International Day Mexico - Part I

The fourth event in the Planet Georgetown series, International Day Mexico hosted twelve eighth-grade students from Al Wajba Independent Preparatory School for Girls this afternoon. A full morning’s worth of activities tested and expanded Al Wajba’s knowledge of Mexican history and culture.

To welcome Al Wajba, students were led through a mock review by Planet Georgetown’s Passport Control as well as traditional Latin American songs and a game of Mexican trivia.  

Students received an hour of class time facilitated by Project Coordinator, Kathryn King, and SFS-Qatar students, Tara Makarem (’11) and Kawthar Ahen (’11).  During this time, mapping and writing exercises challenged the students to identify significant Mexican cities as well as Mexico’s borders with the US and Central America.   Students also learned about Mexican currency and the various historical figures printed on the peso Mexicano.  After a short Spanish language tutorial, students practiced several key phrases in Spanish and learned about the language’s origins. 

 

Class time wrapped up with a video that introduced the youth to Mexico’s capital, Mexico City. The video provided a glimpse at modern-day Mexico City – its cuisine, diversity of lifestyles, and ecological concerns – as well as its ancient inhabitants, the Aztec Indians. 

 

Students were given a break for outdoor fun and games, allowing them to work up an appetite for a full spread of traditional Mexican finger foods that awaited them for lunch.  The smells of homemade guacamole, fajitas, and ceviche drew a number of students, staff, and faculty of SFS-Q into the food lounge, giving Al Wajba the opportunity to meet and mingle with the greater Georgetown community.   

Art time capped off the day’s events.  The girls learned to craft their very own paper flowers, which are traditional décor in Dia de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo celebrations.  Within minutes, students created full bouquets of paper blooms to take home along with their certificates of participation.

The Office of Educational Enrichment wishes to thank Al Wajba Independent Preparatory School for Girls and all SFS-Q staff and faculty who helped make International Day Mexico a great success!