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SEEK (VERB)
1) TO GO IN SEARCH OR QUEST OF 2) TO TRY TO FIND; DISCOVER BY SEARCHING OR QUESTIONING

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Ms. Rago's Travel Blog - 
Read here about my travels experiences in Indonesia! 

Scroll all the way to the bottom and work your way up to the most recent posts.  
​Read my personal stories from local school visits, interactions with teachers and students, and my experiences within the culture of this very diverse country!
This blog provides a snapshot of my personal
opinions and thoughts along my adventures!
​Please feel free to comment, ask questions, and engage in cultural learning. ENJOY!   

"Just think of it as an adventure!"

3/8/2017

7 Comments

 
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In four days, I will be in Jakarta, Indonesia with other IREX Teachers for Global Classrooms (TGC) Fellows.  Our cohort of 14 teachers, from across the United States, has spent the last year preparing for this journey.  I can't believe it is FINALLY HERE! Our group will spend 3 weeks, working in various schools across Indonesia, exchanging our ideas, culture, and teaching experiences with Indonesian teachers and students.  By the end of 3 hard working weeks, I plan on taking a little R & R for a few days in Bali (my  Eat, Pray, Love obsession!) and the Gili Islands (I'm determined to get a photo on the swing in the middle of the ocean!) The preparation and planning for both parts of this trip has escalated into a frenzy these last few weeks, filled with appointments, vaccinations, and lots of shopping for necessities and gifts!  The photo below is my accumulated pile that I still need to figure out how to fit into 2- 45 lb. bags, with clothes!!
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2017 TGC Indonesia Fellows at Global Education Symposium, Washington, D.C. (a few missing though!)
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These are mostly gifts...still need to pack clothes! AHHH!
Some of the highlights I am looking forward to are working with our Indonesian host teacher, Umi Rakailah Safari in her community of Jember. (see map below)  As I communicated with Ibu Umi (Translation Mrs. Umi. This is how students address her. I'll be Ibu Wendy!) through email and FB messenger, I am excited for our agenda to come to fruition!  We will be visiting various agricultural plantations in her community, including coffee, cocoa, dragonfruit, and rubber.  All of these natural resources are a big part of the village and include surrounding areas of rice fields and mountains.  What's cool too- the cocoa and coffee plantations run on biofuel gas!  Obviously, this is pretty exciting to this science teacher and self-described naturalist/biologist! So, when choosing my individual guiding question for this experience, I wanted to focus on the diversity of the area and see how Indonesian's incorporate their natural environment into their education and daily lives. So the official research question on paper is "How do Indonesians incorporate sustainability practices of the natural environment into their education system and their daily lives?"  So interesting things like biofuel gas, exotic plants, and various animals (i.e. Indonesian elephants, komodo dragons, the cat that poops coffee beans, etc.)  will probably become a reoccurring theme of my posts.  (HEADS UP! I do not plan on researching the helicopter-size insects I'm expecting to see..like I'd rather die...and I'm already having nightmares of finding them in my room.) 
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One more exciting field trip Ibu Umi is planning for us is to visit Mount Ijen to see the famous "Blue Fire"! Well, again that's the plan right now, but it requires a 2 am wake up and 3 hour hike up a mountain in the dark!  To quote Ibu Umi, "Be sure to bring hiking boots, a flashlight, and a mask. The sulphur smell is very strong!" :/  Ok, well..then...I hope this cowgirl can do it!  It's a active sulfur mine, so the smell of rotten eggs will be potent.  Plus, apparently the water runoff mixes in the lake, creating a pool of sulfuric acid! Awesome?!? Chem peeps- a pH of 0.5, according to this guy! WHAT?!?) These are a few things that you can look forward to hearing more about in the weeks to come!  So, as the title of this first post suggests...Let's think of this as an adventure - together!

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Author's Note: The title was inspired from the mantra of my mother, who passed away a year ago from breast cancer.  Her infamous words are ingrained in my psyche, unconsciously coming up with every new challenging situation. These words were once annoying, usually followed by repeated eye rolls from my sisters and I.  Right now, I know my mom would remind me of these words, as I prepare for this journey. I'm sure she'll  be showing up in spirit throughout this adventure!) 
7 Comments
Alina
7/9/2017 07:57:21 pm

So excited for you and all you will experience. Can't help but think how lucky your students will be to pursue their education while having your energetic and positive presence in the classroom. The world is now your class! So proud of your accomplishments!

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Kate Boyens
7/10/2017 10:43:54 am

You have such a great voice as a writer! I can't wait to travel together during Week 4. We will get a picture on those swings --- don't worry!

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Adrian
7/10/2017 10:48:42 am

Adventure! Go Ms. Rago!

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Stacey
7/11/2017 06:18:19 am

This trip is going to be an amazing adventure! Fun, inspiring and hopefully relaxing!! Take time to breathe and enjoy the wonder of it all! Maybe even let go of a list or two! 😀

Born to be a teacher- You have always been a thoughtful writer who could move mountains with your words and this blog shows that! I'm so excited for you to bring your experiences back to the US because these adventures will change us all! We are so proud of you! Xoxo

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Susan
7/11/2017 08:02:30 am

Wendels ..this has been a dream of yours for years. Though things have not always been easy...you have never given up and continued to believe in reaching for those adventures. You have motivated and inspired many along you journey. Enjoy this one and always know you are loved and supported. Continue to reach ....for those "2 heavenly stars" will always be there loving and guiding you.

God bless..love you always...
Aunt Sue

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Stacy Long
7/13/2017 10:07:25 am

This is so awesome and thank you for sharing your adventure with us! You are an incredible teacher and inspiration to us all. Let us know how that cat poo coffee tastes 🤢 Blech! Enjoy your journey!

The Long Family

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Susan
7/15/2017 06:12:21 am

Wow first of all glad you got there safely and I'll seems to be going well. Pictures are amazing hard to believe. Love the staircase with the Dragon. Sounds like you will be treated royally. Have a great day.
So great to be able to share this adventure with you!❤️🙏🏼😇
Love you and God bless.
Aunt Sue

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    Author

    Wendy Rago is a science teacher at Pembroke Pines Charter High School, in Pembroke Pines, Florida.  Wendy has her masters degree in International and Intercultural Education from Florida International University, and she is interested in global education initiatives.  She enjoys promoting intercultural exchanges with her students.  You can follow her travels and get ideas for globally centered  lesson through this site, as well as http://www.msrago.com.

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This website and blog is not an official U.S. Department of State site. The views and information presented are the grantee’s own and do not represent the Teachers for Global Classrooms Program, IREX, or the U.S. Department of State.

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  • HOME
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