Radford University student Vandy Pullen speaks to Malemia Primary School students and their parents before handing out new uniforms. As a part of Radford's College of Education and Human Development's study-abroad program, Pullen traveled with several other students to Africa to teach in the Republic of Malawi.
RADFORD -- Radford University basketball player Vandy Pullen proved her ability to contribute on the court last season.
Starting June 21, Pullen had a month to prove her abilities in another arena. As a part of Radford's College of Education and Human Development's study-abroad program, Pullen traveled with several other students to Africa to teach in the Republic of Malawi.
Malawi is bordered by Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia in southeast Africa. Pullen and her counterparts stayed at a lodge in the town of Zomba and taught at nearby Malemia Primary School.
Pullen, an elementary education major, had no prior teaching experience before arriving in Malawi. There, she taught sixth grade and worked classes as large as 46 students. That first taste of teaching was intimidating.
"When I first arrived, I was pretty tense because I'd never been out of the U.S. before," Pullen said. "But over time, I became more relaxed because the people were very welcoming and the students were very respectful."
Pullen would have preferred to teach math but was assigned to teach science and technology in Malawi. In the process, she found out the science curriculum in Malawi is different from the United States. She had to teach children about issues such as food preservation and treating common injuries such as cuts and bruises.
Although they speak English, most Malawian students primarily use the Chichewa language. No matter what the topic, communication was an issue for Pullen and her counterparts from Radford.
"The language barrier sometimes frustrated me," Pullen said. "I struggled with the fact that the kids didn't seem to comprehend everything. They would understand some things, but then be confused as I continued into deeper aspects of subjects. They understand and speak English, but sometimes the wording had to be different than what I'm used to for them to comprehend what I was saying."
Fortunately for Pullen, her teaching mentor in Malawi spoke excellent English. A native of Malawi, the teacher had 52 years experience when he retired. However, he returned to teaching because he realized how important his services were in his native country.
Jennifer Jones of Radford's College of Education and Human Development was the overseeing professor for the trip. She quickly noticed how Pullen responded to her mentor.
"Communication was definitely the biggest challenge because while they do speak English, it is very different," Jones said. "Students are still learning the language and not quite proficient yet. But I do feel like Vandy worked extremely well with her mentor teacher to make sure she was communicating effectively. She was nervous in the beginning, but I saw her become very confident as a teacher. She seemed to be a natural in the classroom."
By the end of the month in Malawi, Pullen not only learned how to communicate but also perhaps to motivate as well. Malawi's culture typically calls for women to drop out of school to either get married or help their families. Pullen worked with the study-abroad program to provide new uniforms and a new outlook for her sixth grade girls.
"Vandy had the idea to get every girl in the sixth grade a new uniform," Jones said. "Vandy paid for a portion of the uniforms, and we used some other money from supporters who offered funds in case there was a need in Malawi. The school brought the parents in and Vandy presented the uniform to each girl. She basically told the students and their parents that by accepting the uniform, they promised to stay in school. She was very eloquent, and I think it did a lot to motivate the students."
Such leadership and communication will undoubtedly help the redshirt senior in her final season at Radford. The Highlanders will have a new coach this season in Tajama Ngongba. Pullen thinks the lessons learned in Malawi could translate onto the court.
"I think this experience could help me in basketball because of the communication factor," Pullen said. "Communicating with teammates is vital, just as it was while I was in Malawi. I'm excited about this season because it's my last year. We lost two great post players, but we're a good team overall and I think we'll do well this season."
In her second season with the Highlanders after transferring from Maine, Pullen started 34 games, averaging 9.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
As for her life after basketball, Pullen's experience this summer reassured her of interest in teaching.
"I definitely went to Africa as a student of teaching, but I came back with a much more educational-driven mindset," Pullen said. "I learned a lot about making lessons for students, and having to cater lessons in another country was very challenging. I thought I wanted to teach in the third-grade range, but now I think I want to do middle school. Maybe one day I'll make it to the college level."
Jones is confident in Pullen's abilities away from the basketball court as well.
"I definitely think she'll be a great teacher," Jones said. "Seeing her step into this situation where they have no books, difficulty communicating, and hardly any materials was impressive. Vandy was flexible, creative, and she studied to make sure that her lessons were accurate. I saw the beginnings of a wonderful teacher in her."
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