My last post was more about what I felt at school, but now I would like to go into the facts and differences. It was a strange experience that I will never forget, and it is a lot different than school in the states.
1. The culture: I believe that there are 3 cultures in the Middle East. There is the womens culture, mens culture, and public culture. It is interesting when you enter a place that only allows women, you feel part of this secret club. I love to observe situations and found that going to school (being only girls!) felt like a special place. I would love to experience the men's culture as well, but since I ain't no guy. I don't think it is going to happen. However, since I am western girl, I get to do many more things than the girls in the Wadi Rum village.
2. The way the girls dress. When I saw them all line up, they went in a type of time line in dress. The younger girls- little blue frocks over jeans and no head scarf. The little older girls- different blue frocks and some had head scarfs. Older girls- green frocks and all head scarfs. Then oldest (11th and 12th grade) had on long tailored coats that went to their shoes and beautiful head scarfs.
3. The morning announcements. All of the girls lined up silently outside. and said a prayer or pledge of allegiance. Then the principal continued to talk. In the states it is either over a loud speaker and people are not as quiet.
----I think that the size of the school has to do with how the school works, because there are about 200 girls in the entire school. From grades 1-12 (I think).
4. The class rooms. They are not as colorful and exciting. They are very plain and there are no posters or a teachers desk.
5. The way the girls interact in the classroom. They seem excited to learn. For example, the teachers says "And the name of the animal is....?" they would all shout "COW." This was how they interacted with the teacher. Also, when she would ask if someone wanted to answer a question, they would all shoot up their hands and say, "MISS MISS MISS MISS."
(I wondered why they were so excited to learn. In the united states we learn to get into college, and get a job. I thought about what these girls have to work for. Their goals are to have a good family, and maybe some go to a university and work a little, but most not.They learn because they love it. It's extremely inspiring, because our school system kills inspiration and love of learning in me. Because I am not in school, I want to learn and educate myself more. However, when I am in school I do not have that urge.)
(I also felt like an outsider and not very welcome at the school. I think the reason for this is because they do not have much experience and this is something completely new. They don't know how to be outgoing.)
6. The most obvious difference. IT'S ALL IN ARABIC!!!!
Off the topic. OMG! They have the cutest baby goats ever here! They look like little puppies and we got to play with them! Ah-Maze-ZING!
3 comments:
Wow, Bailey! Such and amazing adventure. I'm amazed by your open mindedness, adventurous spirit, and willingness to accept challenges at such a young age. This is an experience that will stay with you forever, enjoy and take lots of pictures.
Thanks for sharing,
Mike Belleme
You said in your post that the girls in the school "don't know how to be outgoing." Could it be that they don't want to be outgoing? Maybe outgoingness is an American trait and not considered an attractive feature, as it usually is here.
Also, I have peered very closely into Google Earth, and I think that I can find your village. Is it "Ramm" or near there? I even saw a photo of a camel tour (by dorothee) and the caption includes "2 km from Ramm."
wow. interesting take Dad. I didn't think of that, and it is definitely a possibility. I was just confused because it was all girls and usually Eptisam is very outgoing.
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