Comfort Zone

Comfort Zone

Yeditepe University - Istanbul, Turkey
Location of the 19th Annual International Symposium of Adapted Athletics

My trip to Istanbul, Turkey was a great opportunity provided to me by Funds For Teacher (FFT) grant to learn about adapted physical activity from leaders around the world in the field of adapted physical activity, meet new people, and for the first time in my life travel away from North America and experience Europe and Asia.  My accommodations at the student lodging hall at Yeditepe University were safe and warm, the symposium sessions were informative, and the host campus was welcoming.  My experiences beyond the walls of Yeditepe were also a fun, safe, and exciting opportunities for me to step outside of my comfort zone and experience Istanbul and some of the nearby coastal cities, the people that live and work in this beautiful area, and possibilities for me to create some incredible memories.

When I speak of my comfort zone, I am referring to a way of life that I have grown very accustomed to: English is the only I language I speak fluently, the food items I enjoy, American currency, never have needed a passport before this trip, and the relative safety and comfort I experience traveling in American cities.  For the sake of wanting to be a better teacher I felt as though I needed to experience things for the first time, to place myself out of my country and immerse myself into a foreign country that speaks a different language, uses a different currency, and recognizes different customs and traditions than I am used to - I wanted to travel to a city/country that would allow me the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone.  The rationale for this trip was to try and experience what some of the students I teach experience as new students to St. Paul Schools: maybe new to our city and state, speak another language, and maybe even enter our schools with hesitation toward the unknown.  As a teacher in the St. Paul School District, I want to be a member of the community that openly invites people to attend and learn, and help fulfill the promise a safe and educational environment.  Until I could be placed on the other side of the spectrum and in the shoes of a leaner instead of the teacher, I’m not sure I was grasping as much as I could as to what it is like to be a new student at a new school, in a foreign country, speaking a new language, and possibly finding ways to adapt.  I would like to share with you some of the stories generated from my trip to Turkey and how these stories will help strengthen me as a teacher, parent, and a person. 

Days 1 & 2 of my travel – Wednesday and Thursday July 17/18

Never having traveled abroad before, I got my first passport this spring and arrived at the airport three hours before my departure.  I was expecting long lines and security checks that would consume a few hours of my time.  20 minutes after arrival I was seated in the boarding area as check-in went smoothly and quickly.  Never having been on an eight hour plane ride before, I had packed plenty of electronics, games, and books to keep me occupied for eight hours.  To my surprise, I could watch movies during the entire flight, which is what I did.  The flight left Minneapolis/St. Paul at 8:00 pm and was scheduled to arrive in Paris the next day around 11:30 am Paris time.  The most interesting part of the flight was that we were only in the dark for about 3 hours, as we flew toward the sunrise.  So I had brought all of this stuff with me on the flight to occupy my time, as I knew I would be too excited to sleep, and it turns out I used none of the equipment I brought with and used what was in front of me.  As a teacher, I was taught to over-plan and have more activities available then minutes in a lesson.  What I learned from this trip (and am continuing to learn) is that sometimes the best resources available are right in front of us.  As a teacher, I need to slow down and include the students as resources in the classroom. 

On my connecting flight from Paris to Istanbul I met an assistant professor from Northern Michigan University and we shared some great conversations about the symposium we were traveling to.  He was wearing a shirt that identified him as an adapted physical education instructor so I took the liberty of asking him if he was heading the same place I was.  I am usually quiet on a plane, heck, if truth be told I am usually quiet most places.  As an instructor, I learned that it is safer to be quiet and listen than to bring attention to one’s self.  I also believe that since listen and silent are comprised of the same letters, being silent makes one a better listener.  By opening up to my neighbor on the plane, he recognized me as a symposium attendant and later introduced me to many of the presenters at the university.  And from the airport to the university, I shared a ride with a professor from Virginia Tech.  Her luggage was to be delayed and she did not have her electric adaptor with her, so I borrowed her mine as my equipment was still fully charged.  She needed to present the next morning and was grateful for the loan.  Turns out she is a past president of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activities (IFAPA) and a very nice person associated with the symposium, so it was great karma to have shared with her.  I associate speaking with taking a risk, as I’m not always sure if what I have to say has merit or value.  I place myself around good people, so it would make sense to listen.  I need to find a happy medium, as I found out on this trip that when I did speak, it was appreciated. 

When I checked in Thursday evening at the student housing, it was about 8:00 pm Istanbul time.  The greeter was not proficient in English, so he directed me toward another person who was…sounds simple enough.  Back home as a team member with special education members at my schools, if I am not able to fully understand what someone is trying to communicate to me, I am sure I can find someone that can help translate or guide me through the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Due process.  Makes sense and sounds simple enough, although as an itinerant teacher, I self-proclaim myself to be independent, sort of a loaner.  I need to realize that what I have to say, provide, and share has value; and as important are the ideas and strategies that I am returning home with from the symposium, I will want to share with the school community.  I was already learning and the symposium had not even officially started. 

Friday, July 19^th, Day 3

I hesitated to share this next paragraph with everyone.  I shared it with my family and friends and it was well received, so I will try the story here as well, because I think it has merit, along with humor.  So I time-lined my first two days of travel to share that when I left Wednesday at 8:00 pm CST and arrived at my lodging at 8:00 pm Thursday evening Istanbul time, 16 hours had passed.  Usually I would have slept about 8 hours during those 16 hours, and I slept about 2 hours on the plane, and my first night at Yeditepe University I slept about 5 hours.  So over a 2 night period I received about 7 hours of sleep, or ½ my normal time.  Friday began with an opening ceremony and a keynote speaker, followed by lunch.  The lunch was delicious, the weather was warm, and I was beginning to get sleepy.  I figured a nap would be in order. I looked at the schedule and figured that I would only miss one session and afternoon coffee if I went back to my dorm room after lunch and took a nap.  Because I was sleeping in a dorm room instead of a hotel, and since no one had mentioned to me that room service would be an option, I went into my room and dressed into a pair of shorts and fell asleep on top of my covers, as the dorm did not have a/c.  Next thing I hear is someone entering my room and talking in a foreign language.  Before I could move or say a word, a lady was in my room ready to clean and change my bedding and towels.  I was not properly dressed or ready for company, so I pulled the sheets over my head and went back to sleep.  I told them they could leave and they did not have to clean my room, although I do not think they fully understood me.  

For the rest of the week I was able to equate that when new towels were placed upon my bed that the cleaning crew had visited.  I was thankful for the crew, just not prepared from the beginning that they would be visiting daily.  Fast forward to Monday, July 22^nd, and I decided to take an hour nap after lunch and miss the afternoon tea again.  When I got back to my room, the fresh towels were on my bed and the bed was made.  The cleaning crew had visited and I was safe to hop into my sleeping shorts and once again lay on top of the covers, as the rooms had no a/c.  Just as I fell asleep I was woken by a crew coming in my room.  I yelled out that my room had already been cleaned.  Although a crew had already replaced the linens, this time they came with the broom, mop, and bucket of ammonia/bleach liquid and cleaned my entire room and bathroom from top to bottom.  Because I was again in a pair of shorts, I decided to lie under the covers and not get up, mainly because I was embarrassed that I was not fully dressed.  Fifteen minutes under the warm covers was not fun, although when I surfaced I was in a room that looked and smelled as clean as a hospital room.  When I shared these stories with my family and friends via e-mail, they laughed, and one person responded to the entire group with this thought - imagine not only my side of the story and my surprise, now imagine what that young lady and the cleaning crew must have been saying about the guest in room B-217?  Which leads me to another question, what do my students say about me?    

Wheelchair basketball game

Friday night we were shuttled to a wheelchair basketball game about 15 miles away at a nearby gym and were entertained by two Turkish wheelchair basketball teams, and then to dinner near the coast. 

Coast of Kartal, Turkey
Friday night dinner

I enjoyed this evening as it was an opportunity to meet more professionals in the field of adapted physical activity and an excellent chance to see more of Turkey in the coastal town of Kartal.

Sunday, 100 guests from the symposium spent the day in the city at the Grand Bazaar and a boat ride along the Bosporus. 

Spices for sale at the Grand Bazaar

One of many indoor hallways at the Grand Bazaar

 

The beauty of the Bosporus and one of the two bridges that connect Europe and Asia

With a city of 16 million, most of the land space is utilized, here with housing

Monday, July 22 – Gala Dinner

Monday night we were treated to a four course dinner at a hotel in Istanbul.  Since we were in Istanbul during Ramadan, the three dinners that were served to us were all served after 8:30, which is the time for the taraweeh, a special prayer during the month of Ramadan that is recited before dinner.  I mention the prayer as for the first few days in Istanbul, I could hear the prayer no matter where I was in the city each night at approximately at 8:30, and then again around 3:30 in the morning.  Since my lodging was adjacent to the city streets and my windows were open to capture the cool 70 degree air, each morning at 3:30 I was able to hear through a nearby PA system the fajr, which is the first prayer in the morning and means dawn.  Turns out the Muslims have 5 prayers per day during Ramadan.  We were treated to many songs and dances during our visit, and Monday night was no different.  Another cultural trait/tradition that was new to me was that no libations were served or offered at any of the venues we visited with the symposium group, whether it be anywhere on campus or anywhere in the city during our outings.  I am accustomed to seeing wine or other beverages with most social meals/outings, and where we were at in Turkey, water and soda/pop were the norm.  The hotel that we enjoyed dinner at on Monday night had a bar just off the lobby near their main restaurant, so libations were available.  Several people purchased their beverages and brought them into the room where we were eating, and that was frowned upon by the staff, so most people did not bring in any more outside drinks.  Sometimes we get into a way of life and make our own customs with what we eat, drink, and how we live socially.  It was interesting to see how another culture enjoys life as well.  The same thing could be said with how I teach. Maybe I teach the same things from the same perspective - attending this symposium opened my eyes to many new things that I am looking forward to sharing with my school community.

Tuesday, July 23^rd

Since we just left the subject of teaching and learning new things, during a break-out session today that focused on inclusion, each of the four groups in attendance had to pick an activity to teach.  Since our session had participants from around the world, many activities were selected for demonstration purposes that I would not normally select.  The four activities were rowing, the javelin toss, cricket, and our group selected goal ball.  None of these activities have ever been taught by me in a classroom.  Most of the participants of this session seemed OK with these activities.  Once again, I was the student, feeling left out and uniformed about the activity.  What this taught me was that each student that enters into my classroom, into my school, should be treated with respect and taught at a level that helps to improve their skill, in an inclusive setting.  Maybe this is something I should have already known, maybe I did…maybe I did not always practice.  Either way it is a great reminder to teach to all skill levels and be prepared for multiple skill levels in any classroom. 

I’ll round out my fellowship tales with my last night in Istanbul.  This night I did what I wanted to do the entire time I was there, and finally had the time, resources, and guts to attempt.  I wanted to experience Turkey on my own.  I wanted to leave the comfort and security of the university and the group of people attending the symposium and immerse myself in the city.  I wanted to experience a cab ride, finding a restaurant, shop, and communicate with the locals.  As much fun as this might sound, it terrified the heck out of me to attempt a night like this.  This would be the true coming out of my comfort zone evening.  I had spent all week in Turkey preparing for this night.  I had meat some people from the area that spoke English and they instructed me where to go and how much a cab ride would be.  They wrote down some words for me to share with the taxi driver to get me to and from my final destination and gave me directions as to where to go once I was in the area of the city they guided me.  I was not sure what they meant by get out of the cab and walk there, as I figured the cab would bring me right to the front door of the restaurant.  With phone in hand I flagged down a cab driver and read the few words from my phone that indicated to the driver the city I wanted to visit and where in the city I would like to be released from the cab.  Periodically I would check my phone to make sure we were traveling toward the city of Kadikoy.  All was good as we were approaching Kadikoy, then the map indicated we were in the heart of the city, and then we had gone through the city to the other side, and I was starting to get nervous – where is he taking me?  

Tuesday dinner in Kadikoy

Finally the cab stopped at a beautiful waterfront tourist destination and the cab driver pointed me in a direction.  I was in the middle of this beautiful city with other languages, except English, being spoken, and I was ready to face my fears of not being in control.  I enjoyed the view by the pier for a while and then headed inland away from the water as suggested by my colleagues from the symposium.  After a few block walk I began to see the cobblestone streets that looked like something from a Harry Potter movie and realized that traffic was not allowed on these streets.  I walked up and down most of the area and familiarized myself with the streets and shops, looking to see what might interest me.  

Wonderful waiter

I settled on a neat place that had words in both Turkish and English on the restaurant sign and menu.  The waiter helped me order and also helped me connect my phone to wi-fi with the restaurant’s password.  He asked me to take a picture of him after he saw me take a picture of the restaurant sign.  He was a very polite and refreshing young man, and very helpful and comforting.  He calmed my fears of traveling independently and made sure I was well cared for during my dining experience.  Not sure what I expected - I guess fear can do that to a person. 

After dinner, the waiter pointed me in the direction to the best place to get a cab, and so I walked the two blocks to cab area and jumped in the first cab available.  It was a mini-van and the sliding door was open.  I told the cab driver to take me to Yeditepe and he said something and proceeded to the stoplight.  Then another person hopped in, and then another.  Turns out this cab was communal.  I was not expecting this, although I had read about it so at least I did not panic…to much.  Then a passenger in the front seat turns to me and tells me that this cab will not take me to Yeditepe.  The cab driver, not fluent in English, relayed to other passenger that I wanted to go to Yeditpe, and that I would need to transfer.  I offered to get out and take another cab, the passenger reassured me that I could stay in the cab and that I would get half the way to Yeditepe, and that I would transfer to another cab that would take me to my final destination.  The cab ride continued with the sliding door open, which also concerned me, although I figured since this cab was more like a bus than a cab, it made sense…just unexpected.  At the half way point of my return trip, the other passenger that had been translating for me also got off at my stop and walked/guided me to where I needed to connect with a another communal cab.  I was overwhelmed and grateful for such service and grew more and more appreciative of the friendliness from the citizens of Turkey.  I made it back to my room in time to pack and get two hours of sleep before my 2:00 am wake up call for my flight back home see my family. 

I look forward to sharing with my school community the information gathered from the lessons and break out sessions while attending the symposium.  Thanks FFT and IFAPA.