Six fantastic weeks of lifelong learning

The summer of 2005 we were given the wonderful opportunity to take part in the Summer Institute for secondary school teachers. Together with 29 people from 25 different countries, we learned about America on many different levels, and in various ways. Our international group was situated at Amherst College in Massachusetts, and this was our base for the first three weeks of the program. Lectures were given by different professors, who were specialized in their field of study. They guided us through American history, literature, religion, politics, environmental issues, etc., and invited us to take part in fruitful discussions concerning each topic. Not only did we learn about America, but we were able to see this country through the eyes of people from so many different parts of the world. It also made us reflect more on the way of living in Norway.

In addition to the lectures and the required readings, we made several fieldtrips. These enhanced the learning experiences that sta

Fjerde juli feiring

rted in the classroom. To mention a few examples, we visited Plymouth Plantation, Deerfield Village, a Buddhist pagoda, the houses of Mark Twain, Emily Dickinson and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Moreover, we had a great weekend in Boston, and we also visited several art museums in the Massachusetts area. We got the opportunity to go to a high school where we could talk to some of the teachers working there. Here, we learned about the similarities and differences between the American and Norwegian schools, concerning both students and teachers.

On the 4^th of July, we experienced how the Americans celebrate their Independence Day. We watched the parades of two different small towns, and found them

Days of 47 parade in Salt Lake City. Mormon temple in the background.

quite different from one another. One had a more political focus than the other.

Weeks four and five was spent on an extended field trip. First we stayed one week in Salt Lake City, Utah, where the main focus was on the Mormons and the Native Americans. We visited the Ute People on their reservation and watched an Indian powwow. We learned about the Mormons in many ways, and experienced the religious diversity of America. Afterwards,

From the powwow in Liberty Park, Salt Lake City.

we spent four days in Washington D.C., where we visited the great Smithsonian Museums, saw all the monuments, and had a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol. Staying in nice, air-conditioned hotels on this field trip was a comfortable luxury after three weeks at the Amherst College dorms.

The field trip ended in New York City, where we had three hectic days, filled with museums, The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Ground Zero, Little Italy, The Empire State Building, a Broadway show and much more.

At Ogden Rodeo. Pioneer Days, Utah.

Back in Amherst, we had a couple of days to finish our projects before presenting them to the group. We were to make a teaching unit on a topic of our own choice. However, it had to be related to our American Studies. Throughout our stay we could use the computing and library facilities on campus. The faculty staff was also there to supervise us and give us good advice. The majority of the participants engaged in their projects with great enthusiasm, spending a lot of time to get in-depth knowledge and preparing their presentations in the best possible manner.

Institute for Training and Development (ITD) hosted the program in an excellent way. They organized everything smoothly, and we were taken care of in the best possi

One day in class

ble way.

Saying goodbye to all our new friends from around the world was hard. We lived closely together and shared so many things throughout these six weeks. All of us being teachers, sharing the same focus and interests, and having the same professional background, we found friends for life. Luckily, modern technology helps us to stay in touch easily even though we live far apart.

Last, but not least we want to thank the Fulbright Foundation for giving us this wonderful opportunity. We will never forget this summer.

Bente Prøybo and Hilde Løkås Andersen.