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22 Comments

  1. Lori
    October 21, 2016 @ 06:37

    WOW! Can’t wait to share this post with your former students!!!!

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 22, 2016 @ 04:29

      Yes, they need to know how lucky they are!

      Reply

  2. Diane Weisman
    October 21, 2016 @ 07:12

    What a long day for those students! Do they get to play any sports after 5:00? How much homework is given each night? It doesn’t seem like they have much personal time during the day. I’m sure they must have to do work at home. Tim, you must be exhausted after teaching all day.

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 22, 2016 @ 04:32

      Good questions! They have told me they don’t have time for sports, but some play in soccer leagues or other sports on the weekends. I don’t think there are school teams here. They do have homework. High school students will stay up till 11 or later doing homework. I’m not following the student schedule, thankfully. I teach three classes on Mondays and two on Wednesdays. The rest of my time is spent working on other parts of my project. I don’t think I’d have the stamina to do what they’re doing.

      Reply

  3. Marina
    October 21, 2016 @ 07:19

    The building, the schedule, the exams, and the general school environment you are describing remind me so much of the school I went to as a child in Calcutta, India and how most schools in India still are !

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 22, 2016 @ 04:40

      Hi Marina. Yes, it reminded me of schools I’ve seen in Nepal. I think students in the US have no idea what school is like for many others around the world. Hope you’re enjoying the fall in Bloomington!

      Reply

  4. Monica Schnee
    October 21, 2016 @ 09:48

    I guess it is mid-term week in South East Asia! Our students in Korea all have mid-terms too, from middle school to university. I can relate to your story since students here are also extra-demanded, they sleep on the subway, bus or in class. Days are incredibly long with tutoring sometimes until 1:00 am. I think our kids have an easier life in every way. Students call me Monica Teacher and when you ask something they reply, Yes, teacher! So different from what we know, right? On the other hand, I just spent the day at a kindergarten – check my blog- It is the opposite of what our kids do – play is the name of the game here. Looking forward to your next post.

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 22, 2016 @ 04:43

      I loved your post about Kindergarten! I wonder why play is so important at that age, but then it changes so quickly to competition and exams. You’re really learning a lot about where your students in New Jersey are coming from.

      Reply

  5. Pat Pabich
    October 21, 2016 @ 18:51

    Timmy, what a wonderful journey you are on. Your dear mother would be so proud. Pat Pabich. Jimmy’s Mom

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 22, 2016 @ 04:46

      Hello “Mrs. Pabich!” Your comment brought back so many memories of sleepovers at your house – going all the way back to first grade. I still remember the spiral staircase and your great meals! Thanks for reading and commenting. Say hi to Jimmy and the family.

      Reply

  6. LInda Wight
    October 21, 2016 @ 19:04

    Incredible days for the students- can u imagine students here doing that . We had large classes when I was in grammar school. There is much more to Learn today. IT is a difficult job being a teacher. I wonder how I would do as a student today. As always, Tim very enlightening. You must be exhausted.

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 22, 2016 @ 04:49

      Thankfully, I’m not teaching a full schedule. I just have a few classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. The rest of my time is spent learning Vietnamese (or trying to), researching, writing and working on other parts of my project. Hard work seems to be a part of the culture here. The students complain a little, but they always do what they are told.

      Reply

  7. Where I’m From . . . Teaching Poetry in Vietnam – Welcome
    October 24, 2016 @ 08:59

    […] students are under enormous pressure and will often have other work out while I am teaching.  There also seems to be a culture in […]

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  8. Deidre Toole
    October 24, 2016 @ 19:17

    Wow! I loved this post, as it gave me such insight into your world. The photos are beautiful!
    I love the way the students take responsibility for so much of their day and extend common courtesy to all by cleaning up and setting up etc. It seems like common courtesy is the norm where you are and I can’t say that is always the case here. Do the students seem to be more “stressed” than your typical students at home? Do they have much time for creative arts (creative writing, poetry etc.)? Do they have counselors to talk to if they are feeling under pressure? How much English is spoken by the students and by you? Are you speaking more and more Vietnamese each day? Sorry for all the questions!
    I love that they stand when they speak! This will be so great to share when you return. We miss you!

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 25, 2016 @ 10:03

      So many great questions! The students say they are under a lot of stress, but they seem very resigned to it. The hard work and long hours are just what is expected. The clubs provide an outlet for creativity. Every club puts on performances that involve singing and dancing for assemblies and special events. The students plan all of this on their own during lunch or at night. Every day I see groups of high school and university students rehearsing for some presentation – they’re in every courtyard around campus practicing during their free time. I just found out today that there is a school psychologist. I’ll see if I can meet him/her and learn more. Finally, I think my brain has decided it cannot take another language. I spend many hours studying and remember very little. I can say a few phrases but speak English nearly all the time. Future blog post coming about language learning.

      Reply

  9. Anne cylkowski
    October 25, 2016 @ 07:37

    Incredible Tim what is very disciplined culture about education wish we had more of that here. Pictures are beautiful as always and the students look so happy and respectful. can’t wait to see how much of the language and the culture you have mastered when you get back.

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 25, 2016 @ 10:06

      Don’t get your hopes up about me speaking Vietnamese!

      Reply

  10. Cindy Cassidy
    October 25, 2016 @ 20:27

    I was exhausted just reading about their schedule, never mind being active in it! So my question to you is…how/does all this work/little play pay off for them? Are their good employment opportunities? Preparedness for college? Do they feel like the hard work that they’re putting in is going to get them somewhere better? While the Love Boat post was a definite Top 5 favorite, this one has pushed ahead – I always like to know what school is like for students around the world, and wow…our kids should feel lucky!!

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 28, 2016 @ 06:07

      You’re always asking great questions! From what I’ve heard, there aren’t a lot of good employment opportunities. It seems like everyone has a job here, but they are very low-paying jobs. Getting into college is very competitive (post about college coming soon), so the hard work in high school can pay off. Still, it all comes down to the exams, and I’ve heard that cheating is pretty common. Fun fact: Vietnam sends more college students to the US than any other country in the region. Parents are relentless about getting their kids a good education. Thanks for the questions. Keep sending them.

      Reply

  11. Student Life (University Edition) – Welcome
    October 28, 2016 @ 10:58

    […] In general, professors and students say that college is less stressful than high school.  Professors complain that students have a more relaxed attitude towards their work in college, after so many years of intense pressure in high school. […]

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  12. Where I’m From . . . Teaching Poetry in Vietnam | The Alternate Route
    December 7, 2022 @ 15:22

    […] students are under enormous pressure and will often have other work out while I am teaching.  There also seems to be a culture in […]

    Reply

  13. Student Life (University Edition) | The Alternate Route
    December 8, 2022 @ 11:44

    […] In general, professors and students say that college is less stressful than high school.  Professors complain that students have a more relaxed attitude towards their work in college, after so many years of intense pressure in high school. […]

    Reply

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