One time in Bangkok, I was walking around the streets by myself in the heat of the summer. By accident, I tripped and fell down on the sidewalk. After I got myself up, something felt extremely wrong. I walked around for a bit, but I didn’t know what was wrong and I started to panic.
I found a taxi and decided to have him take me to my hotel. At first, the driver said a price for the taxi ride. I would have paid whatever, but I immediately started crying. The taxi driver immediately lowered the price (I originally got the tourist price I guess) and became very worried for me.
I got to the hotel, but then immediately realized that I needed to get to the hospital ASAP. I got into another taxi and arrived at a local hospital in Bangkok. When I first got in, they helped me immediately (remember I’m still on my own and don’t know how to speak Thai). The nurses put me on a gurney, and then started to proceed opening my backpack. I got stressed about that and was getting confused. I found out later that they were putting my valuable things into a safe place. How nice! But the nurses didn’t speak English, so there wasn’t a way of knowing what was going on when it was happening.
I was seen quite quickly by a doctor or maybe even two doctors. The problem was that I had a dislocated shoulder (first time it happened to me). They put it back in its place. And even though I was drugged a bit, I had to be on my way. I sincerely thanked them all I hope, but years later I had thought to send a thank you note to that hospital for such a kind and helpful experience there.
After searching the keyword ‘hospital‘ using our Comments Search function on our website (premium access required), we found 210 comments. Here are 9 of them that give some insight into the hospital experience in different countries around the world.
“They are just now implementing a level of international health insurance so will have more information about that later. The current uses the local system which is all in Lithuanian so can make it difficult to get seen as you have to go to an assigned doctor (who speaks little English) and to an assigned hospital. It is very difficult without knowing Lithuanian.”
“Health insurance is great and comprehensive. You’ll be provided with a list of fully covered hospitals and dentists and those that are co-pay. The hospitals are great. I’ve not had any bad experiences. When I had a dental emergency I paid up front and was able to claim it all back.”
“The insurance is quite good in Maracaibo and in the USA. The doctors are trained, but hospitals are not equipped to serve patients right now. The price for medical care has increased by 10 fold in one year. It is a terrible situation for Venezuelans and foreigners who get sick.”
“Health insurance works ok. Most hospitals for foreigners have a direct billing accord with the insurance. More hospitals are getting built at the moment and there a few very decent expat hospitals but they are also money making machines. Local hospitals are ok but can be a very different experience.”
“Insurance is great. That said, most go to Bangkok or Singapore for yearly check ups and anything requiring a knife. Used a local hospital for PT and found it very ineffective. Okay for stitches or advice on passing a kidney stone. Super cheap MRI and X-rays. AISD has a on-site clinic that most use for colds, flu, dengue, vaccinations, etc.”
“Local hospitals [in Bangkok] vary – government hospitals usually have good doctors working off their government college loans; private hospitals are quite flash and many have decent reputations. International hospitals can be quite pricey, and while their reputation may sound great they can sometimes not provide the same value for service as the private and government hospitals.”
“School covers AETNA insurance. It is worldwide coverage EXCLUDING the USA. Local hospital is conveniently located near school. HR and Operations is very helpful to support new employees on any medical issues, even accompanying to the hospital if needed to support translation. You can generally find hospital staff who speak fluent English. Signage is bilingual. All health providers are located under the roof of the “hospital“”
“We currently have international insurance through Clements. I’ve been very happy with them. When my child was in the hospital, all that was required from me was a quick call and then they negotiated the payment with the hospital‘s accounting office. Doctor’s fees are quite reasonable in Japan, so for most charges, I pay cash and then have the reimbursements put through to my USA bank account. I am able to make my claims through an app on my phone and it is wonderful and quick. Reimbursements usually come within 2 weeks or so.”
Sharon (Pseudonym) and I arrived back in Shanghai yesterday morning, after a quick decision to return before it became difficult.
We travelled from Edinburgh and transited in Paris before on to Shanghai. In Edinburgh and Paris it was business as usual; no questions, no extra measures, nobody wearing masks. Until we got to the gate where we boarded the plane to Shanghai. Here the passengers were all masked up as were the crew. Masks were to be worn for the full 12-hour flight. Temperature checks were taken as we boarded, then again mid-flight and before landing. Blankets, pillows, headphones were not distributed due to containment measures. There was a seating area sectioned at the rear of the plane along with toilet facilities, for anyone who showed symptoms of COVID-19 during the flight. Before landing we completed paper and online health declarations.
On landing, we were held on the plane, and called off in batches. We stepped into a different world, where all airport staff were in body suits, masks, visors, gloves. The airport had been configured to create channels for passengers to move through with stops to revisit health forms, complete more information and do temperature checks. We then passed through immigration (which was super-quiet) before being guided to an area where we reported to a regional team. Again, more health declarations and information gathered before being escorted to pre-arranged pick-ups or to pre-arranged buses provided by the airport. During this process, we were awarded a sticker (green – yellow – red) which determined our next course of action. We were accompanied to a driver who was waiting for us, to continue our journey home.
When we arrived at our housing compound, we were greeted by a team of ten people, made up of a doctor, local health team and compound management. Again, health declarations and temperature checks, before being taken into our home and our quarantine commencing. As David (Pseudonym) lives in the house too, he has to undertake quarantine with us, or we would have been taken to a quarantine facility.
So, we are home now and will remain indoors for the next two weeks. We did an online shopping order which was delivered to the gates. Then the compound guards left it outside our door for us, texting us when it was clear for us to bring the goods inside.
There are two lenses to view this through: fear or safety. Fear, due to the unpredictability of the situation, the rapidly changing climate and lack of control. I did have a couple of moments. One where I had one foot in the amusing rabbit hole of ‘This is what it probably felt like when trying to smuggle ET to his spaceship’, then the other of ‘What if Sharon and I get separated. How do I know where she may be? What would be happening/ what could be?’ The what-ifs were lurking, waiting to grab and sink their sharp little teeth in. Families were kept together through the process. There were staff available to speak different languages and although there was uncertainty, it was very efficient and organised.
This is a country where health is priority. Containment measures are put in place to ensure the health of all citizens. Social responsibility is empowered as we are required to put others first by undertaking quarantine, to avoid any possible contamination. Everyone is mobilised to do their part for the community. Do I feel scared? The unknown is always a little scary. Do I feel safe? Absolutely. I know that the virus is a priority and is being taken very seriously. The actions of the country reflect this.
If you are planning your return – some tips: • Make sure you have your own headphones. • Dress in layers – the plane was cold, the airport was hot. • Have extra snacks and water with you so that you can keep the hanger away whist you wait to leave the plane/get home. • Bring distractions for kids. Talk to them about how staff will be dressed in the airport and that there will be temp checks etc. • Got to the toilet before you leave the plane. Facilities in the airport are on lock down. • Carry wipes. It can get hot and a little uncomfortable in the heat as you wait. • Do an online shop that can get delivered as you arrive home. • If you do not have a thermometer at home, buy one before you return. You will need to report your temp if in quarantine. • Be mentally prepared for quarantine, either at home or in a facility, and pack a few treats to help you through it all.
Safe travels…and stay positive! If you are alone, keep in touch with someone in Shanghai and don’t be afraid to reach out as you go through the process! A reassuring text is enough to keep you calm.
This article was submitted by an ISC member living in Shanghai, China
Insights from a Middle School Teacher at Saigon South International School
As we head into our fifth week of Virtual School in Vietnam, I think back to the day it was
announced that students would not be returning to campus due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
This was late on a Sunday evening, but the next day, teachers came to campus as usual. By
the end of that Monday, our middle school had our Virtual School platform up and running.
The credit for such a successful start goes to the organization and communication of our
principal, as well as the willingness of our unified staff to tackle the challenge together. We
were fortunate to have positive support and clear direction from Day 1.
There are quite a few structures and strategies that have helped us be successful. The
uniformity across our middle school at Saigon South International School has helped create
stability and positive experiences for our students and staff. For those of you just getting
started, I’d like to share some of the approaches that have worked well for us:
Preparation
–For those of you who have not started Virtual School, make sure students take home their
notebooks/books every day. You likely won’t know in advance if your school will close.
Likewise, as a teacher, take your needed items home each day. We’re allowed on campus to
work, but in some countries, no one is allowed on campus.
–Determine if there can be a pick-up location for students or parents to get materials, books,
or other items they may need from the classroom. For our school, this is outside of our
security and health checkpoints, not in our secure campus grounds.
Pacing
–Realize that you can’t keep to the same lesson pace as you would in the classroom. It’s okay
to have lessons that extend over two classes. It’s okay to change pacing to fit your students’
digital capabilities and digital access. It’s okay to have check-in days to make sure students
are ready to move on to the next teaching point. As professionals, we are always modifying
for our students’ needs and if pacing has to adjust, we have to tell ourselves that it’s okay!
–Give estimated times for completing each part of a lesson. Having these as guidelines will
help students with understanding expectations and help them with time management. It also
helps teachers plan better. We don’t really know how long it will take kids in their home
environment – and we can’t see how long it is taking them. This allows us to figure out what
adjustments need to be made.
Simplicity
–Definitely keep it simple. Estimate that students can do about 1/2 of what they can do in
class for the time given. Some students may need more time, or 1-1 instruction through video
conferencing.
–Give clear, simple, numbered directions for each assignment. Remember that not all of our
students speak English as a first language, and even for those that do, simple, short directions
are best. For example:
1. Open this slideshow.
2. Find the document called: “5. Narrative Ideas” in your Google Drive.
3. As you read the slides, complete the matching sections in your document.
4. When you are finished, submit your document through PowerSchool Learning.
5. Due Date: 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10th.
Formatting
–Keep your format for delivery the same for each lesson. For my own Virtual Classroom
lessons, I have slideshows for each lesson which are uploaded to PowerSchool Learning, our
school’s online learning platform. I’ve found that keeping my slideshow presentation for each
lesson and creating a matching document in their Google Drive is easiest for my students.
The slideshow often includes a video of me teaching as one of the slides.
–Start a numbering system in their Google Drives. I suggest your first virtual assignment
being called: 1. (And whatever it’s name is). You’ll thank yourself later when you’re going
through 10+ documents for 100+ kids!
—-Have all class lesson directions delivered in the same format for all subjects. Unify the
layouts of pages where students will find information for each class. This was managed by
our IT director and administration. On our first day, every teacher immediately created a
“Virtual School” page that every student would land on when they went to any PowerSchool
Learning class. This page has identical layouts for all subjects, making it easier for students
to find what they need.
Consistency in Times
–Consistent timing across a division is important. At our middle school, all teachers post their
lessons at the same time each day. This time is between 7:30-8:00 a.m. All assignments are
due at the same time as well (9:00 p.m. to allow students to help younger siblings at home
during the day.) This allows for students, whether in or out of country, to access information
at the same time each day, as well as only having one time to remember for submission
deadlines.
–We’ve encouraged our students to stay on a school schedule, and to check in with their
classroom teacher at the beginning of each class block. We know how important it can be to
have routines in an abnormal situation, for both physical and emotional well-being. The
feedback we have received is that having a routine as close to regular school as possible is
helping our students to view this experience as Virtual School, rather than, “having a lot of
homework.”
–Students are asked to check in for the first 20 minutes of each block via Google Meet. I go
over the new lesson, answer questions, and clarify directions. More often than not, students
are desiring interaction. They love to see their classmates online, and even though it isn’t the
same, seeing their faces virtually always makes my day better as well! After the first 20
minutes, anyone can stay and work via video conference with me.
Structures for Feedback
–The structures we have in place for feedback have been incredibly helpful. Our
administrator sends weekly surveys to students and we use these to monitor who we can
reach out to on a regular basis. We track responses week-by-week to see change over time,
to determine how our students are feeling about their learning, and to see where we can
improve. We know that our students have academic needs and socio-emotional needs, and
our feedback systems focus on both. If your school has an advisory system, I’d encourage
you to capitalize on advisory teachers’ relationships with students as you ask students for
feedback.
Structures for Tracking and Helping Students
–Our administration also has systems in place for monitoring which students need help,
tracking missing assignments, and setting up “case managers” for students who need extra
support. These have worked very well. From using the analytics of PowerSchool Learning, to
keeping track of contact with every student in Google Sheets, we can see the history of
personal outreach to each student in our middle school.
–All of our teachers and staff reach out to individual students each day by video chats or
phone calls, but we are also case managers for students who are struggling. We reach out to
these students more frequently. For the three students I help, I talk with them 3-5 times a
week. We set up plans for learning together, and I cheer them on as they finish assignments.
I also encourage them to join their class chats with other teachers. The more contact we have
with our students, the better it is for all of us!
Keeping Up the Fun!
–We’ve kept up what makes middle school fun for our students, too. House Leagues are still
happening, our latest trivia being, “Which Teacher Sang That Song?” A weekly video on
Mondays is sent out for House Leagues, with jokes, wigs, funny hats, and point results all
included.
–Videos are loved by our students! We are sending weekly fun videos on Fridays to the
students from our entire MS staff. So far we’ve had TikTok challenges, “SSIS Without You,”
and a video montage that included Marz, the science classroom lizard. Our principal is the
positive force behind these videos, and they are a huge hit.
–Our librarian has set up a system for daily library book check-outs. She has even wrapped
up books as “blind dates” for students to enjoy, and there were a plethora of pink and
red-wrapped books on Valentine’s Day! Students could pick them up in a delivery area outside
of school grounds from 9-3, and they are disinfected upon return. Our Book Bingo reading
challenge continues as well.
–In my own classroom, we are going to have a “Battle of the Memes” next week with
student-generated memes connected to their analysis of Greek literature. I also have a joke
ready for my class each day when they log on for our Virtual Class. When students finish all
of their assignments, I’ve been known to dance on our video chats.
Wellness
–Wellness for our staff is highly encouraged and supported. People care for each other at
SSIS. We invite each other to go off campus and eat lunch. We get each other out of the
classroom to take walks outside. Our P.E. department organizes daily activities to get us
moving. Our Sunshine Committee provides healthy snacks and smoothie vouchers at a
nearby cafe. We meet at the coffee pot, and we take breaks as needed. We listen, cheer
each other on, and understand that this is tough and that we are there for each other.
–As a staff, we recognize that some days are great and we’re super productive, and other
days it’s hard to even open up another student folder to give feedback. These are the times
when we reach out to the teacher next door for perspective (and perhaps some chocolate).
Lots of grace for others and for ourselves is encouraged.
Finally, I have to say that the support and clear direction from my administrators has been
fantastic. Our middle school leadership team is strong and unified. They are a critical
connection between administration and teachers, as we are not allowed to have large-group
gatherings. I am very fortunate to have such a positive and supportive school in an uncertain
time.
While we all eagerly await for the day our students can return (I have promised to throw paper confetti and dance, much to the delight of my students), we know that the structures we have in place are working, and we are modifying all the time to improve them. While we may only see our students through a screen for the unforeseen future, I’d like to think that our relationships with them are even stronger, as we face this unique situation together. I wish the same for you and your students as well.
Erin Johnson is a Language Arts and Digital Literacy teacher at Saigon South International School. Along with her husband, she taught in China, Indonesia, South Korea, and the U.S. prior to coming to Vietnam. Erin is involved in leading students in Global Issues Network Club and believes that Service Learning should be a foundational component of a K-12 curriculum. Her interests include curriculum development, strategy board games, reading, and coffee. You can connect with her at ejohnson@ssis.edu.vn
