Teaching and Learning Environment is Different

The teaching and learning environment in a foreign country, Mondragon University, Spain, is completely different from that in my country, Bhutan. I cannot say which one is better—the practice adopted in Bhutan or the practice adopted in Spain.

Learning takes place here because there is constant communication between tutors and students. Classes are friendly, and students can ask any question without hesitation. One interesting thing I have noticed is that students use personal computers (PCs) and utilize them very effectively. They use search engines like Google to find answers to questions. Tutors do not even come around to check whether students are using the PCs effectively—they trust their students very much.

In comparison, in Bhutan, there is little interaction between students and tutors. Students often hesitate to communicate with tutors, and the gap between students and tutors still exists. If students were given a chance to use PCs in a classroom with Wi-Fi available, I am sure many would misuse the platform (for example, Facebook). I admit that I even misused the platform here at Mondragon University, Spain.

Formality in the Classroom

In Bhutan, students maintain good decorum with tutors. They know how to respond to tutors respectfully.

In Spain, however, decorum is different. We can address our tutors by their first names, and the relationship is much less formal. Students show less outward respect toward tutors, at least in the way Bhutanese students do.

During my stay in Spain, I will learn about their culture and, if possible, adopt the best practices in our country.

Finally, a question to the reader: Which culture is better?

My Nostalgia in Spain.

                            

Pose near university

Mondragon University.

It was 16:00 hours when I arrived in Spain (Mondragon University, MU) on 1st September. Miss Adrune, the international coordinator of the Interweave Project, guided me to reach my residence. There were two female students from MU who took me to my room and explained everything available in it: how to use the items in the room, where the toilet and bathroom were, where the sitting area was, and how to cook, all with their limited English.

I was alone in the room, as my three roommates—one from Slovakia and two from Italy—were yet to arrive on 3rd and 4th September, respectively. My friends from Bhutan and Nepal were living in different residences. The deepest sorrow of being alone in Spain, after traveling all the way from Asia (Bhutan), was something I could only describe as “My Nostalgia in Spain.” Tension after tension kept flowing nonstop. The language I speak was not understood by them, and the language they spoke was incomprehensible to me, creating a significant language barrier. The food they ate felt tasteless to me, and the food I was used to could not be found here. My nostalgia in Spain became even more intense as I deeply missed my loving parents. No matter how kind the people of Spain were or how hospitable they showed themselves to me, it could not replace the love and care my parents give me.

Although my mind was overwhelmed by “my nostalgia of Spain,” I still had deep faith in God Almighty, my only root teacher (Tsa-Wai-Lam), and gratitude toward my parents. I continued to follow my daily routine of praying in the morning and evening before bed.

To ease my nostalgia, I decided to visit my friends’ residences, where Keshav from Nepal and Anup Thapa, my friend from Bhutan, were staying. They were lucky enough to have a Spanish roommate named Joseba, who is pursuing a Master’s in Electrical Engineering. He helped us a lot. Thank you, Joseba—you are the first Spanish friend I added to my friend list after arriving here.

My only and unique brother, Gom Dorji.

Gom Droji and Jigme Zangpo

We Are Brothers by Fate

We are brothers by fate, and I am happy to be his brother. Growing up in the same family, I have many memories that have comforted my lonely mind whenever I think of them. Unlike other brothers who are not always together, we have always stayed close—until I left for Spain for the exchange program scholarship.

We studied in the same pre-primary school in our village. In 2003, I separated from my brother and went to Lauri Primary School to complete my Class Six. In 2004, while he was still in Class Six in the village, I was in Minjiwoong Lower Secondary School, studying in Class Seven. We were together again in 2005 at Minjiwoong School, where we even shared the same bed. Unfortunately, I fell ill in 2005 and could not attend the final exams. But instead of feeling unhappy in 2006 for missing a year, I was happy to study together with my brother. From that point onward, we were always in the same grade.

At Nanglam Middle Secondary School, we were in the same class (IX A) and shared the same bed. We completed Class X peacefully in 2008, in the same class and same bed.

The results of the Bhutan Certificate of Secondary Education (BCSE, Class X) were declared in February 2009. We both qualified for Class 11 and were placed in Nangkor Higher Secondary School. He was in 11 Science B, and I was in 11 Science A, but we shared the same room. We completed our +2 studies at Nangkor in 2010.

The Bhutan Higher Secondary Education Certificate was declared at the end of January 2011. We both joined College of Science and Technology to become Engineer. 

Looking back at where we are today and where we came from, we are proud of our hard work and determination. Three years of college have gone by, and the days and nights we spent together in the same room for six semesters were truly wonderful. You obeyed me as I was your brother, but brother, I am sorry that I could not obey you as much as you did. That is my only lingering regret when we are no longer together. I now realize the value of respect and obedience. Once again, I am sorry, my dear brother Gom Dorji. Please forgive me for being impolite sometimes. I am happy because you always understood my nature.

Brother, I shall always strive to keep our bond of brotherhood strong, now and forever. I have great expectations from you that you will unite our family as a family should be.

Now that you are in your final year, my hope and deepest prayer are that you always remain true to yourself, stay away from negative friends, and continue to care for our precious parents.

Your brother will be in Spain for 10 months, missing you all.

With affection,
Jigme Zangpo

My visa for Spain has been approved.

Finally, I received my Spain visa after almost a month since submitting my documents. Thank you to everyone who helped me obtain the visa. Now everything is ready, and I am prepared to leave for Spain.

On 1st September 2014, I will be traveling to Spain via Brussels, the capital of Belgium.

Emotion of Departure

From 7th to 12th August 2014 was a truly memorable time—a moment of happiness. The reason I consider it a moment of happiness is that I was able to meet my parents and relatives. However, that happiness was only temporary.

The moment of happiness turned into a moment of sorrow as soon as I said my final goodbye to my parents and relatives. It became even more painful when I saw tears of love and care falling from my mother’s eyes. I consoled her by saying that I would return soon. I am going for a good purpose—I am not going to die, nor am I going to stay there permanently.

I will always remember your sweet words of advice to become a good son. My affection and care for my parents and relatives will never leave my mind as long as I live. I will make all of you realize my true love and care.

My only prayer is to meet all of you again in good health, just as before, when I return.

Documents submitted.

                                    

It was on day 4 in New Delhi I could submit the documents to the office of Spain Embassy, New Delhi. I could submit documents within few days because of staffs of VISA section in Bhutanese Embassy being supportive. Visa Officer Mr. Jigme Norbu coordinates the procedure of Visa processing sequentially. He requests his visa assistance (Indian) and driver to reach us to desire destination. We have to go to Hospital to withdraw Medical Certificate, go to Jawaharlal Nehru University to get Medical Certificate translated in to Spanish.  

Finally all the procedure was completed and documents was submitted to office of Spain Embassy, New Delhi. Verbal interview is conducting. Why you are going? Who sponsor you? What course you are going to take? Which university you are going to? From which university you are going? For how long you are going to stay?

I would like to thank Mr. Jigme Norbu, Visa officer at Royal Bhutanese Embassy, New Delhi for rendering full support and guidance. I also thank all your assistance visa staffs (Indian) and drivers for helping me.

Address

New Delhi
Royal Bhutanese Embassy,
Chandragupta Marg,
Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi 110021.
Phone : 91-11-26889230 / 9809 / 9807
Fax : 91-11-26876710 / 24674664 / 24102231   

Better to be alone than one direction friend.

  

Friends are important, and we all need friends. To become friends with certain people, we have to observe and understand them before truly forming a friendship. There are many friends who are ready to ruin your life. There are friends who never listen to advice from their parents or elders. There are friends who are always happy to do mischievous deeds rather than meritorious ones. Friends who do not possess the qualities of a good friend should be avoided. However, we should try to help friends who have gone off track and guide them in the right direction. Whether they want to come back on track or not, we must at least try to correct them. Those who truly want to change will change.

Bad friends will ruin your life if you blindly follow their lead. Be friends with all types of people, both good and bad, but you should always be able to make your own decisions after considering the influence of your friends. If you cannot make decisions on your own, it is better to be alone than to be a one-direction friend. You can survive without friends.

I will always remain in my own world if I am with one-direction friends.