Good afternoon everybody!
Apparently you are all enjoying your stay abroad and it is very nice to hear (well, read actually)such news!
To be honest - and unfortunately - it is not exactly the same for me. I was really excited about discovering another city and beginning kind of a new life here. I even left before our last day at school! I knew it would not be easy every day and I had prepared myself to that. But actually it is worse than what I had imagined. Of course I remain optimistic and I will until the end, but I think it is important to tell the truth on this blog ...
The word that would represent Finland the best is "cold". Not only the weather can be described this way, also the Finnish people. But it seems that both the weather and the people look much better during the summer so I will have to come back here one day just to confirm this assertion.
My work at school became clearer this week. I have twelve hours of different French courses to assist and then I chose to attend about ten hours of English courses. The aim of my Comenius is to improve my English, isn't it? I will also have the opportunity to work at the primary school but nothing has been decided yet. During the French courses I usually show some Powerpoints about the subjects they are studying at that time. This week I presented the general things about Belgium and the more specific topic I had to spoke about was "household"!
Even if nobody speaks to me at school, I begin to feel at home there. I know how everything works, I try to accost as many teachers (or even students) as possible, and when I feel lonely I just read a book or listen to music!
Actually, everything would be quite fine if I had the chance to live in a residence with other students. But it is not the case. All my flatmates are workers, which means they are never present during the day and feel tired in the evening ... It is simply and totally inhuman and depressing. So after 3 weeks I decided to move out. The problem is that you must be linked to a university in Helsinki in order to have the right to lend a student's room ... So the only solution I have found is to "squat" some of my friends' livingroom!!! I miss some privacy as well as comfort but it is still much better than being on my own the whole time!
Anyway, I am still smiling and working as well as I can, so do not worry at all! It is just not as funny as I thought it would be and I am a bit disappointed. But I have two more months left to change that ... AND I WILL!
Take care and have fun!
Odile
February 27, 2009
News from Bilthoven
Hello everybody!
It seems to be my turn to explain my arrival in the Netherlands.
Sure, I was rather nervous when I arrived there, but I had already visited the place where I was going to live a week before my departure.
My host family had welcomed me with a typical "Nederlandse Buffet".
So I already knew they were nice and cordial.
I don't live in the family's house: They arranged an old "garage" into a student studio.
It is very comfortable, there is everything I need.
Sometimes they invite me for dinner.
My school, Het nieuwe lyceum, is only at ten minutes with the bicycle.
It is pleasant to use the bicycle, in spite of the bad weather!
I am at five minutes of the center, where there are a station and a shopping gallery.
I work with five French teachers. Two of them are French people and speak very well.
There is also another commenius assistant who comes from Marseilles. We often work together.
The first day, the main teacher made me visit the school and made me meet the all staff and the head master. They are all friendly and integrated me without any problem!
I'm here since almost a month and I already had the occasion to participate to the "open doors day", to go to Uttrecht and to Amsterdam. The teachers always propose me to join them during their excusions and I never refuse!
So, I'll go to Lille on March 13th!
It is really nice to hear news fom you all, I mean it sincerely!
Kisses and so long!
Cindy
It seems to be my turn to explain my arrival in the Netherlands.
Sure, I was rather nervous when I arrived there, but I had already visited the place where I was going to live a week before my departure.
My host family had welcomed me with a typical "Nederlandse Buffet".
So I already knew they were nice and cordial.
I don't live in the family's house: They arranged an old "garage" into a student studio.
It is very comfortable, there is everything I need.
Sometimes they invite me for dinner.
My school, Het nieuwe lyceum, is only at ten minutes with the bicycle.
It is pleasant to use the bicycle, in spite of the bad weather!
I am at five minutes of the center, where there are a station and a shopping gallery.
I work with five French teachers. Two of them are French people and speak very well.
There is also another commenius assistant who comes from Marseilles. We often work together.
The first day, the main teacher made me visit the school and made me meet the all staff and the head master. They are all friendly and integrated me without any problem!
I'm here since almost a month and I already had the occasion to participate to the "open doors day", to go to Uttrecht and to Amsterdam. The teachers always propose me to join them during their excusions and I never refuse!
So, I'll go to Lille on March 13th!
It is really nice to hear news fom you all, I mean it sincerely!
Kisses and so long!
Cindy
Anne-Marie - Erabel Brussels
Hy everybody !
Here are the votes of the Belgian jury ......... Ehsal: 10 points......that's a joke !
It's fine to read about your first experiences in your new "headquarters" and I'm pleased to see that about everything seems to be ok for all of you.
So it's time for me to give you some news from the Flamish side of our adored country!
I have to admit that a few days before my first day at the Ehsal I forgot to think about it because I was on training and as you know when you are on training you have the tendency to forget everything else.
I became anxious the day before I had to present myself at the Ehsal. The first hour was quite difficult because the school is very big and I was lost in this foreign environment (luckily I had Steve with me). I learned that the students had no real class group (as we have). They can choose a lot of options and they have to change of group and room for every lesson (Steve and I have to follow a group of 7 students for whom English is one of the options).
A woman showed us how to find our way in the 4 buildings of the school .... a big challenge!
From the first moment we were introduced to the teachers and the other students I felt much better. They immediately welcomed us and involved us in their discussions and activities. They are curious of the student's life in the French part of Belgium (as we are for the Flamish part) and we compare everything all the time. It's a fact that we have different uses and habits in our small country! We learn a lot from each other.
We have to follow 4 courses : English teaching - 4h once a month (it's like we did with Ms Henin), English grammar, vocabulary, speaking, reading and culture - 1 hour each every week (except the week we have English teaching) - Flamish teaching - 4h every week (it's like we did with Mrs Cattiez) and Flamish education - 2h every week (we learn all the aspects of the Flamish school life in Belgium - very interesting indeed!). In March we have a week "MCLT project" (it's like we did with Mr Groessens and Ms Hanciaux last year).
The level in English of the Flamish students is quite high. They speak very fluently and have a large vocabulary. They use the same books as we do but in an advanced level.
That's all I can tell you for the moment. We had only 2 weeks school and this week we had a week off for "carnival".
I wish you all the best and I'm looking forward reading of you.
Anne-Marie
Here are the votes of the Belgian jury ......... Ehsal: 10 points......that's a joke !
It's fine to read about your first experiences in your new "headquarters" and I'm pleased to see that about everything seems to be ok for all of you.
So it's time for me to give you some news from the Flamish side of our adored country!
I have to admit that a few days before my first day at the Ehsal I forgot to think about it because I was on training and as you know when you are on training you have the tendency to forget everything else.
I became anxious the day before I had to present myself at the Ehsal. The first hour was quite difficult because the school is very big and I was lost in this foreign environment (luckily I had Steve with me). I learned that the students had no real class group (as we have). They can choose a lot of options and they have to change of group and room for every lesson (Steve and I have to follow a group of 7 students for whom English is one of the options).
A woman showed us how to find our way in the 4 buildings of the school .... a big challenge!
From the first moment we were introduced to the teachers and the other students I felt much better. They immediately welcomed us and involved us in their discussions and activities. They are curious of the student's life in the French part of Belgium (as we are for the Flamish part) and we compare everything all the time. It's a fact that we have different uses and habits in our small country! We learn a lot from each other.
We have to follow 4 courses : English teaching - 4h once a month (it's like we did with Ms Henin), English grammar, vocabulary, speaking, reading and culture - 1 hour each every week (except the week we have English teaching) - Flamish teaching - 4h every week (it's like we did with Mrs Cattiez) and Flamish education - 2h every week (we learn all the aspects of the Flamish school life in Belgium - very interesting indeed!). In March we have a week "MCLT project" (it's like we did with Mr Groessens and Ms Hanciaux last year).
The level in English of the Flamish students is quite high. They speak very fluently and have a large vocabulary. They use the same books as we do but in an advanced level.
That's all I can tell you for the moment. We had only 2 weeks school and this week we had a week off for "carnival".
I wish you all the best and I'm looking forward reading of you.
Anne-Marie
February 20, 2009
News from Wales by Popo
Hi dear friends and Alinneke ;). It’s my turn to give some news
I arrived in Llangadod on Saturday the first with my mother and my stepfather. They stayed with me until Wednesday. We stayed in the hotel “Red lion”. I spoke with the hotel manager and asked if he knew the schools where I will have to work. He told me that Sian, one of my headteachers, lived in a house nearly opposite from the hotel. That was really a coincidence. So, I knocked at the door and Sian and her man welcomed me very friendly and made some tea. I stayed in Llangadog until Wednesday so, I could visit them every day and speak with them about lots of things: the people, the school, the children… Moreover the school was closed because of the snow, so we had the time to make acquaintance.
In fact the first school where I teach is at about 20 miles from Llangadog, in Bancyfelin but I sleep in a students accommodation in Carmathen.
On Sunday, I had my first contact with the other headteacher (and teacher) of Bancyfelin school.. On Monday I went with my mother and stepfather in Bancyfelin to see the school and meet the pupils and the teachers. The staff was really kind and welcome with me.. I could introduce me to each class. I was very happy to have already had a contact with the people from school. My headteacher explained me I could begin to work when I wanted. My parents left England on Wednesday, so I began that day.
My headteacher is very kind, not to say too kind. Every morning she brings me to school and she sometimes invites me to eat in the evening.
The pupils are very lovely and likeable. I feel it will be difficult to leave the school to go to Llangadog. Every midday, they quarrell to sit near me.
Moreover, the staff is lovely and full enthousiasm with the children.
The same day, I saw my students accommodation. It was difficult for me when I found myself totally alone. In fact , I didn’t feel well at all. But thanks to the students who were very friendly, I quickly felt at home and good with them. In the beginning, it was not that easy to understand them and to follow conversations between 8 English people because they spoke very but I quickly got used to that.
So every night I spend time with the students enjoying, speaking, playing, singing.
ENJOYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
I arrived in Llangadod on Saturday the first with my mother and my stepfather. They stayed with me until Wednesday. We stayed in the hotel “Red lion”. I spoke with the hotel manager and asked if he knew the schools where I will have to work. He told me that Sian, one of my headteachers, lived in a house nearly opposite from the hotel. That was really a coincidence. So, I knocked at the door and Sian and her man welcomed me very friendly and made some tea. I stayed in Llangadog until Wednesday so, I could visit them every day and speak with them about lots of things: the people, the school, the children… Moreover the school was closed because of the snow, so we had the time to make acquaintance.
In fact the first school where I teach is at about 20 miles from Llangadog, in Bancyfelin but I sleep in a students accommodation in Carmathen.
On Sunday, I had my first contact with the other headteacher (and teacher) of Bancyfelin school.. On Monday I went with my mother and stepfather in Bancyfelin to see the school and meet the pupils and the teachers. The staff was really kind and welcome with me.. I could introduce me to each class. I was very happy to have already had a contact with the people from school. My headteacher explained me I could begin to work when I wanted. My parents left England on Wednesday, so I began that day.
My headteacher is very kind, not to say too kind. Every morning she brings me to school and she sometimes invites me to eat in the evening.
The pupils are very lovely and likeable. I feel it will be difficult to leave the school to go to Llangadog. Every midday, they quarrell to sit near me.
Moreover, the staff is lovely and full enthousiasm with the children.
The same day, I saw my students accommodation. It was difficult for me when I found myself totally alone. In fact , I didn’t feel well at all. But thanks to the students who were very friendly, I quickly felt at home and good with them. In the beginning, it was not that easy to understand them and to follow conversations between 8 English people because they spoke very but I quickly got used to that.
So every night I spend time with the students enjoying, speaking, playing, singing.
ENJOYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
Some news from Wolvega (NL) but written in...Brussels!!
Hello everyone!
Like the majority of you, I arrived in Wolvega on february the first. I wasn't scared, I didn't feel no stress, I was just excited to be there. I wanted to know what was going to happen! I met the woman I live with. Her name is Truus. She's 50 and she's an assistant in chemistry in my college; Linde College. When I first saw her I was a bit scared, but she's really nice. And I feel really comfurtable in her house. I talk a lot with her, which is a good point for me. I can really practice my Dutch and my English because she likes to talk in English too!!
During the first days at school I didn't really know what to do. But the last two days I started to take my place. But I already had a week off!! So, I came back to our lovely, busy capital for a week. Wolvega is just a small village, and I realised I really like to live in a real city, not just a little village in the middle of nowhere! I'm going back to Wolvega on Monday. And I think I will try to make some trips to A'dam, because I really need my pollution dosis!!
At school, I'm trying to make conversations with the pupils but they're really bad at French!! It's even worse than in Belgium with our pupils speaking Dutch!! But I'll try to make them better than they are now! That's why I'm here!! The teachers are really nice, but there are no students in Wolvega, they all go away...! I can understand why... There's nothing to do here! So, I try to concentrate myself on the school...which pretty new for me!!! Another good point is that I will come back with some money... Thanks to the "Communauté française"!!
Do not think I'm not fine here, it's just that my social life in Wolvega is really really poor!
It's great to have some news thanks to this blog! But keep sending e-mails!!
Enjoy!
Ben or BenAchFromach!!
Like the majority of you, I arrived in Wolvega on february the first. I wasn't scared, I didn't feel no stress, I was just excited to be there. I wanted to know what was going to happen! I met the woman I live with. Her name is Truus. She's 50 and she's an assistant in chemistry in my college; Linde College. When I first saw her I was a bit scared, but she's really nice. And I feel really comfurtable in her house. I talk a lot with her, which is a good point for me. I can really practice my Dutch and my English because she likes to talk in English too!!
During the first days at school I didn't really know what to do. But the last two days I started to take my place. But I already had a week off!! So, I came back to our lovely, busy capital for a week. Wolvega is just a small village, and I realised I really like to live in a real city, not just a little village in the middle of nowhere! I'm going back to Wolvega on Monday. And I think I will try to make some trips to A'dam, because I really need my pollution dosis!!
At school, I'm trying to make conversations with the pupils but they're really bad at French!! It's even worse than in Belgium with our pupils speaking Dutch!! But I'll try to make them better than they are now! That's why I'm here!! The teachers are really nice, but there are no students in Wolvega, they all go away...! I can understand why... There's nothing to do here! So, I try to concentrate myself on the school...which pretty new for me!!! Another good point is that I will come back with some money... Thanks to the "Communauté française"!!
Do not think I'm not fine here, it's just that my social life in Wolvega is really really poor!
It's great to have some news thanks to this blog! But keep sending e-mails!!
Enjoy!
Ben or BenAchFromach!!
Nieuws uit Zwolle
Dear all,
The day I arrived I was kind of stressed on the road because I was impatient but in the same time I didn't really know how everything was going to happen there: will I be in a nice host family ? Will the teachers be kind with me? Will the students be respectful? And when I arrived, it was on Sunday the first of February, my stress went away: a very nice host father and a old but sympathic host brother received me and offered me directly something to eat and to drink (so it breaks the stereotype that each Dutchman is mean ;)).
In front of the/my house there is a little river with a lot of ducks, it is so cute. Have a look at my picture! My school is only 2 minutes walk from the house and this is a residential street so any noise caused by all the cars or the drunk people coming back to their appartement/house after have left the pub. The small city, or the big village, as you like it, is very #cute# I would say and very charming.
There you find typically things of the Netherlands; the #city# is crossed by a river, there are a lot of little shops (cheese, special shoes, Dutch restaurants,..) etc.
On Monday I had to go to school of course and there I met my mentor and also his colleguas. I really felt like welcomed and that helped me to evacuate my stress.
Now it is already the third week I'm spending on the *Dutch ground* and I really like it :)
I hope you'll all one day know what is to live at the *Dutch Hour* (à l'heure hollandaise).
Have a good weekend!
And thank you Catherine for the coordination :)
Arnaud.
The day I arrived I was kind of stressed on the road because I was impatient but in the same time I didn't really know how everything was going to happen there: will I be in a nice host family ? Will the teachers be kind with me? Will the students be respectful? And when I arrived, it was on Sunday the first of February, my stress went away: a very nice host father and a old but sympathic host brother received me and offered me directly something to eat and to drink (so it breaks the stereotype that each Dutchman is mean ;)).
In front of the/my house there is a little river with a lot of ducks, it is so cute. Have a look at my picture! My school is only 2 minutes walk from the house and this is a residential street so any noise caused by all the cars or the drunk people coming back to their appartement/house after have left the pub. The small city, or the big village, as you like it, is very #cute# I would say and very charming.
There you find typically things of the Netherlands; the #city# is crossed by a river, there are a lot of little shops (cheese, special shoes, Dutch restaurants,..) etc.
On Monday I had to go to school of course and there I met my mentor and also his colleguas. I really felt like welcomed and that helped me to evacuate my stress.
Now it is already the third week I'm spending on the *Dutch ground* and I really like it :)
I hope you'll all one day know what is to live at the *Dutch Hour* (à l'heure hollandaise).
Have a good weekend!
And thank you Catherine for the coordination :)
Arnaud.
February 19, 2009
Bonju from Malta!
Hello everybody !
First of all I would like to wish you all beautiful moments and unforgettable experiences, in Belgium or abroad.
As you all know I have the chance to be in a sunny tourist destination, Malta. Most of you are whether experiencing English rainy weather or Dutch freezing temperatures. Reading this line you're probably all thinking I'm sunbathing in Malta. Well no!! The weather has been terrible since I arrived on the 31th of January : heavy showers and storms everyday! I sincerely hope it will get better so that I finally can put on my new sunglasses :) Listening to the people's opinions I am the one who brought the weather in my suitcases... I may have heard this sentence a hundred times since I arrived, so please may it stop being cold and bad weather in Belgium !
As said before, I arrived in Malta on the 31th of January after a long journey. I finally arrived at my hotel at about one o'clock in the morning. I was exhausted and thought I would have slept until late in the morning but guess what, the fire alarm went on at 6 o'clock in the morning waking me up hmm 30 minutes later when I heard someone knocking on my door : an old German tourist still in pyjama telling me we should all run out of the hotel as we were dressed. Being still in sweet dreams it immediately woke me up for real and I went in my pyjama to the street where some other terrified people were standing . After some minutes we were told we shouldn't panic as it was only a technical problem. What a good start I said to myself...
I finally returned to my hotel room, got dressed and took a taxi to the harbour of Cirkewwa where I had to take the ferry to an other Maltese island, Gozo from where I'm writing you at the moment.
Gozo is known as a wonderful place for trekking and for it's beautiful nature. It is also known by the citizens of the main island to be a calm island inhabited by farmers and fishers. I remembered this as the taxi driver kept telling me that whenever I asked him questions about life in Gozo and the social life other there.
After 45minutes of driving to complete only 10km, I arrived at the ferry. The trip was of about 25minutes to get to Gozo. From there I took the bus to get to the main city of the Gozitan island, Victoria for the English speakers and Rabat for the Maltese.
People other here rarely speak English. They prefer to speak Maltese, a mixture of English, Italian and Arab. A few example of words used in the Maltese language : bonju for hello , bonsoi for goodnight, away for yes,la for no. The diversity of the language is due to the different empires and countries who at different periods of History colonized the island.
The British and Italian influences can clearly still be observed in their attitudes and ways of life. They inherited the English way of dressing but the Italian food. This could make a nice mixture, right? To be honest, Maltese are strange people at first sight but when getting to know them better they are nice and funny persons.
After my bus trip, I arrived at the bus terminus of Victoria where the assistant head,Saviour Grech, was waiting for me. I immediately recognized him by the way he seemed to look around for someone with a big suitcase.
We went together to my flat where the owner was waiting for me. After a few moments I understood why he was so punctual to welcome me: he already wanted me to pay the rent for the first month. The flat is very nice : panoramic views on the old city of Victoria and the sea, 3 rooms, a kitchen, bathroom, a television but unfortunately no internet connection.
On Monday I went to school to meet the different teachers including Pierre, a French teacher with whom I mainly work on different projects. Pierre? Like me you would have bet he's French ? Well no he's 100% Maltese, son of a farmer from whom I received tomatoes and garlic. This might be the way they welcome people...
My job at school consists mainly of having discussions with the students about Belgium or French culture.As school days end at 14:30 I've got plenty of time to do other activities in the afternoons.
This is what I thought until I realized there isn't any exciting social life other here. Like in Italy they have a nap until 4 o'clock.
Fortunately I've found a pub called the 'Aurora' or the dawn. It isn't only a pub but also an opera house, a place where all football games are shown, a snooker club and a meeting point for all the people of the city, mainly man. I got used to go there everyday to have a coffee or a tea and discuss very philosophical matters : should Beckham play or not, is Manchester United playing tonight and so on. Thanks to football I'm getting to know people and some aspects of the Maltese culture.
I could write more about my experience in Malta but as I'm at the pub and people get to known me I fear they might come to seat next to me and read this message. Like a person at the pub said :` in this city even if you just go to the toilet ,everybody will know about it'.
Take care,
David
February 18, 2009
Job advertisment! Cheeck this out!
Hello everyone!
Quickly... Here is a job advertisement for 1, maybe 2, full time job(s) in "Centre scolaire St Vincent de Paul-enfant Jésus", Chéé de Vleurgat 55 in Ixelles (technique et professionnel).
You can ask Prof. Renée Swenne (math "MPF" at the ISPG) for more information. Here is her phone number: 02/377.03.57.
If I understood correctly, they're willing to provide a job to a pair of language teachers so as to promote cooperation and team-work between young teachers. If you'd like to work with someone from your class, it might be a good opportunity to apply together and maybe suggest a sort of project.
I hope you find this most inspiring! ;-)
I'm looking forward to reading from you.
All the best,
V Henin
Quickly... Here is a job advertisement for 1, maybe 2, full time job(s) in "Centre scolaire St Vincent de Paul-enfant Jésus", Chéé de Vleurgat 55 in Ixelles (technique et professionnel).
You can ask Prof. Renée Swenne (math "MPF" at the ISPG) for more information. Here is her phone number: 02/377.03.57.
If I understood correctly, they're willing to provide a job to a pair of language teachers so as to promote cooperation and team-work between young teachers. If you'd like to work with someone from your class, it might be a good opportunity to apply together and maybe suggest a sort of project.
I hope you find this most inspiring! ;-)
I'm looking forward to reading from you.
All the best,
V Henin
February 17, 2009
Hi from... hum... rainy Brussels! ;-)
Hello everyone!
It's good to read from you! :-) Hope you're all doing fine... wherever you are! ;-)
Well, we haven't been in touch the last few weeks because things were rather hectic at school (as usual, one could say!) but it doesn't mean that we didn't think of you! On the contrary.
As far as the ISPG is concerned, we're busy with the training for the festival of languages with 1LG; we're leaving for London next week with 1 and 2LG. Last time we went there with you, the weather was wonderful... fingers crossed for this year! We're two months earlier. Fingers crossed, really, because it's not that nice to spend 3 days in the rain... very British, though! Just need to find the umbrella and the bowler hat! ;-)
I wanted to say goodbye to you all before you left... but managed to say a few words to some only (ah, ah... I know who attends the classes on Friday night now! ;-))). But I'll keep my very last goodbye word for June! ;-)))
On a more serious matter, I'd like to remind the students who write their paper with me to send me their 1st part for Feb. 22.
That's it for now...
I'm looking forward to reading from you!
Sending you all the best!
V Henin
It's good to read from you! :-) Hope you're all doing fine... wherever you are! ;-)
Well, we haven't been in touch the last few weeks because things were rather hectic at school (as usual, one could say!) but it doesn't mean that we didn't think of you! On the contrary.
As far as the ISPG is concerned, we're busy with the training for the festival of languages with 1LG; we're leaving for London next week with 1 and 2LG. Last time we went there with you, the weather was wonderful... fingers crossed for this year! We're two months earlier. Fingers crossed, really, because it's not that nice to spend 3 days in the rain... very British, though! Just need to find the umbrella and the bowler hat! ;-)
I wanted to say goodbye to you all before you left... but managed to say a few words to some only (ah, ah... I know who attends the classes on Friday night now! ;-))). But I'll keep my very last goodbye word for June! ;-)))
On a more serious matter, I'd like to remind the students who write their paper with me to send me their 1st part for Feb. 22.
That's it for now...
I'm looking forward to reading from you!
Sending you all the best!
V Henin
News from Latvia, Riga
Hello everybody,
Well, I arrived here in Riga on the 2nd of February. Both my host family and my mentor came to pick me up at the airport. They first invited me to eat something in my host family's café. We went to the school. I was introduced to all the teachers. (Every Monday they have a meeting in the school that's why I was introduced to all of them at the same time).
When I arrived there I wasn't stressed nor anxious but when I saw the school, the place where I was going to live I was a bit surprised and became stressed. The place where I live in not really in the centre of the city but in the suburbs. About half an hour by bus from the city centre. All people in this suburb live in large grey buildings. So this is where I live. My host family lives in one of those buildings on the 7th floor. The lift is a bit old, so I don't use it often. I am not too confident and I don't want to be stuck in it.
My host family is Russian, the school is Russian too, and the place where I live is only with Russian people. I thought that when I chose Latvia I would be in a Latvian family and a Latvian school ...
When I saw the school I thought it is an awful old school, but inside everything is modern. In almost all of the classrooms there is a TV or a computer. The teachers are all very nice to me. I have two mentors, two French teachers. One of them has difficulties to speak French; she prefers speaking English to me ... It is easier whith the other teacher who is more fluent in French. I also met the third French teacher and for her French is definitely not an easy language.
But even if some teachers aren't very good in French I think they teach very well because the students have a really good level. Some of the 18 years old students are almost perfect in French.
My first week here was very difficult because everything is different from what I am accustomed to in Belgium. People warned me not to take a bag when I'm going outside, and not to show that I don't understand Russian of Latvian. There is always a policeman in the school, etc.
At school I teach French 12 hours a week and I have to attend the English debate club (2 hours). I give also a lot of private lessons and today I participated to a discussion between teachers and students about St Valentine. On Friday I will go on excursion outside Riga whith some of my students.
Something surprised me here. St Valentine's Day is a big celebration here. The school organised a party at school. During two hours the students could make some presentations, plays, and sing songs about Love. The students wrote a lot of letters to each others and even gave presents to each other. I also received a present from one of my students. I received chocolates in a box in the shape of a heart.
A German student arrived a week after me in Riga. We are in the same school. He is studying to become a math and history teacher. In the school he teaches German. We will maybe visit Riga together if he has time because he is only staying 6 weeks.
I think I've written enough for today so ... more information about my stay here later.
Bye,
Stephanie
February 12, 2009
News from Leuven
My arrival at the High school in Leuven was on Monday the 2nd February. The international participants and I received messages by coordinators and councillors from the college of Leuven. They gave us an overview of the programme and its components.
The day before going to the new school, I had mixed feelings. I was worried, curious and wanting to make discoveries at the same time.
The first day ended with a drink and a dinner with teachers and students. The teachers tried to make us all comfortable. I was never at a table with so many people from different cultures. It is a real opportunity for me to be surrounded by people from all over the world: from Sudan, Nigeria, Pakistan, China, Holland and several other countries. I have a great appreciation of the diversity. The atmosphere at dinner was delightful. Colours, cheerfulness, smiley’s and curiosity to know who you are were at the rendezvous.
There is no dress code. You are accepted as you are. The teachers’ attitude towards the students is warm and friendly.
The rest of the week was organized for visiting the city of Leuven, settling administrative matters and asking possible questions.
This exchange will bring me a lot on human and intellectual levels. I have the feeling that I will not regret this unique experience.
Sanaa
The day before going to the new school, I had mixed feelings. I was worried, curious and wanting to make discoveries at the same time.
The first day ended with a drink and a dinner with teachers and students. The teachers tried to make us all comfortable. I was never at a table with so many people from different cultures. It is a real opportunity for me to be surrounded by people from all over the world: from Sudan, Nigeria, Pakistan, China, Holland and several other countries. I have a great appreciation of the diversity. The atmosphere at dinner was delightful. Colours, cheerfulness, smiley’s and curiosity to know who you are were at the rendezvous.
There is no dress code. You are accepted as you are. The teachers’ attitude towards the students is warm and friendly.
The rest of the week was organized for visiting the city of Leuven, settling administrative matters and asking possible questions.
This exchange will bring me a lot on human and intellectual levels. I have the feeling that I will not regret this unique experience.
Sanaa
February 09, 2009
News from Cirò Marina
Tuesday, Feb. 3
Hello everybody,
I don't know how many cappucini I've already drunk but boys, they definitely know how to make a good coffee down here. The appartment I've found has no heating, since it's a place mainly dedicated to tourists in summertime, when temperatures barely go under 35 grades. There is no class in the afternoon in Italy, they finish at 1:30 pm but they have class on Saturdays morning. All the shops are closed till 5pm, which allows me to have a gentle nap - and, as you know, I like that. But today I had a short one. My appartment is still cold and humid inside, that's why I find myself better outside, along the beach or in some cafeteria like the one where i'm sitting now. Calabria is sort of our Belgian Hainaut, a rather poor region with a lot of socio-economical problems. But people are quite friendly, and they are proud of their land anyway. So far I've met a fair number of teachers, and some of the students too. But I haven't got a chance to teach yet. We should set up a schedule in the next days. Remember, this is South here, and 'chi va piano, va sano'. Everybody speaks Italian to me, but once they're speaking to each other, they do it in dialect, and I'm completely lost! That's it for today, I hope I'll be able to connect soon from home - I've just bought a usb/modem key but it's not working so far. I can connect at school anyway, so I should be able to send you those few lines in time.
Sunday, Feb. 8
Yes, Italians are noisy! The only moment when this small town seems to calm down is on Sunday, at lunch time, after the morning mass. Then everybody is having a big meal at home, with the whole family. Streets are deserted, there is no more car or motorbike race going on, no more kids shouting and arguing (they're just playing, you know). But this break doesn't last very long: around 4:30pm, here they come again and forget about concentrating yourself on reading a book for instance…
Concentration! this word sounds almost funny down here… and for what I've seen so far in the classrooms, forget about it! Of course the school where I'm doing this assistantship doesn't have the ambition of training the elite of the nation, but still…
This winter the little port has been severely damaged by a series of tempests. They've started to rebuild the protecting wall, and chucked hundred of concrete blocks in front of it, to brake the nasty waves. Some argue that all the money spent on that wall is a big waste. It is true that the streets also need some repair, not to mention the street lighting. Sometimes this town makes me think of what I saw in Central or South America (I shouldn't have mentioned Hainaut on the other day; sorry, Steve!): same kind of buildings, many of them uncompleted, same street layout, same loose cleanliness. But surely enough, it's lively - and it's Europe, isn't it?
Bye now,
Vincent
PS: I'd like to send you some pictures but it takes too long to download them.
Hello everybody,
I don't know how many cappucini I've already drunk but boys, they definitely know how to make a good coffee down here. The appartment I've found has no heating, since it's a place mainly dedicated to tourists in summertime, when temperatures barely go under 35 grades. There is no class in the afternoon in Italy, they finish at 1:30 pm but they have class on Saturdays morning. All the shops are closed till 5pm, which allows me to have a gentle nap - and, as you know, I like that. But today I had a short one. My appartment is still cold and humid inside, that's why I find myself better outside, along the beach or in some cafeteria like the one where i'm sitting now. Calabria is sort of our Belgian Hainaut, a rather poor region with a lot of socio-economical problems. But people are quite friendly, and they are proud of their land anyway. So far I've met a fair number of teachers, and some of the students too. But I haven't got a chance to teach yet. We should set up a schedule in the next days. Remember, this is South here, and 'chi va piano, va sano'. Everybody speaks Italian to me, but once they're speaking to each other, they do it in dialect, and I'm completely lost! That's it for today, I hope I'll be able to connect soon from home - I've just bought a usb/modem key but it's not working so far. I can connect at school anyway, so I should be able to send you those few lines in time.
Sunday, Feb. 8
Yes, Italians are noisy! The only moment when this small town seems to calm down is on Sunday, at lunch time, after the morning mass. Then everybody is having a big meal at home, with the whole family. Streets are deserted, there is no more car or motorbike race going on, no more kids shouting and arguing (they're just playing, you know). But this break doesn't last very long: around 4:30pm, here they come again and forget about concentrating yourself on reading a book for instance…
Concentration! this word sounds almost funny down here… and for what I've seen so far in the classrooms, forget about it! Of course the school where I'm doing this assistantship doesn't have the ambition of training the elite of the nation, but still…
This winter the little port has been severely damaged by a series of tempests. They've started to rebuild the protecting wall, and chucked hundred of concrete blocks in front of it, to brake the nasty waves. Some argue that all the money spent on that wall is a big waste. It is true that the streets also need some repair, not to mention the street lighting. Sometimes this town makes me think of what I saw in Central or South America (I shouldn't have mentioned Hainaut on the other day; sorry, Steve!): same kind of buildings, many of them uncompleted, same street layout, same loose cleanliness. But surely enough, it's lively - and it's Europe, isn't it?
Bye now,
Vincent
PS: I'd like to send you some pictures but it takes too long to download them.
February 06, 2009
News from Ireland
Hi everybody,
How are you ? I’m fine.
The weekend of the 1st February, I prepared my luggage and all what I would take with me.
Surprise ! Or not. How can you survive 3 months with only 15 kg of luggage ? That’s a good question, isn’t it ?
It’s impossible. I had to sort what I would take with me and what my parents would bring me 3 weeks later at Carnival.
So, I left Belgium on the 4th February at 6.40 am with a surplus of 7 kg ;-)
I woke up at 3.00 am and arrived in Dublin at 7.30 am. Jenny, a teacher, was waiting for me at the airport.
We went together to Whitecross Primary School in Julianstown and she introduced me to all the teachers and their classes.
The pupils are lovely, they are very respectful and disciplined. They are very curious too, they ask a lot of questions about Belgium and how it works in our country. And I love answer them.
I spoke with the headmaster, Mr. Burke, about my stay and what I would do. I will present Belgium and I will also give some French lessons to the classes which want it. Moreover, I will help the different teachers with their class and especially in arts and crafts.
At noon, Laura and Jenny invited me at the restaurant and they took me to the apartment where I will live during the following three months.
Then, Laura brought me to Drogheda, a city at 4 km from my apartment.
We spent two hours there together. She guided me to where I need to be and helped me very friendly.
About the accommodation : it’s about 5 km from my school. I share it with Mary, a lawyer.
I have a double bedroom and my own bathroom. There is a kitchen and a sitting-dining room with a big TV J
I also have a big store at 10 min on foot.
Finally, I unpacked my luggage and installed myself. I arranged everything and then I was so tired with such a first day that I felt asleep. My first day was very busy and I love it.
On Thursday and Friday, I went in three classes each day to observe and also to help a little bit the teachers. I will have a schedule next week.
The school is nice and full of colors. They way of working is different. I will try to make a comparison with the way used in Belgium.
Unfortunately, there is no Internet and no telephone in the apartment. But I found a solution with an usb key which is a kind of modem. It practical, useful for me but sometimes low. I borrowed it from Mr. Burke and I will buy one this weekend.
Everybody is very nice and helpful. The whole staff welcomed me very friendly. To go to school, I get a lift with a teacher who picks me up every morning and she also gives me a lift in the afternoon to go back.
Further on I will discover Drogheda this weekend and rest a little bit. These few days were plenty of emotions and animated and so I’m a little tired.
If you want to know how it looks like the place where I am, you can get a look on Facebook. I put some pictures and I will put some more this weekend ;-)
If you are not on Facebook, I will put some on my msn-blog but that will be for in a few days because it takes a lot of time to get them on the Internet.
That’s all for today.
I know we have to write on the blog on specific days, but I will certainly write again soon.
Have a nice weekend,
Catherine xxx
How are you ? I’m fine.
The weekend of the 1st February, I prepared my luggage and all what I would take with me.
Surprise ! Or not. How can you survive 3 months with only 15 kg of luggage ? That’s a good question, isn’t it ?
It’s impossible. I had to sort what I would take with me and what my parents would bring me 3 weeks later at Carnival.
So, I left Belgium on the 4th February at 6.40 am with a surplus of 7 kg ;-)
I woke up at 3.00 am and arrived in Dublin at 7.30 am. Jenny, a teacher, was waiting for me at the airport.
We went together to Whitecross Primary School in Julianstown and she introduced me to all the teachers and their classes.
The pupils are lovely, they are very respectful and disciplined. They are very curious too, they ask a lot of questions about Belgium and how it works in our country. And I love answer them.
I spoke with the headmaster, Mr. Burke, about my stay and what I would do. I will present Belgium and I will also give some French lessons to the classes which want it. Moreover, I will help the different teachers with their class and especially in arts and crafts.
At noon, Laura and Jenny invited me at the restaurant and they took me to the apartment where I will live during the following three months.
Then, Laura brought me to Drogheda, a city at 4 km from my apartment.
We spent two hours there together. She guided me to where I need to be and helped me very friendly.
About the accommodation : it’s about 5 km from my school. I share it with Mary, a lawyer.
I have a double bedroom and my own bathroom. There is a kitchen and a sitting-dining room with a big TV J
I also have a big store at 10 min on foot.
Finally, I unpacked my luggage and installed myself. I arranged everything and then I was so tired with such a first day that I felt asleep. My first day was very busy and I love it.
On Thursday and Friday, I went in three classes each day to observe and also to help a little bit the teachers. I will have a schedule next week.
The school is nice and full of colors. They way of working is different. I will try to make a comparison with the way used in Belgium.
Unfortunately, there is no Internet and no telephone in the apartment. But I found a solution with an usb key which is a kind of modem. It practical, useful for me but sometimes low. I borrowed it from Mr. Burke and I will buy one this weekend.
Everybody is very nice and helpful. The whole staff welcomed me very friendly. To go to school, I get a lift with a teacher who picks me up every morning and she also gives me a lift in the afternoon to go back.
Further on I will discover Drogheda this weekend and rest a little bit. These few days were plenty of emotions and animated and so I’m a little tired.
If you want to know how it looks like the place where I am, you can get a look on Facebook. I put some pictures and I will put some more this weekend ;-)
If you are not on Facebook, I will put some on my msn-blog but that will be for in a few days because it takes a lot of time to get them on the Internet.
That’s all for today.
I know we have to write on the blog on specific days, but I will certainly write again soon.
Have a nice weekend,
Catherine xxx
Hello everyone!
Here is some news from Leeuwarden...
It's a city in the north of the Netherlands. Actually, it's the chief-town of Friesland.
I'm in the Netherlands for only 2 days and I realize that it's not easy to write in English after speaking Dutch all the day; all the words come in Dutch rather than in English... Damn!
Now, I'll speak a little bit about my life here in Leeuwarden.
I arrived on Tuesday late in the afternoon because on Monday I had an interview at the French Community for a future work in the United-Kingdom for next schoolyear (I cross my fingers for...) and on the afternoon I attended my grandmother's funeral...
Here I live in a beautiful house with the Boschloo family; Gerrit, the father, is an architect and he has two children, Suzanne and Friso. Suzanne is fifteen and Friso is thirteen (Friso means the first inhabitant of Friesland). The house is good located; it takes me 5 minutes to go to school and also 5 minutes to be in the city-centre of Leeuwarden, that is great. I have my own bedroom with my personal television. Gerrit cooks for us and we have even each day a dessert...
The Boschloo family is really a nice family! I am lucky to be with them.
Wednesday was my first day at school. I met the two French teachers that I assist; Liesbeth and Carla. Liesbeth is the French teacher for the pupils from 12 until 15 years old and Carla for the pupils from 16 until 18. The other teachers and the administrative staff are, just like Liesbeth and Carla, really nice with me. The school's name is Piter Jelles Gymnasium and there are around 600 pupils and 60 teachers. Next week, there will be an other assitant at school which comes from Italy, his surname is Dario. There’s a rumour going round that he is very handsome... I ride my bike to school (or to more precize with the bike that the school lends me...) I am in the Netherlands, it is quite normal to cycle...
I hope that everythings is also going well for you and that you enjoy your trip whatever you are
See you soon on the blog...
xoxo
Bérangère
Here is some news from Leeuwarden...
It's a city in the north of the Netherlands. Actually, it's the chief-town of Friesland.
I'm in the Netherlands for only 2 days and I realize that it's not easy to write in English after speaking Dutch all the day; all the words come in Dutch rather than in English... Damn!
Now, I'll speak a little bit about my life here in Leeuwarden.
I arrived on Tuesday late in the afternoon because on Monday I had an interview at the French Community for a future work in the United-Kingdom for next schoolyear (I cross my fingers for...) and on the afternoon I attended my grandmother's funeral...
Here I live in a beautiful house with the Boschloo family; Gerrit, the father, is an architect and he has two children, Suzanne and Friso. Suzanne is fifteen and Friso is thirteen (Friso means the first inhabitant of Friesland). The house is good located; it takes me 5 minutes to go to school and also 5 minutes to be in the city-centre of Leeuwarden, that is great. I have my own bedroom with my personal television. Gerrit cooks for us and we have even each day a dessert...
The Boschloo family is really a nice family! I am lucky to be with them.
Wednesday was my first day at school. I met the two French teachers that I assist; Liesbeth and Carla. Liesbeth is the French teacher for the pupils from 12 until 15 years old and Carla for the pupils from 16 until 18. The other teachers and the administrative staff are, just like Liesbeth and Carla, really nice with me. The school's name is Piter Jelles Gymnasium and there are around 600 pupils and 60 teachers. Next week, there will be an other assitant at school which comes from Italy, his surname is Dario. There’s a rumour going round that he is very handsome... I ride my bike to school (or to more precize with the bike that the school lends me...) I am in the Netherlands, it is quite normal to cycle...
I hope that everythings is also going well for you and that you enjoy your trip whatever you are
See you soon on the blog...
xoxo
Bérangère
February 03, 2009
February 02, 2009
February 01, 2009
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