When in Liverpool, do as the Liverpudlians do

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I have been in Liverpool for one week and so much has happened. Last week Friday, a group of American international students all got tickets to the Liverpool Football Club vs Oldham Athletic match. Some students at Liverpool Hope University have been unable to get tickets for years. It was a great game with Liverpool winning 5-1. It was an interesting game that made headlines here in the UK because of a racist incident at the match. One of Liverpool's fans yelled racist comments at an Oldham black football player. It has been an eye opening experience witnessing racism in another country and seeing how Great Britain handles the same issues that have been so prevalent in American history.

I started observing in my school on Monday. It has been a great week getting to know the students and reconnecting with my mentor teacher. I am planning to take over 2 classes next week and am already working hard on my unit plan. My mentor teacher treats me as a colleague asking for my opinion and my creativity. He saw my capability last summer when I worked with him. So, now I can tell he is pushing me to the next level. My supervisor from Liverpool Hope is also extremely helpful and kind. We use very different terminology in the states compared to England's education system. He has been very patient describing what the terms mean. Already I am weighing the benefits and the negatives of both the American and British educational systems. They are very different; however, I believe we can learn from each other to best educate our students.

Being back in the dorms has been the greatest thing! The students here are so welcoming and kind. There is another American student teacher from Nashville here. The two of us have become very close already and are continually amazed at the hospitality shown by the other students here. It is a different environment than Hope College, because we are living in a co-ed dorm with students ranging from 18-28 in age. I never really knew any international students at Hope College. I hope they are receiving the same welcome and community that I am feeling here.

It is an eerie feeling when I open my mouth to talk. My accent immediately gives me away that I am not from anywhere around here. I know that judgments are made about me as soon as I talk and as soon as students from the university and the school know I am American. It is making me consider the perceptions (both good and bad) that Americans are portraying to the world. It also makes me think of how much I judge people when I discover where they are from.

I am truly loving every second here. I will continue to update as more events happen. -Becky

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Photos

Liverpool Football
American students outside of Anfield

Lindsay and I
One northern girl, one southern girl... trying to assimilate in Liverpool

Comments

[Richard Frost]

Thanks
Becky, thanks for the update and wish I could join you on your amazing journey of learning. I know God has a special plan for you and love how you live into it. You rock!