Why did you decide to teach abroad with WorldTeach in American Samoa?
Megan: In college, I majored in Elementary Education, and traveled abroad one summer to study the education system in Namibia. I quickly learned the importance of developing cultural competency as a teacher. The unique opportunities that can be found within classrooms around the world were also brought to my attention, and I applied to WorldTeach, hoping to fulfill both my interests and the needs of my students. I appreciated the focus and motivation behind the work of WorldTeach, and after researching the various countries, decided that American Samoa would be the best fit.
What made this teach abroad experience unique and special?
Megan: There are so many aspects of teaching in Samoa that are unique to its people and the country itself. For starters, I taught on one of the most beautiful islands in the South Pacific. Coconut trees, sandy beaches, brilliant coral reefs, and towering mountains in the background. The outward beauty is certainly something to gaze upon. Samoa is also unique within the context of a developing nation. The people of Samoa certainly do not live in poverty - nobody is hungry, homeless, or in danger of becoming so. However, the education system is lacking, transportation is limited, and the employment rate is significantly low.
What you see in some aspects of life is not consistent with what you find in others, making it a unique and sometimes confusing place to live. Having taught on one of the outer islands, my experience was also incredibly unique simply because of its location. I lived on an island of less than 100 people, sixty miles from the main island of Tutuila. This brought both rewards and challenges, being so isolated from the rest of the world. I bought groceries by shopping in bulk and shipping the food on a ten-hour boat ride through rough waters, but I also watched the most gorgeous sunsets and climbed to the top of the most beautiful mountains in the world. American Samoa is, at the very least, an adventure like none other.
How has this experience impacted your future? (Personally, professionally, academically, etc.)
Megan: My experience in American Samoa impacted me in more ways than I could have imagined. Unfortunately, most of those impacts arose from the challenges and difficulties that came my way, but I am nonetheless thankful for each lesson I learned. In my personal life, relationships became a much greater priority. Without phone service or internet most of the time, I missed my friends and family immensely. I kept waiting for the day I could return home and cherish moments I had taken for granted before. I also learned the importance of taking time for myself - to reflect on my teaching, evaluate my needs and wants, and prioritize my life. School took up nearly all of my time, but with it I learned how to make room for other things that are important.
Professionally, I suspect that this experience launched my teaching career. I learned how to do nearly everything related to my classroom independently, from managing cheeky fourth-graders to involving parents who had little or no involvement in their child's school. I saw firsthand how much of an impact one person can have in a student's life. It exhausted me mentally and physically, frustrated me on a daily basis, and encouraged me to stay on the teaching path for years to come.
What is one piece of advice you would offer someone considering teaching abroad in American Samoa?
Megan: Have patience. Be flexible. Find your focus and serve as a volunteer for that reason. In the midst of changes and difficulties, it is easy to become discouraged by what is "not working." In addition, be prepared to change your expectations often, as the difference between what we seek and what we find can cause the most disappointment. The people around you may be unsure or uninterested in why you came, but they are not the reason you chose to serve. What is your reason, and how are you going to work within the boundaries of your school and community?