Final Blog Assignment

I am so sad to know that this class is almost over. This class has been my favorite thus far. When I first learned that we would be e-mailing an international contact, it was a bittersweet moment. First I didn't know where to start to find my contact, and I didn't really know how to greet my contact. I am so thankful that I got Atica and she was so patient with me. She literally answered all of my questions and responded promptly.

The three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for my professional and personal development is...

1. Gaining insight to the trends of early child care programs in the Dominican Republic. Atica really shared stories with me, and painted vivid pictures. I thought I had an idea of what life for a child in the Dominican Republic would be like, but I was wrong. Just like American, the Dominican Republic have the rich, middle and poor class. Families who are rich have access to high quality programs, and families who are poor, not so much.

2. Another consequence of learning about the international early childhood field is realizing and respecting that the early childhood movement is happening world-wide. Often I get so stuck on America, but it's what I know, that I forget that other countries are doing what they can to provide quality care to the children.

3. The last consequence that I learned from Atica, is that education is important in the Dominican Republic but it can be difficult for children in the rural areas to gain education, just because of the distance of a school. I found this to be interesting because in America we are so used to getting around in cars, that distant usually doesn't stop of from doing what needs to be done. So I learned that what we take for granted in American, such as education, can be considered a blessing in another country.

The one goal that I have is that our community takes time to learn about issues/ trends around the world, and offer assistant when needed. I think sometimes we get so focused on our community, that we forget about the people around us. So I think it would be beneficial, if at the next EC community meeting, I bring up my conversations with Atica, just so they can be aware of what is happening around the world.