Never in my life would I have
thought I’d be teaching upper level English in Cambodia; And guess what the
most eye opening experience I’ve had has been?.. Yup, Teaching upper level English
in Cambodia. =)
For the past month, I’ve
instructed a class of 30 students every week night. The class was only from
5:30-6:30pm, but the ‘teaching’ and ‘learning’ WAY exceeded that hour in the third
floor corner classroom.
We
meet before class.
We
hung out after class.
We
bumped into each other at the market.
We sat by each other in church.
We
went on adventures on weekends.
One short month ago, I was an amateur
American ‘Teacha’ stan
ding in front of a whiteboard. I awkwardly introduced myself to a bunch of shy students who were whispering back and forth in Khmer (the
Cambodian language). Our first lesson included something about camels, so I
obviously elaborated the story and attempted to draw a camel on the board. Let’s
just say it did not take long to relate & bond with these students…
The students at New Hope English
School are the kinds of people everyone should to be exposed to in life. These
young adults possess high aspirations. They have a passion for learning, a
passion for relationships, and a passion for Jesus that I didn’t even know
existed until now.
I know I was the ‘Teacha’, but
here’s some Lesson’s THEY taught ME:
Patience. I would walk to
the common
s area every afternoon and be greeted by
an overly excited group of
my closest students. They’d always have a mental list of the things we could do
together. It took me a awhile, but I eventually realized that they would come
to the school and wait for HOURS upon HOURS at the mere mention that I ‘might
be able’ to meet up that day. These students had planned their whole day around
me, and waiting was no factor.
there was a break in conversation, one of them (or three) would chime in and ask how to
pronounce a random word… or drill me with questions about America.
humility. I never once heard a boastful word out of any student’s
mouth… Only positive & uplifting things towards others.
3
students on Saturday youth night and Sunday for church. They would gladly translate the whole sermoninto English for me, which was hard and draining I know. They went out of their way to make sure I knew what was going on and involved, even when the instructions and teachings where all in Khmer.
Confidence. My students were
involved with the stage dramas & songs performed on for the youth service on Saturday and
church service on Sunday… They did a phenomenal job every week. This group of 18 and 19 year olds were not embarrassed or self-conscious about what they looked like in
front of their peers, because they were whole heartedly worshiping God.
day a group of us hiked around the streets, where I got the lowdown on the
neiborhood and we climbed up to one of the rooftops. We sat there and talked for
a solid hour. While admiring a surreal view of the rooftops, fields, and city
skyline, I got to learn all about Cambodia strait from the source… the youth IN
Cambodia.
Generosity. These kids have little to 
no money. Their parents are most
likely vendors on the street and every penny they earn goes towards food or education.
Yet, they all pitched in enough money to throw a going away party. It was phenomenal.
We ate spring rolls and meatballs, sang & danced, and had bread and jelly
for dessert. The students not only set it all up, but cleaned up everything
afterwards.
——-
I am truly blessed to have gotten to know these young adults. THESE English students showed me a world of selfless friendship. I only
Hope I was half the positive influence and inspiration to them as they were to
me.
