Ruth Powell, English teacher trainer, Mongolia
After five years spent teaching in the classroom, Ruth Powell wanted to “do more than just go to work every Monday for pints every Friday”. So she went from teaching English language to adult refugees in Dublin to having “the most extra-ordinary experience” as a VSO English teacher and trainer at a university in Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar.
What made you decide to volunteer with VSO?
I wanted to challenge myself, to ‘do’ the VSO thing, which had been on my list since I left university. I felt I had something to give and also wanted to get to the ‘source’ of where my students came from, how their lives were before they came to Ireland and the education they might have had.
What did your new role in Mongolia involve?
I helped facilitate teacher-training workshops and organise two national TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) conferences. I delivered direct teaching in English language, literature, culture and film to the graduate students and provided informal teacher training to my colleagues.
How did you adapt to life in another country and culture?
I was blessed with the best colleagues in the world, who had been waiting for their ‘international expert’ for months and couldn't wait to get going. I found the first month a little difficult to adjust to, but then I started working and things started looking brighter. I really liked being welcomed into someone's house for Tsagaan Sar (Mongolian new year) or a birthday party. I liked seeing camels in the main square and I found being thanked everyday in my work highly addictive.
Do you think you made a worthwhile contribution in Mongolia?
We reached hundreds of teachers from the countryside when the conferences were taking place. We started many extracurricular activities, including a film club and English club. I think most of my colleagues just grew in confidence and they all told me that their English language skills had improved. They also did more communicative and cooperative lesson plans. By the end of my placement I couldn't walk down the street without the daily "Hello teacher Ruth".
How did you overcome any difficulties in Mongolia?
The two main challenges were the climate and missing my friends and family. Sometimes in winter the temperature can drop to minus 40 and while it’s beautiful with the never ending blue sky, sometimes having a frozen nose because you walked to work was irritating. I bought more warm clothes and then before you look around, spring is on its way. Luckily most of my friends and family use Facebook or email and I started writing letters again, which is actually something I really enjoy.
What new skills have you brought home with you?
I teach with more confidence and would be quite happy to conduct workshops for other teachers. I can also lecture, I’d never ‘lectured’ to a hundred people before. I can solve problems with few or no resources in a time deadline of eight minutes! I have learnt to be flexible, adaptable, and more sensitive to the needs of others. I know more about Shamanism, I can sing three Mongolian folk songs and I know how to walk on a frozen lake and check if it's safe.
What are you doing now and how far do you think you’ll stay in touch with VSO?
I'm getting married (we started dating shortly after my assessment day, he stayed in Ireland, waited and I eventually came back!). I’m also teaching part-time in a summer school. I want to be actively involved with VSO for as long as possible – I have spoken at the VSO Dublin information evening and may run a marathon to raise money. I would highly recommend VSO. I think everyone should go overseas. The only thing I wouldn't recommend is trying to organise a wedding in four weeks when they return!
