Distance

Posted by Gemma on August 27th, 2009

Wow, I can’t believe it’s been a month since I was in Peru. It seems about a million miles away in another life, but at the same time it’s a huge part of me that’s impossible to forget. The first thing that hit me about Canada when I returned (bearing in mind I live in Manitoba) was how quiet it was! Everybody seemed really distant and sometimes I would start speaking Spanish without thinking only to be greeted by confused glances. It was a really bizarre week.
My position in Peru was ESL teacher in Cajamarca. It was an amazing experience although there were many unexpected parts. I did a lot of substitute teaching as well as my own classes, which meant I taught ages 4 to about 60. It can be a lot of work, for example on Saturday I was working for 9 hours, but it was unbelievable too. One of my classes included two children, their mother, and their grandmother. That was pretty cool as they were full of personality. I have to say that I rarely had a class that went by without a few laughs as the people in Peru have such uplifting spirits and are not shy at all!
My Spanish improved dramatically. I think that for this position it’s a good idea to have a better knowledge of Spanish than I did at the start because students have a lot of questions that they might not know how to say in English. I think that my knowledge of English grammar helped a lot but for many native speakers it’s really hard to teach because it’s not something we have to think about. The most rewarding part is watching students improve and hearing all about their lives in class examples. The Chiclayo approach to teaching English calls for 80% of the class being student talk, so you do get to know your students quite well.
The experience has encourged me to pursue teaching, but I preferred adults so I am thinking of trying to be a professor (which I realize is a lot of work).
I lived with a host family in Peru who made me feel at home in about 1 minute as they took me on day trip 5 minutes after I stepped through the door. It was brilliant. The food is amazing, really heavy but still good, I even enjoyed Guinea Pig which was my Peruvian sister’s favourite food! I encourage future interns to try all the local food, especially the fruits (just don’t forget to wash it if you buy it in the street). The people are so welcoming.
My host mother is part of a program that organizes breakfast for the poorest schoolrooms in the city. I helped out sometimes and it was pretty disturbing to see the conditions these children learned in. I also went to see the richest private school in the city, which was like a resort. It’s pretty crazy to see the two different worlds side by side but it’s the reality they live in.
It’s really heartbreaking to see all the poverty, especially the children asking if they can sing for your money. WUSC does amazing work in the world and if you are reading this you should join a group or support their events in any way you can!
My advice to anyone who is thinking about doing something like this but is not sure, is that you have to go. Live while you have the chance. You won’t regret it. I never once felt like my life was in danger or anything close to it. Before I went a lot of people told me horror stories about what would happen to me being so young and travelling alone in countries less well off than Canada, but they are ignorant. You can get hurt just a easily in Canada as anywhere else. You just have to be sensible about what you do and where you go. Make friends and they’ll take care of you. I had the time of my life.
Thank you to all the awesome people it made it possible for this to happen, you know who you are!
Chao!

Posted in Just Returned, Peru, SWB