Quick update. Today we started practicum, so I got to stand in front of some kids and teach. It went quite well, but I can’t fool myself. The students who come for this practicum have voluntarily decided to forgo two lazy summer weeks and take English classes. Though it isn’t as accurate a representation of school life as the UZ practicum (we had practicum during the school year,) it is nonetheless fun. The students in the high school aged group mostly were very good in English. I had them interview each other and present to the class. It was my covert method of finding out what they are interested in. I’ve found that blanket questions addressed to the entire class, such as, “what do you want to study?” tend to produce nothing but blank stares. I’ll also be able to view my new colleagues as they teach, which should be fun – hopefully I’ll pick up some new methods for round 2.
Also, I was able to speak to another transfer volunteer today. His situation was an evac from China because of SARS after 1 year of service. It was so great to finally talk about transfer specific issues and get some support. What’s even nicer is that he decided to come himself, and wasn’t at all prodded by PC. Still it is a bit of a drag, but whatever, I’ve just got to keep going with it. Email updates keep trickling in from other former UZ-18’ers, and though the disappointment is still palpable, it does not seem like anybodies life has come to a screeching halt; in fact most have been re-assigned, are going through PST again, or have moved on with life.
This past weekend I went hiking with some of the other volunteers at my site. It was about a three and a half hour hike (after a 45 minute loop…) to a small resort ski town. It was a perfect day for the hike, cool, with the sun coming in and out of the clouds. The surroundings here are so different than Uzbekistan and are more like back home. The forests are tall and dark and dense, just beautiful. Once we arrived at the town we had some mici (grilled meat) and beer before hiking it back. I can’t wait till the winter because this is a skiing country! Now the problem will be finding the money to do so 😛 Just doing little things like that are proving to be very beneficial. I think we have some in country trips coming up, but I’m not sure. The more to do the better.
Are the high school classes co ed or are they mostly male?
I am so happy that you start teaching this week. At least in the practicuum. I will begin on Friday my orientation, and then I have to teach on Sunday. Good thing I’m more of a Buddhist now… 😉
With lots of support,
M@K
One other thing: It’s great that you have someone to bond with that transfered as well. It is clear from your tone, things are looking really good.
Hello there, havnt heard from me for awhile, will write you an e-mail later on and explain.
I am glad that you are now getting into your work and sound a lot more settled, i know when you are busy is when your happiest—.Are the students attentive and do they pick up on instructions quickly?? Take care, be well—-G&G
Seems like things are picking up. They are here as well. I’ve past the anger stage and moved on to being bitter. It’s a comfortable change. I still have the ups and downs, but it’s getting better. I talked with some volunteers here, and they said that your training site is where they go on vacation. I envy you for the skiing, and maybe, we’ll have to schedule some kind of ski trip. I’ve heard that Americans don’t need visas to go into Romania, and Romania is is a half a hop, a little, skip, and a tiny jump from Moldova.
It was great talking to you the other day. You sound great.
Oh, what kind of Romanian beers are good? We get them here, and I have no idea which I should try and which I should avoid. I had Silva; it was good. It’s a dark beer, full rich flavor, and is 7%. Not quite a Baltika 9, but is good if you can get it.
Take care.
The Silva has been a bit of a dissapointment. When I want dark beer, I’m thinking more along the lines of Guiness – but the Silva is just lacking something, maybe a little to watery. There is a very good dark beer called Aurora, though for some reason it is more difficult to come by. The main beer around here, though, is Ursus. It is nothing to write home about, but given the price, is a good deal. That said, for a slightly higher price, there are plenty of German imports here in Romania. Just the other day I decided to take a personal afternoon. Went to the store, got a Becks and some chips and read my book on the roof deck of my host family’s house. Moments like that help the post-UZ funk just a bit. What kinds of alcohols do you have up there?
In comparison to Uzbek beer, the stuff in Moldova–be it import or otherwise–is very good. But again, like you said, nothing to write home about. There’s something called Starie, which is okay. And then there’s Chisinau, which is like Qibray, but better. I saw Warsteiner in a market here. I’ll have to treat myself one of these days. When I was in Chisinau, I did see Guiness and a bunch of Czech beers. I’ll keep a look out for the Aurora.
Sounds like you’re getting into the swing of teaching. The interviews were a clever idea – it’s been my experience too that people tend to be more receptive to specific questions instead of general ones. I’m going to save “What do you want to be when you grow up” for some family reunion sixty years from now when I’m an eccentric uncle who creeps out the grandkids.
The hiking, by the way, sounds fabulous. I’m glad to hear you’re getting to know the other folks up there, and the other uproots as well.
Don’t suppose they have any Mike’s in Romania, do they?
I don’t know but it seems like we are hearing more about the details of beer than some of the other aspects of being in the PC. Don’t get me wrong, I like a good beer 🙂 Chris, you should plan a trip to Romania and send us more details. Yes tell us more about the beer but include some of the other things like the surroundings, people and food….OK you can also include some TV and movie reviews too.
Rain Rain Go Away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, remember, college parties aren’t known for their excellent taste in beer. And if there’s one thing Trinity emphasized, it was to appreciate foreign cultures for what they do best.
Not that Romania’s reason for existing ends with its beer, though. If I ever get there, I’ll see what their TV programming is like. 🙂
I remember well our practicum in the hot summer of 1996 when I was a volunteer in Poland. You’re right about it being totally unrealistic in comparison to teaching at your site. The students at these practicums aren’t usually “problem” students. They want to learn — which is more than you can say about many of the students you’ll face as a “real” teacher. But that’s better. It’s a challenge, and when you manage to turn one or two formerly lackadaisical students into achievers (or even semi-achievers), the sense of accomplishment is astounding.
Good luck, and enjoy your adventure. I ended up staying — gulp — seven years in the site I served. It gets under your skin!