Intercultural Competences
Personal
In Aruba, I learned a lot about my own personality. What I find important in life and prefer to give my attention to. Friendships, for example. When you are on the other side of the world, you notice very quickly who from the home front still contacts you and who does not. This may be a very crude thing to say, but it's just the truth. I also discovered that I really am a nature lover. I actually already knew this but it was greatly expressed in Aruba. I enjoyed going to see rocks much more than lying on the beach, believe it or not. I also got a taste of adult life. Having my own place and taking care of it. I already had some experience by being in living in a student house, but it is still different. I also adopted the Aruban life: more relaxed and less hurried. Relaxed and just enjoying the moment. Which when I returned to Belgium did cause some frustration with others, oops. I have also grown in putting myself first. I am much quicker to say how I feel about certain situations. But most importantly, I have experienced not to compare myself to others. What I do should make me happy!
Professional
First of all, I never thought an internship abroad would work out with my subject combination. So I am extremely proud of myself that I did apply for this and took the adventure. Education in Aruba is much freer, which made me feel more at home as a teacher. In fact, in Belgium I had received several comments that my way of teaching was too loose. But in Aruba it fit perfectly. I was also closer to my students which I really liked. There was more room to learn together. We understood each other very well that both I and they were allowed and could make mistakes. We helped each other move forward! In from my internship in the different museums I learned a lot. I was finally no longer just the intern, but a full-fledged employee with my own responsibilities. Making new contacts and inspiring each other, wonderful! Both experiences gave me a better view of what I want to achieve with my career. Which direction I want to take and where I still want to grow.