tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10381410624116137192024-03-13T08:58:44.382-07:00High Schoolers' Cultural ExchangeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14976743529328573898noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038141062411613719.post-41925442876113647122014-05-28T19:42:00.003-07:002014-05-28T19:42:45.816-07:00A World That Appreciates Education<div class="MsoNormal">
Over last two weeks, our bright students talked about
education in both countries of United States and Afghanistan. I think one of
the only reasons that make United States very different from Afghanistan is the
educational system. Therefore, in our Skype project we tried to highlight this
concept by selecting it as the topic of the week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Reema Furkan, a junior in St. Timothy’s School, Skyped with
Maryam Danish from Afghanistan, a student in American University of
Afghanistan. They learned a lot about their educational system. However, the
difference that they were surprised the most about was the fact that in
Afghanistan girls and boys study in separate classroom but in America boys and
girls learn in the same classroom. Reema said, “It is surprising to see how
people set rules and laws to make sure that the students stay focused on their
academics.” In addition, sometimes in Afghanistan teachers use physical
punishment to manage the class, while in America physical punishment is
absolutely forbidden. Reema said that she was grateful to learn the ways the
two countries were different and similar in handling their educational system.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As an Afghan girl who has been studying in a very privileged
boarding school in United States for past two years, I think one of the biggest
differences between education in Afghanistan and America is how much it is
appreciated. I feel that in Afghanistan students appreciate educational
opportunities more because it is a privilege to be able to go to school.
However, education is mandatory in America and students take it for granted
which makes it seem that it is very natural to be able to go to school. In some
villages in Afghanistan, for example, girls walk two hours to go to a school
that does not even provide adequate books, uniforms, or seats in the classroom.
I never forget when I used to cross through the crowded areas of Kabul; there
were some boys and girls selling books, shopping bags, or balloons to support
their families. Once, I bought a balloon and asked an eight years old boy if he
went to school, and he said he did, but had to keep working in order to support
his family and afford going to school. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In America, however, education is viewed very differently.
Since education is unquestionably provided, people tend to focus on staying
competitive. Having good grades and being a good student is not enough. Having
a leadership position or being good athlete is as important as the academic
background. Some parents pay thousands of dollars to send their children to the
best kinder gardens, so they can get to the best middle schools, and then the
best high schools and finally end up going to the best colleges. Even after
college, students have to stay competitive for the best jobs available. Competition
makes people more productive, practical and creative. People in America view
education is a tool for improvement and a key to success whereas in Afghanistan
students view education as a tool to survive and build a happy life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The great thing about both countries is that education is
valued greatly. Appreciation and healthy competition is enough for our
generation to make the world a better place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14976743529328573898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038141062411613719.post-50314812721002394292014-05-11T18:34:00.001-07:002014-05-15T13:47:13.962-07:00A World Without Boundaries<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Afghan/American culture exchange project started its first
individual Skype meetings last week. 7 Afghan girls and 7 American girls have
paired up for an exciting and productive cultural interaction. This project’s
goal is to increase the awareness about different cultures around the world. Although we all
live in one planet, it unbelievable how different our life styles are and
within this differences, it is always joyful to find the similarities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Maryam Danish, one of
the Afghan girls said she believes that the geographical borders cannot put a
boundary on her knowledge about the world. She is willing to make friends from
all over the world regardless of their different backgrounds. She also emphasized on how vital it is to
stay connected with different people around the world because different cultures could learn a great deal from each
other. Moreover, she is very curious to explore about the fundamental factors that had shaped American culture. She said: “I want to find how they (Americans)
changed their country into a better one. I am especially interested in
cultural, educational and social factors… I want to know how the community
behaves with women and deal with female issues.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Margie Hemp, a student in St. Timothy’s from United States is also a student that has volunteered for the cultural exchange project. When
I asked her for the reason she joined this project, she replied: “I hope to
gain a friend and lots of knowledge about other cultures. I really want to make
connections and see how things differ from America to the other country. I want
to go “WOW”. ” Margie is also looking forward to learning about how Afghan
culture look at different factors such as, marriages, homosexuality, women’s situation, animals' condition, daily
life, manners, superstitions, transportation and other factors that play crucial role in Afghan culture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigsv8y27CopMradivC5K-aUf2SxTIoFN2p3LnureFTr8FxaQCUvXkFPDFyyVkPNGxbXCurIe7rLdcR-rx-iXTh6alVKj9hfONkziFJBIn8r3ztnEQ_a0w_xg7j9Po535LCxP_3chqHNR7/s1600/raising-hands-400x240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigsv8y27CopMradivC5K-aUf2SxTIoFN2p3LnureFTr8FxaQCUvXkFPDFyyVkPNGxbXCurIe7rLdcR-rx-iXTh6alVKj9hfONkziFJBIn8r3ztnEQ_a0w_xg7j9Po535LCxP_3chqHNR7/s1600/raising-hands-400x240.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These students regardless of the busy schedule and bad
internet connections have started this project strongly. They are all
super-excited to explore about each other cultures and show the different side
of story that people usually ignore. Keep of the good work girls, I am proud of
you!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14976743529328573898noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1038141062411613719.post-54608539266355870712014-05-11T18:30:00.003-07:002014-05-11T18:41:47.574-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello! My name is Fatima . I am from Afghanistan and I go to
a boarding school in Maryland , United States. Living in both countries have
made me realized how important it is to be know about different cultures.
Therefore, I have started a culture exchange project in my school that connects
Afghan girls with students in my American school via Skype. Everybody has a
partner to Skype with from another country. Every week, we will have different
topics to talk about. We will post our reflections on this page, and let you
know about the valuable and important aspects we found about each other's
culture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCPJwbHvj2_vh6LvP-Ydi7IZ_2ordS_CUTCNAU7qbycLiR0DIRjwsNK7784InqjBbSWPhrn6phvWkCeosTFCYxCd7CBVryNIDYFkZQCsU5IZOu3BBKPP955mNjBd4hwZyg3-mCFoGNNWi/s1600/friendship-peoples-cartoon-children-different-nationalities-planet-holding-hands-34314710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCPJwbHvj2_vh6LvP-Ydi7IZ_2ordS_CUTCNAU7qbycLiR0DIRjwsNK7784InqjBbSWPhrn6phvWkCeosTFCYxCd7CBVryNIDYFkZQCsU5IZOu3BBKPP955mNjBd4hwZyg3-mCFoGNNWi/s1600/friendship-peoples-cartoon-children-different-nationalities-planet-holding-hands-34314710.jpg" height="299" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14976743529328573898noreply@blogger.com0