Spreading her wings at The Butterfly Preschool in London

Elizabeth Velychko has always loved working with children, and dreams of becoming a teacher. She’s laying her foundation through early childhood studies at TMU — a path that many aspiring teachers take in order to understand how children develop during their critical formative years. But last summer, Velychko added the cherry on top of her program: an active field placement in England.

Velychko took up an experiential learning opportunity as a student teacher at The Butterfly Preschool in Clapham, a district in south west London. The two-month whirlwind gave her the chance for professional experiences, personal growth and some European travel. Now, on the cusp of graduation, she’ll soon take a year off to work, travel some more, and prepare for the next step in her journey: earning a post-graduate teaching degree.

Velychko recently shared some thoughts about how the international field placement impacted her.

Why did you choose to do an international placement?

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would not have gotten here in Toronto. I wanted to expand my education by learning about childcare culture, practices and policies in a different country. I believe this will benefit my future career. I also wanted to make new connections and figure out where I see myself living full-time in the future — whether in Canada or elsewhere. As a bonus, I did this international placement with my friend, who was able to work at the same centre in a different location within London.

What was it like applying your skills at The Butterfly Preschool?

The school is located in Clapham, London, and my placement was full-time for five weeks. I had responsibilities before, during and after the school day, including things like food prep and clean-ups, organizing the children’s belongings, planning activities, coordinating pick-ups and drop-offs — and, of course, interacting with the children through many activities.

One thing the children and I really enjoyed was Cooking Time on Fridays. We taught them about certain ingredients, and they helped with the mixing — and of course, they were allowed to eat their treats afterward. I also got to lead certain activities, such as conducting circle time with the children. There were also weekly activities to coordinate — sessions with a music teacher, outings at the park and library, indoor physical education with coaches, and gardening in small plots. Each day was different, which helped ensure that the children always looked forward to the activities we came up with.

How did an international placement benefit you professionally and personally?

It gave me the opportunity to learn and appreciate firsthand about London’s culture and childcare practices. Through interactions with the children, parents, other teachers and my supervisor, I got a better feel for what it means to be a teacher. That let me reflect on my own virtues as a teacher and my needs regarding my career path. I was also happy to gain new social and professional connections.

Living so far away from my parents, I also got the chance to feel what it’s like to be completely independent. Being on a budget, living in a different time zone and having to commute on London’s public transit also helped me improve my time management and financial responsibility!

Did you have time for fun activities or traveling?

Yes! Aside from sightseeing in London and attending a Harry Styles concert at Wembley Stadium, I also traveled to a few countries in Europe, including Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. On our first day in Barcelona, my friend and I attended an FC Barcelona game at Camp Nou. It was the finals and a wild time! Before that trip ended, we booked a last-minute trip to Venice, Italy. It was fun walking around the city and trying various gelato parlours. After my placement, I flew to Amsterdam to visit my cousin, and we drove through a few cities in the Netherlands. Each place was so special and unique and I would love to visit again.

Would you recommend international placements, and what advice can you give?

If you have the means, don’t miss the chance to do it. Money comes and goes, but opportunities to travel and study abroad do not. I was fortunate to receive the Out-of-Province Placement Grant from FCS to help support this opportunity. I’d recommend researching months in advance about opportunities at schools and childcare centres in different countries. Book your flights and accommodation early. Create a budget and add room for extra travel while you’re abroad. It shouldn’t be just about studying. There should also be fun and exciting moments. You’ll learn a lot and have the time of your life simultaneously. You’ll never forget or regret it!