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What Past Students Say...
Since this programme began in 1982 as “Preparatory Course for Teachers” with Carl Hoffman, participants aged from early 20s to late 60s have joined together from all over the world: New Zealand as well as from Australia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, India, Africa, Iran, Israel, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, France, Holland, Scandinavia, Britain, USA, Canada and Chile. Afterwards they have spread to many places and into many occupations with a new perspective on life and renewed purpose.
A selection of comments from past years.
"The course has given me strength and courage that I never knew I had. I would recommend any state teacher to come and do this course, or even just a part. It will change the way you look at and understand children in your class forever." - Gaye
"The holistic approach to life, education and health provided by the courses at Taruna has been reassuring and revealing. By focusing on inner processes related to the three- and four-fold pictures of man as given by Steiner, I have found ways of coping with the everyday complexities of life and living.
I would recommend Taruna to those who are looking for ways of making connections between body, soul, and spirit so that they can live life to the maximum. I would also recommend it as a place of creative experience and learning. The courses offered are so helpful and interesting. The creative side of my nature has been rekindled through speech, singing, music, art, handwork, and drama. The child within was able to bubble up to the surface again." - Cecylia
"Taruna was major turning point in my life. It is not just a career journey that begins at Taruna, but it is rather one this is life long for the lessons learnt are so profound that while we use them in our everyday lives we often do not realise it--or the impact that we have though the use of them.
The year at Taruna has definitely made a difference to the way I teach at school, especially with respect to the enthusiasm and enjoyment learning brings to the Steiner Teacher." - Tony
"What an incredible journey it has been - full of guidance, inspiration, and wisdom. The tutors have been attentive, thorough, and gifted with their sharings. I envision that Taruna will continue to expand and fulfil all who pass through the threshold." - Allisone
"I am so excited about my future with Waldorf teaching. I can see my path of destiny littered with brightly coloured stones. Before I came to Taruna, I often felt frustration that I had nowhere to focus my energies. The journey of becoming a Waldorf teacher allows me to offer, to the children I will teach, my soul--filled with good intentions and open to learning." - Katherine
"The parts of the course which I have experienced have opened up so many areas of interest for use--artistic activities, crafts, storytelling, speech and drama." - Sandra
"The year at Taruna was for me a gift. One of the most enlightening and challenging times in this life. The knowledge passed on by the well studied tutors was exceptional and only truly hit home when I began to stand in front of classes of children. My many valuable friends at Taruna were also my great teachers. The diversity of culture and age was and is an invaluable tool on my journey to become a full-time teacher.
The most important aspect of my time at Taruna was the many diverse relationships with fellow students and tutors." - Torsten
"The nature of the work we did and the wonderful artistic activities that balanced this work was transformative. This course provided not only a detailed picture of what stands behind Rudolf Steiner education, but also the opportunity to enter into a comprehensive personal preparation that was far more than a gathering of knowledge and skills." - Andrew
"I am constantly buoyed by my experiences at Taruna. My foundation of research and enthusiasm springs from the Taruna teacher training course. I found that the subtle rhythms that were a part of my training synchronized to my life as a teacher. At Taruna I learned enough tangible skills to encourage me to go out into the world and join my true teachers, the children." - Ann
"The year I spent at Taruna was like an oasis in my life. The lectures, block courses, artistic work and practical experience enabled me to take a step further into a life that I can hardly believe is mine. I lived in the hostel at Taruna, and met there a group of students with whom I am still in contact, in an ongoing process of developing relationships as friends and colleagues. That process also includes many of the tutors that I met at Taruna, who were willing to support us through our challenges, and are still supporting us in many ways." - Tiffany
“Taruna College has been a sanctuary for me in that it is a space where seekers like myself can let it all hang out and not be afraid to be real and expressive. I’ve found the program to be challenging in the areas of weaving, knitting and crafts which has served to humble me as well as make me feel good about learning something new that I would have never really pursued outside of Taruna. I feel good to be practicing recorder, practicing Eurythmy, singing rounds, discussing Shakespeare and feeling secure enough to express myself. I appreciate the environment of support and honest as far as being able to communicate to others what I’m feeling. Taruna is allowing me to grow, strengthen, explore and enrich myself to a degree that would not be possible in the “real world” in order that I can live a more productive, sane and helpful life in the “real world”. – Ben
"Taruna is kept alive by a deeply dedicated community of people, who give of themselves in so many ways. The teaching staff are some of the most inspired and sincere men and women, who believe in their work, and in the potential of all their students' work. As teachers they share from their skills and experience to encourage the unique potential in each individual. Perhaps the greatest lesson I gained came not from any of the many aspects of the curriculum, but from the example of the energy of my teachers. Inspirational." - Charmaine
“I was looking at information about other places but they just didn’t speak to me. When I came across Taruna’s website I thought, “This is it!” The most appealing thing about Taruna was the sense that it’s a very caring environment. ... I’ve been writing to friends and family telling them that my experiences here far surpass all expectations that I ever imagined I never expected to have such caring, dedicated, interesting, experienced, wise, patient, open, understanding adult educators. Exciting things happen ever hour of every day here. I’ve never once even been close to being bored. I’m challenged to stretch my mind further and further every day. I’ve been able to examine where those anxieties come from and explore different ways of approaching challenges. You’ve helped me to ask for help. You’ve helped me to have courage to push my fears aside, or even step through them, stand up and speak so that people can hear me I am really enjoying the courses, the information presented and the assigned work. I’ve never had such interesting topics of study and have never been so eager to dive into work So, what am I getting from my experiences here so far? Courage, hope, knowledge, support, inspiration, confidence, love, skills. - Ginger
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2005 Graduates
"The diversity of culture and age was and is an invaluable tool on my journey to become a full-time teacher"
"Taruna has been a sanctuary for me in that it is a space where seekers like myself can let it all hang out and not be afraid to be real and expressive"
"I’m challenged to stretch my mind further and further every day. I’ve been able to examine where those anxieties come from and explore different ways of approaching challenges"
Click here to read about 2006 graduate, Angie Denby |
