Melodie Nkurunziza
Having always been surrounded by many different people and cultures, Melodie was captivated by the idea of making classrooms inclusive to all cultures – and having the opportunity to travel to gain experience. Born in the Netherlands, raised in Belgium, Burundi and Rwanda, she was looking for something and somewhere that would give her a fresh start but with a sense of familiarity. Studying International Teacher Education for Primary Schools (ITEPS) in the Netherlands proved the answer.
“I knew I wanted to return to Europe but didn’t really know what I wanted to do except for the fact that I wanted to work with children and have a positive impact on their lives. Just like my teachers had had on me. Going through bachelor’s degrees related to education, I stumbled upon the ITEPS website. Reading through what the aim is, what subjects it covers and the opportunities it gives to be truly international, it felt right. I asked family, friends and a schoolteacher if they thought it was a good fit for me... the answer was yes. My teacher told me it was precisely what I needed as the programme would bring out qualities she has seen in me over the years. That helped me be confident with my decision, but it didn’t mean I wasn’t nervous. I was already picturing myself as a primary school teacher but who was I going to be studying with?”
A spot for everyone
“As it turns out, ITEPS has a very nice and open atmosphere. People aren’t afraid to show who they are and what they stand for, whether it’s through their clothes or conversations. I think there’s a spot for everyone to fit in here at ITEPS. Being open-minded is part of what a programme like this is about as we have to be open to all perspectives and consider them, whether we agree or not. And there’s a real focus on the international aspect of teaching, such as involving the students’ cultures and identities to create a sense of familiarity, or encouraging them to have a broader perspective by being inclusive and working together. The opinions and thoughts of my lecturers and fellow students help me see things in a different light.”
Opportunities and hard work
“I like all the opportunities we are given in order to be truly international. There are different ways of going abroad, from spending an exchange semester elsewhere to doing teaching practice. I think it really reinforces the international perspective of teaching as we both teach in an international school and are surrounded by that country’s language, food, culture and landscapes for a longer period of time. As fun as teaching practice may sound (and is), it’s followed by a heavy workload. It’s sometimes hard to get out of the bubble of enjoyment, peace and teaching your own class and return to being a student again.”
Making an impact
“This might sound silly, but I was once asked to think about a time in life that I really liked and had an impact on me. Those moments would then help me choose my career. For me, it was my time in primary school. I discovered so many things about myself during that time, thanks to the interactions and teachers I had back then. Many things happen in a child’s life and they get put on display at school, such as experiencing social injustices outside the four walls of the classroom. Supporting them by giving them the tools to navigate this world is my way of impacting the next generation. And what I’m learning on the ITE programme is giving me, or at least helping me, find the keys, to being my ideal kind of teacher.”