Post Conference

The conference was interesting and informative of Costarican culture. There are something that surprised me such as literature is a new subject being taught in schools (less than 5 years) and so it has been difficult for some teachers to get on board with helping students express themselves through literature. An interesting fact, most Costa Rican are not used to talk about themselves (Ex. I am smart, energetic and loving - it would take a while to come up with this statement). So it is natural that it would feel awkward to express one's feelings and thoughts through literature. It is very much apart of American culture to speak of oneself and our characteristics. Furthermore, we sometimes have the opposite problem of focusing so much on the feelings one has when reading and not the mechanics of reading.

Some photos from the past days!

My first school lunch. Muy delicioso y dos dollares!

The conference was held at the Universidad Latina.

A typical lunch cafe.

A typical street in San Pedro.

Streets are "not up to code"

Church in San Pedro

First couple of days

Yesterday was my first day at the school, Liceo Experimental Bilingue Jose Figueres Ferrer. I was supposed to meet my cooperating teachers, get a tour and hopefully meet some students. As I have learned in my short time here in Costa Rica, you will always receive more than promised. After an extensive tour from teacher Lilliam, I entered into a classroom of 10th grade students, oral English. I received a brief introduction, then the class was mine to teach. Then lunch. Then the next class was mine to teach. I love the students! Teaching the first day renewed my passion and I am very excited to embark on Monday's lessons. I will be teaching the entire 10th grade student body, and they are a joy to work with.

I have to run, today I was invited to an English teachers conference in San Jose. I have breakfast waiting in the main house (I love my house mom Emilia!) and then I am picked up a few blocks from here by teacher Lilliam. Luckily there is another very nice English Teaching student staying here named Stephanie, and we will be going together on this day conference to San Jose. Bueno!

More later! Yo tengo hambre.

I am finally here!

I arrived at approx. 8pm local time. It's 11:15 now and I am ready for bed!

I have a lovely private room with my own bathroom. My house mom is very warm and loving. She does not speak much English and speaks to me as if I can understand Spanish - welcome to immersion school 101! I would have to ignore everyone not to pick up the language. It is a bit overwhelming right now, but I am sure I will love it once I have a good night's sleep.

The humidity is wonderful, I wonder what it will feel like in the morning. I begin teaching on Monday, so I will have a few days to become acquainted with my new home.

Attached are pictures of my room - you can see it all in one shot!

Leaving in 2 DAYS!

I leave for Costa Rica on the 28th (Tuesday). It is so crazy to think it was not so long ago when I began planning this journey and now it is finally here!

Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. There has been a lot of love that has not gone unappreciated.

I will be living in Tres Rios, teaching in Cartago. If you want to see it on a map click on this link:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=tres+rios+costa+rica&ie=UTF-8&ei=hmg5UPHWLaOKjAKWnYGACw&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAg

Or type "Tres Rios Costa Rica Map" into google.

Pictures and updates as soon as I can!


-Love, Jordan