Field Trip

Our school is going on a field trip next week to a small dairy farm on the outskirts of Dongbaek. When I was told this, I was so excited because a) it's a little taste of Minnesota home and b) I wouldn't have to convince my students that the field trip would be fun (we have had some tours of museums and energy companies that, needless to say, fell flat).

I explained to them about the farm, what we would do and the animals we would see. When I was finished, I looked at them and they weren't beaming with excitement like I was. I said "What's wrong?" John, who seems to be the spokesperson for the entire class, told me "Teacher, I don't want." I said "WHY?!!?! It will be great! We will see horses and pigs and cows! It is going to be so cool!!" He responded "No... it is dirty... I will get the virus." I said "the what?". He said, "The virus! The pig virus!" He was referring to the swine flu. Who knows where he heard about the swine flu. All the other kids nodded and shouted in agreement. All of a sudden had a mutiny on my hands. I tried to explain that it wasn't what they thought and they would be fine..... but no. Their minds were made up and they are stubborn. I have tried my best to convince them that all will be ok... we will see if the atmosphere of the farm overshadows their worries. So in conclusion, I have around 20 kindergartners who don't want to go to a farm because they are worried they will get swine flu. Yeah...

So.... during my time here I have learned a lot of things about myself: I don't like octopus no matter how many times I try it; I am really good at finding my way around cities using the subway; every time I get on a bus it is a guarantee that I will get sick and I really love to travel!! However, the knowledge I have gained about children since I have arrived here is priceless. For instance, children miss NOTHING!!!!!!!! They are more perceptive than I could have ever imagined.