Submitted by Melissa Rosales on the 2019 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences and the Department of Hospitality Business Management…
From placements in the primary schools, I have learned to be more patient and accepting. I have discovered that the school system and structure here in Barbados is very different from the one in the United States. One aspect of that difference has to do with how heavily the schools are influenced by religion here. I have also learned to get out of my comfort zone, as I am not used to being an aid for teachers, or speaking with large groups of children at one time. I have learned to assert myself in situations in which children are not following directions. I have also gained an understanding of Bajan culture within the schools and materials they use for learning.
This experience has helped me better understand Bajan culture and the influence the culture has on Barbadian education. For example, the workbooks they use in class are titled “Caribbean” versions of workbooks, so the math problems they have are relatable to the culture. For example, there is a math problem which asks children to count how many fish they are buying at the fish market. Fish markets are common here and so a question like this would be relatable to many children. Another thing that has helped me better understand the culture here, is witnessing the prayers that happen throughout the day. Seeing this happen, made me realize how much faith both the children and faculty have in God, and their religion. It is interesting to see this in public primary schools, since this would not be considered appropriate in the United States.