Sarah Lindell-Gryn ’25, knew that her J Term practicum in Musanze, Rwanda, would be an eye-opening experience. But she didn’t realize it would change her life.
“It was such a humbling experience. I grew very attached to the students and the culture – and I’m thinking about going back after I get my degree.”
Sarah Lindell-Gryn '25
Inclusive Education Major
The mini-practicum, led by Betsy Bloom, professor of education, had 11 students teach for 20 days in both primary and secondary classrooms, collaborating with teachers to plan and conduct daily lessons.
The program combined Bloom’s roles as an instructor and researcher. While her students completed a required mini-practicum, which she oversaw, she also collected qualitative data for her ongoing project, “Health Needs and Strategies for Developing Health Promoting Schools in the Northern Province of Rwanda,” funded through a Hartwick College Faculty Research Grant.
All students received Emerson Foundation International Internship scholarships to fund their travel. They also raised an additional $3,000 from their holiday basket raffle, Krispy Kreme fundraiser and other efforts to bring school supplies, pre-K toys and 120 uniforms to students who couldn’t afford them.
“Lack of school uniforms has been identified as a major cause of chronic school truancy. I was so moved by the hard work and generosity of my students and the Hartwick community, which culminated in 120 students being outfitted in brand new school uniforms.”
Betsy Bloom
Professor of Education
The practicum was a challenge, Bloom said, but all her students rose to the occasion.
“Some of the classrooms have 60 students. The students all have different needs, and there’s a language barrier. But the students were all so bright and such a joy to work with.”
Alaiysia Bonet-King '25
History Major; pursuing certification in Adolescent Social Studies
The experience allowed Bonet-King to explore boundaries and opportunities outside the traditional classrooms she had been used to and broadened her horizons and views on the teacher/learner world.
“I learned so much just working in the classroom,” said Megan Muntzenberger ‘25, an inclusive elementary education major. “I learned different ways of doing lesson planning, classroom management and getting to know students as individual learners.”
The practicum gave Lindell-Gryn the confidence that doesn’t come from just any classroom.
“I was able to teach someone who doesn’t communicate the same way I do,” she said. “And it was humbling. But it also means I can figure out how to communicate with any student I might have going forward.”
In addition to their mini-practicum experiences, students also toured Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali, to marvel over hippos, giraffes and zebras on safari. They also squeezed in a visit to the Dian Fossey museum in Volcanoes National Park.
An impressive $319,119 raised, which surpassed last year’s total by 10%.
Program is set to launch in February 2025.