Each year Calvert Catholic High School seniors are asked to do a service project to promote a cause or discuss a specific topic; this year Austin Schultz chose to teach younger students that there is more out there than just the United States.
Schultz came up with the idea for his senior project while volunteering to paint a world map on the parking lot at Calvert Elementary School.
"(At the time) I had no other ideas for my senior project," Schultz said. "I thought it was a great idea and a great opportunity."
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PHOTO BY NICOLE WALBY
Joe Moore, director of the International Culture Center, leads a game teaching third-grade students at Calvert Elementary about Central America.
"I think a lot of kids, including myself, sometimes have difficulties grasping the size of the world," he said.
Wednesday, which was International Culture Day, Shultz combined resources from Heidelberg and Tiffin universities, the International Culture Center and several teachers and administrators at Calvert to execute his project.
Grades 3-6 were given presentations by students from several countries, including China, Bangladesh, India and Libya.
Each international student offered examples from their home country, including food, games, hobbies and traditions Americans might not know of.
Brothers Abdu El Fargani and Kaiser El Fargani of Libya told of the places they loved to visit and why they came to Tiffin.
They also taught the sixth grade class how to play a popular Libyan marble game.
Students also were shown part of a series called "Families of the World," which is narrated by children and demonstrates how they live by going through their daily routines.
Schultz had many meetings to prepare for the project's execution.
"Scheduling was the biggest hassle," Schultz said.
"Having four different grades with all their activities on the same day and trying to make sure that there was enough time for everything to be done," he said.
The project was a learning experience for the elementary students and Schultz.
"I have learned how to work with people and that we take very simple things for granted in the U.S." Schultz said.
"The message I wanted to get to the younger students was to know that everyone is not as fortunate in the world," he said. "I also wanted them to learn that (people in other parts of the world) are just like us, but just live differently."
