"First Week of Work"

So, I know everyone is expecting to hear about my busy first week at work, but it turns out, this was only my "first week" (entre comillas, as they say in Spanish). Noel (the other Fulbrighter at my school) and I did go to the school for the first time on Monday. We met with our coordinator, Carmen, and learned a little more about the school and the bilingual program. We also met several of the English teachers. On Wednesday, we went back, but found out that there really wasn't much for us to do. We looked over some of the materials for the Global Classrooms Program (a Model UN Program that we are in charge of) and realized that we have a lot to learn in that arena. I think it will be a very rewarding, but challenging experience.

On Thursday, we went back to school, and found out that our schedules were still not finalized, so we're still not exactly sure what we are doing and when. I do know that I will be helping out in both English and Social Sciences classes (and possibly a music class, which would be great for me!) I met the English and Social Sciences teachers, which was certianly helpful, but I still dont REALLY know where I have to be and when for the next week. So, hopefully after this coming week I"ll actually get a fixed schedule, and things will be a little easier to figure out. Also, my first project for school was to create a presentation about myself to give to the kids, as a way of introducing myself, and getting them to listen and speak in English (hopefully about topics that are interesting to them). I'm planning to talk a little about my hometown, Duke, and especially, Duke Bball (i figured, of all the things i'm interested in, college sports would be the most interesting topic for a group of teenagers!). So, I'm pretty excited for my first REAL week of work; I hope it goes well.

Since I didn't actually have to work that much this week, I've had a lot of time to hang out with some of the other Fulbrighters and explore the city some more. It's been nice to get to know some of them better and I even have one friend who is now living right around the corner from me, which is really convenient! I went to her house for lunch yesterday, which was a lot of fun.

I think it will be nice to have a regular schedule soon and hopefully, I will be able to start planning some trips (I'm hoping to have Friday off, but I still don't know whether that will happen or not). Fingers crossed...anyway, that's it for now....