So we’ve each had our shot at teaching. Wednesday Ahsan did an incredible job of introducing the students to our team and helping them work through their first case. Thursday Darren worked through an Operations case … never an easy subject because there are so many numbers and no one right way. The students got a lot out of his lesson and really enjoyed the numbers. I taught on Friday and it was so much fun.
The class had definitely started to warm up to the whole contribution thing. It’s certainly different from lecture style and they really enjoy learning from each other. I’ve gotten to know a few of the students and it was great to be able to call a few of them by name in the class. As someone who is traditionally bad at remember names – let alone Amharic names that I struggle to pronounce – this was a major victory!
I think the best moment for me was at the end of the class when I was discussing the Key Take Aways. The students came up with so many great points of things we’d covered in the case. It made me feel accomplished as an instructor. My students actually learned something. It’s a great feeling to know that what you’ve been working through for the past hour and a half has resonated with the students. That they got something out of the preparation and time I spent on the lesson plan.
Afterwards we got to throw it down on the basketball court with our students. I had chosen to wear a dress and flats for my first day teaching. Let me tell you – this did not stop me from joining in on a little 3 on 3. Followed by many other games both Canadian and Ethiopian. Apparently BUMP here is called KNOCKOUT … I will be bringing knockout back with me to Canada. It was great to interact with the students on a different level. Considering we are the same age it makes it much more of a friendship and much more interactive. We’ve been so well received by the faculty up until this point and it was wonderful to have the same positive experiences with the students here. Many of them have offered us tips on what to do and where to go in the city. We got some invitations to go to a concert and such – I am positive the next few weeks will be INCREDIBLE!
Emma – Team Ethiopia