Freeman Experiment Teacher’s Project
The Experiment in International Living
World Learning
Graduate Studies Program – School for International Training
Brattleboro, Vermont
"The Experiment in International Living provides individuals an opportunity to explore the world and learn first hand about different cultures. These cross-cultural adventures challenge participants to break stereotypes, reduce xenophobia, and celebrate the diversity of life." The Experiment in International Living
Students at Number 5 Experimental Elementary School learning new games
from the Freeman teacher-ambassadors. In the foreground, students learning
to play duck-duck-goose; in the background, Shi Wentao and Brad Houk
teaching the game of slap-jack, in Luoyang City, Henan Province, People's
Republic of China, July, 2008 (photo courtesy of Bill Herrington).
During the spring of 2008, Brad Houk (along with nine other Vermont educators and a team leader) was selected to be part of the Freeman Experiment Teacher's Project. The Vermont Freeman team traveled independently to San Francisco before meeting up at the SFO International Airport. From there, they traveled closely together through China for the next 22 days. It was a trip that evolved into an incredible journey (and will be documented on this website). This website is dedicated to the team, the experiences they shared, the purpose of the journey (as described above), and those who made the journey possible: the Freeman Foundation, The Experiment in International Living, and World Learning. The purpose of this website is to share not only the experiences of the journey in China, but of those that followed in Vermont while working and
sharing in the classroom, the school, and the community.
A few of the team's hosts in Luoyang City, Henan Province, People's Republic
of China (July, 2008).
"Overview: Starting in 1999, The Experiment in International Living and Freeman Foundation partnered to launch the Freeman Experiment Teacher's Project. The goal of this collaboration is to infuse knowledge about and excitement for Asia into the classrooms, schools, and communities of Vermont through the creation of dynamic immersion programs for teachers and teachers in training. These projects combine elements of classic Experiment in International Living programs with a focus on specific Asian topics. Teachers from a select group of public and private schools throughout Vermont and New York City and teachers in training at select colleges have been invited to consider the opportunity.
"The Freeman Experiment Teacher's Project engages Teacher Ambassadors in a cross-cultural orientation and homestay. In addition, Teacher Ambassadors become immersed in Chinese culture through visits to local schools, hands-on activities, excursions to historic temples, shrines, and monuments, and in-depth exploration with in-country experts working with the Hebei Foreign Service Center in China. Please refer to the itinerary for more details.
"The Freeman Experiment Teacher's Project seeks to break new ground in cross-cultural education for teachers. These projects challenge teachers to develop a deeper understanding of how to communicate across cultural, national, racial, and linguistic borders while preparing them to integrate their international experience into their classrooms, schools, and communities upon return." The Experiment in International Living General Information for Programs in China
Selected Entries, Exerpts, and Stories from Brad Houk's Journal
15-17 July 2008
More journal entries to be posted here ...
Brad Houk, a student of Mandarin Chinese, conversing with passengers
on a train between Beijing and Zhengzhou, Henan Province, People's
Republic of China, July, 2008 (photo courtesy of Rosemary Fitzsimons).
Brad teaches at the Opportunities In Learning alternative program for
the Windsor Southwest Supervisory Union, Chester, Vermont, USA.
Special thanks to Rosemary Fitzsimons, Amanda Harris, Tifin Calcagni and Bill Herrington for the use of their photographs. All other photographs, drawings and prose by Brad Houk unless otherwise noted.
Copyright © 2008 by Brad Houk, All Rights Reserved
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