Field Trip #1: Interview

For one of our "fieldtrips," I interviewed a Fijian woman that I was introduced to by a friend. Before coming to America, Alice was a teacher in Fiji. In America, she works for a company that tries to help people get out of debt. I asked Alice a number of questions about what Fijian youth go through when they come to America and the challenges they face in American school. Following is the transcript of the interview.

Ariel: "Do many Fijian children and teenagers come to America with their parents?"

Alice: "Yes, fijian children do come to America with their parents because of education and globalization. Since the world is changing at a faster pace now than ever before parents realize the need to empower their children with a choice of better education. Also education inAmerica has a vast range of subjects learned than back in Fiji. For Example; In Fiji students are able to choose more options when itcomes to areas of Business, Sports, Law, Army, Navy etc."

Ariel: "Do the young Fijians who come to America speak English? If so, do they speak and understand it well?"

Alice: "Yes, young fijians who come to America are english speaking students. Though english is the second language in Fiji we are taught english from kindergarten stage and some even right from their own homes by their parents. This is empowering their children. By doing that parents & teachers allow this young children to learn and understand english at a very young age so that when they are around their school friends they are not lost or left alone wondering how to interact when thrust into an environment that requires them to understand their peers and the school curriculum also."

Ariel: "Do Fijian young people like school in America? Do they do well in school or do they have a hard time?"

Alice: "My point of view is that the initial feelings encountered by these kids are excitement and fear. Excitement because it is a different country, culture and school system and fear because they have never experienced this mode of education before. It would be different for the fijian children who were born as american citizens. From my personal knowledge of kids who attended school here some of them do well and some do not because again of the differing culture and curriculum. But i believe it is also the parents role in assisting their children in those times of transition to help their children understand the changes and encourage them that they can achieve greatness despite the changes from a Fijian school system to an American one."

Ariel: "What are some of the common goals that Fijian young people have for themselves? Do they want to go to college, get a certain kind of job?"

Alice: "Common goals is to be properly educated, graduate and get a good paying job. Also with Fijian children also one of the areas would be in different area of sports/law/business where they excel a lot inprovided they are given the right type of education and attention and recognition they would thrive."

Ariel: "What do you think is the most important thing to Fijian young people? Activities? Values?"

Alice: "One of the important value of life to Fijian young children is being taught to respect their parents and the elderly, proper manners.Also i believe their peers are important to them. In terms of activities it would be attending church, be active involved in the children and youth ministry. Sports i.e playing rugby, basketball etc."

Ariel: "What do Fijian young people like to do for fun?"

Alice: "Fijian young children love sports and also hanging out with their peers and doing something fun, music, swimming, hiking & camping."

Ariel: "What challenges do Fijian young people face here in America?"

Alice: "The greatest challenge fijian young people face in american is Peer Pressure. In fijian culture kids are not allowed to leave their parents home until they have entered into courtship & marriage. If someone does leave home before that it would be a sign of disrespect to their parents. As for american kids by the age of 18 they have the freedom to do what they want. So being confronted with the differing culture here in America, Fijian children are really facing a tough challenge and also parents are finding it hard to control their children. Which when not handled delicately by parents kids rebel and run out of home and as for young girls end up being pregnant and brings shame to their family. So that i believe is one of the greatest challenge for fijian kids in america is the culture shock and adjustment."

Ariel: "How do Fijian young people handle problems or troubles in life? Do they rely on their families, churches, friends for support?"

Alice: "Fijian young people when faced with problems or troubles are first being handled by their parents. If their issues are not resolved their than the pastors or the elders in their churches help counsel them whilst transiting in that process."

Ariel: "What do you think American teachers could do to help their Fijian students succeed in school?"

Alice: "I believe a teacher plays a very vital role in the life of the fijian students or students at large. Being a teacher is not to be taken lightly because the impact they make on these students has a lasting effect. Teachers need to act enthusiastic, smile and genuinely be interested in their students life, and don’t criticize, condemn or complain when being challenged with tough students.Teachers need to visualize great potential in their students abilities and make it clear to them that their destiny is greater than their challenges. They need to realize that building confidence, good speaking skills and education and encourage children to work hard because when they do their is always a reward for them in life - it pays off."

Ariel: "What do you think is most special or unique about Fijians?"

Alice: "I believe it’s the fijian heritage and the culture that is most unique about fijians. RESPECT is of great value and maintain the fijian culture despite globalization is what makes it unique. Despite the differing cultures in Fiji people are challenged everyday to live together in harmony and respect for each other despite their differences."

Ariel:What are some differences between school in Fiji and America? How do teachers and students interact in class in Fiji? Are teachers strict? Are the classrooms noisy or quiet? Do students do a lot of book work or hands-on activities?

Alice: "Yes, there are huge differences between the Fijian schoolsystem and the American system.

Classroom Management - a classroom consisted of 30 - 40 students.If it were any larger than that it will not allow individual attention- especially for weaker students. As for students in the urban area class size varied between 23 - 47. Not enough desks in some classes. In urban schools sometimes there are poor range of materials in someclasses. Sometimes resources varied from ‘plenty of materials’ to‘there was ‘little in the store room’. Sometimes if the classrooms are crowded and cramped it would be overwhelming for students and sometimes they are unable to carry their role plays and group work. Sometimes there are poor seating and spaces for students. Sometimes there are limitations of space for floor work if needed. The most successful lessons were taken in the classrooms where there was lots of space and rooms for student participation. Fijian classrooms consisted of blackboards, chalks, dusters, tables and chairs and adrawing board at the back of the classroom where notes are put up for students to read. While the classes were clean, the chalk board dominated. Every class has a prefect for ensures that whilst the teacher is not in class - student behave and their is order in the classroom. When children misbehave prefects submit reports to the irrespective teachers once class starts.

Teacher/Student relations - Teachers’ encouragement and positive actions towards children is vital. Environmental print - posters,maps, words of encouragement and Maths formula are placed on thenotice boards for children awareness. Displays of children’s work samples and ‘creations’ are an inspiration to students. Learning resources from the library and story telling, forms of texts,mathematics and improved basic science material is also a tool which enhances relations between students and teachers. Teachers’encouragement by being a friend, giving individual attention and treating them as equals is vital.

Yes, students do put their hands up in a classroom setting when they want to address an issue with their teacher or sometimes they stand up to directly address their teacher.

If the teacher is not in class the classroom is bound to be noisy if the prefects do not play their role. But if there is a prefect than students behave and if they don’t they are fully aware of forms of discipline after class i.e stay back after school for an hour to pickup rubbish, pull weeds outside or write on a piece of paper why theyare being disciplined for 30 - 50 times in a sentence form.

Yes, student are given book work to do either in the classroom during class or also as a homework. Homework are given to students. Ineach subject taught in each class, respective teachers will give students work to do at home and submitted next day for marking andgrading. If students do not positively respond to their homework than they will be disciplined after class or school.