first few days of school

Well this week Chaht said we would just be going through an orientation to get used to the school, the students, and the policies. Yesterday was the first official day, we got our desks in the school teacher office and brought in our computers to be hooked up to the school system. We got a tour of the school and went over a few policies. 

This morning, we were formally introduced to the school of 3,000 by standing on a podium outside for morning announcements. They gave us flowers and pins to welcome us to the school and we had to make a quick little speech about us, that in true Thai fashion, was told to us 2 minutes before we got on the stage. We got our school schedule with all of our classes, I will be teaching 1/2 [1 means first year in EP (aka 7th grade), and 2 is the second class of 1st years], and 4/10 [4 is the 4th year in EP (aka 10th grade) and 10 is the only class]. My schedule is actually pretty nicely laid out. Monday - 2 classes, 8:30-9:20 & 12:40-1:30, Tuesday/Thursday - 1 class at 3:10-4:00, Wednesday - 2 classes, 9:20-10:10 & 12:40-1:30, and Friday - 2 classes at 8:30-9:20 & 1:30-2:20. Well that's all for now, be in touch soon!

Kanchanaburi

The first activity they had planned for us on Friday was elephant trekking! It was two people per elephant and a rider pretty much guiding the elephant. Occansionally the guide would hop off and we could each sit on the elephant's neck by ourselves! I have some really great pictures that I will be posting soon! They took us through a small village and down to the Kwai River. Once we got to the river we were able to get on bamboo rafts and take a relaxing drift down the river. Our paddler let us jump in and take a swim next to the raft. When we got back from rafting, they had some lunch for us and a baby elephant for entertainment. This little elephant could play the harmonica, dance and hula hoop around it's trunk, it was pretty awesome!

After the lunch we all got on the buses and headed toward a children's orphanage. It was probably the best part of my whole time yet in Thailand. The orphanage we went to, was solely run by donations and all the staff that worked there also lived there. They grew their own food, and as a community built all the buildings they use. They teach the children to call them Mom and Dad and use them as the family they don't have. 

They hold community meetings where the children can speak up about what they want in the small village and play a part in making decisions. We each got into groups 

and taught a lesson to a group of the kids. Even though they knew most of the lessons we came up with to teach like numbers colors, animals, they were good sports about it.

After our lesson we could hang around, go to the gift shop and play with the kids. They loved taking pictures, and fooling around with us. THey were quite adorable. I'll be posting pictures from Kanchanaburi soon!

Meeting my school coordinator!

Well today I got to meet my school coordinator, Mr. Supannachaht or just Chaht. He said that the Sanguan Ying School I'm placed in has an English program building that I'm gonna be teaching in. Apparently the students must pass a test to be admitted into this program and their parents pay 17,500 baht (when the regular school is 2,000 baht). The program size is about 180 students and class sizes range from 17-22! Each student has a laptop and the students learn most subjects all in english. We have a pretty strict curriculum to follow but all amenities available to us which is awesome. He also said in November our school will be getting 9 exchange students from Wisconsin. We also have teachers around my age from Tasmania and Finland who will be living close to me. 

I was also able to get the lo-down on the living situation. Our house will have internet! We have a kitchen, each our own room and bathroom, living room with TV and washer. He told us that there is an aquarium and lots of museums near us. Even though Suphanburi is not a touristy place there are some things for locals to do. He also said that the markets we have are traditional old school Thai markets, which I cannot wait to see. 

Oh and side note, all mail to me should be sent to my school, here's the address:

Sanguan Ying School (English Program) ..(<- be sure to put EP or English Program next to it)

134 Prachatippatai Road

Amphur Muang, Suphanburi 72000

Thailand

**I also get to go on school trips to Chang Mai and the far south!

site seeing in bangkok

Yesterday our program took us to the emerald buddha temple and grand palace in Bangkok. It is quite a site to see. The gold and jewels on every building sparkles and shines as soon as the sun touches it. Although the sun made the buildings look gorgeous it was hotter than the hottest day in Florida in the middle of summer. Pretty much everyone was sweating mainly also because to get into the palace and temple there was strict dress code, long skirt and close toed shoes with blouses  for girls and pants and shoes for boys. There is actually a security guard who sits at the door who's only job is to look at the clothes people are wearing. The emerald buddha was pretty cool to see. The buddha is made out of pure jade and depending on the season, wears gold and jewels. Each season the king changes the outfit on the buddha. I wanted to get some pictures of the buddha but you were not allowed to take pictures inside where the buddha was sitting. We had to take off our shoes and we were allowed to walk in and had to sit legs folded and feet pointing away from the buddha. It was pretty amazing to see. 

Tomorrow we meet our school coordinators, and have a dinner with them after classes all day. We will be able to talk to them and ask questions about our school, so tomorrow will be a long day. Posting again soon.

First day in Bangkok

Well, I've made it thorough my first day in Thailand! We had "classes" I guess you could say all day. We went through the school system and expectation of the teachers, a language course that we will have everyday and a teaching course that we'll also have everyday. There are 64 of us in the program which is a pretty big group and we're placed pretty much all over Thailand. It's nice to meet everyone so I'll be able to visit them and get to see most of Thailand. By the end of the week, I'll be getting my Thai teaching certificate and heading off to Suphanburi. 

Our teacher for our teaching course said that most classes sizes run from 25 to 60+ students, so I'm hoping I'll be on the 25 side of it since I can't imagine having 60 students in one class! We're on our own for dinners so I think some of us will be going out tonight and experiencing Bangkok on our own which will be interesting! I guess last night some people went out to a bar and there was a band playing Johnny Cash all night and apparently he was a pretty good impersonator, so we'll see what tonight has to offer! Everything is good so far! Be in touch soon!

Teaching Abroad

Well I've decided to keep a blog for family and friends to check up on me and my whereabouts while I'm in Thailand! I'll try and keep my activities posted and keep everyone updated so be sure to check the blog!