Our hearts are "Full" and "Bright" after interviewing our International Scholars

Kyi Kyi Khaing is an English teacher from Myanmar. In her community, she helps and teaches people to speak and listen. She says, “I want to make a meaningful impact in my field.” 

Her goal at AHS is this: “I want to expand my understanding and skills. This will prepare me, and I can use this to build positively in my community.”

She also says, “Cross-cultural study is important for personal and professional growth.”

Kyi Kyi wants to take everything she learns while in the Fulbright Program back home to enrich her community with new knowledge and continue to help teach people to read and listen. 

She talks about her beautiful home country of Myanmar. Kyi Kyi states, “Myanmar is a country rich in culture and diversity.” 

She also says, “There is amazing architecture.”

After doing research, I found that’s no exaggeration. Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia that borders India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand. Yangon (the largest city in Myanmar) is home to markets, parks, lakes, and the Shwedagon Pagoda. The Shwedagon Pagoda is a Buddhist religious site that has been around since the sixth century. According to Heritage Line, “...The pagoda’s most valuable asset is the stupa’s crown, known as the ‘umbrella’. Approximately 5,500 diamonds, 2,300 rubies and 4,000 golden bells and other precious gemstones line the crown. And sitting at the very top of the umbrella is its largest and most precious gemstone, a 72-carat (15 grams) diamond. The gem-encrusted ‘Crown of Burma’ is estimated to be valued at $3 billion USD – that’s roughly 5% of Myanmar’s annual GDP!”

She also speaks of the people in her country, “Myanmar people are incredibly resilient and hardworking.” 

Based on what she told our Journalism class, that is nothing but the truth. Students in Myanmar start school at 7 a.m. and end at 4-5 p.m., with only a one-hour break throughout the day, during which most students decide to go home and eat lunch. All class periods are 45 minutes long.

At the private school where she teaches, uniforms are mandatory. Boys must wear lungis—a men's skirt tied below the waist—and a white polo/blouse, and girls must wear a white blouse and green pants. 

In Myanmar, all students must study three core classes: Myanmar (their language), English, and mathematics. The other courses that they take are decided by their chosen path. 

Next, we interviewed Taif from North Jordan. Taif is a math teacher as well as the head of HR/IT at his father’s company. 

Regarding the Fulbright Program, Taif says, “The Fulbright Program offers a lot of benefits for me as a math teacher to improve my teaching.”

Taif says that he decided to become a teacher because he loves teaching younger children math… even though most of them don’t like to learn it. His goal for his students is to one day take them to America to experience the perks of the American school system. 

The YES program stands for Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Programs. The United States fully funds this program, which allows students from other countries to come to America and learn at American schools. 

In his home country, some of the most popular spots to visit are Petra, the Roman Theater, Ajloun Castle, and The Baptismal Site of Jesus Christ.

Taif talked powerfully about the problems students face. He emphasizes the similarities and says that students worldwide deal with the same issues every day. 

Elvis is from Bolivia and says, “Being here is a big deal for an English teacher in Bolivia… besides working in Aurora schools, I want to share this experience with my students…I want to inspire my students so they can do as much as they can.”

He aims to use the information he gains here to “Build links between those points with my school” and “Build a nice relationship between all institutions.”

Ina Iurcu is a computer science and math teacher and an ambassador for Moldova. After discussing the School System with her, we learned a ton about her home country from her answers, even after our Journalism class was over. 

First, she tells us her reasons for joining the Fulbright Program: “Overall, it’s a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while growing both personally and professionally!”

She also states her goal for returning home: “Cultural Understanding… Innovative Teaching Methods… Curriculum Development… Building Global Networks…Enhancing Student Engagement… Professional Growth… Promoting Global Citizenship… By focusing on these goals, I can maximize the benefits of my exchange experience and positively impact my educational community back home.”

Like our International Scholars from last year, the teachers move rooms, not the students. Students sit in the same spot all day with occasional breaks during the school day. The teachers also agreed that the size of our schools is much larger than back home. 

Ina is full of ideas when asked about the food she would recommend we try. She recommends: “Mămăligă: A staple dish made from cornmeal, similar to polenta, often served with cheese, sour cream, or stews. Sarmale: Cabbage rolls stuffed with a mixture of rice and minced meat, typically served with sour cream. Plăcinte: Delicious pastries that can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as potatoes, cheese, or cherries.” 

Ina even brought chocolates and wine from Maldova. She says, “Moldova is one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world, with awine tradition that dates back thousands of years. The Milestii Mici winery is known for having the largest wine cellar in the world.”