meanwhile, in Ranum...

Ranum is a really small city in Denmark, it is so small that even facebook doesn’t know where is when I tried place my current city. Ranum has basically 3 streets with 1 market, 2 bars, and 1 flower shop. There is also a clothes shop, but it is always close when I pass by there. And there is also a board indicating a pizzeria, but I never saw. Of course, there is a church too, how every town in the countryside. Ranum is that kind of place where life goes slow and calm… Ranum is this kind of place that when you are new in the city, everyone knows that you are new and when you visit the markey, the girl in the cash desk knows that you are “Rafaela, from Brazil” and invited you to do something some day.

Just turn left, there is the market.

Only in Ranum, I was on my way back home after my daily visit to the market to check the offers, when really old lady standing in front of her house call me with hands signs. I could not explain to her that my only words in Danish is “skål” and “tak” and that I really don’t have idea what she is asking me to do… So, l desperate left my stuffs in her house, and run back to the market and asked some students that were in the market, to go there and check for me, what was happening! Fortunately, she only could not dial someone, and she asked for help her to dial the number…

The Danish Efterskole is a residential school, where students from ages of 14 to 18 can choose to spend one, two or three years to finish their primary education. Compared to public schools the Efterskole has a substantial freedom, also has something to offer both educationally and socially, because the students live together. The teachers are responsible for teaching and supervision outside of schools hours, this means that students and teachers are together all day and this often opens up for a close, personal and non-formal relationship between students and teachers.

Ranum Efterskole.

Ranum Efterskole has normal subjects, like Math, Danish and English. But also students can choose among dance, music, fashion design, media, singing, diving lessons… The students have a schedule to follow, they have a time to wake up and to go bed, they have to clean the room, they help in the kitchen and sometimes they clean the school. They have a good time here! As same as in Ranum, Ranum Efterskole goes slowly. There is not too much pressing by teachers and the students can do whatever they feel to do. I should encourage them to talk about Human Rights and Racism and they are nice in my lessons. I really wanted that they could participate more, but I feel happy when they participated a little. Also, I am trying follow “Media Class”. My first participation was to try show them, that More important than know how work in a specific software is know how be creative. After, the class did a brainstorming exercise and I give them so ideas to develop an advertisement for the “Ranum Open Day” that will be this Sunday. On Sunday, Efterskole in Denmark will be open for people that want to know more about this Danish school model. 

The left roof-window is my room!

I will be here in Ranum for 2 weeks more…While that, I am working in my stuffs, reading, watching movies, wasting time at internet, taking pictures, trying be a good teacher… ow, and I almost forgot to say, I have my own room! After 9 months, I have my little space! And I really like this… :)

Finally my British bear and my Bengali bee have a bed.

And if I feel bored, I can go to the church and watch the sunset.