Escuela

Every classroom in my school (Tec de Monterrey) is like the detention room in my middle school. Bare white walls, one window, a teacher, a board. I have a feeling that my physics room might double as a holding cell if a riot broke out.

This minimalistic method for teaching is not a reflection of the school's financial capabilities, but rather an image of what seems to be the prevailing attitude towards education in Mexico. Unlike American school, whose curricula are often colorful and changing, Mexican school relies on a traditional, time tested technique. The teacher talks and doodles notes on the board, the student listens and copies the notes.

Classes are twice as long as Uni's - a mind-melting 90 minutes. And we never use textbooks. In fact, the only books here are in my literature class. Come to think of it, none of my friends here read. Manuel has a book on his nightstand which he says is great, but his bookmark is only on page 50-something. (He also told me he doesn't read at night, which makes me wonder why he keeps his book by his bed...)

The benefit to all this is that the material is very clearly outlined and understood. There is realy no question about what one must do to prepare for tests. And the teachers are very effective. Even though I don't speak, I can understand most of what is going on because of relaxed, careful teaching.

My classes include: Calculó, Física, Literatura Moderna, Panorama Internacional (model UN - I am the Lithuanian delegate), and Ciencias de Salud (health). Musica classes just recently added are: guitar, drum, and theory/composition. More about my music teacher, Rafa, later.

I have an insane hunger so I must end this post. For a pretty good article about the differences in Mexican and American school, click this: http://www.piton.org/Admin/Article/TermPaper_May2004.pdf