So, what EXACTLY do Global Volunteers do in Querétaro, Mexico? As with all other GV projects, the volunteers do whatever our host asks us to do. And boy oh boy, are we well utilized here!
Because the demand is so great, we never work with a student more than once. Initially, I wasn’t sure I’d like getting a new group every hour, but the students are wonderful, and the time absolutely flies by. You don’t even notice how tired you are until the cab ride home.
It is difficult to do much preparation, because you don’t know what you will be getting until you arrive in the classroom and start talking with the students. Some have prepared questions to ask us; others are shy, needing encouragement and gentle coaxing to get them to talk.
Pam, our leader explained that the goal was not necessarily to teach specific words or grammatical points, but to build students’ confidence. What a relief–I can do that! Once again, I discovered that patience, a sense of humor and enthusiasm were my most important tools. Oh yeah, that, plus a small white board, index cards and my iPad have been getting me through the day.
Before I left home, I raced around my house, camera in hand, taking photos of various objects that I could show on my iPad, as my back up plan. Good thing. For beginning students, it came in handy. For example, I used visuals like this, to have them practice asking each other, “what is this?”, then take turns answering.
In the midst of my pointing out objects on my iPad, I heard a chorus of “awwwwwww”. Mystified that cutlery could inspire such a reaction, I flipped my iPad around to find I had inadvertently switched the photo from my kitchen table to my sister’s granddaughter. 
The students wanted to know all about “the baby”, so we talked about Bonnie–what was her name, where was she when the photo was taken, what was she wearing, what was she holding? Little Bonnie is now quite famous here in Querétaro. One student (bless his heart) wanted to know if she was MY baby. That led to a discussion about grandchildren, my sister, her daughter, all the other members of my family tree and my age!
Occasionally some of us have a break between classes. That’s the perfect time to head for the cafeteria for informal discussions. Today, I met an older student who is employed by the Swedish company Ericcson and attending school. He confessed to being a bit reluctant to approach me until he saw me smile at him and nod my head. His English was excellent–he just needed a little confidence. I felt like the Wizard of Oz!
Ericsson isn’t the only major employer in the areas. Other companies include Samsung and Daewoo from South Korea, Bombardier(Canada), Nestle(Switzerland) Siemens(Germany), Santander (Spain) and Kellogs, P&G, Bose from the good Ol USA. Querétaro is definitely an international city.
Ericsson has invested heavily in UTEC. Volunteers that had been here before mentioned that the campus had been spiffed up, buildings had been repainted, thanks to the generosity of Ericsson. They also donated the language lab, which is the building behind this sign.
What I really like, however, is the banner BEHIND the building, and not only because it is in English.
“An Everyone Everywhere World”, in which everyone gets the chance to fulfill their potential. What a beautiful sentiment. What a wonderful world that would be!
And what an amazing way to spend two weeks! Who knew work could be so much fun?
Destination NOW 
What a wonderful story you are creating, and lasting memories for many students. They will remember who instilled their confidence. Awww is right – in any language Bonnie would certainly be the topic of choice 😋
I don’t think I could be as sanguine as you about which type of class was coming next and not specific prep, on the other hand with the freedom to go ‘off topic’ I bet you actually end up having more socially meaningful conversations. I’m so happy to see youth get these opportunities with global companies supporting them.
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Thanks Sammy. I was born a control freak, so this is acquired behavior. Global Volunteers (and yoga) has helped me to learn to let go and go with the flow. Or maybe it is old age. Probably all of the above.
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I think so. We’ve had to let go of a lot with our generation giving way to young whippersnappers, and I think that necessity carries over to our personal control tendencies.
But you always sound like you got it all under control, girlfriend 😋
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I LOVED reading your post this snowy morning on Cape Cod. I must say my friend, you look like one of the students! … AND … they are so very lucky to have you paying attention to them!
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Oh no…not MORE snow! Wish you were here with me. You would LOVE this place! Maybe one of these days I’ll kidnap you and take you along.
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What a great teacher you must be. The idea of taking photos to guide student discussion and practice was brilliant. And you words, “patience, a sense of humor and enthusiasm were my most important tools” should be engraved in every classroom.
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That is so kind of you to say Your comments are especially meaningful to me–coming from you, a professional teacher.
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Hi Shelley
My husband and I are thinking of volunteering at Querétaro also. Did you have to teach prepared lessons or just converse with students? We have done CELTA but I thought this was a volunteer conversational situation. Is it?
You mentioned going home in the cab. Is the student venue not within walking distance? How far is it from the accomodation do you think? What was the accomdation like please? Were the rooms hot?
Thanks v much, Liz
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Ps: enjoyed your blog
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Hi Liz,
We saw different students every hour that we taught. We didn’t have to prepare lessons, but I did have ideas as to what I could do depending on the level of the students. Some were advanced, and with those we would have conversations, but some were beginners, which was why the white board and iPad were so helpful.
Yes, we took cabs to and from UTEQ. The hotel is in the beautiful old center which is a wonderful place to stay, while the university is further out, and doesn’t have as many restaurants and museums nearby. I loved where we stayed–because you could walk to everything. It took about 20 or 30 minutes by cab to reach UTEQ. Cost of the cab is included in the program fee.
I have a photo of my room in an earlier post. The rooms are not luxurious, but they are comfortable and clean, and they are definitely not hot. Every room has a ceiling fan, however I never turned mine on.
I got home last night, but I will be posting more about the program over the coming days and will continue to include photos.
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Reblogged this on Destination NOW.
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