February 2011

Global Connections Dominican Republic 2011: Reflections from the Compass Junior Class

Reflections on our Travels

Making a Real Difference through Community Service Winter Term

Submitted by Rick Gordon on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 5:20pm

            “Why do we have to learn this?” is maybe the most common question students ask at most schools. At Compass, students can see their learning put to real use in all sorts of ways. Community Service Winter Term, held for two weeks in February is one of the best opportunities students have to apply their learning to real world needs.

            This year’s projects included:

Global Connections--Personal Connections: Compass Juniors Transformed by Dominican Republic Experience

Submitted by Rick Gordon on Wed, 02/16/2011 - 3:34pm

We are far from home, more in spirit than in miles. It is hard to overstate how different the living conditions are here from what anyone has at home. It is also hard to overstate how adaptable, and seemingly happy, all the Compass kids are here in Tres Ceibas, this tiny farming village in the hills of the Dominican Republic. I guess the fact that they actually do have electricity, which usually works for part of every other day, maybe exceeds our expectations.

Santo Domingo Day 2

Submitted by Louise Hodson on Sun, 02/13/2011 - 8:10am

This picture seems so long ago- a whole five days but I haven't gotten the kids new pictures up loaded. They were playing games our last night in the Campo. We have written some more "I ams" so I will many are in journals but here I the ones I have...

Santo Domingo and Santiago

Submitted by Louise Hodson on Sat, 02/12/2011 - 10:04am

We are staying at a hotel called Bettye's Guest House. She has lots of wonderful art. It is very hostely, 2 rooms with 14 beds and one bathroom and kitchen. It is a little crowded but nice enough, it has tons of art and a lot of fans. Today we are going to visit the first church in the western hemisphere and some other museums and stuff.

I am....

Submitted by Louise Hodson on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 10:53am

I am.... BEGINNING ATTEMPTS AT PRESENTATION REFLECTIONS

 

Cabarate Part two of Awesome like a G6

Submitted by Louise Hodson on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 8:03pm

Louise here- I did not title this one... as you can tell we have many stories to share. Some started 6 word memores for tonight's Blog then Rick and Kailey added a real blog. Hope you enjoy-

Six Word Memoirs About...

 

More rice, beans and meringue please

I don’t know, it was fun (Starcie about her birthday)

Have a big bruise, don’t care

Want to be a Dominican Man

Don’t even notice skin color anymore

I want to take ChiChi home

Cabarete

Submitted by Louise Hodson on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:48am

We are heading toward the water falls out side of Portaplota. We had a great day yester day... We woke and headed to Sosua. Went went snorkleing and took public transportation, both equally exciting. The water was amazingly clear. We went to a hard coral and a soft coral spot and in both places the fish were plentaful. Dinner out on the beach for Starcie's brithday was a ton of fun with some gilotoe on the way home.

 

Notes from Home Stas

Submitted by Louise Hodson on Sun, 02/06/2011 - 11:11am

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2-4 We are waiting for breakfast at our home stay. The fires are lit- the water on and they have started our coco. Ahhh... the cinnamon, cloves,  and yes a orange tree branch right off the tree. I want to go watch I will pass this on... Louise

 

Day 1

Submitted by Louise Hodson on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 9:01am

Louise here- Hopefully I can get some kids to add here but they are upstairs eating breakfast (fresh fruite cereal and fresh OJ). The van ride here was amazing we all leaned out the windows hoping to take in as much of the view as we could. The driver had loud Dominican music playing and we tried to translate. Phil and Patrick tried to get as many people as they could to wave. When we arived at our ocean view hotel- we all instantly headed for the beach. Jake and Rick played volley ball with some locals, Jill, Sophie, Kailey and I went tide pool exploring and found some great critters.