Sasakaya Whinfield

Meet Sasakaya Whinfield from Guyana!

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What has been your most memorable cultural experience so far?

Prior to coming to the U.S., I was excited to experience a culture that is somewhat different from mine. Since arriving, I have enjoyed exploring the food, traditions, and everyday life of Americans. So far, my most memorable cultural experience has been celebrating Thanksgiving with my coworker and her family. It reminded me of Christmas back home. I tried pumpkin pie for the first time and helped carve the turkey, which made me feel both welcomed and connected to this new tradition.

What has been your favorite part about living in the US?

Living in the U.S. has been an interesting experience so far. I appreciate that it has given me the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds, try new foods, and easily access items I once had to have shipped to Guyana. My favorite part of being here, however, is interacting with my students every day. Through our conversations, I’ve learned a lot about their backgrounds and the city I live in. They are very excited to help me learn Spanish because they want to be able to have conversations with me in Spanish.

What has been the most challenging?

The most challenging part for me was adjusting to a new life without my family nearby. There were moments when I felt lonely, but I managed to cope by going to the library or window shopping in my favorite retail stores.

Do you have tips for your fellow J-1 teachers?

I would encourage my fellow J-1 teachers to give themselves grace and to be flexible and open to learning new things. I’ve found that adjusting my mindset and building relationships with my coworkers and students has made it easier to navigate my new school. Attending local events and getting involved in the community has also helped create a sense of belonging.

What has been your student's favorite cultural exchange activity so far?

My students’ favorite cultural exchange activity so far was a live WhatsApp video call with my former students in Guyana. They loved comparing daily school routines, asking questions, and giving each other virtual tours of their schools. They were especially intrigued by the differences in schedules, uniforms, and classroom rules, and it sparked a lot of discussion about why schools in each country might do things differently.

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