Mongol experiences: May 2012

The school year is coming to a close on the date that was scheduled at the beginning of the year. This is a totally new phenomenon since for the last 18 years I was never sure of the actual last day due to mostly snow days, anticipated storms, too much cold (Ha!) and I'm sure there were other reasons that elude me. There are 2 teaching weeks left and then a week of experiential activities outside of school and a final week of whatever.

For the week away from school the secondary faculty are offering a number of great experiences that include an art trip to Moscow, a week long horse trekking trip in central Mongolia, building efficient stoves for gers, learning how to construct gers, and I'll be co-leading a 5 day backpacking trip in the local mountains. The students participating in the backpacking trip will be attempting to complete the requirements to earn a level of the John Muir Award that focuses on the environment. These are great opportunities for students to develop executive functioning skills such as planning, organizing, strategizing, paying attention to and remembering details and managing time and space. The natural consequences of not performing these skills can be the most educational moments during the student's school year.

Looking back to last August when Pam and I arrived here, I marvel at all that we've experienced. It has not been the easiest transition from the US to Mongolia. It has challenged our relationship at times and reminded us of the importance of effective communication in a healthy relationship. We've gone from the blank stare of complete bewilderment when a Mongolian spoke to us to being able to understand the price of items, reading labels in Cyrillic, telling a cab driver where to go and how to get there and utter fluently the traditional Mongolian greetings and goodbyes. We've perfected our use of Skype to stay in touch with our family and friends so we don't feel so removed. Quite a difference from our days living in Morocco when we used predominantly snail mail! We've been introduced to the term 'third culture child' and the struggles that they encounter. As we become familiar with the Mongolian culture, we're reminded about the importance of being open minded and learning that there are reasons behind cultural practices and beliefs like eating sheep butt, walking clockwise around an ovoo (sacred spot), and knowing how to politely decline drinking more vodka before body parts go numb.

Educationally, this has been an immensely challenging year for Pam. After 25 years of teaching at a community college, she's successfully adjusted her approach for 3rd to 5th graders and is presently designing protocols to meet the language needs of students and help the teachers with language strategies. She's attended a conference in Taiwan, held my hand in South Korea after going through surgery, visited the DMZ and relaxed in a human powered peddle taxi in Indonesia.

The work for me has been challenging trying to meet the needs of students and staff from pre-school to 12th grade. I became a French teacher for beginning 6th graders and team taught English for 7th grade additional language learners. I've enjoyed trying to put together a teacher friendly SEN (special educational needs) referral process and forms along with identifying and helping to establish needed services such as counseling, vision and hearing screenings and finding appropriate educational assessments for international students. I've had the good fortune to travel to Thailand and the Philippines for professional conferences and coach the boys soccer team in Qingdao, China.

Pam and I have learned about the International Baccalaureate program and discussed its strengths and weaknesses. We've made great friends from around the world and here in Mongolia. The topics of conversations are global and thought provoking. There have been discussions about the transition of colonial power in what was Rhodesia to Zimbabwe and its effects, why Southeast Asians are so polite, and foreigners' impressions about the US presidential race, especially its cost and whether or not being a bully as a teenager can be pivotal to a presidential hopeful.

We're really looking forward to and planning trips for family coming to visit this summer. Devon, Kyle and my sister, Sue, who is celebrating her 50th birthday, will arrive the beginning of July. We have plans to attend the various Nadaam events of archery, wrestling and horse racing. Then it's off to camel rides in the dunes, relaxing in hot springs, and doing some horse trekking and hiking through the middle of the country. Cory, his roommate, Pam's sister Pat and her husband Len arrive the beginning of August. Unfortunately, school responsibilities begin Aug. 14th, so there is limited travel time with them, but we're arranging excursions that may include spending time in the Gobi Desert.

All things considered, this has been a wonderful adventure that has challenged, educated, and enlightened us and brought us closer together.
Love to hear from you.

Cheers!!

Paul Plourd's screen printing expertise on display in Qingdao, China