Week 2 (03/02/16) - Cultural and Professional
Virgil (2016, np.) writes that “Time is flying never to return.” Indeed the reality of this statement is frightening in some respects and, as I write this second blog, I can hardly believe that another week of our Danish adventures is over. From celebrating Hannah’s 21st birthday with homemade pancakes and dinner in the infamous Copenhagen markets to welcoming a friend from Northern Ireland to Denmark, it has been a busy week filled with many memorable experiences.
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| Happy birthday Hannah! |
The arrival of Claire on Saturday made the end of this week particularly enjoyable. As she walked through the door of our flat, she was greeted by the rather unpleasant smell of the product of Naomi’s baking ‘skills’. This gave everyone a good laugh and after getting rid of what could definitely not be described as yoghurt loaf, we sat down for a cup of tea as Claire filled us in with the craic that was happening at home. Despite having only lived in the country ourselves for just over a fortnight, we quickly took on the role of tour guides and showed her around some of the sights that we had been shown the week before. We introduced her to some luxurious delicacies, took her shopping to peruse the exquisite Danish design and enjoyed her company as she stayed here with us in the flat. On Sunday morning, we attended the same church as we had done the week before (First International Baptist Church, Copenhagen), as we had been made to feel very welcome there during our first visit. After some delicious Danish pastries and coffee in ‘Holm’s Bager’, we again enjoyed worshipping God and meeting different people there on Sunday.
So far, classes have been very
different to what we are accustomed to in Stranmillis; however, meeting so many
new people and gaining fresh insights and perspectives from both students and lecturers
has been particularly interesting and thought-provoking. The General Teaching
Council for Northern Ireland (2011) advocate the importance of students in initial
teacher education developing an insight into the cultures from which pupils may
come; the various discussions and debates that have taken place in our classes
this week have begun to broaden my understanding of the different cultures and educational
systems that exist in our world today and I hope that this will continue so
that I will be able to develop as a practitioner who is ready to meet the
demands of the increasing numbers of newcomer pupils in Northern Irish primary
schools (Kernaghan, 2015). It has also been particularly fascinating to learn about
how different countries deal with issues such as diversity within the classroom
and I have already discovered ideas and techniques that I will be able to
incorporate into my lessons at home. So after another busy week, I can say with confidence that I am loving my time in Copenhagen. I am still in the process of settling in and, at times, find it hard to adjust. However, I feel extremely blessed to be able to say that I am enjoying every minute – it really is true that time flies when you’re having fun!
Reference List
General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (2011) Teaching: the Reflective Profession, Belfast,
General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland.
Kernaghan, D. (2015) Feels Like Home: Exploring the experiences
of newcomer pupils in primary schools in Northern Ireland, Belfast,
Barnardo’s Northern Ireland.
Virgil (2016) Brainy Quote, available at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_time2.html (accessed 3/2/16).
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