Teaching the Teacher

Being a teacher, especially of adults, is an amazing experience. I have, in one of my classes, a rocket scientist, and a lady who works for a humanitarian NGO. In another class, I teach three
employees of the Russia branch of United Pictures, a large Hollywood cinema company. Occasionally, a celeberty visits to promote a new release. In the near future, a well know celeberty will be visiting us. Back to my point, teaching is a wonderful occupation, because it provides wonderful opportunities to meet interesting people from many diverse backgrounds. I have had many stimulating conversations about subjects such as politics, racism, economics, Soviet History, and ecology, to name a few.

Tourists often hear the advice which urges them to get to know the local people. Sit in a cafe, and chat, ask them about life, try to learn some of the language, know about the culture, etc. Teaching in a foreign land for a year is going even farther. I have lived in Russia, as Russian for almost 9 months now, and it has taught me many amazing things. Being a teacher gives one a chance to be something even more important: a friend. I am grateful for the many friends that I have made here, and I hope that I can continue to stay in touch with them after I return home.