
as well as learned a great deal about the United States Military. During
my time in Germany, I have had the opportunity to improve my teaching
skills with feedback from a diverse staff, explore Germany on weekend
trips, and become close friends with the six other student teachers in
Bamberg.
This experience has impacted my life in many different ways. During my
student teaching, I was able to receive feedback and ideas from a very
diverse group of teachers from all around the United States. I met many
fascinating people that I will stay in contact with throughout my career.
I appreciated the opportunity to hear about the experiences and educational
theories of teachers from such varied backgrounds. I feel that it helped
me to be better prepared for my own career. This experience also enhanced
my love of travel and history, which is an attitude to I hope to pass
along to my students. On the weekends, I had many opportunities to see
historic sights throughout Germany. I enjoyed museums in Berlin, a boat
cruise down the Rhine River, and several beautiful castles throughout
Germany, as well as a short trip to Prague in the Czech Republic. I loved
traveling and learning about the history of Germany so much that I am
planning many future trips to other locations around the world, the next
being Japan and China. My time in Germany has increased my confidence
in myself as a teacher and a traveler and I now return to the United States
with enthusiasm for the next phase of my life, and four months full of
incredible memories.
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