Blog 1: expectations

My hopes for the service learning project, is not only to help the students with their homework and interpersonal interactions, but to learn something about myself. I would also like to learn from them, whether it's about where they are from, their language they speak, how it is adjusting to a certain way of life, anything really. 

My assumptions about the service learning site, would be that it is a normal high school, much like the one that I went too. Knowing that many refugees are at the school will be something different  that I have a hard time picturing because I went to a catholic high school where there were about 5 people that weren't white. 

I know that they emphasize in helping refugees develop a sense of belonging. They do this by, helping them adjust to the cultural life style, and by giving extra help in academic studies because, it is more difficult learning especially if English isn't your first language. 

What I know about the population they serve is that they have many refugees that come over and settle in this areas. This is why many different refugees are attending rock island high school. 

I absolutely love working with children I alway have and always will. I use to love to babysit when I was younger and actually still do. I was always told I am good with kids. In my future careers as a speech pathologist I would like to work with children. And I am shooting for that age group. I have always had a weak spot for minorities, so this will be a very rewarding experience for me. 

One great way of learning is through experience. When you service other people you are interacting with others and gaining life experiences. This can help you learn many different things, not just about a certain topic, but yourself as well.  Learning through service is a different kind of experience that isn't just a teacher lecturing at you in a classroom. It is a less obvious way of learning that can be very beneficial. Personally, I learn better when it is through my own experience, so learning in this way, for me, would be very helpful and something I am looking forward to.