It started in England. I thought, "fabulous, I've taken 3-4 classes on English/British history, this will help me for sure!" BUT no. I soon realized I should not tell people at all that I did any British history as most of the time I could only remember small chunks of what I learned. And if I was there today it'd be even less.
Now I've been to even more of the places I've studied: China, Japan, Korea, India.... and it's the same deal.... Opium War, British RAJ, Boxer Rebellion... huh? Ok, some of the courses were 5 years ago, but still! I think it has something to do with frantically memorizing things simply to pass exams, and when that obstacle is passed we move onto other topics.
How much more fun is it to interact with a culture? Classroom learning is good too, but then DO something with it! This makes me that much more excited to do fun projects in elementary school to get kids engaged!
Sometimes when I travel I like to make lists of simple things I notice. Here are some observations about India:
- everywhere I look I am surrounded by men, most of whom have mustaches
- "not spicy" or "little spicy" always = SPICY
- India is more crowded than China, and elbows don't work as well to push your way through a crowd
- People are more noisy
- There are more kids than in China
- BEAUTIFUL fabrics and colours!
- Traffic pollution is so bad that you come home with a dirty face :(
- The Indian scarf (Dupatta) has many uses: a scarf, a face mask....
- And let me know forget CHAI TEA... twice a day
Anyways, lately these travels have motivated me to dig out my old history notes, which thankfully I have kept, and do a little review this summer. Besides, I can't let my brain go to waste over the summer! Maybe I'll even remember some things.
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