The Ropes Course

1. What was the experience like for you?

Being on the ropes course was a great experience for me. It was so much fun seeing my other classmates in another situation as well as location.

2. Where there any benefits to you as an individual?

Yes, there were a couple of benefits for me. Although I have already been on a similar course I learned different things in this ropes course. The other one was more about overcoming fear from height for example. This one was more about strategies and teamwork. I learned that I am a kind of person who likes to give contributions and suggestions but not necessarily being the leader of the group.

3. What were the benefits to us as a class?

The activities on the ropes course made me to get to know my classmates better. This could be helpful with the group work in class, since we feel more comfortable with each other now.

4. Compare and contrast how this activity relates to the themes in Ch 4

On the one side the activities on the ropes course relate to the themes Inventiveness and Can-Do-Spirit in Ch 4. We realized that every problem, like the wooden boards for instance, has a solution. On the other side the concepts of Self-Reliance and the Rugged Individualist was left out, since we were supposed to work in teams.

5. Is this activity uniquely "American" or is this something your culture has or could have as well?

We also have similar courses like that in Europe. It's definitely not an "American" thing. Our ropes course was a lot more dangerous than this one and a lot bigger. I am really not afraid of height but sometimes I had to overcome many fears.