Psychology and history teacher Adam Schwartz had the career opportunity of a lifetime to teach in Iloilo, Philippines for over three weeks during the summer through a program called Teachers for Global Classrooms.

While there, Schwartz taught a psychology class to seniors and met with teachers at Zarraga National High School. “I’ve been applying to (TGC) for years and they send teachers all over the world for experiences like this,” Schwartz said. “[I went to Iloilo because] I’m addicted to travel and cultural exchange.”

Schwartz met with many teachers and discussed teaching techniques among other topics. “It was strange to see the difference in amenities that [they] have. [For example, most classrooms] don’t have [air conditioning]. All the rooms are open air and 60 kids to a class in some places and some didn’t have desks,” Schwartz added.

“[Once] when I showed up and [once] when I left… [the students] performed a dance for me. More than 2,000 kids danced for me and it was in unbelievable heat and humidity, and they just couldn’t have been happier to do it,” Schwartz said. “What I really learned from them was how to treat people… It really changed me.”

“Everyone there is trilingual… so most of them spoke English well enough that I could easily communicate with them… They were the most hospitable people I’ve ever met. They really made me feel loved and welcomed,” Schwartz said. “They couldn’t have been more welcoming.”

Prior to going, Schwartz practiced Tagalog, the official language of the Philippines. When he arrived, he learned that they speak Ilonggo on that island, not Tagalog as he expected. “The first word I learned was ‘dako dako’ which means ‘very fat,’” Schwartz added.

Schwartz  said he was “lucky enough to go to some people’s homes for dinner,” experiencing their culture first hand.

“The students made beautiful gifts for me… I still get messages from them every day asking how I’m doing,” Schwartz added. “I can’t wait to go back there…. More than anything I want to go back and visit the people… who made me feel so welcomed and so loved.”

Gallery • 5 Photos

Social studies teacher Adam Schwartz with his students in the Philippines