The next day, Torill, her girls, and Birte (another norwegian woman) picked us (my mother, sister and I) up at home. We lived in a beautiful three level house with a large balcony on the roof with seaview. However, we had to move later on because of a really bad smell from the sewage. Anyway, we drove to the souq, which is in the Muttrah, the old town. From MQ where we lived it takes about twenty minutes to drive. I remember driving past beautiful trees and flowers, taken care of by indian workers, small shops now and then, and being astonished by the huge highways that stretches throughout the entire capital. Another thing that astonished me was that Torill, Birte and the girls all wore long jeans. Note, it was june, which means that the temperature was between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius. Of course, I wore lose pants that covered my knees, but I couldn´t understand how they could walk around with tight jeans in that temperature. The funny thing though, is that only a couple weeks later I did the exact same thing, and it was no problem at all. That feeling of gradually adapting to the culture and climate felt amazing.
In July, we went back to Norway for a few weeks, because you don´t stay in Oman during that month as an expat if you don´t have to. It is way too hot and humid. However, in August we went back. I had already visited the shool during Easter Break, but I was now officially a TAISM student. During the registration day, I spoke with the Middle School principle, whom I thought seemed very nice, which turned out to be a correct assumption. I received my calendar, bought the uniforms I needed and took the picture for the identity card. There was also some orientation for new students. It was great seeing with my own eyes that I wasn´t the only new and insecure kid. Lastly, I went to check out my locker, and tried ro understand how the lock worked, which was quite hard. Fortunately, my Language Arts teacher was in her classroom right next to my locker, so she helped me out. The rest of the afternoon was spent buying binders and other school stuff, as well as practicing on opening my lock.
The next day, my mom dropped me off at school. The walk from the car to the classroom felt awfully long. I was feeling terrified and exhilarated at the same time. Luckily, I had Language Arts during first block, which ment that Ms. Jensen, whom I met the day before, was my first teacher of the day. What a relief! I slowly opened the door to the classroom and stepped in. A few students was already seated. I spotted a table with two girls, and asked if I could join them. Phew! Then, my next worry, Physical Education next block. There was no way I could find the gym by myself. So, after repeating the same sentence in my head at least five times I dared to ask if they had PE next block as well. Then, if we please could walk together. From then on, everything went easier for every hour that passed. I spoke to more and more people, got to know the school building, passed my first tests. I went to birthday parties, hung out at the beach playing volleyball, went to the cinema.
However, it took some time. The language barrier made it hard to socialize in the same way as I would in Norway. At school and around friends I had to concentrate to understand what people were saying and I repeated everything at least three times in my head before I dared to say it. Moreover, this as everything else improved for everyday that passed, and by Christmas I didn´t need to think when listening or speaking, it just happened. At that point I even started to forget Norwegian words. Up until then I had smiled because of what a gift it was to live in this country, and I had cried becuase I missed home. These feelings came and went even after that first Christmas, but as time went by, the smiling increased, while the crying decreased.
A great school experience. Can you think of any major differences between that school and , for example SVGS? what about the type of teachers or teaching? the mentality of the students? the atmosphere in the building?
SvarSlettI actually think TAISM and SVGS are about the same size, however, the facilities at TAISM are better. Two extremely large gyms (one of them were actually the safe room, in case of bombing), a pool, large soccer fields, outdoor basketball and volleyball fields, playground, grass-area and a beatiful entrance to the school with parking, pavement and flowers.
SvarSlettEach of the teachers had their own classroom, which they decorated based on their subject. In language arts we had a reading corner, while in social studies the walls were covered with maps. In most subjects we didn´t have a book. We used binders were we took notes, and got relevant papers from our teachers. The teahcers used many different teaching strategies, like youtube videos, reading articles, powerpoint presentations, creative activities or games in class (to for example demonstrate how a cell works), small projects (ex. filming with green screen) and the list goes on. More or less every block went by fast, because the teaching was never the same. Even more importantly, the teachers loved their jobs, and they truly cared about their students. They would sit in their classroom during lunch if a student needed help, or have to take a test. Many teachers also used extra credit for students doing extra work relevant for the specific subject. The fact that the teachers were the coaches at the different sport teams, made the bond even stronger, because they got to know their students in different fields. Mini courses (the week before christmas) and Discover Oman was also great. Speaking about teachers, they did pretty much what they wanted to. Most weren´t afraid to do something "wrong", like many norwegian teachers are. My algebra teacher once threw a guy´s backpack out the window (two floors), because he wouldn´t shut up. I have to mentioned the principal as well. He knew the name of every student in middle school, and you could talk to him whenever. When he met you in the hallway he would usually chat with you.
The students were in general more committed, than most norwegian students. First, I think the honor rolls and varied teaching motivated the students. However, everyone had a lot of respect for their teachers. We were allowed to talk and discuss, but if you didn´t stay quiet when they talked, they would do something stupid like throwing your bag out the window (note: this happened once, but they would in most cases do something else than shouting).
The atmosphere at TAISM was amazing. The building in itself was beatiful, and the people even more so. As I mentioned, there was no strict hierarchy. You talked to and greeted students, teachers, principals, councelors and parents, whether you know them or not. Most people were genuinely interested in getting to know one another. Once every week we had an assembly (entire middle school) were we were told about upcoming events, things that had happened, important stuff going on, basically anything important. For example, we had to use reusable waterbottles (environmental-friendly). We also met with our small advisory groups once a week where we played games and had fun.
At SVGS we meet in our large classes of 30 people, compared to the 13-15 at TAISM, in a room with no decorations. Many people probably feel quite invisible at times. A lot of teachers don´t take the time to talk to every single one. People simply walk past each other in the hallway looking at their iPhone. We are free to wear our own clothes, at TAISM we used uniforms.
I could keep going, but I believe the main differnce is the atmosphere in the classroom. The teachers are fabulous and energetic, and truly care about their students (maybe I´ll tell a story about one of my teacher´s reactions when I told I was leaving, later), and the students are respectful towards everyone.