Per request of my sister Katie (for those of you who dont know) she was interested in knowing how their school system works because i mentioned that my host sisters (17 & 19) are both in college and entering their 2nd and 4th years respectively which is very different from the states.
This request was perfect because not only did i not know the answer, it gave me the perfect chance to practice some spanish and be more comfortable! wahooo.
After my meeting this morning we went over to my aunts house for lunch. She has 4 kids, one of which has a kid. (Side note: i told katie this already but the little girls name is Valentina and she is 14 months old. My host family saw pictures of logan and have decided they are getting married. Valentina even kissed a picture of logan haha. They asked if she liked him and she said, Si! Cutest thing ever). Anywho, after dinner i sat down with my cousin and picked her brain on schooling. After a few minutes of trying to translate things literally (which i need to stop trying to do) i finally was able to flow with the conversation!! After about 30 minutes we had covered school, differences between here and the states, Yoise, family, future schooling, her college etc. It was a success in my book!!
So to answer your question Katie: Their school is just about the same as ours. They enter Kindergarten around 5 years old. Primary school and then Secondary (high school). They have 12 grades and go to school Monday-Friday. In Primary school and the first 2 years of secondary school they go from 7-12. It is my assumption, although i forgot to ask, that they get out of school for lunch instead of eating there. Most families eat together for lunch as it is their big meal of the day. (i can get further clarification on that if necessary.) In the second 2 years of secondary school, they attend from 12:30ish until after 5 or 6. Most kids typically graduate when they are about 16 or 17 years old for the following reason.
It is my understanding, after asking the same question 2-3 times lol that school starts in Jan. They have a week off in February because it is their holy week. They then go to school the rest of the year until August or October (she couldn't remember which) and they have a month off. (Therefore their break system, which still baffles me, is MUCH shorter than ours therefore they move a bit quicker). In University (which they strictly call college) they have the same Feb. break and then the months of Nov. and Dec. off.
Any further questions or clarifications let me know. Any other questions you guys are curious about let me know. Not only does it give me something to blog for you guys but give me a chance to sit and talk about something i may not have thought about.
As for pictures, i will try to head over to the cementary tomorrow. My host mom wanted to bring me to the beach but she was not feeling well tonight so i'm not sure if we will be going. If not i will be walking around town trying to work on my integration stuff. Wish me luck!! haha.
Fantastic! I like learning the differences in the cultures and traditions. Do boys and girls all study together in school?
ReplyDeleteNext, I'd like to know if males and females are treated differently. For instance, do boys do more schooling? Are boys expected to do more professionally? I know that central america is a very machismo culture so I wonder if women are treated as less than men. When you talk to your family about it, you can talk about how in the U.S., since the 1950's and 60's, women have (for lack of better terms) gained a lot of independence. Although, you'll see stats that men make more money and have higher expectations put on them. Although, you'll also see that more women are being hired during this recession.
Keep em coming! Love you lots xoxo
Logan has a girlfriend already? haha. Little Nicaraguan babe. Is the blue eyes I'm telling you, babies in Nicaragua are drawn to it. You should send him a picture of her to see what he thinks and what he is getting himself into. lol. Actually education in a lot of places is far better than the one we have here, I'm not surprised they graduate that early. Good to know, I know I talk to you all the time and you tell me everything before you write it on here but I just wanted to let you know once again that I love you and I miss you and I'm glad that you are learning as well as teaching. MUAH!
ReplyDeleteTe quiero mucho mi corazon, espero ver tu linda cara una ves mas. Muchisimos besos para ti y un abraso bien grande. Te amo!