Reflection Time from the Students

Since we are getting college credit for this experience, we have been asked to keep journals of our thoughts and reflections each day. Tuesday was our first due date for them so that Prof. Bock and Dr. Hal could read what we have so far. Dr. Hal thought it would be a good idea to post some of what we've said, anonymously of course. So here are a few quotes from the students. You are free to guess who said what, but don't expect any prizes if you happen to be correct.

"...We went to the night market. This was neat to see. To get there we took the sky train which was really neat also. We also had to take the subway [where] we got lost. But it all worked out.
"By this time I was exhausted and drained every way possible. But it was a good day, just very long."

"Tonight we got to spend time just to chill which was amazing. It was good to just relax and not have to worry about anything. The air of the ocean is so amazing and the view is still shocking. I am in love with everything. I really think this trip will change my life."

"I wish language were something concrete like math. It’s so hard telling a student that they are both right and wrong. How can they understand that? It would be nice if every class was like 5/1. They are so receptive to my teaching, and I think they genuinely enjoyed my being there."

"When we got back to [the] hotel we learned how to be good foreigners."

"I love it here, especially the people and the beautiful surroundings. I'm even loving this weather, since we have more snow. I [knew] that this trip [would] change my life forever but I didn't know it was going to be this much."

"My first experience with [a] Thailand school was absolutely breathtaking. I love how they all wear uniforms and give respect to the teachers/elders. Every morning they stand outside and have a routine of raising their flag and saying a prayer.
"We each had to introduce ourselves and say a little speech. We were all very nervous, but did very well.
"Learning how to teach English is very difficult and I hope I do well with my students.
"After [a] lesson on the warmer, we went back to the resort for dinner and slept."

"Today we woke up the earliest so far and it was totally worth it. ...Soon later [at the floating markets] we turned a corner and it was full of people, food, and more thingsto buy and try. Everything we floated by I tried and shared with everyone on our boat. I just thought it was really cool how people turned their boats into kitchens."

"Again, my expectations have been proven to be completely inaccurate. Koh Lao Liang is probably the most beautiful natural environment I’ve ever visited, and the man-made additions to the island were surprisingly un-intrusive. Professor Maureen said at some point that something like that could only exist in the movies, and it’s amazing to me the sort of things in the world that are so far away from me."