“Language is a form of communication...” - Interview with director of ``TTTE`` camp Kathleen Freis, by Arbër Kadriu (14), Kosovo

“Language is a form of communication...”
Interview with director of ``TTTE`` camp Kathleen Freis
by Arbër Kadriu (14), Kosovo

Arbër Kadriu: What’s TTE camp? What’s the reason of this camp?
Kathleen Freis: TTTE Camp stands for “Teaching Tolerance Through English.” I believe the purpose of this camp is to invite people to talk about their differences and similarities, to find common understandings, respect each other’s opinions, and to learn new ways of seeing the world around us.
A: Do you think teaching tolerance has a connection with teaching English?
K: Absolutely, I believe that language is a form of communication and we need to communicate, to listen and to develop good questions to learn more about one another, how to live and work together and how to be more effective in how we express ourselves.
A: How many students and teachers are here? Where are they from?
K: There are 70 students and 14 teachers and they are from Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro, Kosovo, Romania, and Serbia as well as 2 language specialists from the U.S. and 8 camp counselors from Hungary, Slovenia and the U.S.
A: Do you think the campers can use the knowledge they gained here at home?
K: Absolutely! I would like to ask you this question, actually, since you are one of the campers...still, I believe students and teachers should ask themselves what respect and peace and other issues mean to them personally, how it applies and might look in their lives within their different communities and how they can take personal responsibility to stand up for what they believe in.
A: Are you satisfied with the camp achievements?
K: Absolutely, I’m very impressed with the courtesy, interest and friendship that have developed here among so many different ethnicities, backgrounds and lifestyles. This camp is a reflection of what life presents us and it is an opportunity to think about and practice ways in which we will deal with difficulty, doing our best to create positive outcomes.
A: Where are you from?
K: I grew up in Metuchen, New Jersey. I live in Brooklyn, New York.
A: What are your hobbies?
K: If I have to choose one of my favorite hobbies, I love art, drawing and painting and to be outdoors, exercising and enjoying nature.
A: Why did you apply for this job? What were your personal goals?
K: I applied for this job in order to encourage, support and empower individuals, particularly youth, to deepen their awareness about important issues and to feel confident that they can make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others. The camp aims to foster dialogue among us and I believe it is comforting and encouraging to know that we all experience challenges and joys in life and that we are not alone.
Secondly, I desired to learn about and from the needs and interests of individuals from Eastern Europe and to test and, hopefully, improve and expand, what I know about fostering respect and peace among people. Most importantly, I desired to encourage, support and empower youth to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.
A: Have you had such an experience as this in your work?
K: Yes, my professional experience includes program development and organizational management with an emphasis on teacher training, curriculum development and youth development within the field of peace education on an international level. The closest experience to this one geographically was in Albania where I organized an international conference for peace educators and youth engaged in similar programs.
A: When you were a child, did you participate in such a camp?
K: No, I never went to camp as a child. I do not remember camps as meaningful as this being offered when I was young.
A: What is your message for the camp?
K: Make time for reflection on the topics and conversations shared here. Look at conflict as opportunity – asking yourself, what can I learn if I listen well and ask more? How can I act consistently with what I believe? Laugh as much as possible and make most anything you take on or pursue a lot of fun! And, come visit me in Brooklyn!