mercredi 14 octobre 2009

welcome to the matrix, dear blogbusters...

Class Blog
Intercultural awareness and exchange

In a few weeks’ time, you will all be away, either in a different country or in a different school in the Flemish part of Belgium… You’ll meet new people, you’ll experience new things, and you’ll discover a new culture. Let’s take this wonderful opportunity to exchange our experiences and share our feelings… in a class blog, so that we all keep in touch! 

Therefore, you have to write, each in turn and according to the list given by your teachers, minimum 8 lines- in English, of course- once every month.


You will be assessed on:
 The respect of timing;
 The grammar;
 The spelling;
 The vocabulary;
 And the style of your writing.
It goes without saying that you can add pictures, if you want… We trust you to put decent pictures on the blog, however! It goes without saying as everyone can have access to this blog…
The assessment is part of the “Stages linguistiques et culturels” course.

Here are the topics :

February:
You have just arrived in your new school, be it in another country or in the Flemish part of Belgium. Which were your feelings the day before leaving Belgium/ going to the new school? And which were your impressions on the very first day you arrived in your new environment? Did you feel welcome? Did you meet people? Who? How was this first meeting?...

March:
You have now spent a month there… Which were the difficulties you encountered? What was easy for you? Was it what you really expected to experience? Tell us more about your expectations. Has your relationship with the people there evolved? Tell us more about what is expected from you (courses to follow, lessons to give, work, etc.)

April:
What have you learnt about the culture of country/ area of Belgium you are staying in? Are there major differences/similarities with your own culture? Which ones? Did you experience a ‘culture clash’? How can you deal with the cultural differences? How does it influence your knowledge of the language(s) your will teach later?


May:
You experience is reaching the end… What are your feelings? What have you learnt? What do you think of this experience? If you had to do it again, would you? Why (not)? What would you change if you could? Do you think you have changed? How will it influence your way of teaching? What, in your opinion, will you always keep in your memory?

How can you log on the blog?
1. Go to www.blogger.com.
2. Click on beta blogger;
3. Sign in with your user name (= e-mail address) and password;
4. Click on ‘new message’;
5. Write your message and then publish it.

Who writes when?

February:
Friday 12:
Baitar Mariam
Braas Caroline
Chamlal Anisa
Friday 19:
Clément Alexandre
Danckaert Laurent
Decarpentrie Louise
Friday26:
Vanstalle aline
Winne Shirley
Wouters Vanessa
March:
Friday 5:
Baitar Mariam
Braas Caroline
Chamlal Anisa
Friday 12:
Clément Alexandre
Danckaert Laurent
Decarpentrie Louise
Friday19:
Vanstalle aline
Winne Shirley
Wouters Vanessa
April:
Friday 2:
Baitar Mariam
Braas Caroline
Chamlal Anisa
Friday 23:
Clément Alexandre
Danckaert Laurent
Decarpentrie Louise
Friday30:
Vanstalle aline
Winne Shirley
Wouters Vanessa
May:
Friday 7:
Baitar Mariam
Braas Caroline
Chamlal Anisa
Clément Alexandre
Friday 14:
Danckaert Laurent
Decarpentrie Louise
Vanstalle aline
Winne Shirley
Wouters Vanessa

48 commentaires:

  1. Hi everybody,

    I arrived on saturday afternoon in London with my father because there were some 'room' problems.
    We arrived with the train and my family was there to welcome me.
    The house is very little and I live with Indiens. So it smells very hard to curry and hot spices in the whole house.
    I went to Wood green with my dad and after we went to a pub ^^
    My father left on Sunday and then it began to be very difficult for me; No internet, no heating, no hot water ...
    It's not a good area, my family told me that it would be better for me if I was home before nine...
    The family is very nice but I really have to adapt myself to them.
    The school is in the area. I've to walk 2 minutes to get to the school so this is really nice.
    The head is really welcoming and the teachers too! I was really surprised by that.
    I'm waiting to recieve my timetable but I'm happy to start my practice in this school.
    I brought some 'speculose' to the teachers in the staffroom today because it's belgian, and they really liked it.
    I didn't met any other comenius yet, but I'm working to make it happen.
    I feel alone and it's hard. But I know I'm going to be okay.

    How are you doing? How is Sweden? Holland? And Edinburgh?
    And how are things for the 3LG in Belgium?

    I hope you are doing fine,

    Best regards,

    Louise

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  2. Sorry, I didn't see the dates where we had to write so I'm a bit early. I hope you don't mind...

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  3. Nice to hear from you, Louise!
    It must be really hard being there all alone but I know you'll be alright!
    Little by little you will get used to it and before you know you will be back in Belgium, wanting to go back!
    Wish you all the luck and I'll tell you how it is going here when it is my turn! lol

    Take care,

    Shirley

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  4. Hi everyone !


    Friday 12... it's time for me to write you some news :)


    I began the courses at the Ehsal (in Brussels) on Tuesday.

    The day before I felt quite relax because I knew that Shirley would be there too (she's with me for the Erabel). So I wouldn't be alone.

    I began to feel more "anxious" the day we arrived, because the way to find the classrooms was totally strange, long and complicated ! I wondered "Will we be able to find the way back ? :)" We were. But with a map :p

    I didn't really make any new acquaintances because the courses began immediately but I spoke a bit with Anis, a girl I met in the group and she made me feel welcome.

    I have lesson on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Not so much hours in fact but well a lot of work to do ; essays, books, vocabulary, groupworks ... for each weak.

    We have four courses ; a kind of AFP in Dutch, English methodology, English writing and Dutch.

    The way the courses are given is quite different from the ISPG; they use computers almost all the time and they have theoretical schoolbooks for each course, they don't really take notes.

    I hope to be able to juggle with everything.


    I hope to hear from you soon,
    I think a lot of you all, where you are, if everything is okay, if you miss me :p


    This Erabel makes me realize that our three shoolyears together arrive at the end and it makes me really sad...



    Aline D.

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  5. Dag iedereen,
    Hi everybody,

    Well, I just finished the second week in Mechelen. Mechelen is only 15 minutes away from BXL!
    The first week I was welcomed by the international coordinators like all the other Erasmus-Comenius students, 20 students in total. We played some games, received our studentcard, visited the different buidings of the school, did a tour of Mechelen, of Antwerp (for Mariam....).
    The College is huge and there are around 4500 students studying in different fields : Teaching, Interior Design, Marketing, Economics, Nursery.

    I am following English4, Communication (in Dutch), Didactics also in Dutch.
    The teachers are very nice.
    We also have a theory syllabus but we practice everything we've learned straight away (we have 1 hour of theory and then 1 or 2 hours of practice).
    In English, we have to submit a work per week and it is always related to what we just learned. Everything is always well organised. We never work alone (unless if it is our desire to) so I work for each assignment with a different student. They all very nice.
    The classrooms are well equipped (TV, computers, BB, screne,...) Well a real dream!!

    The scedule doesn't change all the time! I received my rooster for a week and it is similar until the end of the year.

    One of the teacher asked me if I wanted to do my training with the College in Flanders but I had to decline it and to go back to BXL(sad sad sad!).

    Well, that's all for today. I hope I won't forget to write on the blog because we have our own schoolsites,e-mail so it is a bit like we are cut from the outside world!

    I hope everything is going on well for you and see in june since we finish here end of May!!

    Regards,
    Caroline
    Caroline

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  6. Sorry, just saw 2 mistakes... schedule + we'va learned...

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  7. for each WEEK and not weak :/ sorry

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  8. Are the others dead ? Was it here that we had to write or not ???

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  9. Hi everyone,

    as I was in Stockholm for a Comenius reunion on the day I was supposed to write my little text, I quite forgot about it. My mistake, my apologies.
    I must say I was pretty much scared and sad the day before leaving Belgium, because I really didn't know how my life was going to be in Sweden, and also because I was about to leave a lot of people behind in Belgium, whom I won't see for 13 weeks -my girlfriend, my family, my best friends, my teachers (:D).
    The first day I arrived, I felt pretty shaken and sad, for the same reasons. But I must say I received such a warm welcome from my mentor that I felt a lot better immediately. She invited me for the first night at her home, and she and her husband took care of me as if I was their child. The next day, they made me visit the (small) town and showed me all the important places (supermarket, chemist's, mall, station, school, ...). It felt so good to receive such a warm welcome in this new country.
    The first meeting with my other "colleagues" wasn't as good and warm, but it went still ok. During my first week, I had to observe how the school was working, and one by one they came to talk to me -each of them in an almost perfect English- and asked me some questions to get to know me better. It felt great!
    The only difficult part is my life outside school. I live alone in an appartment in a neighborhood filled with a lot of retreated people, and the town I live in isn't a town where you can easily go out and meet people... It's to quiet for me, but I will survive, I think.
    Now, even if I'm on holiday, I begin to feel at home here, and I would like to bring a lot of things from here to Belgium, especially teaching techniques I learned at school, observing the other teachers. But that's gonna be the topic of a future post on this blog!

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  10. Hello,

    First of all, sorry for those who already know most of what I am writing because they already received mails or letters before. Just skip the redundant words. :)
    The Netherlands are great! I am having a good time here. To be honest, I was kind of happy to leave Jette and see something new, meet other people and stop working for a while (I mean work for living, right, not school). So I kissed daddy, hugged mommy, patted the dog, and left.
    I am learning a lot! It is incredible how different schools are here! The name of the school is Candea College. There are three buildings and more or less 2500 students. I am teaching 600 of them. The Dutch learning approach is really amazing. I am actually writing a paper about all this, it is so interesting! I am also having fun with new technologies, here! There are so many of them. Nothing but positive points so far.
    I must say I learn a lot about Dutch as well. I am staying in Kilder, that is really close to Germany, which means that I have an opportunity to learn a really particular kind of Dutch...
    I have a day off today, so I am visiting and teaching in a Montessori school!!! I still cannot believe they accepted my request though I have no particular skills to teach in such a school! I will let you know about it.
    Next week I am going to the 69 eyes gig in Arnhem. Hope I´ll have fun. Í have been waiting to see this band for years. In march I am also going to see another concert, The Cranberries. They hit the road again, even if they are a bit less popular now than they were in the 90´s, but still very good.
    I have already visited 5 schools in what we call De Achterhoek. Most of them have interactive whiteboards and video games. Yes, I know, this is not what really matters, but hey, you know me. And you know how quicly and easily I am impressed. People call me De Domme Belg. Nice, yes.
    I will have many things to tell you...
    Oh, yes, in April I am going to get a private visit of Kijkwijzer, for my end of study paper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have no idea how proud I am. After that I will probably visit Beeld en Geluid Experience, in Mediapark, Hilversum.
    I am also planning to visit the Netherlands a bit... If I have enough time!
    I am having fun but I work really hard. My days are really... ´´druk´´ as they say here.

    Okay, I sent this via mail before, but nobody answered, so here it is again:

    Find out what this local saying means: vaek mot de bene op pad, umdat het heufd waer iets vergat. (An easy one for this month... The next one will be tricky!)

    Right, this is it for today, love to all.

    AG

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  11. Oops, I forgot to write about my first day, as required. Well, people are very kind here. Everybody... It was very difficult for me to communicate, not only because they speak Dutch, but above all because the accent is so different. In fact, they find it difficult to understand me as well. They use words, idioms and expressions I have never heard before. Sometimes it is frustrating or annoying. But it is also very funny. Sometimes, they talk to me and ask me questions and I just stand there, looking at them dumbly like a fried fish.
    Oh, talking about food, last week, while wandering around, I saw a shop where you can find drumsticks. You probably know I play drums, so when I saw the notice DRUMSTICKS THE KOOP, I rushed in the shop and ask to have a look. The shifty-faced guy showed me fried chicken and asked me what I thought of it. I felt horribly dumb. But the ultimate foolishness is that I bought the chicken not to look stupid. Which is actually quite stupid as well. Believe me, I will always remember what drumsticks are. Hey, you see me playing drums with fried chicken... Umpf!
    Oh, if you are wondering wether it is true or not that the Dutch are stingy, believe me, it is true.
    Hoio!!!
    AG

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  12. Oops oops.
    Sorry, I hadn´t notice the date either.
    Forever fool.
    Next time will be better, and on time.
    Sorry!

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  13. Hi everybody!

    To begin, let’s talk about my lovely journey to Durham! I was supposed to arrive in Newcastle at 10 am and I arrived in Durham at 9 PM!!! My flight to Newcastle was cancelled; I had to take another flight to Manchester at 11am, which was delayed until 1.30 pm. Well, once arrived in Manchester, a wonderful surprise was waiting for me! My luggage stayed in Brussels! I was so happy, you can’t imagine!!! One hour later, a taxi came to pick us up, there were 7 of us. I’m telling you this because it’s important for the rest of the story! Normally, the taxi driver would take us direct to Newcastle airport. I thought “OK, Aline, you’ll be in Newcastle in 2 or 3 hours, you’ll be fine. ” but when I saw the others paying the taxi driver to bring them home, I thought: “The fur will fly!”

    Apart from that (let’s be positive!!), everything is fine here. I work in two schools. Durham is a beautiful city, which makes me think about Oxford. It’s a student city too, Durham University is claimed to be England’s third oldest after Oxford and Cambridge.
    I live in a lovely family composed of a couple, two girls (Niamh and Mairi→ Irish Names because the father’s Irish), two kittens and a dog, Rory. Mmmmh I want to say how much I love that dog, he just loves pouncing on me. Something that ‘s amazing about him is that he can open the doors. Just imagine you’re having a snooze on your bed and BAM! Rory comes in your room! How glad you are!!! ☺
    My first day in both schools was nice, I felt welcome. The first days in St Joseph’s school I didn’t have any time schedule and I helped all the teachers even the reception teacher, that was a nice experience! Otherwise it’s not that different from Manchester!
    Next week, it’s World Book Day at school. I will have to dress up in a book character, I haven’t choose my character yet…

    Last week, I had a week off and I could visit a bit. I went to Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow. I had a wonderful time. Moreover the weather was nice (Unbelievable in England and Scotland, isn’t it??). I also could hear the Scottish accent and omg! I could hardly believe they were speaking English!

    See you soon ;)

    Alinneke

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  14. Hello everyone!

    So nice to hear from you! What a lovely idea to have this blog to communicate with each other!
    Oh Alexandre, what a laughter I had while reading your story about the drumsticks! ;)

    Now, let's talk about life in Belgium! As you may know (or not! :p), I'm having my Erabel at EHSAL! So far so good!
    Well, I'm lucky to have Aline D. with me! (Yes, Aline, you read well: I'm glad to be with you :p ). So it was easier as we were together!
    The other students are really friendly! They immediately made us feel comfortable and some of them even brought all the notes and information we needed!
    We have a lot of work, though...
    Especially for English. We have to read four books: "Pride and Prejudice", "Jane Eyre", "The picture of Dorian Grey" and "the Rottersclub".
    But I'm quite glad to read these books, because I think that an English teacher should read some English literature!
    It's not always easy to understand everything (especially because it's written in really old-fashioned English), but as we allready had lessons about the first three books at the ISPG, it's easier to understand the stories!
    The lessons at EHSAL are quite the same as the lessons we had! We have English grammar, English methodology and Dutch methodology. the students have a high level in English! They even use a more advanced "grammar in use" than we use. I was really surprised about that! Maybe they should also use that book at the ISPG.
    The teacher for Dutch methodology told us that she wanted us (Aline and I) to go on a observation training in Flemish schools. That it would be interesting for us to see how the lessons are taught in Flemish schools and to compare it to our schools.
    Of course, it is a little bit less interesting for me, as I was myself in a Flemish secondary school. But I did not dare to tell her! lol So, I'm just hoping that she won't give me my own secondary school, where I was as a teenager! lol I cross my fingers! ;)

    I already had my training period! Well, I've just finished my first week at St-Michel!
    As you may know, I was not very happy when hearing that I had to go to St-Michel! And I must admit that I had a few prejudices about that school!
    But I must say I have a totally other opinion now! What a plesant school and so nice and motivated pupils! I'm really enjoying it there and even more during my English lessons! I'm teaching a lot about British culture! I've never felt so satisfied about my lessons! The pupils there are really interested and ask a lot of questions!
    My mentor wants me to accompany the fourth years during a trip of two days in April in the Netherlands!
    I'm really looking forward to it!
    I've also the oportunity to teach a fourth year there! I'm really curious to see how it will go!

    I'll tell you about that later and I'm really looking forward reading your posts!

    Enjoy your staying and have a nice day,

    Shirley

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  15. 1 mistake: I'm really looking forward TO reading your posts! ;) sry

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  16. Hi everyone,

    Sorry, I know i'm a little bit late (not to say VERY late) I completely forgot the dates :s
    As you know, I'm following the Erabel in Groep T (in Leuven) with Anisa en Vanessa.
    The first time we went there for the registration, they took a picture of us to put it on the 'schoolblog' so that everyone knows about everyone. we also received our student card (with that wonderful picture on it ;p), a USB key and a gratis bus card for Leuven. As you can see, the school is really organised.
    We're following the IEC (International Educating Class) program in English with students coming from all over the world. There are students coming from China, Indonesia, Cameroun, Pakistan, England, Corea, ... So, it's really interesting because we also learn about other cultures.
    The teachers are nice and the students too. There're also two students from Groep T who help us when we have questions... So, that makes me feel more comfortable :)

    I'm glad to see (or read) that everyone's having a good experience.

    Ps: Aline, yes I'm missing you ;)
    Ps²: I hope I haven't made too much mistakes :s

    Big kisses to all of you,

    See you soon,

    Mariam B.

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  17. March : Friday the 5th


    HHHHEEELLLLLOOOOOO



    I’ve just read the messages from Alex, Shirley, Aline and Mariam.
    Thank you all, you made me laugh :p

    Well, I can’t really tell more about the “life at the Ehsal” because I’d been in teaching practice for one week at Mater Dei (with one week for the preparations).

    I had 3 classes in English and one in Dutch.
    It’s the first time I haven’t had any disciplinary problems.
    I could concentrate on the subjects I had to give. Everything was fine, the school, the other teachers, my mentor…
    I also realized I’d become more spontaneous in my way of teaching and I found/find it great 


    What I can well say about the Ehsal is that we’ve already seen/studied the majority of the lessons last year at the ISPG.

    In this way, I don’t really have to “pay attention to” the subjects and I can concentrate on the languages (English or Dutch), so I hope that my English and my Dutch will become more fluent. That’s my biggest expectation.

    So no real new subjects but well a lot of work and Shirley and me often feel pooped and sometimes are asleep on our feet.
    But on Wednesday, we made a quizz with the other students about the book “Pride and prejudice” and Shirley and me had a ball ; we won hands down :p and that’s the kind of day that gets you going 



    Moreover, Shirley and me have changed first name this week.
    She was Cheril and I was Alice loool.
    The Dutch students didn’t really hear our names well :p



    When are you all coming back ? The sooner, the better !
    I want to go back to the ISPG  I’m missing the courses there, the atmosphere, the teachers …
    I don’t mean the Ehsal isn’t fine but…
    Shirley and me have taken a walk down memory lane this week and in fact I realize how “close” to each other we were at the ISPG and how often we were doubled up with laugher.


    What about Belgium ?
    Well, when it’s not raining cats and dogs, it’s snowing :/


    It’s time for me to leave you now, I’ve to go to the Ehsal !

    I hope to read from you all very soon,

    Belgian chocolate kisses,


    Aline D.


    Ps for Mariam : You said you missed me. Really ??? Ohhhh 
    Ps for Shirley : I know that you love me too, even if you don’t show your feelings !!!!

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  18. hello everyone...

    waouw what a pleasure to see that you're all enjoying you experiences. If I have to summarise my "Erabel" in one sentence. it would; "I love it". It is a fantastic experience. The first week was a bit special because it was not our real Erabel. We were with a group with only Flemish students. They had to organize a big project. Mariam, Vanessa and I were a bit lost. We didn't understand why we were in that group. Hopefully we had this week just to take Dutch courses. The second week was absolutely amazing and fulfilled with new meeting and discoveries of new cultures. We are in a group of 15 students; one from Nepal, one from Indonesia, one from South Korea, three from Cameroon, one from Pakistan, one from China, one from Louvain-la-neuve, three from Leveun and three of us. You can see the diversity we have in our group. We were warmly welcomed. We were invited in one of our teacher’s house. His wife and he cooked a delicious meal for us that was very nice. Leuven is a nice city, we visit it during that week. It was the introduction week. On Thursday we were invited in a café and each of us had to bring a meal from his country. I ate for the first time Korean, that was delicious. We had a lot of fun during this week. We visited Stella Artois and we saw how beer was made. It was interesting the only « rub » was the smell, that was really strong. Anyway wee had a lot of fun and at the end of the visit we could drink as much beer as we wanted to. And we also had a free beer can. Vanessa received THREE beer cans, mariam’s can and mine. ;) After this week we had one week lesson than one week break. We’ll go back in one week and I can wait to see them all again. I really met generous people and I’m sure we’ll have a great time together. Enjoy your trip no matter were you are. I really miss you guys!!
    Take care ;)

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  19. Hi everyone!

    This time I’m on time ;) ;)
    We spend three weeks in Leuven and I don’t really encountered any difficulties we were greatly welcomed and people were extremely sympathetic. During the introduction week everything was great, the welcome and people were nice and helpful. That week was only with the students speaking English and coming from all over the world. Then we began the real courses. For the Dutch ones it was a bit different because it was students from Leuven they were in their school, so they were not as welcoming as the English ones. Actually we are in two groups a Dutch one and an English one. As Mariam said, we participate to an international program. But we have to follow Dutch lessons. For the international program we are with students from other countries so it also new for them. I think it could be a reason why they’re more welcoming than the students from Groep T.
    The teachers are extremely sympathetic and helpful. If we have any problem we can send them and email and they’re really worried about our integration in the school.
    Ah yeah I have to tell about something, we have students from other countries in our class and they have a strong accent when they speak.
    When they speak with me I always have to ask them sorry can you repeat and that makes me uncomfortable :$
    Last Friday, one of the student a boy from Cameroon called me to have some news because we’re missing lesson since we are in teaching practise. So when I answered I ask him during at least one minute « qui est-ce? » « je pense que c’est une erreur » I couldn’t even hear that he was speaking in English so he repeated several times his name and then I understood it was him. But they’re really lovely, we are like a family. And that’s how our teachers present the program and how they consider us. I also have to tell you about something a bit special, we have to call our teachers by their first names. In the beginning it was very weird. Because I used to call my teachers by their family name and also I used to say sir or misses. But they make us very comfortable.
    Regarding the works we have to do, we didn’t received much information. We just now that we’ re going to Paris, Amsterdam and four cities in Belgium.we now that we have to make a project but we don’t know what about. We’ll have more information as soon as we go back in Leuven (in one week).


    Hope to see you soon enjoy and don’t worry be happy ;)

    Regards


    Anissa ;)

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  20. Hello Everyone!

    I know I am not on time…Sorry! Luckily Louise was there to remind me to write on this blog.
    I must admit that I have been quite busy these few weeks, but I am sure you all are, so it is not really a good excuse.
    Anyway, let’s talk about my « Erabel » in Leuven.
    The first day, we (Mariam, Anissa and I) came to Leuven, was kind of funny. We were so lost! We were trying to find our way into Leuven. It was not easy at all! Finally after following a map, we found our way.
    During the first week, we had to take part on a “weekproject: breek uit je klas”. So you as you can see, our first week was only dedicated to Dutch.
    The IEC program (Exchange International Educating Class) took place the second week.
    Milton George called that week “Introduction Week”. All we had to do was to get familiarized with the people, the school, etc. We’ve had a lot of fun during that week! We were invited to several dinners with our classmates, we were barhopping in Leuven, etc.
    The particularity of that introduction week was to get to know all the students of our class. You must know that Mariam, Anissa, An, Jan and I are the only Belgians in the class! In fact, we have a student who comes from Pakistan, another one who comes from China, we have also three people who come from Cameroun, etc.
    So our class is a huge mix of culture and language. It is a really interesting experience. We learn to see how people talk, people act in those countries. By example: when you say hello to someone, there are different way to do it. Most of my classmate, at the beginning didn’t know what to do when I was giving my chick. (haha)
    After that introduction began the real program. Unfortunelately, I only stayed a week in Leuven, because I had to come back to Brussels for my teaching practice…
    Fortunelately, my teaching practice is almost over and I will go back to Leuven!
    Can’t wait to be next week!

    Love you guys,

    Vanessa.

    PS: I’ll write about my teaching practice the 19th of March, this time I’ll be on time! I have lots of things to tell you!

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  21. hahahahahaha Vanessa can't wait to hear about your teaching practice even if I already know ;)

    p.s still 5 days to wait before to see our second "family" in Leuven. ;)

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  22. Hell-O

    It has been six weeks now. Time flies. Everything goes so fast and still, I often think: How did I manage to stay alive? And What in the world have I done to deserve that?
    This beautifully written introduction pompously express my present feeling: GODVERDOMME!!!, as they say here.
    I am a bit upset because I realize how quick this is gonna be over, and some people here just do no let me enjoy the experience.
    Do you know the French expression Métro, Boulot, Dodo? Well, the Dutch version is: work, money, work.
    I get up at 6 and must speak about money, arrive at school at 7.30 am and start working, leave school at 4.30 pm and must speak about money, work, sleep (and sometimes have nightmares about money). Over and over again.
    I am a bit disappointed as well, because I do not meet lots of people. But hey, I live in the middle of nowhere, so it is not really my fault, is it?
    When I am lucky, someone tries to make money out of me. ''Would you like to to sell Dutch DVDs in Belgium? Good business for us... Money, money, you know...'' Bah! I am sick of people living only for money. Oh, yes, and sick of being the Belgian dumbo. Because this is what I am here...
    That was the boring part of the story... There are many other difficulties I encountered, but I want to save some for next month, guys! Let us now have a look at all the things that have been easy for me: Well, to be honest, I do not think anything has been really easy so far... Yes! Socializing with my foster family was quite easy... They are nice people (after all) and I find them funny. Strangely enough, teaching seems to be the easiest task here. For the rest, I must admit it, I am a bit lost. XD There are so many things I just do not understand. Positive focus: I still learn so much. I will never be able to summarize all I have experienced here.
    One thing is for sure, I had other expectations. BUT: I do not say everything's dark, it is just different. Well, it is not finished yet, I'll try to have fun. My expectations for the last few weeks are: meeting people, having fun, visiting the Netherlands, ... Well, just relax for a change. But of course, I bear in mind that I will have to work because...I still have a lot to do... For both schools. Right now, I lead conversation classes. It is fun but so tiring. I have planned my lessons for the four weeks to come. I use the lessons featured in my study paper. I still have to see what works and what doesn't work.
    I hope you are all fine, guys.
    That is it for today, but I'll be back.
    Entertainment starts today: I am going to the movies. I want to see Alice in Wonderland.
    Oh, by the way, my concert (The 69 eyes) sucked. I left before the end. This never happened before!
    Greetings.

    Alex

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  23. Hello,

    No, I am not on time.... I have a lot of work for the school in Mechelen. I am spending a lot of time looking for things for some works we have to do, to hand over.
    Next week, it would be a "lesson" + presentation on British Food, so a lot of culture. It is totally different because we don't give 2 hours on "pure" British Culture in BXL.
    For the course "Didactishe Thema's 3", we have to make a box. In this box we have to put all the material that we need about a specific subject (like food, clothes,...)

    That's all for today,

    Regards,
    Caroline

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  24. Hello Everybody!
    First of all I want to say that I miss you all even though I Love London <3
    Aline D.: You’re so cute when you say that it’s ‘hard’/’ weird’ because people don’t take notes. I think I’d feel the same way!
    Alex: I’m so happy you’re going to ‘the Cranberries’. I saw them once in Brussels and they were sooo Gooood! So enjoy!
    To all the 3LG’s: I feel the end of the year coming so soon and it makes me feel a bit sad! :s
    3LG Forever! Vaness where is the Pull-over? :p
    About London: I love this City! The beginning was quite hard with the really bad things that happened to me, but now I really enjoy being here.
    I go to museums; I’ve met a lot of people with whom I spent a lot of time in pubs and in museums as well. I can use the underground without maps, (I’m so proud!) and I’m very good in night busses! You all have to know that the underground is closing at about midnight so after it’s sometimes quite hard to get home (and I live far from the centre so it’s not always easy to find the right bus... But now I know everything about every bus ;) and get home ‘safe’.)
    My school is not really in a good area, or I should say: My school is in a very bad and dangerous area.
    But my staff is lovely and the Head Teacher as well! I love my job and the kids. On Tuesday I’m making my first Assembly (alone!). I’m so happy because I have a lot of responsibilities in the school. The teachers and the Head Teacher don’t consider me as a student but as a Language Teacher. There’s even a picture of me on the Teacher’s wall saying: Louise Decarpentrie Language Assistant!
    But I’m quite disappointed about the language level of the children. The teachers didn’t give French because they had no time or because they’re not good at it. So I had to start everything from the beginning, which is frustrating.
    The kids are living in a bad area as myself, so they sometimes wear knives (they are ten years old!!!) and they frequently speak like adults and are very vulgar!
    The head teacher is very happy about my work and that’s why she asked me to organise an Assembly. The other teachers are very happy about the way I’m teaching. Last year they had another student and they say that they’re happier with me, which is great for me!:p
    I’m making my lesson plans, I’m working at my lovely school, I’m visiting London a lot... so I have lots of difficulties to start with my TFE! And it starts to stress me a lot!
    I really enjoy (as I said) being in London!!!
    I hope you’re doing fine abroad or in Belgium...
    How did your practice go?
    Big kisses to all of you,
    °°Louise°°

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  25. Hej! (swedish word for "Hi")

    As I was in Stockholm (which actually is a beautiful and moving city - I recommend you all to visit it) from Friday to Monday, I wasn't able to write anything on the blog before. So, now that I (finally) have 30 min for me, I thought I was going to write some words on the blog!

    About Sweden, I must say that if there wasn't 15 cm of ice everywhere (because the snow melted, but it freezes during the night), making it impossible to walk easily on the sidewalks without dreading to fall, I must say I love this country! Everything is easier and better organized here - public transport, working times, leisure activities, ... (Belgium is just a crapfull country on those sides), the people are less stressed, way more ambitious and friendlier (once you get past their stony faces) and the job of teacher has quite a better status here - they're not looked at as lazy people who are good in a subject.
    I encountered some difficulties here, but not major ones. Firstly, I had to get past these "Scandinavian stony faces" their have when they first meet foreigners. But after a week or so, it was all over and most of them were quite friendly to me. The biggest "problem" is that I don't know anything about their language, and even if they all talk fairly well in English (the ones who told me they were bad at English have the level of a fairly good 1°LG...), they usually talk in Swedish when they are in group and it's really impossible to follow, even now that I know something like 50 basic words... The last "problem is that I come back so tired of school that I don't work enough for my end-of-study paper and other due papers in the evenings... and as my stay here is already halfly past (where has the time gone?), I begin to stress a lot, as usual, about my school work.

    About my expectations, I don't have a lot to say, because I knew I would have to give French lessons more than English lessons, and I wanted to learn a lot on the methodological side, and I really do (actually, a lot more than I thought, especially on how to work individually with pupils).

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  26. What the school wants me to do is a bit different from what I was asked to do in Belgium, because this school (Kunskappskolan) works in a quite different way than usual schools, even in Sweden.
    The learners have, every morning before the lessons begin, a reunion with their headteacher where they plan their day (which lessons they will follow, ...) and where they look to the morning news.
    After that, their day is splitted in 4 kinds of activities :
    - Lessons : they have 2h/week in most courses (Swedish, maths, sciences, ...) + 1,5h/week in other courses (FR/SPA/GER, arts, music, social sciences, ...).
    - Workshops : A least twice a week, every teacher organize what they call workshops : they sit in a place in the school and pupils come to them to ask some questions or pass some tests to show their hability to go further in the course.
    - Learning alone : When they don't have lessons or workshops, the pupils have to work alone. They go to the school's intranet, download and print out the syllabi in the course they want to work in and do what they are asked to do or learn. Every course is divided in 7 big blocks, each of them divided in 5 steps. When they think they're finished with a step, they have to go to their teachers (during WS or lessons) to show they are ready to go to the next step. The fifth (and last) step of each block is a big test on the whole block, a kind of exam (or project, depending on the course). If they pass these "big tests", they can move further to the next block.
    The way they are evaluated is the following : they finish block 4 = they get a satisfaction - they finish block 5 = distinction - block 6 = highest distinction - block 7 : maximum.
    - weekly meeting : every pupil meets his headteacher once a week (15 min) to update their reached levels in every courses, talk about their problems and what they want to do later, fixing new objectives for the next week.
    So to sum up, it's a way to learn the pupils to plan their time and to work in every lessons on their own rythm, undestanding that everybody has once strength and weaknesses. And I must say I find this system really good and effective, even if it has its downfalls, of course.

    I give 4h/week French lessons, 2h/week English, and I assist the PE (Sports) teachers 3h/week too. Aside that, I'm asked to organize 1h/day workshop in French and in English, so I'm quite busy here!

    So, I think I bothered you enough for this month. I hope it wasn't too long ^^
    I miss you all! I send you all my cold greetings and kisses from Sweden! See you in a month and a half!

    Laurent

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  27. If you want more infos - because you didn't understand my explanations - on my school's way of working, go to :
    http://www.kunskapsskolan.se/foretaget/inenglish.4.1d32e45f86b8ae04c7fff213.html
    or
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunskapsskolan

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  28. Hi folks,

    I know it is not my turn but I have read your comments and I just want to share a feeling. It is about respect... And the Belgians in the world.

    I am getting a bit upset right here because people really think Belgium is an awful country and the Belgians are dumb. TV programmes merrily keep this going: 'Dumb Belgians kill old ladies for money instead of working, how dumb!; Trains collide because of lack of communication, how dumb!; King of Belgium is rich and stingy like us, how clever... for such a Belgian Dumbo...'

    I can´t visit the Netherlands with other people because they do not stop being nasty. I think they cannot help it. I do not think they do it on purpose...

    True facts:
    '- Look, this is what we call a fast food... Did you hear of that? Oh, and this is a supermarket... It is... Erm, how to put this...? Like a market but it remains where is is. Hey, and this is cheese... You know that? Do you have this in Belgium?
    - Erm Hello, I am no creature from outer space or something... I live in Brussels, that is all. Not the biggest city in the world but still a civilization... We say hello to each other, we sleep at night and we use toilet rolls when necessary...'

    It is hard to believe but it is true.
    Why is it so? I think because most Belgians have no pride. This is what makes us dumb, guys.
    Promote our culture and know-how when you are abroad. Be proud. Do not compare.
    Countries are different, but Belgium is definitely not a crapful country.

    So I beg of you, make things change. It is up to us.

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  29. I think you are partly right, and also that you misunderstood what I said.
    Belgium is a crapful country in SOME ways, not a lot, and I said that just to emphasize the fact that I love Sweden in itself.
    I also understand your feeling when you talk about Belgians' lack of pride. I'm proud of being Belgian, but how do you expect the average person to be proud of his country, when you see what's going on in there (rows between Flemish and Walloon people, absence of a real government, drunk politicians who are popular and in charge of our money, the lack of effeciency and reaction when there's a little bit of snow on our streets, rents which are disgustingly high, no support to people who are good in another sport than football, cycling or tennis, or dreadful educational system, the teacher's wages, the Dutroux and the Fourniret scandals, ... and I could go on and on).

    I insist, I'm quite proud to be Belgian : in fact, in a 15 min time, I'm gonna give a lesson about how beautiful Brussels is! But I think it's a sign of maturity and intelligence to recognize what is wrong in our own country. It's ridiculous to pretend to foreigners everything is wonderful back home.

    On the other hand, it's your role to put these stupid Dutch people in their place, because if there is a country where a lot of things are crapful, and where the mentalities are awfully weird, it's Holland. Just defend yourself, and show them that they aren't the best country in the whole world - clearly not!

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  30. Hi everybody,

    More than one month here, I can’t believe it! Time flies! I really feel at home. That’s the easy side of my stay, I have my own life here now, I’m going to the gym, I have got my library member card, I even went to church! I get on with the whole family here (even the extended one) and with all the teachers. I have my routine… I’m already planning to come back in July.
    Most of the time people are really nice to me. I’m saying ‘most of the time’ because we don’t live in a perfect world! The teachers are always there to help me and the children are motivated to learn. I really feel at ease in the staffroom. I speak to everybody about anything.
    I couldn’t have hoped for a better experience!
    I have also discovered a lot about the cuisine (my landlady is a cordon-bleu cook) but not only English, also Irish fare. For instance yesterday I ate a traditional Irish meal, Dublin Coddle served with soda bread (it was St. Patrick’s day). It was delicious. My favourite dessert now is carrot cake; I’m going to eat some tonight! Another expectation is of course to improve my English but I will only get the answer to that question in June…

    The biggest challenge I’ve encountered so far was to work alone with an autistic child. I didn’t how to manage that! I don’t know anything about that and also don’t know how to behave in that kind of situation. In England the parents have the choice and can decide to enrol their child in a specialized school or in a ‘normal’ school. I don’t really know how it works in Belgium… I’ve never met with this problem during my training periods.

    At school, I teach French and I help the teachers with a lot of different tasks. I work with nearly all classes in both schools. At St Joseph’s I have organised a fashion show which the children are performing in French next week. They’re all very excited! And so am I! At St Hilds there always are a lot of events like World Book Day. For this event you had to dress up as a book character. I chose a book called “Down in the wood”. It’s a story about a little boy (who wears his pyjamas throughout the book) who finds out that his teddy bear was going out during the night to join his friends. I had to wear my pyjamas to school!
    A book for small children then… During the day, the children had to go from one classroom to another and do different activities like writing poems, stories etc.
    Another special day was World Maths Day, the same principle but with maths, I’ve never enjoyed maths so much!
    I am really enjoying my stay and I can see that most of you are as well!

    Best regards,

    Alinneke

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  31. Hello everybody,

    My teaching practice is finally over! Say Alleluia! It didn't go so well. I had for the first time two mentors, one of my mentor was objective and kind, the other one was being unprofessional and rude. I must admit that it is my opinion but luckily Mister Sautelet came to see me and saw her behaviour so I am not that exagerating.
    I was by the way in Collège Roi Baudouin...
    I am so releaved that it is over! Thank Lord!
    Now, I am back in Leuven. It such a fun! Did you know that according to Muhamad (my Pakistani classmate in Leuven) " Chamlal" pronunced "Chum-Lal" means "red tits" in Pakistan. Ahahaha you should see the face of Anisa when he told her that! ahah It was very funny.
    Anyway, now that my teaching practice is over, I got my normal life back :)
    Leuven is great! I am sure that you are also enjoying your stay wherever you may be!

    See you in a month and a half!


    Vanessa

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  32. Vanessa I'm going to kill you crazy girl!!!!


    Chumlal hahahahaha ;)

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  33. Well, ok. I spent ten minutes looking after the problem: "why can I not read the topics of my classmates?"

    Last year, we made new articles to speak about our experiences. Here it's via de comments. That's new!
    Now that I know it, it's going to be easier.

    I didn't write before because I didn't know if I had to.
    Well, in fact, I have :p

    Let's start then:

    I go to Malines every Monday and Tuesday since end January.
    I remember the first day I went there. I was absolutely not nervous.
    I was more curious : The school had told us that we were going to meet a lot of international students, and I was curious to know from which country they were coming.

    I am in a Flamish class "English option" with two French girls and two Russian ones.

    Malines is very well organized. They offered us little bags with maps of the school and the city, a phone card and our student card!
    They have huge screens everywhere in the school and a big library with a lot of scietific books!
    Every teacher uses Powerpoint and we all have access to our courses on the intranet.

    On the first day, there were different activites: first, the headteachers welcomed us during a reception. Then, we made warm ups activities in the gymnasium, with games and sport.
    After that, a teacher guided us around the different campus.
    I follow courses in the biggest one.

    Otherwize, I had a one week training. It happened very well, I feel more and more selfconfident.

    I have no difficulties. I haven't many courses to follow. The teachers speak English very well, I have no understanding problems. It's more difficult for Dutch. The pupils speak very fast, and with a lot of modern words. Sometimes, I ask to reformulate their sentences. They are very friendly and are always ready to help me.

    As I said, I'm not often there, so I don't know the other pupils very well. But the groupsworks help me to integrate myself.
    The groupsworks are very interesting, there are some things we have never done in Brussels.
    They have an other point of view for pedagogy, it's very learnfull.
    For exemple: we have to prepare a "hoekenwerk". It's used very often. In other words, we have to divide the class in more or less six different activities that the students have to do in groups or individualy, and after all this activities, there is a last activity to check if the objectives are learned.

    It's a nice activity taht I would like to try on training.

    See you on April!

    Cindy Vandenhoeck

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  34. Hi everyone,

    Hope you're all fine!

    My training period is over sinds Friday!
    For the first time, everything was great :)Yes, that's true :D
    I really enjoyed giving lesson to those students even if there were some disciplinary problems.
    I've had the oppotunity of teaching more grammatical points than during the previous teaching practices. In fact, I told my Dutch mentor I didn't feel comfortable for the grammar and he answered: "Ok! why didn't you tell me that before? Next week you'll give lesson about 'de voorzetsels,het bijvoeglijke naamwoord en de trappen van vergelijking'"! I told myself why didn't you shut up?!? I prepare my lessons and I gave them. It was really stressful! I was afraid not to be clear but everything was ok so I'm happy to have had that opportunity :)

    Now I'm back in Leuven. The teachers there are very encouraging and the students really cordial.
    It's great because we've only lesson from Monday to Wednesday so we're free on Thursday and Friday. That will give me some time to begin my TFE.
    No, I haven't started it yet. I'm really panicking about it but I'll try to work hard on it :s

    That's all for today,

    Ps: sorry of being late

    See you soon ;)

    Mariam

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  35. Hi everyone :)


    How are you ?

    I’m really exhausted, completely dead… So much work and no real rest…



    Two weeks ago, Shirley and me attended a “cultural week” with the other students from the Ehsal. We visited Gand, Anvers and had some debates and discussions about the different religions and cultures in Belgium.



    I haven't much to say about the culture of the area I'm staying in, because it's Brussels 
    So, no real differences with the place where I live (except that where I live it’s more country !).

    BUT, I've things to tell about the Dutch students I'm working with at the Ehsal.
    Unfortunately, it's not really positive...

    Except two or three girls, nobody speaks to us (to Shirley and me). They all look at us as if we were nasty and stupid Martians :/
    I know I’m called Alien, but… hey… it’s a joke :D

    They often tell jokes about French speakers, but we can feel these jokes are mean. They consider us (the French speakers) as lazy and quite stupid people. I don't understand their way of thinking because French speakers are funny and don't have anything against Dutch speakers...

    I'd never thought it would be like that. The majority of Dutch speaker students don't like the French speakers.

    I find it's a real pity. We all live in the same country, that's the most important.



    This week, I haven't been to the Ehsal, because I had to go and help at Mater Dei (the school where I did my teaching practise a few weeks ago).

    In fact, during the week just before Easter, there are courses with some pupils in difficulties and I had to help them in Dutch.

    I had a group of 8 pupils, 3 girls and 5 boys, all in the first year.

    I did a bit of grammar, a lot of vocabulary in crosswords, in riddles... and... a lot of games I took back from the festival of languages :)
    Fortunately for the pupils, I was more dynamic than before :p

    Everything was fine, except that I had some problems with a boy who suffered from behavioural problems (he suddenly began to shout or to grumble etc.) I felt really sorry for him, I didn't understand why this child was in this school. Teachers like us aren't prepared and formed to such situation. And he often came to me, looked at me and said "Je suis malheureux." What could I say ??? What could I do ??? I tried to integrate him with the group as much as possible, but it wasn't always easy...



    I hope everything is okay for you all.
    Even if you love the place you’re staying in, don’t forget to come back !!!


    Kisses to all of you (and big kisses to Shirley, Mariam and Louise ;)


    Aline D.

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  36. Hello,

    My turn will come shortly...
    Could anybody tell me how to add a picture on this blog?

    Thanks.

    AG Clément

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  37. Hello everyone!

    First of all a message to you, Alexandre.. Sorry! I can't help you! I'm not that kind of person who is really handy with computers and stuff like that! :p

    Now a few words about Eshal.
    I've just read what Aline told you and I'm afraid I have to admit that's true...
    People are not that friendly.
    But for me it was not a huge surprise...
    I already knew how (some = many :p) Flemish think about the French-speaking community of our little country. And I'm afraid it is not very positive...
    There even was a huge discussion about French-speaking pupils going to Flemish schools and I was really upset to hear how intolerant they are! I found it quite disrespectful of having that kind of discussion while Aline and I were there (representing that same French-speaking community they were talking about!!!!)... Was it their intention to harm us? Don't know. But they could have had that conversation another day, when we weren't there!
    I wanted to answer and tell them how stupid they were, but hey... does not really matter... I'm not going to change their mind. They seem to know it so better! So I just shut up and waited until it was over. Maybe I should have answered... Oh!! Shoulda coulda woulda (BTW: do you know that song?? :p). It's over now! Does not matter anymore!

    But it is not all negative of course..
    During our cultural week we got to know some other students with whom we get along quite good.
    But oh! What a surprise... 70% of them also speak French! It must be said: French speaking people are more heartwarming (even if they are some exceptions!).



    At the moment I'm trying to enjoy the holidays as much as possible but we have a lot of work! (not very surprising, isn't it? :p)

    And then I also have another 2 weeks for my training period at St-Michel, so I've got my hands full! ;)
    Not spaeking about our end-of-study paper! :)

    I'll be glad when all's over and when we meet again!

    So excited to hear about your adventures wherever you may be!

    See you later alligator(s) :p

    Shirley

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  38. Hi everyone!

    Still one month before to all see you again ;)
    Actually I don’t have a lot of thing to say about this topic because I already spoke about the differences between my life as a student in Leuven and in Brussels. I really observed a difference between the Dutch and the English classes. People in our English courses are more open-minded and maybe less « critical » with us. With IEC (international program) we had a course named « cultural shock » we saw the different ways of saying hello in different countries we also saw the different animals sounds etc. I learned plenty of things.
    As said previously we are in a class of students from all over the world and everyday we can observe in the class different situation and Vanessa is always telling me: « Hahah c’est ce qu’on appelle un choc culturel ». According to me this is totally normal we don’t all have the same culture. Personally I never had a real problem with that because I ‘m used to two quite different cultures; the Belgian one and the Moroccan one. Because of that I sometimes can see some reaction that I can « understand » or find it quite normal.
    We have a real mixing in our classes, as well as the students the teachers are also from different parts of the world. One of our teacher is from Surinam and other one is from Argentina. We are lucky lo live this great and unforgivable experience. I really hope you’re doing so.
    I send you a lot of kisses

    Take care

    Anisa

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  39. hello,

    Sorry for the silence. I was quite busy working, especially before Easter. We had a lot of work to submit within a short period of time (mainly 2-3 days).
    I had a week "Verruimingsporject". That means that we met people working for the city, teaching Dutch to the refugees,...
    We had to organise lessons for the teachers who would give them during the summer holidays = fun fun fun for the children (aged between 12-22). Then the friday, we organised a "tour" of Mechelen with, of course, a specific function = using the voca&bulary they learned during the week( it was over het huis - wonen)
    As said previously, the students and teachers are very open. It is easy to work with them. I am not in class with Erasmus students but honestly, it is a lot of fun over here and I was considered as a student straight away, I didn't have any problem of intergration. Somethimes we don't do things the same way and we discuss about it. I would say that I'm more "Flamish" now. It might be also because I travelled around the world a lot so learning the somebody else culture is not a problem. Just be open-minded!

    That's all folks!
    Back to work now.... training training....

    Caroline

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  40. Hello everybody,

    I hope everything is fine for you guys, I miss you terribly but I really do enjoy my placement!
    I’ve learnt a lot about the UK but especially about London. I’ve been to all the Museums here and they are fantastic. I learnt about the big fire, the Tudors, the Victorians …
    I know all the things I should know about London. I could definitely me a guide to show you around ^^.
    They are a lot of similarities between the UK and Belgium, but also a lot of differences.
    Life here is more expensive, but people also have higher salaries. Here you have two kinds of people, very rich, or poor. There is no in-between!
    A lot of immigrates live here and I’ve never heard so much French people of my life! Seriously!
    I live in a dangerous area with Pakistanis people, Indians and people from Somalia. They left their country because there was the war or they wanted to find a job. So immigrated people are not so bad considerate here, compared to Belgium… If you know what I mean… They have a job, rarely a good one, but still, they are working…
    As I said, I live in a dangerous area, I’m the only white person, and there things I can’t do here: I have to wear a ponytail and things like that, otherwise I could be in trouble and no dresses or shorts!
    My school is not in a very good area either. Kids of 10 bring knives at school… Yes, I know… scary…
    Parents here (in my area) are unemployed or cannot read… So they just leave their kids in the street.
    The parents speak ‘English’ but with all kinds of accents, it’s quite funny and I could learn trough their mistakes…
    Hot water and water pressure is luxury here! I’m really not joking!
    Now that I discovered all things, I can say that I experienced a ‘culture clash’!
    I’m so happy to be in London! After three months I can say that, I live here and that I know what I have to know, if I want to bring my future students! I’ve lots of ideas and I certainly not feel like a tourist anymore!
    I hope you don’t have too much work like I do, and I hope to see you all soon!
    Miss you all! Aline, Shirley, Mariam, Vaneeeessss ;), Lulu, Anisa, Alex, Alineke, Cindy, Carooooooo ^^,
    Big kisses to Aline D!

    Louise

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  41. Hello!

    I'm on time! :)
    It's been quite a long time that I haven't wrote on this blog, at least it's the feeling that I have...
    Last week with groept, we went to Paris in order to listen to several lectures. Normally, this trip was supposed to be the moment where we were going to present our project to the UNESCO...but that didn't happen...(lots of people in our group were disappointed and when we came back to school on monday, they expressed their feeling ^^ in other words, people got in a 'passive' fight).
    Anisa, Mariam and I weren't that disappointed because we must admit that we weren't that involved in the project. In fact, it was difficult for us to fit in this project because we weren't there at the beginning of it. We were busy with our teaching practice.
    I have so many things to tell you guys but I don't know where to start, and I have the feeling that if I begin to explain everything, you will be just lost because there are too much information ^^ so I prefer to keep it for myself for the moment, and to tell you everything when we will see each other! I think it's much better like that :)

    see you soon,

    Vanessa.

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  42. Hi everybody!

    I already knew a lot about the English culture before coming here but we never know everything…
    I think the biggest cultural clash I had was when I went to a pharmacy. I was walking around the different departments and then… there was a sweets department. Is a pharmacy not supposed to sell medicines and healthy things?? I still bought a chocolate bar, I couldn’t resist and moreover I felt like I was forced to do it to make the English trade work :D

    More seriously I learnt an important vocabulary point. In this part of the country the supper is a snack that you eat before going to bed. They call the main evening meal teatime.
    I also first tasted a carrot cake, it’s not a typical English cake but I think we don’t easily find that in Belgium. As I told you last time I’m lucky and I can try a lot of different English and Irish meals.
    I also tried to show my family about our own culture and the French one. I brought some brown-sugar biscuits (speculoos) and chocolates. My boyfriend cooked some French meals that I love like a cheese fondue, my family there loves it too now!

    Something amazing here is Tesco, open 24h/24h and you can find anything you want in there. It usually takes ages before I find what I want…

    Another thing I can’t get used to is the fact English people drive on the left. I’m always very careful when I cross the road.

    Something, which shocks me, was religion at school. As I told you I work in two different schools. The first one is a catholic one and the second is a church of England school.
    When I was younger my parents wanted me to go to church every Sunday. I don’t really remember what the priest was saying during mass but I’m pretty sure that it wasn’t the same as here. I often had to go to church or listen to mass when I was at school. The priest adapted his words to children and it sometimes seemed to be brainwashing but I won’t explain that now. I’ll probably talk about it during my presentation in May. That was the negative point, nothing can be perfect…

    See you soon,

    Alinneke

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  43. Hej !
    I hope everything’s all right with you all. Me, I’ve got to say that I’m quite torn between two sentiments. In 4 days I’m gonna be back in Brussels, and tomorrow will be my last day at school, because on Friday, it’s a huge holiday here, especially for students – it can be compared to the “Saint-Verhaegen” at the ULB or the “24h vélo” in Louvain-la Neuve, but in the whole country here in Sweden – and I’m not ashamed to say that I will make sure I can enjoy myself one last time before I leave, even if it involves a major hangover on Saturday and Sunday J. I must say if feel quite happy to come back in Belgium, because I missed my family, my friends and – way more – my girlfriend so much during these 13 weeks in the “Capital of Scandinavia”. But on the other hand, I loved my stay, Sweden and my school so much that I can’t help but feel really sad about coming back to Belgium – and our blessed governments and politicians didn’t help me feel another way…
    Last Thursday, after Yves Leterme gave our King is third (fourth? fifth?) resign in 3 years, the teachers asked me to give a 45 minutes “conference” to themselves and the 9th graders (15-16 years old) on the problems which are happening in our beautiful (I’m not being ironic here!) country and why our government resigned this time. After this improvised conference, I had the feeling that ¾ of my audience didn’t understand a thing about it – even the teachers couldn’t quite understand what I was explaining – but I told them it was logic, because even Belgians don’t know quite well why the Flemish and the Walloon communities fight that much in such a small country. When a teacher told me that he couldn’t believe that was happening in such a small country in the heart of Europe, I gave him the stupidest answer ever : “Well, that’s Belgian surrealism, I guess…”.
    Back to the task we are asked to do, I must say I didn’t experience a real culture clash here, and that the Swedish culture and mentality is not that different from ours, but there are still some differences and some things that were weird to me when I arrived in Sweden.
    First, the way the Swedes eat is different than our way. They usually have a really early breakfast (around 7AM) – a bit later during holidays – and have their lunch between 11 o’clock and 11.45! As the school food is free, and as I didn’t want to eat alone around 12.30, I had to adapt myself to this lunch time, which was kind of difficult in the beginning because I wasn’t hungry at that time. They also eat their dinner quite early (around 17.30), but it wasn’t a real problem to me, because I could eat whenever I wanted as I am living alone. Another weird thing – well, it’s a question of taste, but still – is that most of the Swedes, until 30-35 years old, drink milk with their hot meals! As I only use milk in cereals and coffee, you could imagine how bizarre that was to see that.

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  44. Another thing which is different is the mentality of the Swedes, is that they are way more ambitious than the average Belgian. Everybody wants to set high goals to reach in their life, and work hard to reach these goals – even 12-years-olds. They are also quite proud about their Swedish factories and inventions – Volvo, Metro (the free newspaper), Ericsson, … - and feel it’s a huge failure when one of their factories goes bankrupt. For example, when Saab when almost bankrupt, you could see that it was a national drama and that they were really bumped and sad about it.
    Finally, something I realized is that they are quite formal when they in their gesture towards each other. Some of the teachers here are really good friends, but they never hug or kiss each other, not even a handshake! They usually say “Hej” or “Godmorgon” in the morning when they arrive and say “Hejdå” when they leave, and that’s it. On the other hand, they are less formal towards the hierarchy. They don’t use any “Sir” or “Mister”… they call each other by their first names, and that’s it (even pupils call their teachers by their first names). I guess that if I had to move here, I would have to adapt myself to that!
    Well, that was all for this month - it actually was already way too long - but I'll be able to explain it all way better next week, since I'll be back in Belgium. See you pals!
    Laurent

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  45. Hi everyone,

    I'm really late but I couldn't write because I had problems with my connection.
    In leuven I've not experienced big cultural clashes with the group but there are some differences between the behaviour of the students coming from Africa and the 'European' ones.
    We can see that during the classes. For example some students keep with their coat in the classroom and even with their cap. Some others eat during the classes. I find that a bit weird but I'm not 'shoked'.
    Another funny example: As Vanessa told you we were in Paris for 2 days. Before taking the bus to come back to Brussels we went eating with some students from our group.
    One of the girls didn't order anything because she had some fish in her bag (that she brought from Belgium). So she ate her food in the 'restaurant' (Mc Donald's :p). That's the first thing. Then another student left the table to go to the toilet. The other one took her drink and began to drink it without waiting for a permission. When the other one came back she took her glass but it was empty. She looked like 'Had I drunk everything?'. It was so funny :D The other one then said 'I've drunk it because I was thirsty'.

    Big kisses to all of you ;)

    See you soon.

    Mariam.

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  46. Hello guys ;)

    My Erabel is almost done and I must admit that I’m quiet disappointed. My expectations weren’t fulfilled. I hoped that it would help me to approve my Dutch and my English, but we didn’t practised that much. I have the impression that my English is a bit better but I didn’t improve my Dutch!
    Actually if I had to do it again I wouldn’t! I would prefer to go abroad. We met nice persons, we shared pleasant moments but that wasn’t my principal aim.
    The program wasn’t appropriate for us, we didn’t learn a lot of things linked with education or linked with the language.
    However I’m quiet proud to be part of our project Ethiopia. Let me explain it (sorry if it’s too long)
    We are going to help a school in Ethiopia, Hanna Mariam Kindergarten school, by giving them some materials (blackboards, books, etc) and we‘re also going to renovate the school. Actually two pupils and some of or teachers are going there in July
    We have different subprojects, one of my classmate wrote a song and we selling the CD. We organising 24hrs teaching and we’re looking for sponsors.
    I want to invite you all if you want to come during this 24hrs hours. There will be a big barbecue and it will be very convivial. Moreover it will be the occasion to see each other. The 24hrs will take place on the 19th and 20th of May in our school Groep T leuven.
    This project will be my best memory of this experience, helping people and having fun at the same time, that’s great.
    I’m quiet impatient to all see you back and to go back to my real school.
    I’m also sad when I think that it’s almost done, actually I don’t want to think about it :’(.

    I send you a lot of positive waves I know that it is a hard period (end-of-study paper and all the works we have to submit). It is almost finish.

    Good luck


    Kindest regards <3 <3
    Anissa

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  47. Hello all of you! How are you doing?

    I know that some of these who where abroad are back in Belgium. It would be great if we arranged something to see each other before the exams :s I really miss you all and the atmosphere at the ISPG too!

    About my Erabel now! I'm very disappointed about it! My first wish was to go abroad but I stayed in Belgium to practice the 2 languages because I was afraid of losing one of them. In fact, I have the impression that I've lost the 2 of them because we don't really have the opportunity to talk so I didn’t improve at all :( !
    During the Dutch classes we never talk because the students are unfriendly and the teachers a bit cold. We've only spoken once in front of the class. We had to tell stories!
    We only practice English to communicate with the students from the international program. The English classes are very difficult for me to follow. It's a hard level. Actually it's like if we were at the university. Even the subjects haven't any link with education and that's a pity!
    The only positive thing is the awareness project for Ethiopia. As Anisa said, it is divided into different sub-projects. For example, yesterday, Anisa, Vanessa and I had to assist in the kitchen of a restaurant for poor people called Povellero. It was a great experience that I'd never forget. The aim was to make us aware that there are poor people next our doors and that we don't have to go in poor countries to find poor people! I really liked assisting there. At the end of the day we all received 2 bags of chocolate :p (ahahahaha) I enjoyed it a lot :)

    See you very soon,

    Big kisses,

    Mariam

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  48. I know, I’m late, I’m sorry. But I’ve been so busy with all my work for the ISPG that I forgot about the blog. I’m sorry.

    Yes, I’m feeling the end of the adventure, I’m back in Belgium and it’s weird. I’ve to adapt myself again to Belgium
    I learned so much about methodology, English, the English schools, the teachers, collaboration, about London and much more!
    Of course I would do it again if it was possible. I loved the Comenius adventure. But I would change the area where I was. It was way too dangerous. I would also like a mentor because I didn’t learn much about giving a MFL lesson. I had to do it all by myself, which was cool, because I was choosing what I wanted to do, but, I had no support…
    Yes, I think I’ve changed. I’m more independent: I did everything by myself there: visited museum, looked for a new room – flat, lived in London …
    I think that the fact that I’ve been to London is going to influence my English courses because, now I’ve a real British accent. I also want to use more ICT’s during my lesson. ..
    One thing I will always remember about London… I did it! Simply I did it. I dared! I went back even though it was hard. I’m proud of myself!

    I was happy to see some of you back at school, we should defenitly see eachother after the exams!!!

    Big kisses to all of you,

    Louise

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