3 Reviews

97%Overall
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Program Description
Ratings and Reviews

Program Description

WorldTeach - Volunteer Teaching in Samoa

Description

WorldTeach volunteers in the American Samoa program teach English, math, science, or business courses in public elementary schools and high schools. Volunteers are placed on the main island as well as on several outer islands.

Volunteer Commitment: This program is fully-funded by the Department of Education of American Samoa. The volunteer submits a $2,000 deposit that is fully refundable upon successful completion of the program.

Interview with Quinn Bolander, WorldTeach alum

GO: Why did you decide to teach abroad with WorldTeach in Samoa?

Quinn: After I graduated from college, I was unable to find a full time job in International Education. My dream career is to work in study abroad, and after applying for around 50 positions in the field, I was shot down by all of them. As disheartening and frustrating as it was, I refused to give up. My international experience was limited to a semester in New Zealand, so I took the next step by searching for a position overseas.

I had no idea what type of job to look for, but when I stumbled across the WorldTeach website, I was instantly hooked, despite my lack of experience as a teacher. The first thing to catch my eye about WorldTeach was their extensive list of teaching locations. You can spend a year in places such as Bangladesh, Chile, and even on tiny islands in the South Pacific. I liked that WorldTeach offered locations that would probably not be someones first choice or option for teaching abroad.

As I researched all the locations, my heart was lifted up when I saw that you could spend a year in American Samoa. During my time in New Zealand, I lived next to several Samoans, and they were some of the hardest working and dedicated people that I have ever met. They had left their families, their culture, and their island to get a degree so they could make a future for themselves. I knew that the next chapter of my life needed to be spent in American Samoa, and soon after I applied, I was accepted to teach and volunteer with WorldTeach.

From what my Samoan friends told me, and from what I have learned as a current WorldTeach volunteer in American Samoa, not many students in the Samoan islands get farther than a high school diploma. Besides being able to volunteer my time for a year, my main reason to come to American Samoa was to motivate and educate as many students as I could about the endless opportunities that await them after high school.

GO: Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.

Quinn: A typical day at Leone High School in American Samoa is not so typical at all. Every day is different and I think that this is why I love living here. I arrive at school around 7:45 a.m. and spend the next 45 minutes going over my lessons, moving desks, cleaning my room, and visiting with students that pop in to say hello. School starts at 8:30, and after the students sing and pray, class begins.

I spend the first 10 minutes trying to get my students focused. Classroom management is the biggest challenge for the WorldTeach-ers on the island. Students can be disrespectful, rude, obnoxious, and lazy, but they can also be incredibly smart, dedicated, sweet, and lovable. No matter where you go or what you do, you'll always come across a bump, and you just have to figure out ways to get over it.

I teach three classes in the morning and two after lunch. Lunch comes at the perfect time and it gives me a chance to rest my mind and re-charge for the rest of the day. By the time 3:00 rolls around, I'm exhausted but still happy. I recently started a running club at my school so I spend the next hour or so running and exercising with the students who have joined. It's a good way to end my day at school and it makes me happy to spend time out of class with some of my students.

GO: How has this experience impacted your future?

Quinn: Now that I know how hard it is to be a teacher, I also know that it is one of the most rewarding positions I think a person could have. One smile from a student keeps me going, and even if I am on the verge of tears, I always remind myself that every day is a new day, and that there is no point getting upset. While I have only lived in American Samoa a little over three months, I have already become a stronger person in many ways. I am more confident in myself and I truly understand what it means to be completely independent. Living on an island in the South Pacific and being away from family and the comforts of home definitely has its challenges, but I know that I will leave this place with memories I will keep with me forever.

Following my year here, I still plan on going into the field of International Education. I will soon be applying for graduate school and I hope that my experience as a volunteer teacher will make me a strong candidate for my top schools. I'm not sure where life will take me after I get my Masters degree, but what I do know is that I will always look back on my time in American Samoa as one of the most important and exciting years of my life.

Further Information

Degree Level:

Bachelors Degree

Experience Required:

Languages Learned/Spoken:

English

Travel Arrangements:

Participants Travel to American Samoa in Groups

Application Process:

In-Person Interview when Feasible, Letters of Reference, Phone Interview, Resume, Transcript, Written Application

Ratings and Reviews

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Volunteering in Paradise

90%

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90%Overall
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My roommate and I lived on Ofu Island, accessible only by boat or private plane. We lived in one of the nicest houses in the village and were immediately welcomed into the community. Teaching the children was tough--the school schedule was often inconsistent and the children have a lot of attitude, but helping my students achieve their goals and compete in national competitions was an incredibly fulfilling experience. WorldTeach was an excellent support through the entire year--our Field Director was always around to help when we needed it. The American Samoa program is fully funded, so airfare and all official travel is covered.

Living on a remote island is hard but the lifestyle is so laid-back that it's definitely worth it. If you're looking for an island adventure this is certainly the way to go.

Submitted by garnet58 on 05/05/2012

Reviewer's Bio: Female | Age: 25-30 | Ofu, American Samoa | Experienced Traveler | University of Georgia

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

WorldTeach - Manu'a Tele, American Samoa (outer-island life)

100%

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My year as a WorldTeach volunteer on the small island of Ta'u has been incredible. I taught eight second-grade students at Faleasao Elementary. My students were incredibly well-behaved and such a pleasure to teach. Many elementary students do not speak English beyond a basic, intro level, and are very much behind in other subjects. Words cannot express how incredible it was, as a first year teacher, to see improvements in my students' skills. I was able not only to teach foundational knowledge (reading, addition and subtraction, etc) to my class, but also to begin preparing them for their educational careers (how to be a student--how to study, how to ask questions about a text, etc.) It was difficult at times, but teaching here has been one of the most important things I've ever done.
The schools in American Samoa are under the American Department of Education, and due to the small enrollment at outer-island schools, elementary resources were abundant. We had up-to-date text books for most subjects, new computers and other technological resources, and regular professional development training from the Department of Education.
We lived in a small village, in one of the nicest houses on island, about 30 yards from the ocean. There is no night-life to speak of on Ta'u, but we were surrounded by beautiful beaches, lush vegetation, and a welcoming community of Samoans. We had every opportunity to learn traditional cultural practices--spear fishing, baking in an umu, weaving, Samoan dances (siva Samoa), and speaking the Samoan language. As far as safety goes, there is very little crime on our island (some teenagers broke into a store once but that's all that's happened in 11 months), and there is a tsunami warning system and evacuation procedure in place. I never felt unsafe here. The community is incredibly welcoming.
While is much harder to get certain basic items on an outer-island, the WorldTeach field director was always available to ship whatever resources (either classroom or personal) that we needed. We had extensive cultural and classroom training during orientation, and knew that our Field Director was just a phone call away. I never felt unsafe, unprotected, or alone in the program. Every effort is taken by WorldTeach to ensure that all volunteers are given the information and help they need on island; I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have the support of field staff while living in a new country.
I would recommend this program to anyone who cares about global education and wants to travel with a purpose. WorldTeach is a wonderful organization, and American Samoa is an incredible place to live. I've enjoyed living here so much that I've decided to stay on as a contracted teacher.

Submitted by Cat Queen on 05/04/2012

Reviewer's Bio: Female | Age: 25-30 | Faleasao, Ta'u, American Samoa | Novice Traveler | Kennesaw State University

42 of 81 people found this review helpful

Life as a teacher on the tiny island of AmSam

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I am a current WorldTeach volunteer in American Samoa. I teach English to 105 high school juniors and let me tell you - each and every day is a new, exciting, and challenging adventure. Upon arriving in AmSam, I was nervous to start teaching and to become part of the Samoan community. Now that I have lived here for almost three months, I feel as if I have been here for many years. While the island is extremely small, I always know someone wherever I go and the Samoans are always quick to help or even just say hi. The WorldTeach program has been incredible. Our Field Director and the home office keep in contact with the volunteers and make sure that we are comfortable and happy with our teaching placements and with our living arrangements. No question goes unanswered and there is always someone to talk too if we need to ask for teaching tips or resources! Besides teaching, American Samoa has a lot to offer. I have already climbed mountains, snorkled in turquoise blue water, eaten delicious food from the Samoan umu (the underground oven where they cook their food), and met many friends that I will keep for the rest of my life. What better way to spend a year of your life than on a tropical island in the South Pacific? You won't regret it!