After 9 amazing months here in the small, yet beautiful provence of Chiriqui, Panama, it is time for me to say goodbye at last. No matter where you are in Panama, you will hear that the people from Chiriqui are the nicest (and proudest) in the country. You can supposedly tell if a person is from this area based on their warmth and friendly nature. Yes, I might be somewhat biased, but my experience here in David has only confirmed every word of this widespread belief. From my first days in David to my last, everyone here has been nothing but extremely welcoming, helpful and generous. I would like to say thank you to all who have made this experience unforgettable for me. I was extremely fortunate to work with some of the most incredible people at UNACHI as well as at Casa Esperanza. Both colleagues and students from these places are people that I will never forget and will keep in my heart for the rest of my life.
I would say without hesitation that my experience here in David has been a great success. I have gained invaluable experience in the classroom as I have taught classes at a public University geared towards improving reading and oral communication skills and I have volunteered in a great organization that fights against child labor in which I got to tutor and mentor local students. But to me, the real success comes from the small things. For example, I had great conversations and laughed with many people, I learned about and immersed myself in the Panamanian and Chiricano culture, I shared parts of my own culture with friends and colleagues. I believe the Fulbright Scholarship English Teaching Assistantship is about much more than just the teaching, but rather its true significance lies in the mutual understanding that is generated between people from different cultures all around the world. For many people with whom I have met and conversed here in David, I have been their only personal experience with someone from the United States. In that way, it has been a privilege to represent my country and give a more realistic portrayal of U.S. culture and its people in comparison to the TV shows or songs on the radio which was all they had beforehand. The smiles, laughs, and exchange of views and experiences are what really make me feel proud of the work I have done here as well as honored to have been given such a unique opportunity. Thank you all and ¡Viva Chiriqui!
I would say without hesitation that my experience here in David has been a great success. I have gained invaluable experience in the classroom as I have taught classes at a public University geared towards improving reading and oral communication skills and I have volunteered in a great organization that fights against child labor in which I got to tutor and mentor local students. But to me, the real success comes from the small things. For example, I had great conversations and laughed with many people, I learned about and immersed myself in the Panamanian and Chiricano culture, I shared parts of my own culture with friends and colleagues. I believe the Fulbright Scholarship English Teaching Assistantship is about much more than just the teaching, but rather its true significance lies in the mutual understanding that is generated between people from different cultures all around the world. For many people with whom I have met and conversed here in David, I have been their only personal experience with someone from the United States. In that way, it has been a privilege to represent my country and give a more realistic portrayal of U.S. culture and its people in comparison to the TV shows or songs on the radio which was all they had beforehand. The smiles, laughs, and exchange of views and experiences are what really make me feel proud of the work I have done here as well as honored to have been given such a unique opportunity. Thank you all and ¡Viva Chiriqui!
