SIEI+Jay+Kim

__**Focus Question:**__
 * Interview With Ms. Howe**

__**Interview Quetions w/ Answers:**__ What does it mean to be international?

Well, to be "international " should be differentiated from being a tourist or being engaged in the culture. Those are two different things. There are plenty of people who have stamps in their passports of many exotic locales, but are rather ignorant and ethnocentric in regards to the host culture. Overall, to be international would mean to be actively engaged in being open to a variety of perspectives, cultures and the like.

Do you really think this is an INTERNATIONAL school?

No, I do not feel that it truly represents a diversity in international cultures, perspectives and basically, race. Although not all Korean students at this school have the same experiences, some are kyopo. Also, some teachers are not open minded and are simply "tourists".

As an international school, do you really think that this school has to adopt only American styles?

I would say the style is "western" not American. Being a teacher from America, there are many policies and things that happen in school that reflect the dominant Canadian culture that is present at this school. I think that to be an international school it should be more mindful of various styles of education, particularly Korean educational system where most of the students are transferring from.

What cultures do you think our school has to adopt(specifically which countries)?

I think that it is not necessary one culture that needs to be adopted. Rather, a wide range of cultures should be explored in terms of education. You have to understand the limits in which international schools hire. Typically it is only from western nations like Canada, Britain, USA, Australia, New Zealand or in some cases, South Africa. Teachers are the first vessel for diverse learning at a school and if you only limit hires from these countries you are going to get those perspectives. Within those confines, how many teachers will really move to another country, let alone to Korea? Not that many. Within that, how many are truly open-minded and international themselves, I am not referring to how many places they have traveled either? Even fewer. So it is not particularly about adopting one country...it is about who you are placing in the classroom.

Why are those cultures also considered international? International in some aspects is equated to diversity. I think that Western cultures are considered that because of its diverse population of all types.

In what ways do you think this school is Korean? What elelments of this school suggest that it is Korean?(besides the people)

I think there are aspects that are Korean regarding customs of handing in papers with both hands or give something supporting an elbow. Students spend a lot of time in hagwons and studying too much. I think the emphasis on memorizing information compared to having a unique thought or being able to explain things is not highlighted. I think that students tend to compare themselves with each other too much and that there is too much pressure on kids in Korea to be successful.

How does it affect the mood of the school? Is it positive or negative? How so?

I think again, that many teachers can be ethnocentric and less open to change than you realize. Therefore, it becomes "negative" thinking about Korean style of education or learning and therefore they tend to stereotype and overgeneralize a group of people.

In what other ways is it not an international school?

From some of the teachers being close-minded to students that don't reflect racial diversity. This is not an international school, rather a private school.

__**Reflection:**__