2016 金山灣區青少年中華文化學習團-結案照片

2016.07.07. 舊金山機場啟程

就要出發

 

2016.07.07. 抵達桃園中正機場

抵達台灣

 

2016.07.09. 抵達羅娜國小

抵達羅娜

 

2016.07.09. 整理教具

6. 抵達羅娜.box boys

 

英文課程教學

Teaching1 7. Teaching

 

協助農作採收

協助採收

 

編織毛線手鍊

craft teaching

 

教做拼圖相框

Making photo frame

 

DIY 黏土

Making play dough

Making play dough.Brian

 

團康時間

10. Circle time

 

排舞練習

9. Line dance teaching

 

2016.07.18.僑委會林高明專員來訪

僑委會林專員拜訪

 

志工 Talent Show

8. Talent show Talent show.dance

Talent show.girl front

 

志工與學童晨跑

2. 晨跑

 

部落尋訪

部落尋訪14. 部落尋訪

遊訪日月潭

品嚐部落美食

Banquets

部落美食

 

2016.07.22.拜會僑委會,田副委員長(前排中)、

蔡仁達董事長(前排左4)、僑教處張景南處長(前排右4)

7.22 拜會僑委會

 

 

2016 金山灣區青少年中華文化學習團-專案申請計畫書

慧智文教基金會

2016 金山灣區青少年中華文化學習團

國際文化志工專案

 

 

 

原聲音樂學校

飛越玉山 看見台灣計畫()

 

 

 

 

 

指導單位:中華民國僑務委員會

共同主辦單位:慧智文教基金會

                臺灣原聲音樂學校

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

壹、活動名稱

2016原聲音樂學校-飛越玉山,看見台灣計畫 (五)

貳、前言

原聲音樂學校校長馬彼得先生,努力培育部落未來知識菁英,落實部落教育,引導部落的學童有正確積極的生活態度、觀念、價值觀。原聲音樂學校希望打造台灣的維也納,希望幫助孩子們走出部落,邁入國際,打開他們的視野。2013年原聲合唱團更在各界的努力下,到美國進行訪問表演,一切非常成功。這樣的機會, 讓學童對於未來人生的定位跟規劃,有更新的、正面的想法與思維,也貫徹實行了「飛越玉山」計畫的宗旨。對於馬校長的努力與理念,本基金會非常佩服和感動,基於回饋台灣之理想,本基金會透過兩週的課程設計,讓來自美國的青少年文化學習團員到山上,與原聲合唱團的孩子們,無論在音樂、生活及語言上,相互交融,並引領青少年文化學員們,以文化學習的態度,志工服務的方式,深入當地生活,進行文化交流,學習中華文化多元的價值,與為人服務的喜樂與自信。將來更能將在台灣文化學習的經驗及感動,帶回美國,影響美國主流。

參、活動目的

一、以在地生活化學習及志工服務模式,透過半年縝密規劃的訓練及課程,及安排各項文化研習活動,達到美國青少年學員與部落學童間文化的介紹和交流。

二、強化共同學習生活之基礎技能,並參與社區服務。

三、讓青少年學員與學童,共同完成〝飛越玉山,學習文化, 看見台灣,回饋台灣〞之旅。

四、影響並帶領部落學童,增強自信,走出玉山,完成夢想。

五、針對原聲音樂學校

1.實行美語輔導課程,及美語生活化運用教學。

2.透過青少年學員與學童,多元價值之溝通,文化的影響,建立未來個人發展,及積極正面社會化之願景。

3.透過青少年學員音樂、才藝表演,增進學童的音樂素養。

 

六、針對國際文化青年學員

1.完成各項文化活動研習課程及部落語言、工藝及風俗學習。

2.籌畫執行美語、舞蹈、團康和美國文化教學交流活動。

3.協助原聲音樂學校內部建設與部落社區的志工服務。

4.記錄體驗台灣風俗民情,並在回美後分享「學習文化,服務台灣」的經驗。

七、對象與角色價值

   

                 

部落

學童

使學童在兩星期學員規劃的學習活動中,愉快積極的體驗西方教學課程,進而激發了解學習的樂趣,並藉由與國際學員的互動,學習西方經驗,建立自信與開拓視野,達到對未來有期望,努力向上的正面意義。

青少年學員

透過與學童及民間社會的互動,讓青少年學員體驗及了解部落文化的價值及生活方式。在志工服務過程中,體會自我的正面價值,學習規劃與執行目標。同時藉文化交流,彼此體會珍惜及感激。用中文與學童互動,從事各項文化研習活動,強化中文學習及文化認同。了解部落文化及政府和人們為部落所做的努力,激發服務的決心與熱誠。在參訪地方的過程中,作詳實的記錄。完成台灣之旅與文化學習,認同身為華人的驕傲。

肆、活動時間:

2016年7月9日 ~ 2016年7月23日

伍、活動地點:

一、臺灣原聲音樂學校校址 – 南投縣信義鄉羅娜國小

二、原聲音樂學校外鄰近布農族部落社區

三、板橋電信所

四、臺北士林故宮博物院、中正紀念堂、國父紀念館

陸、相關單位

一、指導單位:中華民國僑務委員會

南投縣政府

二、主辦單位:慧智文教基金會

原聲音樂學校

柒、活動對象

原聲音樂學校全體學員,共   120  

慧智國際文化研習青少年學員, 共  17 

慧智國際文化研習領隊, 共  1 

捌、活動內容

一、活動形式:文化交流研習夏令營

二、教學課程: 英文、中文輔導課程

籌畫多元文化教學課題,將生活與語文結合,設計出生動、活潑且寓教於樂,適用且實用於日常生活的美語教學。中文課程內容方面,以輔助學童暑假作業及日常生活的應對學習,讓青少年學員學習用流利的中文與學童對談,增加學員溝通的自信,以及文化的認同。同時藉由各項文化研習安排課程,讓青少年學員體驗台灣部落文化之美。

三、團體活動:

藉由精采刺激的美式遊戲,讓學童充分發揮熱情與活力,爭取團體榮譽,並體會團隊合作的重要性;藉由各式各樣的小隊才藝及音樂表演,讓來自不同年級的學童培養團體默契及揮灑自信,共同規劃及設計成果發表。

四、生活學習:

在住校的生活中,負責照顧學童的生活起居,環境安全,擔起生活導師的責任,強化奉獻服務的心意,培養獨立生活能力。

五、建設美好家園:

青少年學員協助參與布農族社區整建工程。 透過原聲音樂學校之規劃與協調,可讓青少年志工及村童共同協助輕勞力的工程,體驗部落農耕及在地生活的樂趣與辛苦。

六、美食分享:

由青少年學員著手規劃及親自烹調西式美食讓學童分享,青少年學員學習製作並品嘗布農族社區的傳統美食,讓他們更貼近部落的生活。

七、參訪部落社區:

貼近當地生活,探訪附近山麓,體驗自然之美。

八、成果發表:

將學習成果作為記錄,學員及學童共同發表學習心得及成果,分享共同生活的趣事,以及學習方面的成效。彼此互相勉勵,期勉在未來能積極努力,朝自我設定目標邁進。

玖、活動行程

2016原聲音樂學校國際文化志工行程安排

  • 7/7/16 10:00PM 到SFO 舊金山 China Airlines櫃臺集合辦理報到登機
  • 7/8/16 1:25AM 登機 China Airlines CI003
  • 7/9/16 5:30AM 抵達 TPE 桃園中正國際機場
  • 7/9/16 7:00AM 通關完成提領行李

第二航廈 8:00AM旅客大廳集合

  • 7/9/16 8:00AM~9:00AM基金會派人接機安排享用早餐,外幣兌換,學員繳交行動電話及3C 產品
  • 7/9/16 9:30AM 出發前往羅娜國小
  • 羅娜國小入住安排分配及整理
  • 7/10/16 校園及附近社區參訪
  • 7/10/16 研習說明會2:00PM~5:00PM
  • 7/11/16 正式學習及服務
  • 7/23/16 返美

 

 

第一週

時間/日期

Mon.7/11

Tue.7/12

Wed.7/13

Thur.7/14

Fri.7/15

Sat.7/16

Sun.7/17

6:00~6:30

起床

整理床鋪

起床

整理床鋪

起床

整理床鋪

起床

整理床鋪

起床

準備早餐

起床

準備早餐

起床

準備早餐

6:30~7:30

運動時間

運動時間

運動時間

運動時間

早餐

早餐

7:30~8:00

打掃

打掃

打掃

打掃

尋訪九美部落/健行八通關古道及    彩虹瀑布

小組會議

部落學校探訪: 東埔國小,久美國小

8:00~8:30

早餐

早餐

早餐

早餐

部落果菜園協助採收及生態教學

8:40~9:20

英文教學

實習

竹桶飯

制作學習

*華語文教學

英文教學

實習

英文教學

實習

9:30~10:10

10:10~10:30

健康時間

10:30~11:10

英文教學

實習

竹桶飯

制作學習

*華語文教學

傳統布農族服飾欣賞與體驗

*華語文教學

原住民編織工藝

*華語文教學

11:20~12:00

12:00~12:40

午餐

午餐

午餐

午餐

午餐

午餐

12:40~13:20

午休

午休

午休

午休

尋訪望鄉部落生態文化/原始野炊體驗

第二週課程準備

13:30~14:10

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

14:20~15:00

15:10~16:00

歡迎晚會

音樂交流體驗

*華語文教學

才藝表演

大掃除

16:00-17:00

17:00~17:20

運動時間

運動時間

運動時間

教室總檢查

17:30~18:00

準備晚餐

準備晚餐

準備晚餐

協助回家安排

18:00~18:40

晚餐

晚餐

晚餐

晚餐

晚餐

晚餐

18:50~20:50

原住民樂器欣賞及體驗

*華語文教學

原住民樂器欣賞及體驗

*華語文教學

部落文化

介紹

*華語文教學

部落建築

介紹

*華語文教學

學員心得交流

學員心得交流

21:00

盥洗

盥洗

盥洗

盥洗

盥洗

盥洗

21:00~21:30

小組會議

內務整理

21:30~22:00

晚安

晚安

晚安

晚安

晚安

晚安

第二週

時間/日期

Mon.7/18

Tue.7/19

Wed.7/20

Thur.7/21

Fri.7/22

Sat.7/23

6:00~6:30

起床

整理床鋪

起床

整理床鋪

起床

整理床鋪

起床

整理床鋪

起床早餐

起床盥洗

6:30~7:30

運動時間

運動時間

運動時間

運動時間

協助英語輔學計畫成果展

演出

Banquet準備

早餐

7:30~8:00

打掃

打掃

打掃

打掃

參觀台北士林故宮博物院, 中正紀念堂, 及國父紀念館

臺灣美食體驗-

牛肉麵

8:00~8:30

早餐

早餐

早餐

早餐

8:40~9:20

英文教學

彩繪山豬存錢筒

*華語文教學

布農族傳統舞蹈教學

*華語文教學

英文教學

9:30~10:10

10:10~10:30

健康時間

10:30~11:10

英文教學

英文教學

布農族傳統舞蹈教學

*華語文教學

竹子餐具製作

*華語文教學

11:20~12:00

12:00~12:40

午餐

午餐

午餐

午餐

午餐

12:40~13:20

午休

午休

午休

午休

協助英語輔學計畫成果展

演出

Banquet

13:30~14:10

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

14:20~15:00

15:10~16:00

排舞教學

*華語文教學

排舞教學

*華語文教學

搗麻糬體驗

*華語文教學

大掃除/行李總檢查

打包

16:00~17:00

17:00~17:20

運動時間

運動時間

運動時間

教室總檢查

17:30~18:00

準備晚餐

準備晚餐

惜別餐會

布農族

美食饗宴

*華語文教學

協助回家安排

18:00~18:40

晚餐

晚餐

搭車到台中

高鐵站

再坐高鐵到

台北,入住板橋電信所

18:00歡送晚餐

18:50~20:50

布農族語

研習

布農族語

      研習

成果發表

研討會

20:00

機場check in

21:00

盥洗

盥洗

盥洗

Bye-   Taiwan

21:10~21:30

小組會議

21:30~22:00

晚安

晚安

晚安

晚安

晚安

 

拾、活動細目

1.教學課程: 英文、中文

課程名稱

課   程   內   容

教  學  目  標

施教對象

英文課程

輔助英文教學小組個別問題指導 輔助原聲學童英文課程教學 學童

華語文課程

部落特色介紹,布農族語學習 使青少年更了解在地民俗特色,促進溝通及交流 學員

文化課程

美食及工藝製作、農作體驗 讓青少年經由此課程了解並體驗中華文化 學員

音樂分享

由學員作樂器表演分享 增加學童音樂素養及興趣 學童

2.  團體活動:體育及康輔活動、成果發表展

活動名稱

活動內容

預期目標

始業式

介紹雙方背景及此次目標宗旨 介紹雙方背景及此次目標宗旨

競賽

大地遊戲 排球比賽 藉由競賽發揮團隊精神

小隊活動

分隊分組進行各項遊戲競賽 讓學童及學員分組,產生團隊意識,建立互信

遊戲

大地遊戲,團康趣味遊戲 讓學童了解美國的小朋友平常做什麼遊戲

晨間活動

營舞及營歌教唱 達到健身及娛樂的功能提振團隊精神

才藝表演

學童才藝表演競賽 建立學童自信

成果展

兩週所學成果發表 分享內心所得及所學

3. 建設美好家園:社區服務與校區協助

活動名稱

活動內容

預期目標

校區協助

學校教務資料分類/總務資料清理歸檔整理/行政事務協助 充份了解,並更貼近學校與社區,熱心服務,完成青少年社區服務的期許

體驗部落農務

協助整建或農務收成

社區探訪

了解在地居民實際生活環境

成果檢驗

成果總檢查 檢驗與分享

 

拾壹、前置作業流程 –  v已進行   o預期實施

11月 12月 1月 2月 3月 4月 5月 6月 7月 8月 9月
合作意向溝通 v v v v o o o o o
兩方工作團隊籌組 v v v v o o o o o
連絡各相關單位 v v v v o o o o o
營隊內容確定 v v v v o o o o o
活動、課程內容確定 v v v v o o o o o
經費申請 v
企劃書完成 v v v v
青少年招募 v v
第一次籌備會 v
確認雙方須進行事項 v v v v o o o o o
教案研習會議 v v v o o o o o
第二次籌備會 v
學員名單確認 v v
第三次籌備會 o
器材硬體確認 o o o
場地會勘及討論 v v v v o o o o o
第四次籌備會 o
器材保險確認 o o o o
行前會 v o
確認接機送機等事宜 o o o o
營隊活動期間 o
成果檢討報告 o

 

 

拾貳、籌備會議      ◆地點:各自辦公室 ◆會議形式:SKYPE空中會議

籌備會議

開 會 時 間

會  議  工  作  摘  要

備註

一 籌

2015/11/29

1.認識夥伴2.各組事務報告與說明3.情境大綱與活動流程講述4.各活動的人員編制與分配

5.學童與學員背景資料說明

教案研討

2015/12/13

1.教學內容課程說明2.教案格式討論3.帶領經驗分享4.問題Q&A

二 籌

2016/02/07

1.各組事務報告與說明2.驗收各項活動與教案規劃3.學員情況環境說明4.問題提出,夥伴分享與回饋

5.營歌教唱,營舞教學,體育教學

三 籌

2016/04

1.各組事務報告與說明2.問題說明3.確認器材清單4.問題提出,夥伴分享與回饋

5.營歌教唱複習

四 籌

2016/05

1.各組事務報告與說明2.來台須知相關事宜確認3.學童與學員各自準備之課程再確認4.各項材料設備總檢查

行前會

家長說明會

2016/02/14

行前說明會

2016/06/19

1.營隊內涵總確認2.保險確認3.所有裝備與攜帶器材總確認4.行前簽證機票再確認

5.器材相關確認

6.交通方式總確認

拾參、學員名單

文化研習學員總數共17人,加領隊1人,共18人

L_Name

F_Name

是否為

華裔

三年內是否

曾經申請補助

1 領隊

Huang Suhua

2

Chang Jocelyn

3

Gu Jonathan

4

Lin Ethan

3

Chou Brian

6

Hsiao Emily

7

Hsiao Winnie

8

Huang Amy

9

Huang Ethan

10

Ko Zoe

11

Lai Stephanie

12

Leong Caitlin

13

Lin Verena

14

Lu Pauline

15

Savas Eleanor

16

Wang Rita

17

Wong Christopher

18

Yang Bryan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

拾伍、活動聯絡人

黃素華 Suhua Huang  vesta@wceo.org

TEL: 510-252-9226

2016 金山灣區青少年中華文化學習團-課程表

第一週

時間/日期

Mon.7/11

Tue.7/12

Wed.7/13

Thur.7/14

Fri.7/15

Sat.7/16

Sun.7/17

6:00~6:30

起床

整理床鋪

起床

整理床鋪

起床

整理床鋪

起床

整理床鋪

起床

準備早餐

起床

準備早餐

起床

準備早餐

6:30~7:30

運動時間

運動時間

運動時間

運動時間

早餐

早餐

7:30~8:00

打掃

打掃

打掃

打掃

尋訪九美部落/健行八通關古道及彩虹瀑布

小組會議

部落學校探訪: 東埔國小,久美國小

8:00~8:30

早餐

早餐

早餐

早餐

部落果菜園協助採收及生態教學

8:40~9:20

英文教學

實習

竹桶飯

制作學習

*華語文教學

英文教學

實習

英文教學

實習

9:30~10:10

10:10~10:30

健康時間

10:30~11:10

英文教學

實習

竹桶飯

制作學習

*華語文教學

傳統布農族服飾欣賞與體驗

*華語文教學

原住民編織工藝

*華語文教學

11:20~12:00

12:00~12:40

午餐

午餐

午餐

午餐

午餐

午餐

12:40~13:20

午休

午休

午休

午休

尋訪望鄉部落生態文化/

原始野炊體驗

第二週課程準備

13:30~14:10

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

14:20~15:00

15:10~16:00

歡迎晚會

音樂交流體驗

*華語文教學

才藝表演

大掃除

16:00-17:00

17:00~17:20

運動時間

運動時間

運動時間

教室總檢查

17:30~18:00

準備晚餐

準備晚餐

準備晚餐

協助回家安排

18:00~18:40

晚餐

晚餐

晚餐

晚餐

晚餐

晚餐

18:50~20:50

原住民樂器欣賞及體驗

*華語文教學

原住民樂器欣賞及體驗

*華語文教學

部落文化

介紹

*華語文教學

部落建築

介紹

*華語文教學

學員心得交流

學員心得交流

21:00

盥洗

盥洗

盥洗

盥洗

盥洗

盥洗

21:00~21:30

小組會議

內務整理

21:30~22:00

晚安

晚安

晚安

晚安

晚安

晚安

第二週

時間/日期

Mon.7/18

Tue.7/19

Wed.7/20

Thur.7/21

Fri.7/22

Sat.7/23

6:00~6:30

起床

整理床鋪

起床

整理床鋪

起床

整理床鋪

起床

整理床鋪

起床早餐

起床盥洗

6:30~7:30

運動時間

運動時間

運動時間

運動時間

協助英語

輔學計畫

成果展

演出

Banquet準備

早餐

7:30~8:00

打掃

打掃

打掃

打掃

參觀台北士林故宮博物院, 中正紀念堂, 及國父紀念館

臺灣美食體驗-

牛肉麵

8:00~8:30

早餐

早餐

早餐

早餐

8:40~9:20

英文教學

彩繪山豬存錢筒

*華語文教學

布農族傳統舞蹈教學

*華語文教學

英文教學

9:30~10:10

10:10~10:30

健康時間

10:30~11:10

英文教學

英文教學

布農族傳統舞蹈教學

*華語文教學

竹子餐具製作

*華語文教學

11:20~12:00

12:00~12:40

午餐

午餐

午餐

午餐

Banquet

12:40~13:20

午休

午休

午休

午休

13:30~14:10

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

合唱團

教學練唱

觀摩研習

*華語文教學

拜會僑委會、臺北市區巡禮

14:20~15:00

15:10~16:00

排舞教學

*華語文教學

排舞教學

*華語文教學

搗麻糬體驗

*華語文教學

大掃除/行李總檢查

打包

16:00~17:00

17:00~17:20

運動時間

運動時間

運動時間

教室總檢查

17:30~18:00

準備晚餐

準備晚餐

惜別餐會

布農族

美食饗宴

*華語文教學

協助回家安排

18:00~18:40

晚餐

晚餐

搭車到

台中高鐵站

再坐高鐵到台北

入住板橋電信所

18:00歡送晚餐

18:50~20:50

布農族語

研習

布農族語

研習

成果發表

研討會

20:00

機場check in

21:00

盥洗

盥洗

盥洗

Bye-Taiwan

21:10~21:30

小組會議

21:30~22:00

晚安

晚安

晚安

晚安

晚安

 

 

 

2016 金山灣區青少年中華文化學習團 – 成果報告表

 

僑務委員會輔助海外僑校及僑團辦理組團來臺研習華語文

或臺灣文化活動作業計畫

 成果報告表

團名 2016金山灣區青少年中華文化學習團
主辦單位 慧智文教基金會 臺灣合辦單位 原聲音樂學校
研習日期 105年7月9日至7月23 日

團員人數

    18 人
經費使用

情形說明收入細目金額支出細目金額

請參閱附表三

 

結餘:整體活動

 

辦理情形簡述請參請參閱附表四對合辦單位之評價(包括課程內容、行程安排及接待情形等)請參閱附表五整體建議事項感謝僑委會對海外青少年志工回臺服務及文化參訪之旅的支持,讓長居海外的他們能藉此機會踏足台灣、服務臺灣、認識臺灣,進而愛上臺灣。相信經由他們的親身體驗,臺灣豐富多元的人文必能散播在僑界與全美主流社會。這種服務與文化的結合勢必會吸引愈來愈多的華裔青少年加入,在此誠摯的希望僑委會能繼續支持此活動。活動成果資料刊登於全球華文網網址無附件檢附全團名冊、研習課程表、學員心得分享、領隊及團員護照影本暨護照出入境頁影本、活動照片。

video linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOxw53a8cUc&feature=youtu.be主辦單位簽章

(僑校(團)、中文班、中文學校聯合會)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

105年8月30日輔導單位簽章

(政府駐外館處或本會華僑文教服務中心)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

105年8月30日

 

2016 金山灣區青少年中華文化學習團-學員心得報告

慧智文教基金會「2016金山灣區青少年中華文化學習團」

學員心得報告

Jocelyn Chang(張祐綺)

These last two years being a part of WCEO’s Connexpedition Vox Nativa team have been a life-changing experience. Not only was I able to create an amazing bond with the children, but I was also able to learn and appreciate Taiwanese culture. It was a very humbling experience getting to interact with the kids.

My first year volunteering I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to connect with the kids, but I could not be more wrong. My class and I instantly formed a connection on the first day of teaching. Two of my students, Curry and John, would dance with me during recess and free time. Leo, another student, would tell me funny jokes. From my students I learned to be more outgoing and confident. I learned how to be carefree and appreciate what I have. I remember always having a silly story to tell about the class and being excited to wake up every morning and seeing the kids. They made the experience memorable and encouraged me to try to join Connexpedition Vox Nativa for a second year.

I realized that the children do not have much but can find an abundance of joy over simple jokes and the friendships that they share. They persevere through any circumstances and find ways to enjoy life as it is. The sense of community and togetherness among the aboriginals was a nice surprise. I liked that the locals valued unity and acted like extended family. They made the experience even more comfortable. I am partially aboriginal and wanted to learn about the culture. Coming back and interacting with the locals and learning about certain aboriginal customs was a special experience. I was grateful to be able to get in touch with my roots.

This year i wanted to come back for multiple reasons. I had promised the kids that I would return and visit them. I also wanted a chance to return and improve my teaching. I was excited and thankful to get another chance. It was astounding seeing how much my kids from the previous year had matured. The kids had all grown as tall as me and their English had improved. Even though it had been a year, the kids welcomed me in with open arms and made me even more grateful to be back.

Coming back this year I faced different challenges. I taught a younger class and had to learn how to simplify our lessons and keep the kids engaged. It was difficult at first because my teaching partners and I were unsure how to teach English from scratch, but slowly through trial-and-error we were able to overcome the obstacle. I became a more flexible person and a more patient one. I had to learn how to recreate lesson plans to fit the kids better. In addition, my kids this year taught me to be more creative and to chase my dreams. One of my students, Jing Wei, read books during recess instead of playing outside because he wants to be a writer. This taught me that being different is okay and that I have to pursue what I believe in.

The bonds that you create with the kids are never broken. Even this year as I was leaving, my old kids ran up to me with hugs and told me that they would be waiting for me next year. My kids from this year held onto my sides and asked if I would come see them again next year. The kids of Vox Nativa are undeniably different than any other kids that I have met. They have the most welcoming and happy-go-lucky attitudes. They made me feel as though I was a part of a family and not just their teacher or friend. I hope that I will get yet another chance to return and see how the kids have grown even more.

————————————————————————————-

Jonathan Gu(顧天佑)

I was part of Connexpedition Vox Nativa for 2 years, 2015 and 2016, and both years were memorable in its own way.

During Connexpedition 2015, the whole group was new to the program, except for the team leader, so we didn’t know what to expect. We learned to work together and we created good bonds among all the members, so we could plan and laugh as a team. We bonded with the kids and learned a lot more about their lifestyles. The kids there don’t have all the luxuries that we do, such as malls or fancy restaurants. They mostly live in rural areas where they have to help their family with house or farm work. Yet they seemed to be happier than me, they could enjoy the whole day off of something as small as playdough. Here we complain about school work, social problems, and anything that could be an inconvenience when we already have so much more than them. The kids really taught me to enjoy the simple things in life, to embrace life and nature, and to not take things like water and food for granted. Because of the great experience, I chose to apply again for Connexpedition 2016.

I was excited for Connexpedition 2016, wondering what type of group we would work with this time. Things turned out great; we had a hardworking and funny group once again. We made effective lesson plans, great project ideas, and another influential performance for the kids. This time we had 4 returning volunteers, including me, and we all wanted to improve on our performance the last time we went. My personal goal was to become a better teacher, to make sure they learn English for them to use when they visit America. Last time I connected with them on a more personal scale, this time I wanted to connect English with daily life so they can understand what the outside world is like. However, some things don’t always go as planned, like the class schedule and students. My class this year was a younger year and they seemed to be very naughty. The kids would argue about who got to answer or ignore our help when we tried. At first we thought this was a problem and we had to act stricter, but soon we realized that this was not the way. Throughout the week while we watched the kids, there was a pattern for their supposed bad behavior. We saw that the kids wanted to answer all the questions to test their own knowledge; they would sometimes ignore us because they believed they could do it themselves. In the end, we finally understood that they really wanted to learn. Their misbehavior was usually a sign of pride or a way to seek attention; they were actually very well-disciplined students. I was touched by this, because from such a young age they embraced determination and learning. They really are amazing students; if I could go again I definitely would.

Overall, Connexpedition was a big part of my summer life and it was a good decision. The times that we shared as a group, no matter if it was working through struggles or playing with the kids, will never be forgotten. I have made some lifelong friends and experiences that I cannot get anywhere else. I must thank WCEO and any other organizations for giving us this opportunity to widen our perspective on the world. I hope that one day I can also give back to the community and help it, like they did for me.

————————————————————————————

Ethan Lin(林彥良)

Last year was my first time going on this trip, and this my second. It was my first time living in an underdeveloped area, and as a result I grew a lot as a person. I learned to get out of my comfort zone, deal with hardships, and to act more mature as a whole. Coming back and experiencing everything for a second time has allowed me to reflect on myself even further, allowing me to grow even more. I learned from experiences such as teaching, getting to know the kids, and even things as small as just talking to the other members have taught me so many lessons. This trip has ultimately granted me so many special learning opportunities that I would not have gotten anywhere else.

Firstly, the kids at the school have taught me many things throughout my teaching experience. During one of the lessons, I had the kids memorize the names of the 12 months, along with the days of the week. It didn’t come as a surprise that the kids had forgotten them since elementary school. For whatever reason, the kids worked hard and helped each other out to memorize everything. This made me feel extremely happy as the kids are usually really noisy and destructive. This experience has taught me to help others whenever I can, for the outcome will always be positive. After this particular lesson, one kid stayed behind to finish the worksheet assigned for that period. In essence, he sacrificed his break to spend time with me in order to finish a worksheet. He finished the worksheet a few minutes before break, giving him a short amount of time to go outside and play. This really touched me, and taught me to work hard in everything that I do, even if I have to make some sacrifices, for the outcome will be worth it.  Sometimes, I would go outside during break and play with the kids. When I played volleyball, I noticed how happy the kids were, even those who could not play the game properly had smiles on their faces and were laughing. The happiness coming from the children has taught me to be always happy, despite the situation. Throughout this trip, the kids have influenced me in positive ways, and I am glad to have made a connection with them.

The other volunteers have also heavily impacted me and helped me develop and mature as a person. I believe that Vox Nativa is an extremely special experience, partly because you become very close to the other members. Spending almost every second with the same people for two weeks creates a special bond between you and the people you are living with. I remember during one night, all the guys gathered together, and we shared our life stories and some struggles we were having in life. In that one night, I gained so many perspectives on life. This talk also allowed me to deeply reflect on my own life and the struggles that I have to overcome, and what I have to do to become a better person. Through their stories, I learned to be especially grateful for what I have now. If I did not go on this trip, I would have continued to view the world through my own limited perspective. Spending time with these guys has also helped me become more outgoing. Before the trip, I was not an extremely outgoing person, but dancing and doing skits with everybody has helped me become more confident as a person, and will surely help me in my future. I am extremely happy to have been able to spend time with this group of people.

With this trip now behind me, writing this has helped me reflect on everything that I have learned from both the kids and the other volunteers. This trip has been filled with ups and downs, in which every single moment was a learning experience that will remain with me for the rest of my life. I have been able to grow, mature, and gain confidence as a result of this trip. In the future, I hope that I can come back again and see the kids, as they have made a big impact in who I am today. I will never forget the experiences created from this trip, as this has been such a huge part of my life.

————————————————————————————

Brian Chou(周應)

When I first applied for this program, I thought it was just another volunteer event that will help me improve myself while helping others. I remembered my goal was to improve my leadership throughout these two weeks. When it was finally time to leave for Taiwan, I was both excited and nervous. I was excited to know the kids and work with the team but was also nervous because it was a mountain environment.

When we arrived at the school, the first thing I though was this place is beautiful. In the mornings, there would be fog around the school, but as the sun rised, the fog dispersed and the mountains appeared. Every day, we would exercise, eat, learn, and play with the kids. At the end of the first week I finally knew what happiness meaned. Even though their lifestyles are simpler than ours, they live a happier life. At home, I spend everyday in a constant cycle, repeating the same moves over and over again. I had nothing to look forward for each day. But at Vox, I woke up everyday with something to look forward to, the kids. While kids in America spend most of their time on their computers and phones, kids at Vox spend time playing with each other outside.

During the two weeks with the kids, they learned a lot but so did I. Even though they didn’t prepare a class to teach us anything, I learned a lot just by spending time with them. The kids there are very pure and will express what they want to express. In the 2nd grade class, a kid named Michael stands out to me. He is chubbier than the other kids but also more expressive. He can sing opera and dance. Michael isn’t afraid to voice his opinions or express himself. Even when he got in a fight, Michael told the other kid his feelings with an open heart and he isn’t afraid to cry when he was frustrated. I saw potential in Michael to become a fun guy that everyone loves.

The kids at Vox Nativa are very loving for others. Sometimes kids from other classes would visit my class to say hi. Even when I didn’t reach out for them, they reached out for me. I got to know more kids because of their welcoming personality. The place where a lot of feelings were released was at the banquet. During each performance, the kids would cheer on the performers with their hearts. The whole environment was positive and friendly, a safe place without judgment. But the most memorable thing was after the performance, the time for goodbyes. As I looked around, I saw tears being shed and hugs being exchanged. Even though I didn’t cry, I was moved. I felt the love by the way the kids looked and hugged you. It is a feeling that I never want to forget. That night as I was reflecting, I realized my opinions about this place have changed dramatically from the time I first applied for this program. Vox Nativa is such a unique place with so much culture and traditions behind it. Through the kids and tour trips in the mountains, I learned more about the Bunun tribe and the life of the people there.

The culture here is completely different than anything I had ever experienced. They have a rich history behind them and many stories and songs to share. Their culture is simpler than what I expected. They still hunt, have gatherings, pass down stories, etc. In the environment we are all used to, most things revolve around technology, making things easier but we are also losing precious things such as spending time outside playing with friends. We gain so much from technology but also lost so much at the same time. At Vox, everything is still so pure and I really respect all the people there.

This trip has really improved me as a person. The kids helped me voice myself and become a better leader, our group of volunteers allowed me to contribute to the team and improve as a team player. I learned to be more conscious of other people and take their feelings into consideration before I do anything. One of my kids named Jin-Wei showed me something that I didn’t see at first. Jing-Wei would often get mad at me. At first I had no idea what was going on, what did I do wrong. It wasn’t till Bryan Yang told me he was jealous that I was spending time with others kids rather than spending time with kids. Jing-Wei felt hurt and felt that I didn’t love him. Because of this, I got the chance to sit down and talk with Jing-Wei. I learned that kids are really loving but my actions may hurt them. I didn’t take consideration for Jing-Wei when I spent time with kids from other classes. When I had the talk with him, I had to step back and look at myself from his perspective to understand his thoughts and feelings. Taking consideration for others is something I learned from Jing-Wei and I am thankful for it. By the way, Jing-Wei is so cute and has a marshmallow tummy.

The two weeks in Taiwan has been full of lessons and bonding time. The two weeks past by so fast as school is about to start. The environment there is something I never experienced before and most of my feelings towards this trip I can’t explain in words, it’s just something I feel in my heart. I still think about the morning fog and the mountains around the school. It makes me happy to know a place so beautiful exists and the people there are equally beautiful on the inside and outside. There are many moments that made me smile, sad, and sometimes frustrated at Vox. These are the moments I wish to forever stay in my memory and I hope we made a lasting impact on the kids of Vox Nativa.

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Emily Hsiao(蕭妤宣)

“Emily, money doesn’t matter to me.” Cindy clutched my arm while sitting on the floor cross­legged. Curious, I asked her what she meant by that.

“Without money, I can still do the things that I love. I can still see my mom and dad and my brothers and sisters! I love my mom.” She laughed her her childish and carefree way, reminding me yet again how different our lives are.

For two weeks in the summer, I, a child raised (for the most part) in California, lived my life among Taiwanese aboriginal children in the mountains of Nantou. My class consisted of 18 rowdy eleven­year olds, who would be going into sixth grade the following year. To someone like me who has never even killed a cockroach by myself, I found the way the kids played with bugs (cicadas, flies, spiders, moths, you name it!) shocking, to say the least. I was also slightly stunned pure chaos of the classroom on the first day; the kids were running, jumping, screaming all over the place. And it seemed that my nightmare ­ my fear that my two weeks here would make absolutely no difference to any of us ­ would come true.

But even in such a short time, my perception of my children changed completely. At first, I thought they were wild, but then realized that they were lively. At first, I thought they talked too much, but then realized that they were great conversationalists. At first, I thought they were too clingy, but then realized that they really cared about us.

Most of these kids do not come from privileged backgrounds like I do. My typical day consists of talks of studying SATs for college, writing an essay on my Macbook, or maybe asking my parents about a vacation. A typical day for my students, however, could not be more different. Many of their families are poor farmers, and some do not live with their parents at all. But the way they come to class every day laughing and smiling with their friends is a miracle in itself. These kids are filled to the brim with love; I will never forget Anson, crying as he glued our pictures in his notebooks or Eric, who never admitted that he would miss us but made sure I knew I had to send the Facebook friend request again if his mom didn’t accept. I’m not a highly emotional person and I honestly didn’t expect this to happen, but when we left, my eyes did tear up. (I smile to myself a bit every time I think of Curry shouting, “She cried! Look!” to all the kids and Anson subsequently telling me not to cry while bawling his eyes out.)

It breaks my heart to know that aboriginal culture in Taiwan is more or less dying out. Honestly, I am blessed to be able to see a glimpse of the Bunun way of life. Bali, the tour guide during the cultural outing at Wang’siang Village, taught me that Bunun families name their children after grandparents or aunts and uncles so that they will never forget the names of their ancestors. He told us about Pasibutbut, the 8­part polyphony in which the men stand in a circle to sing and the Malah Tangia, the “shooting ear festival” which marks Bunun boys’ transition into hunters. I cannot and would not want to forget the respect, simplicity, and beauty that go into these traditions.

It’s one thing to know that cultures exist beyond our scope of knowledge, but it’s another thing entirely to actually experience it. I will perpetually hold the utmost respect for Principal Ma, Teacher Uli, and all the other people who make it possible for these children to see the world and for me to have this life­changing adventure. In the end, I’m glad to say that I fell in love with Bunun culture and think of my students as my own children。

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Winnie Hsiao(蕭妤文)

When I first joined Connexpedition Vox Nativa, I had no idea how much I would learn and how many memories I would make. In the first few days of living at Luona Elementary, my initial reactions were shock and surprise. Before the trip, I had already expected their lifestyle to be different than ours, but through this experience I learned that our differences were vast, and very plentiful. I had grown so used to living in a sheltered bubble with clean hot water and electronics. It took a little time getting used to the cold water, the bugs in the showers, and the no phones policy, but in the end I think I took a lot away from it. In those past two weeks, I found out that you could enjoy life in a way that doesn’t involve our fancy electronics, that you could be happy even doing things you don’t like when you are with the people you cherish, and that a pleasant lifestyle doesn’t have a price tag. Even though those students had less money and less privilege than I, they had so much to teach. In just the short time we were together, they taught me to truly love each other and cherish our loved ones while we still have them.

In addition to these new things, I also learned a lot about Taiwanese culture. I have always been interested in immersing myself in the history of my birthplace, but I found out that there were many aspects that I was unaware of. I gained a lot of knowledge on the history of aboriginal Taiwanese tribes. Without this experience, I would have been pretty clueless about this huge, important part of Taiwanese culture.

Although we were only together for a short two weeks, I think the takeaways were huge. I grew so much so much over those few days, and I made so many new memories. I will remember this experience forever.

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Amy Huang(黃樂怡)

Mihumisang! This means hello in the Bunun language. As a recent high school graduate, I was lucky enough to take part in Vox Nativa Connexpedition 2016 where we went to Taiwan’s LuonaElementary School to help teach English to the students of VoxNativaMusicSchool. I taught students going into 6th grade along with 2 team members, Emily and Verena. In our class, we had a total of 18 extremely spirited eleven and twelve year olds. I can still remember walking into a chaotic room that first Monday, wondering how we were going to control the class. My first impression was definitely that they were the loudest and most energetic kids I have ever met.  However as time went on, I realized that underneath their lively persona were young kids that truly appreciated the little things in life. I will never forget that first study hall where one of my students, Cindy, pulled me aside to ask for help with memorizing the United States’ national anthem. This left a strong impression because I realized that despite challenges thrown at them, they were still willing to focus their energy on tasks such as memorizing lyrics and studying English. One student who left the biggest impression on me was Eric, a kid who at first refused to do anything in class. However, on the second day when we made straw bracelets I saw that he was extremely concentrated on that and was even helping others with their bracelet. Throughout the week Eric would often come up to me and threaten to cut off his bracelet with a scissor, but he ended up wearing it for the rest of the two weeks. On the last day he told us he would turn into a fly and fly over to America to see us, which touched me more than he probably realized. The sweet innocence of Eric and the rest of the Vox Nativa kids really made me realize that it is the small things in life that you should cherish. I will never forget the people I met through this trip or the experiences I went through. In the end, I believe that the kids made a much bigger impact on me than I did on them and I will cherish these memories forever.

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Ethan Huang(黃彥翔)

My experience in Taiwan this summer was one that I will never forget. Vox Nativa2016 was the most unforgettable two weeks of my life.

Throughout the service trips, there were many situations that taught me how to use patience, persistence, and endurance. Whether it was carrying boxes uphill or teaching behind children how to write the alphabet, those three qualities were tested many times throughout the two weeks of Vox Nativa.

Another huge gain I had from the trip was learning the benefits of teamwork. The guys on the trip bonded especially closely and if we did anything, there would at least be another guy with us doing it. Teamwork while cleaning up or washing clothes made such laboring tasks much easier. My first impression of the vox kids was that they were very rambunctious and the two weeks were going to be hell. But as time passed, I realized that my first impression was a misconception. Yes the kids were very naughty at times but they also had a positive outlook on everything. Their energy and happiness inspired me to have a more positive outlook on life.

My impression of Taiwan during this trip has stayed the same as it always has been: This place is my second home and I love Taiwan. The culture here is very hospitable. For example, there was a guy who sold fried chicken. When the guys and I went to go buy food from him, he would also chat with us and make us feel as if we were longtime friends. Taiwanese culture is just very hospitable and friendly. In conclusion, I felt that this trip has changed my life for the better and inspired me to work harder and hopefully be able to go back again next year.

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Zoe Ko柯宇)

Because this was my first year volunteering at Vox Nativa, I had no idea what to expect.  The two weeks on JadeMountain flew by, and before I knew it, I was back in America.  However, things were different.  I had become a better leader, my teamwork skills had improved greatly, and I understood the amazing life of Vox Nativa.

The first thing I learned at Vox Nativa was that teaching was going to be hectic.  The kids ran around the classroom, despite our constant threats.  A few shattered a glass panel, climbed out a window, and dislocated someone’s shoulder.  After the first day, my throat hurt from yelling so much, and I was absolutely exhausted.  My teaching partners and I were unsure if we could last two whole weeks.  However, we didn’t give up.  We planned and planned and planned.  The next few days, we worked hard to regain our authority that was lost the moment we stepped into the classroom.  It was difficult, but not impossible.  Little by little, we began to teach successfully.  Our lessons began to run smoothly, and we all learned from our mistakes, allowing us to constantly develop better and more effective teaching methods.  We learned how to adapt during each lesson, adjusting to the kids’ needs.  After realizing that all the kids’ had different English levels, we split the class into four groups, assigning one teacher to a group.  After discovering that the kids struggled with focusing during class, we took periodical breaks where we played fun games.  Soon enough, I began to feel like I was a real teacher.

The problems arising during our teaching sessions weren’t solely from the kids.  We started off with some difficulties among our teaching partners.  Because we had four teaching partners while other classes generally had two or three, we had the widest range of opinions.

We all had different ideas on what to do, so it was sometimes difficult to come to an agreement while teaching.  We quickly figured this out and decided that it couldn’t go on any longer.  We all tried our best to be flexible, adapting to one another’s teaching methods.  After a few trial and errors, we found a teaching method that succeeded.  Generally, one teacher would be teaching in the front of the class, one would be writing on the board, and two would be sitting at different table groups helping the kids.  We switched off, and sometimes each teacher would take a table group and work with them individually.  We all learned to work with each other in order to achieve success in teaching.  The students were not easy to teach, but at the end of the day, with the help of my teammates, I felt successful.

Life on the mountain was extremely different from what I was used to.  The physical difference was huge.  While I was used to sunny California, with blue skies and little rain, the JadeMountain showed me a different perspective of the world.  Everyday, I woke up to the sight of beautiful mountains surrounded by clouds.  There was often rain, a refreshing break from the scorching sun.  It was peaceful in the mountains.  I learned how to live without my phone, which now seems like a burden to have.  I learned to enjoy the scenery or to converse with some amazing people instead of stare down at small screen in my hand.  I learned to live a simple life without a washing machine, a clean shower, and a bed.  However, the real difference could not be seen with eyes.  The real difference was the people there.  When I first arrived, I thought that they were blunt.  They spoke what was on their mind, without holding back.  However, I slowly realized that although they were blunt, they were genuine.  I am used to a lot of people who never speak the truth, always hiding their thoughts and feelings.  The kids of Vox Nativa express themselves with ease, allowing us to see their amazing personalities.  They all are genuinely care about us, and make sure we know that.  I remember one night while I was helping JR with his pronunciation, a little girl threw an eraser at me to get my attention.  JR immediately got up and angrily told her that she hit me, making her apologize.  At the banquet, when I started to cry and hug some of my kids, I looked up and realized that the kids who I expected not to cry had tears streaming down their faces.  They all made me promise to return next year, and I plan on keeping my promise.  They also know how to be happy.  They don’t need a lot of money or luxuries to be content.  They taught me how to hold back a little less and to enjoy the simplicity of life.

I grew a lot as a person in the two weeks I was on the mountains. My leadership and teamwork skills improved immensely, and I experienced a different life than the one I am used to in the mountains of Taiwan.  Although I am no longer in Vox Nativa with all the wonderful kids, my heart will always remain there.

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Stephanie Lai(賴羽涵)

慧智原聲 勇往直前 慧智原聲 努力不懈 啊~水啦!Mihumisang — This is how the Bunun tribal people say “hello” in their native tongue. This summer, I was granted the opportunity to travel abroad with sixteen other high schoolers to the mountains of Taiwan’s Nantou and, specifically, LuoNaElementary   School in the LuoNa tribe. There, my teammates and I taught English language and culture to the students that make up Taiwan’s infamous Vox Nativa Choir. My partners, Eleanor and Ethan, and I were assigned to the sixth grade class: Savi (全郁華) , Billy (田有宏) , Mark (全聖煜) , J.R. (史俊祥), Leo (李謙), Nina (林芷柔) , Curry (松慈霖) , and John (伍約翰) .

At first, I anticipated that my kids’ English would have a lot of trouble with reading and understanding the vocabulary; however, my class has impressed me with their English speaking and conversing since day one. Even though our students occasionally  act rowdy during classtime, but bonds strengthen and soon enough, we were able to gain respect from the kids. Through cultural exchange, I was able to pick up some terms and phrases in their Bunun language as well as learning some of their cultural chants and dances. From Bali’s tour of 望鄉 provided me a deeper insight on the living conditions and environment of my fellow students, and that I should cherish everything in life just as these kids have done so.

I find my student, Savi, 全郁華, inspiring in that she is able to push herself to reach her greatest potential, despite the girl to boy ratio in our class, 2 to 6, the teasing that she receives from the boys, and poor living conditions at home. She doesn’t seem to be affected by the obstacles and complications circling around her and, instead, expresses her jubilant emotions through her joy in music; I love how she always manages to keep a smile on her face. Savi taught me the true meaning of happiness, which doesn’t include riches and technology, but includes the love from friends and family.

From this trip, I now have a greater respect for the indigenous kids, who usually have to wake up at 5 in the morning to help work the fields at home, and their heartfelt culture. Not only did I gain a deeper understanding of a different aspect of Taiwan, but I also gained a second family and unforgettable memories that will stay with me forever.

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Caitlin Leong(廖元綺)

Last December, I didn’t really know what to expect from this program.  Going in, I was simply told I would be teaching English to a group of kids in Taiwan.  But little by little, as I went through the training program, I began to learn more about these kids.  I was told they weren’t as fortunate as we were, they had less, and it was our job to do our best at teaching them.  It only made me more curious about who they were.  Now, after a week of slaughtering over the applications, five months of training, seventeen bonding activities, and four bus rides later, we’re here.

As I step in the classroom, the kids swarm around us, pulling us toward our posters that hang in the back.  They listen to us wide-eyed as we talk about our daily lives, and they share some of theirs, too.  I’m shocked by the way they so openly make conversation with us, and how easily they welcome us in the classroom.  They’re not afraid to ask us anything: their questions range from the cartoon turtles on my poster to my foggy-looking glasses.  I fall in love with their curiosity.

Throughout the day, I hear their laughter through the hallways as they take their food up the flight of stairs to share with the rest of their classmates and when they’re washing their clothes.  Their attitude is so different from ours; I can’t remember a day when we didn’t complain about getting water and soap all over the place as we washed our dishes or didn’t mention the bugs that infested the showers and our sleeping areas.

At the end of the day, I don’t recognize the kids as the ones mentioned during training.  True, they might not have as much as we do, but they’re always so much happier than us.  They’re always positive, always trying to reach their goals and chase their dreams.  One of my students, Lion, says he wants to be a teacher, and because of that he works so hard in class, looking for a chance to reach his goal.  And me, I’m so much more fortunate, but what am I doing to reach my goals?

Looking back, I think these kids have taught me more than I’ve taught them.  Their lifestyle and culture has shaped them to be so open with everyone, so pure.  Even though they have less than us, they’re all fighting for their dreams, and it’s inspired me to work harder.  Because of this, Vox is such a special place that I won’t forget.  One day, I want to go back and see them again, and hear their infectious laughter echoing down the halls.  But until then, I’ll be thankful for what I have and use what they’ve taught me to become a better person.

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Verena Lin(林子倢)

From the Aboriginal children who I taught to the mesmerizing view of the Jade Mountain Range, Vox Nativa gave me an experience that cannot be found anywhere else. Even though I participated in Connexpedition last year as a member of the Easy Leap program, Vox Nativa was a whole new experience where I connected more to both my students and my teammates. I also learned a lot about what the school does not teach from my students, specifically the simple enjoyments in life and the hard work that one must put in.

Every evening before dinner, my students Angel and Anna always dragged me outside the classroom, out into the balcony to watch the clouds. In the clear blue sky above the Jade Mountain Range, we found all sorts of animals, food, cartoon characters, and shapes. The short ten minutes that we spent doing this added up to roughly eighty minutes over the two weeks that I spent at LuoNa Elementary School– eighty minutes that I spent learning about the simple enjoyments in life. Living in a century where technological advancements dominate my life everyday and born into a middle-class family, I learned from Angel and Anna that the best entertainments out there are not scrolling through my phone, texting my friends, or shopping at the mall. I learned from them as we observed the changes in the sky and as we conversed that even though technology and fashion are changing everyday, nature’s beauty and interpersonal relationships are constant and everlasting.

Beyond the simple enjoyments that I learned to seek from them, everyday during breaks throughout the day and during study hall at night, the children always ask me to teach them how to pronounce the English words in their lyrics and what their lyrics mean. From teaching them how to read the words of the American anthem to memorizing lyrics with them during the second week, I saw on a daily basis the dedication and hard work that each of my student put into their work, their craft, their art– choral music. To them, making music with their voices is more than just for fun. To them, making music with their voices is a responsibility. A mistake from mispronouncing a word or from singing out of tune not only affects the individual who makes the mistake, but also affects the choir as a whole. I learned from them that whenever I face a responsibility, the attitude that I should have should be similar to their attitude toward music.

Over the short two weeks, I learned from the students of Vox Native Choir what I have not learned in my fourteen years in school. Compared to the children of NewTaipeiCity, my younger brothers and sisters from the Jade Mountain Range moved me with their innocence and changed me with their attitude. Many of my students asked if I will return next year, and my response was that it will be my honor if I can. Like the patterns that Anna, Angel, and I found up among the clouds, some students were like the bunnies that never stop hopping around, some students were like quiet little turtles, but each and every one of my students will forever hold a place in my heart.

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Pauline Lu(陸子寧)

The trip was a very enjoyable experience for me. I think the most that I gained from this service trip was the friendship of all of my fellow Vox Nativa volunteers, and my interactions with the kids there that I think, ultimately, humbled me. The kids that we taught were extremely cute, but more importantly, were not privileged at all, and a lot of them came from pretty broken households. However, they were very happy and cheerful every day in class despite everything negative that might be happening in their lives. They taught me that I don’t have to have a lot of things in order to be happy, and showed me how lucky I was in my normal life back in the US.

I also got to see a side of Taiwan that I normally do not see when I visit the big cities like Taipei when we went hiking in the mountains. I saw the typical lifestyles of people in rural areas of Taiwan. I also changed a lot of my preconceptions about the Taiwanese countryside after these two weeks. Before I arrived at the school, I expected there to be spotty power at the school, and for there to be no cell phone reception there, among other things. However, upon arriving at the school, I discovered that my phone had full bars, and that all of the classrooms had a working computer. I thought I would be going to a rural countryside that would have little to no outside contact, but I was proven wrong, and had my eyes opened by this experience.

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Eleanor Savas(湯艾昀)

After spending two weeks in the mountains of Taiwan with the children from the Vox Nativa Choir I have learned a lot about myself, aboriginal culture, and Taiwan. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. The bonds that you form with the kids and the friendships you make, creates a really special experience.

Getting to know the kids and having fun with them is what I feel like this whole trip is all about. We teach them english, but they show us everything that makes them, them. Seeing how responsible they are for themselves makes me want to improve myself. For example, one of my students, J.R., showed me everyday how I should care for others more. No matter what the class was doing he always took the time to see if everyone was doing alright. During nap time he always had to hug someone to fall asleep whether it was John or Curry. When I hosted J.R. at my house, he was always like a big brother to James, and when it was time to go to bed, he was hugging James just like he had during nap time. J.R. is only one example of many in the Vox Nativa choir. Every one of them is so sweet and welcoming; they make you feel like a part of a great big family. Our kids always made sure that class was going to be fun. From Leo’s spontaneous dancing, Savi’s singing during recess, Billy’s jokes, Nina and Mark’s games, John’s cheering, or Curry’s laughing, class was always exciting.

Besides having the chance to meet all the kids, bonding with the team is one of the best parts of the trip. Meeting people that you never would have otherwise, and becoming so close within such a small amount of time doesn’t happen often. I have so many wonderful memories from this trip because of the wonderful people that I was with. The people that I grew closest to were Verena, Jocelyn, Stephanie, and Zoe. Whether it was dying our hair on a whim, massage trains while taking turns to shower, catching cockroaches, sliding down a half kilometer waterslide in the mountains, getting our hair done for three hundred NT, dressing up as guys and doing very embarrassing dances for the talent show, or running frantically through MRT stations, there was never a dull moment spent with them. By the last two days, we had the option to be split into three rooms for five people, but we turned down the offer of five cozy beds for two so we could all be together.

The two weeks I spent at LuoNa this summer were by far the best two weeks this summer if not ever. Being surrounded by people you love and those who love you makes it an incredible experience. That little school, high up in the mountains, is by far, the happiest place on earth.

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Rita Wang(王力真)

友情 無聲降臨 我回味從前 想起了你

心中泛起了一波波漣漪 雖有時嘔氣卻還是珍惜

這暑假,我很榮幸能夠結識一群天真純樸的「天使」。排球場上,他們擁有無限的活力。那怎麼都不服輸的精神,卻讓我們這些老師們苦不堪言。吃飯前,他們禱告時的真誠。直到最後一天午餐,因為全班都哭的很悽慘,我才站上講台,領著全體禱告。重複過了每天都應該講的話之後,那一瞬間,我腦海中唯一一句話就是:「感謝上帝給我了這一個機會讓我能夠成為他們兩個禮拜的『姊姊』。」

今年夏天是個充滿希望的季節 我們就要說再見

不知何是會相見 曾經相處的畫面 不停重複上映在眼前

離開之際,那一滴滴滑落臉頰旁的淚水,溢滿的是不捨。看著他們天真的笑顏,回想著每一天一起相處時的點點滴滴,不捨之情更是充斥我心。我記得前一天的晚會上,大螢幕上一張張的照片回放在眼前。小朋友做冰淇淋時的興奮與期待,抓著材料用的鹽巴不斷的往自己嘴巴裡塞,碰上我們無奈的眼神,閃耀著淘氣的眼睛無辜的眨呀眨。做手鍊時,每一次都會不小心的把剛剛才串好的線拉掉。可憐兮兮的拿到我們面前,碰上我們恨鐵不成鋼的眼神,調皮的吐了吐舌頭。洗完澡之後,他們的精神都有些亢奮,玩遊戲可以玩到快把屋頂掀起來,讓我們又愛又頭痛。唸故事時,他們聽話的圍繞著我乖巧的坐著,跟著故事的高潮迭起,沉浸在快樂的童話故事裡面。專注聆聽的他們,臉龐安詳沉靜,真的,我看到了天使。

今年夏天有種令人不捨的感覺 徘徊在你我之間

抹去彼此留下的淚水 重新展開笑顏 各自踏上錦繡的明天

帶隊的老師之後跟我說:「我沒有想到你是哭得最慘的那一位。」其實,我從第一天開始就預知了我將會是哭得最慘的那一位。比起別人,我自認為我既然在那裡只有短短的兩個禮拜,就想要盡可能的去愛護那些小朋友們。洗完澡,我最喜歡做的事情就是在教室裡面一邊拿著吹風機幫我們班的小朋友一一吹乾頭髮一邊聽小朋友們嘰嘰喳喳

的告訴我剛剛洗澡時的趣事。「姊姊!姊姊!妳知不知道,剛剛誰誰誰在去洗澡的路上不小心把內褲掉在路上?所以現在他的內褲是濕的。」原來那位小男孩去別人家洗澡,路上跑的太快,乾淨的衣服又沒有裝在袋子裡。而剛剛又才剛下過雨,所以內褲一掉也只有濕掉的下場。我目光看像這件事情的主角,他不好意思的摸摸頭,吐了吐舌頭。其實幫他們吹兩個禮拜的頭髮不算是什麼,但是我只是單純想要對他們好一點點而已。他們很少講自己的家庭,但是有些時候可以從他們的肢體動作發現他們的家庭並不美好。真的提到的時候,他們都會漫不經心的帶過,並且表現的好像沒有什麼。但是他們越這樣,我就越心疼,也更加的希望能夠為他們做一點什麼。他們天真,卻又經歷過了很多我們不常經歷的事情。他們知足,卻又失去了很多我們沒有失去過的東西。從他們身上,我看到了山上孩子的純樸和天真無邪。他們知足也懂得感恩,他們教會了我『得之我幸,不得我命』這句話的意義。就算沒有電子產品,就算沒有新奇的玩具,他們也可以過得很快樂。不急不躁的生活,那些本來覺得在生命中不可或缺的東西,在這裡便漸漸失去重要性。

第一天見面時,還只是一些害羞靦腆的小朋友,在過了拘謹的第一天之後,漸漸對我們敞開心扉。就算是別的班級,每一個在走廊上擦身而過的小朋友都會甜甜的對我說:「姊姊好!」我從來不知道,原來姊姊這個詞是那麼的好聽悅耳。我其實在的一個禮拜結束之時就已經開始想念他們了,沒有他們佔據操場與教室,整個學校感到很空曠。在真正見到他們的前一天,我跟Stephanie一起去聽他們練唱。站在窗戶前面,聽著他們那好似來自內心的聲音,雞皮疙瘩都會起來。他們的聲音,不知道怎麼形容才正確,也可能是因為那種感覺根本就無法用言語去形容。

我跟原聲的緣分可以從一個七、八年前的廣告說起。當時我還在台灣讀小學,而那個時候大眾銀行有一個廣告震撼到我那時幼小的心靈。裡面的每一句獨白、每一個畫面都深深的影響了我。我最喜歡的是廣告中的一段,一個有些胖胖的小男孩站在山頂,大聲的吶喊,而那喊聲響徹雲霄。「這一天,他終於讓天使相信,自己就是天使。」廣告的最後一句話,也是我這短短兩個禮拜奮鬥的目標。如何讓天使相信,自己就是天使,獨一無二的天使。晚會的最後,我也再次聽到了那個跟七八年前電視裡面一模一樣的吶喊。不過這次,不再是從電視機裡面傳出來的了,這次,每一聲都有著美好快樂的回憶在裡面。

我很幸運,能夠擁有這個機會。這個選擇,我不後悔。

 

今年夏天是個離情依依的季節 我們友情到永遠

對你說一聲再會 輕輕劃下句點 最美的句點

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Christopher Wong(黃泇銘)

Over the past 2 weeks at Luo Na Elementary, Vox Nativa’s children and volunteers alike have touched my life in different ways than before when I volunteered in 2013. Watching the growth of each and every member since day 1 till the end brought me much joy at what they achieved and gave back to the children while learning from them. This trip gave me much more fulfillment over the difference I could make through the team instead of individually. I didn’t matter if I got any recognition or appreciation; the children’s, members, and my life were positively impacted for the better. Working behind the scenes to ensure everything went smoothly was sometimes harder but when I saw the fruits of my labor it was all worth it. On the very last day I was surprised by my students from my first Vox Nativa trip; they all wrote personalized letters to me and gave me a big card with all their names on it. To me this small, simple gesture meant the world to me as I fostered hope in these kids that continue till this day through their remembrance of “Chris GeGe” and working hard to achieve their dreams which filled me with many emotions of happiness, sadness, and nostalgia. Six months of hard work correlating to a lifetime of unforgettable memories, enhanced lives, and lessons learned have definitely made me see the world in a more widened perspective to evaluate all opinions and options as a leader and to weigh the options before making the “best” decision from the view point of a bigger “agenda”. Ultimately some decisions may not get the approval of many but for the sake of the end goal, fostering team dynamics and effectively communicating with everyone is definitely crucial to a team’s success and individual relations. Words cannot truly express how this trip has changed my life and only when one experiences it will they understand. I look forward to creating a new and improved team with all the things I learned this year for 2017!

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Bryan Yang(楊柏威)

As time went by during the Vox Nativa trip, I began to wonder to myself what have I gained or learned from this new experience. However after pondering that thought for a while, I could not find the answer to my question to myself. But right when I ended the trip, on the plane back from Taiwan, I realized that the answer to the question was right in front of me the entire time.  This once in a life time experience was the thing I gained, I suddenly felt honored to be one of the 20 people who were selected for this trip to teach these aboriginal children, an experience that is long desired by many of my peers who also decided to apply to this program. The experience that I gained teaching these children was the art of patience, an area that I was severely lacking in before this trip. Imagine trying to teach kids the colors in English, and suddenly you realize that some of the kids in the class don’t know what a capital “T” looks like. These frustrating experiences that commonly occurred throughout the 1st week tempered my patience and communication skills in order to teach my kids the proper way to write certain letters of the alphabet. However, I also learned a lot from the children of Luo Na Guo Shao. I learned how to appreciate the little things in life. For example, during meal times, the students only serve themselves as much as they can handle, never have I seen a student not have an empty bowl when they go wash their own dishes. This has taught me not to waste food and take everything for granted because, not everyone has the ability to have food in front of them at their whim.

Overall, this trip has been extremely beneficial towards my attitude toward life and school; seeing these students passionately learn English just so one day they can use it in a different country while on tour for choir suddenly made me examine my own learning drive. Often, I am unmotivated to learn new things at school, seeing that I would almost never utilize these skills outside of an educational institute, however seeing the student’s learning attitude made me feel ashamed of my own attitude. I told myself that these students would become my role models for their attitude and their persistence in learning. Overall this experience was an eye opening one in the aspect of life. Of course, I can’t forget about all the people who I met along on this fabulous journey, all the friends I made, over the course of the training period was worth every single second of the actual trip.

2016 金山灣區青少年中華文化學習團-活動辦理情形

整體活動辦理情形簡述

 壹、 關於團隊

2016 金山灣區青少年中華文化學習團

原聲音樂學校營區 – 飛越玉山,看見臺灣計畫 (五)

貳、 辦理情形

慧智文教基金會辦理青少年中華文化學習訪問團,其宗旨乃是希望將學員服務及文化學習二者予以結合。該活動今年已邁入第五年,深受金山灣區家長及青少年的肯定與支持。

在服務期間,金山灣區青少年中華文化學習團學員與原聲音樂學校孩童一起在南投羅娜國小住宿與學習,學員對於原聲音樂學校極力為布農族孩童付出,以及孩童們嚴守紀律和勤奮學習的情形,都深為感動與佩服。

今年課程單元的兩大主軸,分別是「語文教學」與「文化介紹」。我們根據原聲音樂學校孩童的年級,區分為五個班級,將日常生活慣用英文詞句,帶入口語練習應用,期能增強孩童們的英文基礎會話能力;同時教習英文單字,強化學童的識讀與拼字能力。以浪漫西洋情人節(Valentine’s Day),設計若干相關美勞活動,讓孩童從「動手做」當中體驗情人節的精神與樂趣,教導孩童熟悉西餐禮節、DIY冰淇淋以及黏土、編織毛線手鍊、以及學習排舞舞步等。原聲音樂學校安排華語文課程,藉由華語文學習布農族民間習俗、傳統文化認識及手工藝製作,內容涵蓋華語文聽、說、讀、寫教學技巧等。

週末時,原聲音樂學校人員精心替學員安排部落參訪行程。由專業導遊的帶領及介紹,從羅娜部落健行至望鄉部落,行間高山美景進入眼簾,也欣賞到原住民特有的建築與圖騰壁畫。期間,走訪當地農場參觀,親身體驗當地居民如何採收及分裝農作物,實際感受「一分耕耘,一分收穫」的真諦,增進團員對臺灣歷史文化及風土人情之瞭解,並親歷臺灣優美之山光水色,成果豐碩。

金山灣區青少年中華文化學習團員,與原聲音樂學校學生,無論在音樂、生活及語言上,相互交融,並引領學員以文化學習的態度,服務的方式,深入當地生活,進行文化交流,學習中華文化多元的價值,與為人服務的喜樂與自信,返回僑居地後,將在臺灣文化學習的經驗及感動,與朋友分享。