It's becoming real....

Today I went to a re-entry seminar, and got the chance to talk to students who just came home from student teaching abroad. All the trips sounded amazing! I can't wait to see more from Uganda (I know T. Britt and Amanda will share a lot with me from their trips on their blogs). The people coming back from Ecuador we really helpful. I asked a million questions, and they happily answered every one. All the excursions I have planned got rave reviews from those who had tried them on their trip.

Look at this adorable little thing:

Did you just have a flashback of 1997? This little guy is aspiring to be phone when it grows up! I bought it from one of the returning student teachers. It's a pre-paid phone from a company called Claro. The minutes are just as cheap to call the US as they are to call within Ecuador. I won't have to worry about international fees, having a long-distance number for any friends I make and may want to meet up with, or having my fancy grown-up phone pick pocketed.

I also have tickets now!! My amazing father gave me all of his accumulated skymiles, and bought my round-trip tickets (my early graduation present). I am leaving on Monday, August 12th at 5:30 PM, and arriving home Thursday, November 28th, at 5:45 AM. This means that Thanksgiving day, I will:

•  fly in
• see my friends and family
• re-unite with best friend:

Pilgrim (who I, coincidentally found on Thanksgiving 2009). 

• sleep, sleep, sleep
• be fed a huge, delicious, all-American holiday meal
• and....... sleep some more.

What better way to come home could a girl ask for?

This trip just keeps getting more real in my mind, we discussed housing at the re-entry seminar today. I found out that the coordinator has been working on getting in touch with a company for the apartments we will most likely stay in. Aren't they incredible? I can't wait for August!

One more thing: I found out that I will be teaching the 6th grade. Colegio Menor does things a bit differently than the typical US school. Kindergarten through 6th grade are taught in a "lower school", and 7th-12th grade are taught in an "upper school." This means that 6th grade doesn't have the separate content classes that middle schools do. I will be teaching everything. Time to brush up on 6th grade Math and Science! I will have the same students all day long. I am excited about the opportunity to really get to know my students in a way I never would have had to opportunity to in a traditional student teaching experience.

...................... Is it August yet?

Preparing for the next chapter

Student Teaching Abroad

 I've just received confirmation that I made it through TOSS with flying colors! I am so excited about the next and final chapter in my undergrad experience: student teaching in Ecuador! I will be leaving in August to student teach Middle School Social Studies at an amazing looking private school in Quito. I could not more excited about this new adventure: learning about a different culture, improving my Spanish, seeing an amazing biologically diverse country and teaching a classroom full of English as a second language learners. Keep an eye out for adventures such as:

• hiking snow covered volcanoes

• visiting the Galapagos

• a trip to the Amazon

• experiments on the equator

• experiencing Baños (a town with beautiful sights and a butterfly conservatory- translates as Holy Water Baths- not bathrooms)

Some of my friends from the greatest TOSS class ever will be student teaching in China and Uganda. I'll be sure to link to their blogs! I can't wait to start sharing my adventures (and making everyone back home jealous)