I see the ONL course as a journey: not a package tour closed in a rigid framework of sights to see but a backpacking trip which lets you surrender to the current of events, stop not necessarily at the greatest attractions, but reflect for a moment at a fallen trunk and absorb the atmosphere of the moment. The traveller makes his own choices, decides on the paths he wants to follow, either he makes a detour or takes a shortcut, but nevertheless heads in a certain direction.

At first the stress ate away at me, I was compact, ready and alert, trying to figure out what was expected of me. Although the feeling of uncertainty stayed with me for the next meetings, the stress evaporated completely. It was replaced by curiosity combined with eager anticipation. The feeling of being part of a group was extremely powerful. I was not afraid of critically disapproving looks. My right to not know something was respected and help was kindly offered. It gave me a great sense of comfort. The tasks set for us turned out to be manageable as a group, although individually they could be quite troublesome. The diversity of abilities, experiences and perceptions were key to our collaboration.

Definitely, the course was very inspirational in terms of digital tools, some of which I am certainly going to use to make my courses more interactive, with visual effects and gaming elements. Being a learner gave me an insight into my students’ perspective and what they may need or feel uncomfortable with. It made me examine my teaching conscience an have an honest insight into my own work: so I was happy to find out that there are things I do right. I could name the issues that worry me or verbalise my fears. I could reflect on what my weaknesses are and compare my experience with the others’.  It is extremely reassuring that many of us share similar experience and problems. Thus, developing solutions becomes so much easier. Being exposed to such a great diversity of temperaments in the group, unique sense of humour, approaches, backgrounds and attitudes to life, I look differently at the international groups I teach. It strikes me how much many students’ expectations and their way of communicating are culturally conditioned. Some of the differences are so abstract that I cannot believe they are real. The model of learning modes provided at the end of the course corresponds very nicely with various models of cultural differences (by Lewis or Hofstede), the knowledge of which is of great help when managing international groups. Certainly, in order to respond to such diverse needs, you have to be able to balance and use different management or leadership styles. Keeping an open mind is crucial. In order to achieve this, you have to come out of your shell of personal comfort, try, test, expose yourself, act outside the box and face the unknown. It stimulates the mind, diversifies your perspectives and consequently broadens your horizons. In that respect, ONL was a great lesson 🙂