tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180081312011-04-21T11:39:08.994-07:00Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13486889594115826460noreply@blogger.comBlogger41100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18008131.post-1132221763103122602005-11-17T02:02:00.000-08:002005-11-17T02:02:43.116-08:00Asalam walekum again. I haven't had the time or opportunity to blog. We have been so busy I don't know where to start. We've been visiting several schools and their internet learning centers (ILCs). We have been observing classes, giving presentations, leading workshops for Bangladeshi teachers, visiting classrooms and interacting with teachers and students. We just had a two-day Global Connections and Exchange Program (GCEP) Conference at Proshika, which is one of the most established NGOs in the country. Peace Corps volunteers, Relief International- Schools Online (RI-SOL) staff, Proshika staff, American and Bangladeshi teachers gathered to discuss education in Bangladesh and the RI-SOL programs. The education system is very different here. Teachers just lecture and students memorize. There is not much interaction between teachers and students. Students are nice, friendly, very respectful and well-behaved. We did a bit of tourism also: visited the Moinamoti Ruins (Buddhist temple) and the Sundarbans forest where we had a nice ferryboat ride. We had meetings with a few NGOs such as BARD (Bangladesh Assiociation for Rural Development), Rupantar and Proshika. Bangladesh is the NGO capital of the world. Tonight we are having a farewell dinner since one of the teachers is leaving tomorrow. Please blog! <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18008131-113222176310312260?l=risol-lauras.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13486889594115826460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18008131.post-1131281637794091972005-11-06T04:53:00.000-08:002005-11-06T04:53:57.806-08:00<a href="http://risol-lauras.blogspot.com/">Teacher Exchange to Bangladesh</a> <br /> <br />Asalam walekum! It is Sunday evening and we just got to the Relief International Office after celebrating Eid -the culmination of Ramadan- with a family in village home the neighbor district of Gazipur. We all had a great time, full of great food and company. <br />Let me tell you about the trip so far. I left Honolulu for Los Angeles -with a stop in San Fran where I missed my connnection- on Wednesday, November 2nd. I met the other two teachers there. We had pre-departure orientation meetings on Thursday morning and left for Bangladesh in the afternoon. We stopped a few hours in Taipei, and then spent the night in Bangkok. We finally landed here on Saturday at noon. Lela and Jack -RISOL staff- were waiting for us at the airport. They drove us to the hotel, had lunch, and then headed for the RISOL office for orientation meetings. Today we had more meetings , including a meeting with the US Embassy's American Club director. After that we headed for Gazipur. <br />My first impressions of this country?? I love it! Lela was briefing us on "culture shock," however, I haven't been shocked at all. On the contrary, I have been simply amazed!!! The people are so curious so hospitable, so nice, so full of substance....It is hard to describe them. I am just so thankful to have such a unique opportunity! I have a lot to share, but I have a terrible jet lag and I am heading for bed soon! Please blog! I will post pictures soon! <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18008131-113128163779409197?l=risol-lauras.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13486889594115826460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18008131.post-1130120763096335002005-10-23T19:26:00.000-07:002005-10-23T19:26:03.096-07:00<a href="http://risol-lauras.blogspot.com/">Teacher Exchange to Bangladesh</a> <br /> <br />Aloha!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18008131-113012076309633500?l=risol-lauras.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13486889594115826460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18008131.post-1130120446039247532005-10-23T19:20:00.000-07:002005-10-23T19:20:46.050-07:00<a href="http://risol-lauras.blogspot.com/">Teacher Exchange to Bangladesh</a> <br /> <br />Aloha all! I will be arriving in Bangladesh in exactly 13 days! I am so excited! Please blog! Laura<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18008131-113012044603924753?l=risol-lauras.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13486889594115826460noreply@blogger.com0