Mongolia Experience

Stay in a ger camp
Horse racing and Naadam
Visit to camel herding family

I am fairly certain every day in Mongolia will bring experiences I cannot even imagine, as I type this from my living room. Being a part of daily life and witness to cultural events will be the focus in Mongolia. I am most looking forward to sleeping in a traditional ger, cheering at Naadam events, and visiting a family of camel herders.

A ger is a traditional home that is used by Mongolian nomads today. We will be lucky enough to stay in one for a couple of nights. Yes, this probably means no running water or electricity, but the beauty and isolation is sure to be unlike anything I've felt before. Click on the photo above to learn how it is constructed and the specific arrangement of the inside.

The Naadam festival usually takes place in mid-July, but our hosts are planning a smaller version so that we can admire Mongolian archery, wrestling, and horsemanship. An interesting difference in horse racing: jockeys are all children under age 12 and races are as long as 17 miles. Click the picture above to learn more.

Any chance to see animals up close and personal and I'm there. Although horses are viewed as the most important animal in Mongolia, camels are valued as well for wool, milk, and transport. Many challenges face the herder and the numbers of camels are declining. Click on the photo above to link to "The Story of the Weeping Camel" information.

New Zealand Adventure

Tongariro National Park

Waipoua Forest

Sheep World

It was really, really difficult to narrow it down to 3 places, but above you will find the 3 places I can't wait to visit in New Zealand! Click on the pictures above for the links!

The first is Tongariro National Park where there are active volcanoes. It is also the only World Heritage site that has both natural and cultural significance.

The second is Waipoua Forest which is a subtropical rainforest. It is home to the kauri tree...well the 4% of the forest that is left.

The third is Sheep World! Need I say more? Seriously, there are more sheep than people in NZ and they are an important part of life there.

School Visits in New Zealand

St. Martins School in Christchurch, NZ
(Click on picture for school website.)


Selwyn Primary School in Rotorua, NZ
(Click on picture for school website.)

The Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program has many goals. One is to provide US teachers with the opportunity to view first-hand how education is approached in other countries. Therefore, as a part of the program, I will be visiting schools in both New Zealand and Mongolia. Being an ESOL teacher, my interest in New Zealand is in learning how English is taught to Maori and Pasifika students, with respect given to their languages and cultures. To give me a variety of perspectives, I will visit Selwyn Primary School in Rotorua, Cannons Creek School in Wellington, and St. Martin's School in Christchurch. Two of the schools have fantastic websites! Take a look and see their similarities and differences to US schools.