Students in Cornell’s Comparative Education in Europe course made international news in February when the German newspaper, Kreiszeitung, highlighted them during their visit to Bendingbostel, Germany.
Ten students spent Block 6 learning about the educational systems of Germany and Spain. The class was taught by Cornell Program Director of Student Teaching and Education Assessment Beth Globokar.
“The primary course goal was to provide students the opportunity to learn about different education systems in order to compare and contrast them with our U.S. education system,” Globokar said. “Our Cornell students were particularly interested in areas such as student behaviors, varied school schedules, student independence, the collegial nature of the schools, and student movement.”
According to the German newspaper article, the children and teachers of Bendingbostel primary school enjoyed having Cornell’s students visit their classrooms, despite language barriers. By the end of the visit, Cornellians had worked with first through fourth graders, taught one lesson each, and communicated with the children through simple English and gestures.
Senior Jessica Ziemiecki ’26 was deeply impacted by the creative ways she used to communicate with the children. Her favorite moment of the entire trip came two days into her time in the German school.
“One of the 1st graders asked me to sit by her and help her with some work. Mind you, I speak no German, and she speaks no English. I sat with her, and we figured out different ways to communicate with each other, and for the rest of the day, we were communicating about all sorts of things,” Ziemiecki said. “It was a beautiful moment of connection, and even though we spoke no understandable words to each other, it was incredible to see the impact that day had.”
Students also explored Bremen and Hamburg while in Germany before moving on to Spain. Once in Spain, the education students toured Madrid and Alicante. took part in cultural activities such as attending a Flamenco show, and helped teach an English-speaking course to local adult community members.
“Overall, the trip was amazing, mostly because our Cornell students were incredible,” Globokar said. “They were resilient and curious, which makes for great travelers, and they embraced our phrase of: Take care of yourselves and each other.”
The course provided students the opportunity to explore, engage, and connect with people, schools, and the cultures of Germany and Spain. Ziemiecki felt the experience went even further than that.
“Everything I learned on this trip will impact how I approach teaching in my future from different approaches on a student level, to approaches to the education system as a whole,” Ziemiecki said. “Gaining this experience gives me confidence to go into the classroom knowing that I have a range of understanding of many backgrounds, which I can use to help all my students succeed.”