Cebu International School’s new superintendent Deidre Fischer shares her thoughts on the education scene and on finding her feet in a different country. Get a load of what makes Cebu so endearing to the Aussie.

Driving in the Philippines is a different experience. I have driven in every country I have lived in and each country has its own unique perspective to add to my repertoire.  In Beijing it was the sheer volume of traffic; in Denmark it was the combination of high quality roads and the ease of getting anywhere; in Mongolia, driving was like riding horses with reckless abandon. And here in the Philippines you must keep your wits about you at all times as there’s a sheer variety of modes of transport: jeepneys,  tricycles, motorbikes, trucks, buses, pushbikes, pedestrians, horses, etc. To witness how different transport types can fit on a two-lane road and for the most part co-exist, is something intriguing to see.

Living and working in different countries allows me to learn about the country, the people and the culture, and I have found everything very fascinating. What’s wonderful working in international schools is that I get to find jobs all around the world, and thus I develop a far greater inter-cultural understanding than if I had remained living in my home country. The keys to the 21st century are communication skills and the ability to adapt and move in different situations.

I currently work in Cebu International School (www.cis.edu.ph) and not only do I love where I live, but I love my work here in Cebu. The students are respectful, warm and friendly, and the staff are hardworking and constantly seek improvement. CIS is the only internationally accredited school in Cebu; and outside Luzon, it is the only International Baccalaureate Diploma Program school. Our core values and beliefs guide us in everything we say, think and do and we ensure that we prepare our students for a global world with a holistic approach. Our graduates can compete with graduates from other international schools elsewhere in the world. It is an increasingly small world—we are becoming global nomads and we hear terms like Third Culture Kids (TCK). The world is exponentially changing–what we grew up with will not be the same for our younger siblings and children and we know that we have to prepare our students for an ever-changing world.

When I am recruiting teachers in London and Sydney for CIS, I often have to describe Cebu in one sentence and it is usually: Cebu is a beautiful tropical destination with the mod-cons of a city, easy access to nature and the friendliest people in the world. I talk about what Cebu has to offer. I represent the school on the EARCOS board (www.earcos.org). I also represent the region on the IB Diploma Committee in Europe which has representatives from each region. I believe that I also act as an ambassador for Cebu.

I take every opportunity to entice visitors to this beautiful place. I take my visitors to Casa Gorordo Museum which displays the relics and artifacts of Cebu’s rich history.  I take them to Kawasan Waterfall and Boljoon Church. The drive from Carcar, across the western side of the island and down to Kawasan, is interesting and enjoyable, while the painted wooden ceiling of the Boljoon Church is breathtaking. I’ve lived in Mongolia for some time and I find similarities between that country and the Philippines. Both cultures place high importance on extending hospitality to visitors to their homes and country.

 

photography Katya Zialcita