During the final reflection session of #AgEd2Malaysia, we captured the responses of all #AgEd2Malaysia participants to five final reflection questions. This blog post is part of a series to showcase some of the responses to those questions. The first question prompt was:
What was your most powerful learning moment?
“The most impactful learning moment during AgEd2Malaysia was to try to adapt and learn everything together. Every task became easier because I have a very good team that always helps each other. I never thought that I can become the person I am now. So, for me, I realize I can accept every challenge ahead to gain new experience.” – Fatin, University of Teknologi Malaysia Teacher Candidate
“The first time that I walked into a school In Malaysia to teach. We walked into the room and the students stood up and started reciting words in Malaysian. I froze. The Malaysian students responded to them then all eyes were on me. I asked my teaching partners what I should do? They said, ‘They are ready for you to tell them what to do.’ I had 30 students, standing quietly with excited expressions on. I asked them to sit and the lesson started. This really taught me what it is like in Malaysian schools, seeing the culture in the schools was amazing.” – Jessica, Pennsylvania Agriscience Teacher
“I think my most powerful learning moment happened through the lesson planning process. This experience forced us to rely on our strengths as a team and to trust one another. As a young teacher, it was nerve-wracking to realize I was the most experienced in the group and the student teachers were looking to me for advice. Looking back though, I think this pushed me to trust my own abilities.” – Shelby, Ohio Agriscience Teacher
“My most powerful learning moment was when we wore the batik and hijab to teach. Wearing the outfit made me feel confident but wearing the hijab for the few hours that I did was honestly quite hot, so it felt really nice to be able to take it off. It was powerful for me to experience that because the Malaysian students didn’t get to take theirs off. It was important for me to have this experience to understand their religion and culture better.” – Kaitlin, Penn State Agricultural Teacher Candidate
“I learned new teaching methods. We were divided into groups which consisted of 1 teacher from USA, 1 student from USA, and 1 UTM student. Here we learned to change ideas and methods.” – Ali, University of Teknologi Malaysia Teacher Candidate
“I learned the most when talking and having a sharing moment while on the bus. Exchanging stories and always learning something new unexpectedly. For instance, I learn from Darla how maple syrup is made, as she had an experience with the whole process back at her school. And it is also my first time knowing that maple syrup came from a maple tree.” – Yazlin, University of Teknologi Malaysia Teacher Candidate
“For me, the most powerful learning was not just about agriculture. The thing that I learn in this program is about how to do a good lesson plan before you go to the classroom. This will really help me in the future when I become a teacher.” – Suhana, University of Teknologi Malaysia Teacher Candidate
“My most powerful learning moment was being able to enter a mosque and witness prayer. The entire process of cleansing with water, to the serenity and calmness of the mosque, allowed me to take a glimpse into another religion. People everywhere want to be loved, included, and to share love, and I am so blessed to have been able to witness this on this experience. My mindset is forever changed.” – Thomas, Penn State Agricultural Teacher Candidate
“The moment that was very powerful that give impact to me is about accepting different culture from a different country. It taught me that we as humans are nothing without everyone else. I learned a lot from this trip in the concept of cultural accepting.” – Syed Huzaimi, University of Teknologi Malaysia Teacher Candidate