International collaboration: a means to foster growth, change of experience and initiative in education
Abingdon-Zimbreni: building bridges
The collaboration between Abingdon and Zimbreni starts in 2015 thanks to the Agape charity organization, that connected both institutions in the idea of making a difference about the education in Moldova.
As a result, a purpose English classroom was equipped in the Lyceum of Zimbreni, thanks to the generous support ofAbingdon Independent School from Oxfordshire, the UK.
In July of 2015, a group of six students and two teachers from Abingdon, visited our school. Our students had the opportunity to talk to native English speakers - that inspired and motivated them to take every chance in order to get better.
As a continuation of our partnership, in the summer of 2016, representing the Lyceum from Zimbreni, I was privileged to be part of the Moldovan group that have visited the UK for a week, particularly the school from Abingdon.
It was a once in a lifetime experience, that has shown us new perspectives on lifestyle, education, history, culture and interpersonal communication.
As a teacher, it has helped me a lot to break down my barriers, get out of my comfort zone and, at a certain extent, compare the two educational environments: the English and the Moldovan one. There are certainly many things that could inspire us. Some of the most important ones are the English attitude and determination.
What I appreciate the most is that I got to know amazing people and made many friends.
Of course, we were offered the chance to visit the main tourist attraction from London and not only. I was impressed by the mixture of history and futuristic style, in matter of architecture.
As a conclusion, two main ideas come to my mind referring to my school, in particular and to Moldovan education, in general:
- Encouraging teachers to long for continuous personal and professional growth, in spite of the challenges they deal with, every day.
- Inspiring students to become more self-confident, ambitious and community-focused.
to the generous people from Abingdon,
Oxfordshire, the UK.