Zealandia is a sanctuary for native animals of New Zealand. It is located within Wellington, but you would not suspect you were anywhere near civilization when you arrive. Upon arrival, Zealandia looks like a beautiful, abundant forest that stretches for miles and miles. Around the sanctuary though your eyes are drawn to the Fort Knox-style […]
More...
Jane. Grant. Thomas. Isobel. Ripley. What the bunch! From day one, the Murrays made me feel welcomed, and after a single week I felt like part of the family. The mornings are groggy and our evenings are laughter filled. And as “hunky-dory” as it all sounds, I must say their spunkiness and craziness keeps me […]
More...
It was hard to say what each weekend would bring – this was mostly because of the weather! Winters in New Zealand (NZ) can be difficult to gauge. One day it would be down pouring and the next there was not a single cloud in the sky! Some weekends were for relaxing (especially during my […]
More...
The week of Aug. 10 began my first week of teaching solo. The experience was astonishing. With my sole teaching, I had the opportunity to teach content areas that are common, and not so common, in the United States for the classroom teacher. I felt myself step up as I was the one who was […]
More...
Nearly two months have passed since I came home from an adventure of a lifetime and not one day goes by that I am not reminded of the learners at National Institute of Special Education (NISE) in some way or another. The stories of the people in Namibia last forever. From the unique culture and […]
More...
Sunday, Aug. 23 was my birthday, and for the first time since arriving to New Zealand, I felt the horrible emotions of homesickness. Birthdays are to be happy celebrations, but I was down in the dumps. I had not expected how sad I would be on my birthday. Over the years, I had been lucky […]
More...
Driving away from NISE (National Institute for Special Education) was one of the most challenging events I have experienced in the past 22 years. After spending quality time with the learners at the school and such wonderful people in Namibia not knowing if I would ever see people I had grown to truly care about […]
More...
“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” Only a month ago I was in Namibia teaching and playing with the learners at the School for the Visually Impaired with my fellow education students from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point School of Education. Now I found myself traveling to […]
More...
An ethnographically-based bicycle/pedestrian activity map of Stevens Point will be funded in part by Saint Michael’s Foundation. The Hmong Bike-Ped Community Map aims to engage the Hmong community by creating a culturally relevant approach to physical activity. The collaborative efforts of Portage County Can Coalition and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will engage Hmong families […]
More...
Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I will miss you until we meet again. – Unknown Living in Namibia for a month was an extraordinary adventure. It is difficult to say goodbye to all the people we met while we were here, especially the learners. For the past four […]
More...