Deciding to come to India to complete our final field experience was an obvious yet intimidating choice, for us anyway. While it was both of our desires to see India and experience the captivating and chaotic culture that exists here, at the same time, it was daunting to enter into such a challenging task as student teaching in a setting so foreign to our experiences. Student teaching in India is not for the faint of heart, but it has so far been one of the most rewarding experiences ever.
Arrival:
Just a few moments after stepping off the plane, we realized how complex of a place Mumbai could be. Anticipating that we would have difficulty getting through customs, we were anxious but met with ease and acceptance. Once we exited the airport, there were hundreds of eyes following our every move as we scanned each face back, looking for our pick-up who turned out be our amazing supervisor here. Our bags were carried for us as we were ushered to the car and put into an air conditioned mini-van as we travelled through the typical bright lights and tall buildings of a city at night. Of course, this was right alongside countless people and animals walking, riding, and sleeping in the streets.
Day to Day Living:
We live near a luxurious mall where the taxi and rickshaw drivers try to charge triple the amount they normally would just because of your exit point. Not everyone tries to get extra from you - this is always a helping hand and a patient soul to help us find our way and get what we need. That is how it is here. It is conservative but people are understanding; they can be critical but empathetic all at the same time. The city is constantly abuzz and there’s always something to do. There’s been a festival around every corner, both figuratively and literally right around our street corner there are drums going, fire crackers bursting, children playing, and all kinds of joy to be had. | |
The School:
If it weren’t for the American School of Bombay, our transition to Mumbai could have gone a lot differently. This school has been nothing short of amazing - from picking us up at the airport after a late arrival, to providing housing and amenities, to accepting us into their new teacher orientation, and giving us the respect and trust of their full-time teachers - and that’s not even skimming the surface.
Not only have all of the teachers, administrators, and staff been incredibly inviting, the students and parents at this school are also so welcoming. Everyone here is completely involved in the school. Parents meet with us regularly and have treated us with the same respect as our cooperating teachers, and our students come to school ready and eager to learn (almost) every day. The sense of community within the school has been our saving grace at times and the idea of working hard at such an incredible place puts a smile on our faces every morning.
As we end our first placement here and head into a week off for fall break, we can only look back on these past two months with gratitude and love for this city, this school. So far, it has been one of the most enlivening experiences of our lives and both of us would prefer never to leave. The school and Mumbai have marked our hearts for a long time, and we only hope if you are considering coming here, you will read this and lean a little more in the direction of making the leap and coming here. Whether or not you crave this lifestyle as much as we do, the opportunities we have been given by the school are insurmountable and have opened endless doors in our lives. We have already felt our own and seen each others’ development as educators. We’ll leave you with a thought that our superintendent gave us the first day here and recommend you heed his advice: “No matter how you feel day-to-day, remember to open your heart to India.”
-Ashley & Rebecca
Not only have all of the teachers, administrators, and staff been incredibly inviting, the students and parents at this school are also so welcoming. Everyone here is completely involved in the school. Parents meet with us regularly and have treated us with the same respect as our cooperating teachers, and our students come to school ready and eager to learn (almost) every day. The sense of community within the school has been our saving grace at times and the idea of working hard at such an incredible place puts a smile on our faces every morning.
As we end our first placement here and head into a week off for fall break, we can only look back on these past two months with gratitude and love for this city, this school. So far, it has been one of the most enlivening experiences of our lives and both of us would prefer never to leave. The school and Mumbai have marked our hearts for a long time, and we only hope if you are considering coming here, you will read this and lean a little more in the direction of making the leap and coming here. Whether or not you crave this lifestyle as much as we do, the opportunities we have been given by the school are insurmountable and have opened endless doors in our lives. We have already felt our own and seen each others’ development as educators. We’ll leave you with a thought that our superintendent gave us the first day here and recommend you heed his advice: “No matter how you feel day-to-day, remember to open your heart to India.”
-Ashley & Rebecca