I've heard of a saying that It's good to learn from your mistakes, but it's better (and wiser) to learn from the mistakes of others. So I met up with Annie last week to talk to her about her experience in Tonga. Last summer, she was a part of the Tonga field studies group that went to Vava'u. She is majoring in physical education and wanted to look at the types of physical activity people do there and their perception on physical activity. She went there and had to change her project because of certain circumstances she was in, and ended up volunteering at Saineha high school, which is the Church high school in Vava'u.
She ended up teaching health classes there, which is very similar to what I hope to be doing in May. In our meeting, I was able to get some tips and advice from her experience. Something I realized while we talked was how she had to wear skirts every day to Saineha high school. I totally forgot that I'll have to wear skirts or dresses to Liahona because it is part of their dress code standards. She also mentioned possibilities of training sessions for teachers that may take place, and that I should attend them to observe and participate. Something I was worried about while in the field was having to change my topic and research focus. When I talked to Annie, she said not to worry too much about it here in Utah, because ideas could flow while I'm there. She also stressed how much of a great experience it was for her. She said if all didn't work out, or according to my plans, to not worry, and to focus on the experience while there in Tonga. I think that's one of the greatest advice I could get, is to not worry too much if things don't go exactly the way I want it to go, and to focus on the bigger picture, which is the unforgettable experience! I'm really excited and counting down the days in the last month before heading to Tonga!
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