New School Year- New Country
Hello my 4 followers (Mom & Dad, I see you!!)...I'm back 😀
And in a brand new country!
After living in Europe for almost 8 years, it was time to change things up again and experience a new culture and language. So, I decided to pack up and move to South America. Colombia, to be exact.
Back in October/ November 2018, I started talking with the Head of Colegio Colombo Britanico in Cali, Colombia. Also, at the same time, I started the application process to become an English Language Fellow through the State Department. Think Peace Corps for Master teachers. The application process is pretty thorough and after several months and interviews, I was accepted into the pool of English Language Fellows. The next step was to wait to see if I would get a placement.
About the time that I was waiting for a placement with ELF, I was offered a teaching position with Colegio Colombo Britanico. As I was weighing the pros and cons, and trying to block out all the negative nellies who were asking why I would possibly move to Colombia, I was offered a placement with ELF. In Kazakhstan. While this was certainly exciting, the position in Colombia was also exciting.
Working at CCB would get me back in the classroom full-time, and at a school that is a well-established IB world school with around 1000 students. Working with the ELF program would give me valuable experience teaching at a university and designing/ running teacher training programs. Both options were very tempting.
In the end, I feel that I have a few more years left before I want to enter the university level. So, Colombia won out.
The end of the school year was a whirlwind of packing, arranging transport for Klaudy, saying goodbye to friends and students in Ostrava, and FINALLY leaving Czech Republic. I say finally because it seemed to be a long, drawn out process of moving.
I moved from Europe to the States for July. Spent a few weeks in Wisconsin and then drove across country with Mom, Dad, and Klaudy! She was a champ through it all. I spent the rest of July in Durango, trying to reduce my luggage to two suitcases and awaiting my ticket to Colombia.
In the end, I decided to leave Klaudy with my parents as I wasn't sure what my situation would be like in Cali and I wanted to get settled first. I wasn't sure how it was going to work out with Klaudy staying with my parents, but let's just say...I may never get her back!! My parents, especially my Dad, are smitten with her and are really enjoying having her around. The plan is for her to come in January...I'm hoping she's wanting to join me.
At the very end of July, I flew from Denver to Cali, Colombia via Panama. Cali is the 2nd largest city in Colombia (or 3rd, depending on what you read).
Cali has about 2.5 million people and is located in the Southwest of the country. It's located in a valley which keeps the weather temperate with two rainy seasons.
The school itself is located in the far south, a bit further up in the mountains (or towards the mountains). The campus of the school is massive and has an Early Childhood area, Primary school and Secondary school. An auditorium, gym, pool, library, offices, and massive cafeteria round out the campus.
As you can see, it's a beautiful campus, and as it is up a bit in the mountains and full of green spaces, it stays relatively cool and fresh. PLUS the rooms have air conditioning and the students are obsessed with having cold class rooms!! Works for me 😁
It has been quite a trying few months...between moving to a new country, continent, and flat; not having internet for ages; learning yet another new language; leaving my dog behind; and having a bonus new position as English Department Coordinator along with teaching full-time; and having a group of students that are definitely trying my patience, it has been very trying.
I'm not going to lie, I've wanted to give up quite a few times. There have been many tears.
BUT I'm no quitter and I still love what I do, so I've been determined to settle in.
I've started to make relationships with the students, I have internet at home now, new furniture has been purchased and put together, AND I've taken my first trip...to the AMAZON! It's been a wild (almost) three months...
And in a brand new country!
After living in Europe for almost 8 years, it was time to change things up again and experience a new culture and language. So, I decided to pack up and move to South America. Colombia, to be exact.
Back in October/ November 2018, I started talking with the Head of Colegio Colombo Britanico in Cali, Colombia. Also, at the same time, I started the application process to become an English Language Fellow through the State Department. Think Peace Corps for Master teachers. The application process is pretty thorough and after several months and interviews, I was accepted into the pool of English Language Fellows. The next step was to wait to see if I would get a placement.
About the time that I was waiting for a placement with ELF, I was offered a teaching position with Colegio Colombo Britanico. As I was weighing the pros and cons, and trying to block out all the negative nellies who were asking why I would possibly move to Colombia, I was offered a placement with ELF. In Kazakhstan. While this was certainly exciting, the position in Colombia was also exciting.
Working at CCB would get me back in the classroom full-time, and at a school that is a well-established IB world school with around 1000 students. Working with the ELF program would give me valuable experience teaching at a university and designing/ running teacher training programs. Both options were very tempting.
In the end, I feel that I have a few more years left before I want to enter the university level. So, Colombia won out.
The end of the school year was a whirlwind of packing, arranging transport for Klaudy, saying goodbye to friends and students in Ostrava, and FINALLY leaving Czech Republic. I say finally because it seemed to be a long, drawn out process of moving.
I moved from Europe to the States for July. Spent a few weeks in Wisconsin and then drove across country with Mom, Dad, and Klaudy! She was a champ through it all. I spent the rest of July in Durango, trying to reduce my luggage to two suitcases and awaiting my ticket to Colombia.
In the end, I decided to leave Klaudy with my parents as I wasn't sure what my situation would be like in Cali and I wanted to get settled first. I wasn't sure how it was going to work out with Klaudy staying with my parents, but let's just say...I may never get her back!! My parents, especially my Dad, are smitten with her and are really enjoying having her around. The plan is for her to come in January...I'm hoping she's wanting to join me.
At the very end of July, I flew from Denver to Cali, Colombia via Panama. Cali is the 2nd largest city in Colombia (or 3rd, depending on what you read).
Cali has about 2.5 million people and is located in the Southwest of the country. It's located in a valley which keeps the weather temperate with two rainy seasons.
The school itself is located in the far south, a bit further up in the mountains (or towards the mountains). The campus of the school is massive and has an Early Childhood area, Primary school and Secondary school. An auditorium, gym, pool, library, offices, and massive cafeteria round out the campus.
As you can see, it's a beautiful campus, and as it is up a bit in the mountains and full of green spaces, it stays relatively cool and fresh. PLUS the rooms have air conditioning and the students are obsessed with having cold class rooms!! Works for me 😁
It has been quite a trying few months...between moving to a new country, continent, and flat; not having internet for ages; learning yet another new language; leaving my dog behind; and having a bonus new position as English Department Coordinator along with teaching full-time; and having a group of students that are definitely trying my patience, it has been very trying.
I'm not going to lie, I've wanted to give up quite a few times. There have been many tears.
I've started to make relationships with the students, I have internet at home now, new furniture has been purchased and put together, AND I've taken my first trip...to the AMAZON! It's been a wild (almost) three months...
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