Class Distinctions

Harlaxton Manor has been my college campus for the last few weeks and I never dreamed of studying in a place so grand. The manor is a nice background noise to the intellectual rigors, once I got over my initial shock of being in England and got used to the idea that I would actually have to pay attention to the "study"part of study abroad!

Having formal "class" in the manor conservatory is a treat, and study hall on the lawn cannot be duplicated at home.







But the real reason this study abroad experience has so impacted my life is a truth that I believed as a home school teacher for 18 years but am only now experiencing as a student. Classrooms without walls create minds without barriers to truth, beauty, and wisdom.
Being on the receiving end, rather than the planning end, of field trips with a true purpose for education in mind has only steeled my resolve to attempt to duplicate this experiential learning for my future public school students. My learning on the moors of England may not be duplicated in a brick-and-mortar classroom, but I am more determined than ever to bring the world to my students and take my students into the world.

The structured informality of our classes abroad is also something I will try to duplicate at home. I know this is how I learn best, with time allowed to talk through my thoughts in a safe intellectual atmosphere. I have been blessed with a few college classes at UC where this was the case also, but alas, they have been the shining exceptions. I hope to be that shining exception for my own students and attempt to remove the stigma of intellect in my classroom. A learning community rather than a formal classroom can make all the difference.

Looking back over our study abroad course entitled "Literature in the Landscape" I think it could easily be subtitled "Learning in the Landscape." In order for academic knowledge to become internalized it must be experienced as far as time and location allow. To experience the landscape that inspired the creation of text or image not only gives deeper understanding, it also inspires a closer look at our own personal, day-to-day landscape. I have noticed that my best creative writing has occured when I allowed myself to place my characters in landscapes that were personally familiar to me. Being away from home for a stretch of a few weeks will hopefully help me to see my own landscapes with fresh eyes.

Attitude of Beatitude

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth - Jesus in Matthew Chapter 5
[or at least free bus fare]

Okay, so I got out of the wrong side of the shuttle van (forgetting once again that the driver sits on the RIGHT) While the older gentleman driver was a little perturbed and grouchy for a few days, the more I made fun of my own ignorance and stupidity, the more he warmed up to me. Only one week later, he went out of his way to volunteer to make an extra stop in town just so I could jump out and run to the ATM in order to pay the cabbie for my 4:00am ride to the airport.

On another day, after a flight delay had worn my patience, another crotchety old bus driver was visibly agitated that I did not understand his heavy accent and he had to repeat himself several times. I kept pleading my ignorance of the bus routes and the appropriate fare and asked him to assist me in getting to the right bus that would accept my pass. The entire busload of people were chuckling at this exchange and finally the driver said "I'm tired of messing with it! Have a seat (for free!)" As walked back to my seat with the other girls, both exhausted and triumphant (for we were all broke from Dublin), I got lots of smiles and nods. Another older man, by his manner of dress and accent of a higher socio-economic class than the driver, came back and assured me with a wink that he would see that we did not miss our stop. The entire busload of passengers seemed very amused at the exchange and did not resent my "foreignness."

It was quite a different attitude when I made a mistake in public without opening my mouth. Going the wrong way in a line earned me a surprised, indignant look and some impertinent words from the gent behind me. The shop clerks rolled their eyes impatiently as I slowly rummaged through the unfamiliar currency until I spoke and my American accent became apparent for all to hear. Then, and only then, were they helpful as I worked with the system. I guess confusion is okay for foreigners, but I got the distinct impression that the English are not very patient with the inept among themselves. The English seem to expect more common sense from their own citizenry than they expect from Americans, and I'm also sure that they get just what they expect!

I thought this through to its logical conclusion and realized that in America, most people are far too impatient with everyone, especially with foreigners on American soil. Americans are impatient with those who are attempting to work their way through our culture, impatient with the elderly, impatient with children and teens, impatient with their own families and loved ones. As Americans we are too arrogant, too self-centered, and far too demanding.

People like to be needed. The "damsel in distress" role produces more satisfactory results for a tourist than the demanding role of "Arrogant American." Searching my own soul, I see that I have allowed my Americanism to trump my Christianity far too often. Once again I see the pure truth and beauty of the The Golden Rule in all situations.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12