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3 Exciting Months of Volunteering in an NGO Pre-School and Primary School in Kerobokan, Bali
“You grow with the challenges. Give yourself time, always be open-minded and determined and luck will come to your side. Being open-minded leads to so many opportunities and friendships!” Emily, Oberschule an der Kurt-Schumacher-Allee, Bremen, Germany.
My first impressions of volunteer-teaching in a foreign country
During the first days I was overwhelmed because it was my first time to be a full-time volunteer-teacher on a daily basis. I didn't really know how to plan lessons, manage the classes, to find the best way to teach or to approach the kids but believe me you will get into it very soon the more you get engaged.
Every beginning is hard but give yourself time and ask teachers for tips and help and soon you'll have a lot of fun teaching...maybe not always because let's be honest teaching is not always fun and easy but at the end every lesson will be worth it.
The private school was very surprising as the children’s level of English was really good. On the other hand the English level of the NGO preschool students was very low, which required more creativity and effort. This proved to be challenging but a really great experience at the end when you see how the kids are getting better and better every day. That gave me a really good feeling and got me even more motivated because it felt like you're really making a difference.
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How my days as a volunteer looked like?
At 7.30 am, I got up and went to the NGO preschool by scooter. Class started at 8.00 am with daily morning prayers. After that I had a lot of fun talking, singing educational songs, and playing games with the kids (5-6 years old). One thing I've learned: You don't need to speak the same language to understand each other. Neither the kids nor the teacher could speak proper English though we had a great relationship and laughed a lot together.
At 9.30 am my schedule continued at the private primary school. Usually I accompanied another teacher and did the lessons together. Lessons here were more guided by a curriculum for the whole school year. After getting familiar with this curriculum, I was able to prepare and run a lesson by myself which required to read some teacher books when coming home. The books helped me to prepare the lessons, materials and topics so I felt more comfortable and motivated.
At 12 o’clock I enjoyed my lunch and a good talk with the teacher in the teachers room. My classes usually ended at 2.15 pm. When my classes ended earlier and I had some spare time, the German teacher from the Senior High School asked me to accompany her German classes and help her teaching, which was really fun.
After that my day continued either at the pool enjoying the sun, going to the beach or exploring some nice spots in Bali (what a life...I miss this daily routine)
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Lessons I have learned
In the project- My favorite feeling was seeing the kids growing and also seeing myself growing with them. First you may be overwhelmed and worried and you may feel helpless but what I also learned with time you will find your way. So I started to develop a more positive mindset about myself and everything else.
I was lucky to stay until the end of the school year so my highlights were the graduations. To accompany, help, motivate and go through ups and downs with the kids throughout three months and then seeing them graduate was a very special feeling. I was so proud I felt like a parent.
In my life- You grow with the challenges. Give yourself time, always be open-minded and determined and luck will come to your side. Being open-minded leads to so many opportunities and friendships! Especially when you come from a western culture Bali will leave an impact on you – sometimes good sometimes bad. But who says bad experiences are not precious for life? Every little thing that happened to me during my stay shaped me to the person I'm now and I couldn’t be more thankful. If you're easygoing and get involved with people and new situations plus you don't have high expectations you'll have a wonderful time. For me Bali is a magical place, with it's very own culture, attitude and people.
My biggest tip is don't only stuck to these typical tourist's activities but go out, talk to locals, get to know the culture, go and see a temple and eat local (omg the food is the best) because that's the real Bali!
What I wont miss..
I cried my eyeballs out as the plane took off, there’s nothing I won't miss that's why I'll be back very soon Baliku!
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