After travelling the world during her three ‘gap years’, 24-year-old Abbey, gained experience, independence, cultural knowledge and a new perspective. Most of all, these experiences sparked her passion for other cultures.

Upon her return to Australia, Abbey began working as a School Learning Support Officer with her former high school. There she worked with two siblings from Iraq, both living with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy.

It was both her overseas travels and her Learning Support position which inspired Abbey’s passion for teaching, further leading her to study a Bachelor of Education (Primary) - Special Education pathway.

“I am almost certain that if I had gone straight to university after school, I would not currently be studying an education degree, nor would I have had the opportunity to find my passion for teaching English as a second language,” she said.

Scrolling through her university emails one day, Abbey came across an advertisement for the Marigold Co-operation, seeking volunteers to teach English to students at Navodit School in Nepal.

“I was sold. I immediately emailed my expression of interest and was so excited to hear back that I was accepted,” she said.

Although the students have regular English classes and have excellent English capabilities, the staff members asked volunteers to focus on conversational English skills, to help students learn from native English speakers.

“And whilst we are assisting with the mechanics of English, the main objective is to demonstrate what natural English sounds like,” Abbey said.

Abbey was matched up with one of the year five classes.

“Once a week, we’d teach a one-hour lesson and can choose what we focus on and how we teach it. We then share our lessons and ideas with each other, debriefing about what worked well, or not.”

“Some of the lessons so far have included quizzes, PowerPoints, story writing, recounting events (like the Tihar Festival that has just taken place in Nepal), integrating music, art and dance into lessons, and read aloud story book,” Abbey said.

One of Abbey’s biggest standouts in this experience, has been watching her students present in English.

“During my second week with the students, I asked them to prepare a story for me about their experiences at the Tihar festival. They also shared personal photos and drawings to go along with their stories.”

“I learnt so much about Nepali culture, traditions, values, religion and I was in awe of the student's effort to share their stories in fluent English. It was a really special moment for me,” she said.

One of the Navodit School staff members constantly expresses his appreciation and gratitude on behalf of the school, families, and students.

“Their constant display of gratitude shows how fulfilling a career in teaching can be. This incredible experience with Marigold Co-operation is certainly proving to be one of those precious opportunities,” she said.

With plans to graduate at the end of 2022, Abbey aims to gain employment in either a Special Education or English as a second language setting and commence a postgraduate degree in Education.

“I would love the opportunity to travel throughout my future career, teaching English abroad in schools like Navodit in Nepal,” Abbey said.

Study a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at the University of Newcastle

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Abbey Fellows

An experience like no other. Read Abbey's story on her volunteering experience in Nepal.

“I am almost certain that if I had gone straight to university after school, I would not currently be studying an education degree...”