Entering Paraguay my first thought was wow it feels like home! So safe and the smells! That’s one thing that grabbed my attention the most, how much different & lovely it smells here. It really reminded me of being back in El Salvador and my memories came rushing back to me.
The first night was pretty rough after the long plane ride, but it all went well at the Hotel Chaco. The first day was amazing. Walking in Asuncion and being in the city was very lovely and all the people were very friendly. Eating my first Paraguayan empanada was also amazing! I’ve eaten empanadas before but honestly never tasted anything like my first Paraguayan one! It’s a specialty here!
While at the supermarket on our way to Carapegua the check out lady told me it cost 13 mil to buy a bottle of water and as I was confusing US and Paraguayan money, she told me to be careful: “You gave me way more than needed and people will take advantage of that here!”
Coming to the colegio was really fun. It was great meeting the two high school guides and the teachers who gave us a tour and showed us the around. It was very different from schools in the US.
June 25, 2015 – Meeting my host mother was scary yet she was very friendly, and she brought me in with open arms. Entering her Paraguayan house was not what I expected! My host family’s house is very big and they even have a maid. I could not believe that but I know that in EL Salvador my mom had maids as well and that its normal for mothers who work a lot. My mom told me in America its more expensive to hire a maid and that’s why, when coming over, my grandma struggled a lot trying to make money
Meeting my host sister was very cool as well and we talked a lot the first night. She was telling me about what she does for fun and how things work in her school. I asked about the school system and how things function and she told me that there are 3 sections. By the age of 5 you choose your career and future – I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. She asked if in America we do the same and I explained how we learn through different school systems and we don’t chose our careers until going to college and even when entering college we can change what are studying if it doesn’t reflect our interest. She was so amazed.
Today we joined the kids in class and listened to the teacher talk. We observed and listened to discussions. We noted what topics came up during the teacher’s lecture and observed the students’ responses. The first thing I noticed was how small the teacher’s and the students’ desks were and how the teacher did not have a computer at her desk or an overhead projector. It opened my eyes and made me realize we’re not as grateful in America for what we have. Teachers here don’t teach with a textbook but use personal research and their own knowledge including their opinions and when the students question what the teacher says she tells them no, they are wrong and her word is right. It’s amazing how if the teacher says its right here its automatically right. I asked my host sister about the way of teaching here and she said yes, the teacher’s word is always true here. I couldn’t believe it! I told her in America we challenge our teachers’ words and question until we see a way to agree. The first few days of this trip have honestly made me realize how grateful we should be for everything we have spoon-fed to us.
Angeles Garcia, E L Haynes Public Charter School