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areen18
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Joined: 21 Sep 2007
Posts: 268
Location: KL

PostPosted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:32 pm    Post subject: something to share... Reply with quote

My 4 month stay in Argentina
I am placed in a small town called Esquel located in the Chubut province, in the South of Argentina, Patagonia Argentina. Esquel is a small town surrounded by mountains which change colour according to the time of the day . I have been having a good time here since the first day I reached Esquel, though it is very different from my hometown, Kuantan, which is by the sea. Also, the weather here is very different, the air is very dry
here.

I arrived here in late summer, however it has been very cold for me. At first, I can´t really get used to the temperature because for me, it is really cold. Throughout autumn, which is a windy season here, the temperature remains from 9ºc to 15ºc. The environment is totally different for me. I would say I am having a good stay here in this place. Firstly, my family. Even though I am staying in a single-parent´s family, with only my host mother and my little host sister but they have been treating me very nice.

They always make me feel so at-home. In the first few months, they had helped me a lot adapting myself in the new society and learning the new language. Also, they have shown me some wonderful places in Argentina, they bought me to the wonderful national park nearby, the dam , and also, we had travelled once to another city, Neuquen , together to visit my older host brother who is now living there.

Also, I got to know other exchanged students and did sight-seeing when travelled to another town with the President of AFS chapter in my town. Other than these, I had my first taste of being in a hip-pop concert ,disco, going out until the wee hours, first taste of tasting Walsh tea here. On the other hand, my every-day life here is only going to school in the morning , hanging out with friends , walking around the centre and going to the private Spanish class. There is not much to do in this small town but there is a very famous ski-centre in my town which is going to be opened in the winter, hopefully, I could also have my first try of doing skiing or snowboarding. It has snowed once recently in Esquel and it was the first time I saw snow . It was amazing. Being here is really nice. New experiences everyday but sometimes it is really frustrated . The first month of being here is like learning everything like a baby. Homesickness striked from time to time and still. Everyday trying hard to adapt the new culture and new life as well as measuring them in every expects and my principles of life whether should I or should I not adapt..

The first few months being here was the toughest and also the funniest time. The toughest time was because of the language barrier and overcross to a society which has a very different culture. The funniest time was when encounting new experiences and new things. After being here for 4 months, I have been experiencing a lot of culture shocks, especially the first month. Firstly, the way of greeting each other with a kiss on the
cheek. This is a pretty beautiful new culture for me. It is practised when encountering each other and also when bidding farewell. Secondly, regarding about smoking . From teenagers to old folks, they like to smoke. However, smoking in the public buildings such as hospital, school , government departments ,etc, is prohibited .The first few days when I
was walking around the town with another two exchanged students here, it was really shock to see even teenaged girls aged around 14 years old smoked at the streets..

Thirdly, drinking alcoholic drinks. Almost everyone here drinks. Also, the teenagers in Esquel like to go out every weekends and holiday nights. They enjoy dancing in the disco and drinking. The legal age for going in a disco here is 17.They usually go out very late, around 12 o´clock until 7 in the morning. Going home around 3 o´clock in the wee hours is considered as early. Perhaps due to this reason, the dinner time here is also very different from the dinner time in Malaysia. They usually have dinner around 10 o´clock at night. Then come to piercing and tattoos.. It´s normal to see somebody with a piercing on their lip, nose,eyebrows or tattoo everywhere on the body. Next, swear words. Not that people here are rude to others , just simply they swear usually. Even a highly respective old woman would swear at no time. The family culture is also very different.

Young children always shout at their parents , even sometimes they swear at their parents. Personally, the schooling experience is not as nice as I thought it would be, perhaps, it is the worst thing of the entire homestay experience. I am going to a public school here and just like the schools in Malaysia, it is the teachers who change room, not the students. There is either classes in the morning or in the afternoon and school year period goes from mid March to early December with a two-week winter break in July. There are no co-curriculum activities in school here. There are 10 subjects in average compulsory for the students. What differs the schools in Argentina from the schools in Malaysia is the attitude in classroom. Unlike schools in Malaysia, students here voice up their opinions rather than follow the instructions given by the teachers, and sometimes they could make up a mess. Students do not have to wear uniform to attend classes. Tests and examinations in schools here are different from those in Malaysia. They don’t have an special period for examinations like a week or two just for tests, but they do tests in regular school days. Students here also have more freedom in classes, they can sleep in some classes, listen to music, pay no attentions to the teachers, etc. In my school, classrooms are no well-kept, not like in Malaysia, students have to take turn to be on duty cleaning the classrooms and decorate the classroom. Students here do not have to bring or buy a lot of exercise books or workbooks for school. They just have to bring a folder with blank sheets and take note in the class. Most of the schools here have two breaks, each one after two hours for 10 minutes. Homeworks here are much lighter than in Malaysia.

The subjects are also very different. There are subjects like theatre, philosophy and psychology in high school which these do not exit in high schools in Malaysia. What I have learned the most after a 4-month homestay is the relationship between friends and family. In fact, they are also a part of the different culture in Argentina. The people here show their love towards each other with some actions, like a kiss on the cheek, a hug or just a simple ¨I like you¨ or ¨I love you¨. For this, in the rather
conservative society which I grew up in , this is really a new and different thing. Personally, this is really beautiful. Also, being away from my homecountry , family and friends for 4 months also taught me a lot. Firstly and undoubtedly, it has taught me how to miss them and also it makes me realise that I should appreciate what I have. The people here make me understand that love should be shown but not only hidden in hearts. With just a simple sentence telling others how much you feel for them, it makes people feel warm and loved, sometimes it can cheer others up. I really like this new culture actually. Kissing is not always practised in Asian society , especially between friends and family members but over here, it is just a way of showing love and it strengthen the relationship. A hug has the magic to cheer up the depressed.

Besides, being an exchanged student makes me understand that there are many differences between people, differences between cultures and lifestyle. As the motto of AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia ,¨ no better or worse, things are just different ¨ , there are a lot of different things in the world, much more than one can imagine. Being an exchanged student not only allows me to experience the different culture between my home country and the host country but also it allows me to know the different culture between my home country and the home country of other exchanged students. With AFS,I now have a wider view of the world and understand sometimes things can be really different. For example, having a piercing or tattoo. Over here, they are just another decorations of a human body and the society doesn´t have a strong objection to it but things are totally in the opporsite in Malaysia. One are generalised as a rebellious person if they have tattoos or piercings by the society and is always being judged with a different view.

Furthermore, AFS benefited me to learn a new language . This is not like learning a new language in those language centres nor like going to some courses . In fact, I am learninga new language by fitting myself in the society which the language is mainly used. It is much funnier and more exciting than going to the language centre everyday. I can learn new words everyday and practise it daily by talking with friends. Other than all I have mentioned above, being an exchanged student , I realised that
understanding between people , tolerating and accepting different opinions are the main courses of achiving peace . As an Asian, I was raised to adapt good morality and the culture which I practised in my country are somehow quite different from the culture in the West. For this reason, I have to be more tolerable with the new culture which I encounter in Argentina and I have to be more open-minded for accepting the differences.

As an AFS-er, I have learned to be more independent these few months and braver and have more openness to face and accept the differences and new things which occur in my stay. This is good for me to grow up. It also taught me how to suit myself in a different society and adapt new culture. Ever since I have been here in Argentina, I have been trying a lot of new thing, especially the first 2 months . However, the third month being here has been a little bit harder for me because of the homesickness and also it was the time when I judged on everything which I should adapt and which I should drop. Being an AFS-er has taught me to differentiate things that which I should adapt and which I shouldn´t.

Argentina is a vast country. There are a lot of different cultures due to the multiracial society. Different cultures were bought in during the World War II , the period when Argentina was ruled by the Spanish and also the cultures are bought in together with the migrants. There are a lot of cultures here , such as the Spanish, the French, the Italian, the Arabian, not to be left out, the native and etc. Being here in this country give me an
advantage of witnessing and knowing a lot of different cultures.What I like about this country is mostly the people here. They are warm and friendly. Also, I like the way they express love towards each other. They are never hesitated or feel embarrassed of showing their love by a kiss, a hug or a simple phrase, ¨I like you¨. In my opinion, this is a really beautiful culture . Besides, the amazing nature impressed me a lot.

Thank you so much for giving me a golden chance to be in Argentina as an exchanged student and experiencing the different culture.

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when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade then finds someone whose life has given them tequila and have a party|| Do wat makes you happy, b wit who makes u smile, laugh as much as u breathe & love as long as u live
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areen18
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Joined: 21 Sep 2007
Posts: 268
Location: KL

PostPosted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This was written by Desmond an AFS exchange student. should you have any kids or students who is interested in having the same rollercoaster experience ... please log on to www.afs.org.my.

i will tell you my experience as an AFS-er soon ....

till then
_________________
when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade then finds someone whose life has given them tequila and have a party|| Do wat makes you happy, b wit who makes u smile, laugh as much as u breathe & love as long as u live
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areen18
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Joined: 21 Sep 2007
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Location: KL

PostPosted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My Different View


The physical journey that I traverse
is a journey of the soul

These words swam through my mind over and over again, as I tried to fathom what it meant. I looked out of the window. The darkness of night stared back at me, full of its mysteries. Elusive stars twinkled, so near, yet so far. In my hand lay the piece of paper with the verse, which was given to me by my sister with specific instructions to open only on my way home from my exchange program to Italy.

I reflected on the last two months. The people: Paolo, Marina, Chiara, and Francesco, the people I’ve begun to call family. Their relatives, family friends, my friends from school, my teachers, Chiara’s friends, all who have opened up their hearts and accepted me for who I am, a Chinese girl from a little “kampung”.

I have brought myself home,
Seasoned by confidence,
Broadened by land and languages,
I’m no longer afraid of the oceans,
Or the differences between people.

I’ve always felt that they are better than us. They are refined, they are modern, they have advanced technology, and they are glamorous. They are everything we were not. From the newspapers, books, articles in the magazines, it is there. That the Westerners are better than us. I open the magazines and there it is: advertisements for models with Pan-Asian looks. Rich families send their children overseas to study; sick people go overseas for their treatment. I seriously thought that I’ll always lose to them, and before leaving for Italy, I constantly worried whether I’ll be laughed at, whether I’ll fit in. I now realize how silly I was.

My host family, the Guirris helped change my view towards the world. They taught me that there was no such thing as “I’m better than you or you’re better than me.” Instead, they showed that despite our differences, we are all the same. We are God’s creation, human beings with emotions. While with them, I did not feel inferior. Through spending time with each other, I began to realize that they weren’t that different after all! We shared jokes and laughter; we talked, had fun, and went to places together. The feelings of warmth, companionship, acceptance-- are these not the feelings that all human beings crave?

In school, teachers and classmates alike showed a genuine interest in my life, my country, and me. The amazement on their faces when I told them about Malaysia, a multiracial country where Malays, Chinese, and Indians live together in peace made me realize how proud I should be. Though most have not heard of Malaysia, they’ve heard of the Petronas Twin Towers, the Sepang F1 circuit, and Michelle Yeoh too! They were curious to know why I could not only speak Chinese and Malay, but English too. They were very friendly, eager to know more, and at the same time, willing to share their language, their cuisine (it was a school with a hotel management program, where we prepared meals and had them. Ah, now I know where the extra kilos came from!), and let me be part of their lives. They made me see it was I who have been comparing all along, which is better, and as a result feeling inadequate.

One might say that it is only because I’m an exchange student, a novelty, that I get this special treatment. A trip with Chiara, my host sister, and the Scouts, proved otherwise. A day after Christmas, we went to Torino, not as tourists, but to help in a soup kitchen run by nuns. These nuns gave out meals, wrapped presents, sorted out and distributed the clothes donated. What struck me most was that of the recipients of their labours, only 10% were Italians, and about 90% were immigrants. These immigrants are often blamed for crime and yet they (the nuns), helped selflessly, without taking into account skin colour, or nationality. To them, people are people. They are the same, struggling to make a living in this world.

My experiences made me look at myself, my whole life in a new light. I’ve realised, everyone is unique, special, and we should celebrate our differences. These differences make our world exciting, every place an eye opener. Our different cultures, skin colours, should not be constantly compared, but appreciated and embraced, for we are after all, the same-- human beings, who love and hurt as easily as the next person. We stand together, as brothers and sisters of the world, united, each special in his or her own way.

I gazed out of the window again, where streaks of sunlight were now breaking through, spreading its warm rays, chasing away the last vestiges of darkness.

I have found myself.
(796) Words



*Verses in Italics sourced from Muhammad Haji Salleh’s poem, si tenggang’s homecoming


Name: Ho Chui Ping
Age: 16
Country: Malaysia
_________________
when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade then finds someone whose life has given them tequila and have a party|| Do wat makes you happy, b wit who makes u smile, laugh as much as u breathe & love as long as u live
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areen18
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Joined: 21 Sep 2007
Posts: 268
Location: KL

PostPosted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Educators are given the opportunity to live and teach in another culture, as a member of a host family. In a host community they will gain a deeper knowledge and respect for cultural differences.

The aim is for these teachers to share and apply their knowledge and skills upon their return to New Zealand with their school and the wider community, including the production of teaching resources.

Criteria for Malaysian Teachers

• All teachers in teacher’s colleges, primary and secondary schools, interested in their teaching curriculum are welcome to apply. Private and International School Teachers are encouraged to apply as well.

• Teachers will be required to share the knowledge they gain from participating in the programme with their school and in their community to promote further cultural understanding and AFS programmes.

• Teachers will be required to provide written reports to AFS Malaysia & Ministry of Education upon return to Malaysia. Teachers will also be required to develop an action plan outlining how they intend to disseminate the knowledge they have gained.

• It is expected that on their return, teachers will be a valuable resource by providing knowledge and understanding when promoting International studies and/or dealing with foreign pupils within their school and community.
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when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade then finds someone whose life has given them tequila and have a party|| Do wat makes you happy, b wit who makes u smile, laugh as much as u breathe & love as long as u live
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CIKGU ARTHUR
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Joined: 04 Jul 2007
Posts: 1010
Location: Sibu Sarawak Malaysia

PostPosted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You didn't mention the age limit!!! By the time I got to know of such things, I was already too old. Now, to me, it's THE ROAD NOT TAKEN...and I shall be telling this with a sigh.
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CIKGU ARTHUR
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areen18
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Joined: 21 Sep 2007
Posts: 268
Location: KL

PostPosted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

oh Arthur.. its not too late.. you can still have the experience.. by becoming a Host family... imagine you are hosting a girl from Germany / Belgium, Japan and to have a cross learning at the same time...

Who said you are too all.. you are always young la...

Oh..btw the the third post is from a Student's testimonial.

I will tell my experience soon.. i am a returnee from Japan..
_________________
when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade then finds someone whose life has given them tequila and have a party|| Do wat makes you happy, b wit who makes u smile, laugh as much as u breathe & love as long as u live
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