Greetings! 9/18/11
I cannot believe I have been here in Slovakia for a little over one month. Time never slows regardless of where in the world one is located. This email will be a longer one, so brace yourself. If you do not read all of it, I will not take offense ;)
Where to begin..
Culture/History:
Slovakia is considered to be on the borders of central/Eastern Europe. Slovakia’s capital is Bratislava, and I reside three hours away in Banska Bystrica (Banska Bistritsa). Bystrica is located in the mountains (hills as they call them, but after living in Texas and Chicago, they look like mountains to me). Bystrica is one of the bigger cities, but is still smaller than Dallas or Chicago. They scenery is beautiful, and its nice to look around and see “green”. There is a “British Walmart” called Tesco, and few local grocery stores in regards to food. The western influence has brought in a shopping mall, which contrasts the “Square” which was built long before the mall. The square has many shops, restaurants and is the center of Bystrica. There is a small castle, many cathedrals, a cemetery, and giant clock tower which can be heard a mile and half away, because I hear it at home, a mile and half away. I enjoy taking walks through the square. Sometimes you may find street instrumentalists, tourists, and random festivals. They have already had two that I know of in the past month.
The culture here is an interesting mix. The west has already begun its way in, but the east still holds some influence. Slovakia is a former communist country and it much of that still has a hold on the culture here. The younger generation is not much affected, but anyone usually older than 50 struggles. The government still operates in communist form. Everything requires paperwork, they take their time, they change their minds, and everything has to have specific notarized stamp. (They love their stamps here) Post-communism shines in almost anything. For example most buildings are painted in pastel colours both inside and out (including my office at school, It’s a bright peach). No colors were allowed during communism, so now they want everything to look like Easter. The older ladies all have purple, blue, maroon or pink hair because hair-dying was also not allowed. During communism, everyone was required to lean German or Russian and was expected to speak it. Churches were regulated, and like all communist countries, controlled by their government. Everyone here is grateful to be a free nation, but the communist weight still lingers. Just two years ago, Slovakia joined the European union and switched from the crown to the Euro.
The language spoken here is Slovak, which is similar to Russian and that has proved beneficial to me. They are both members of the family of Slavic languages and I have discovered many similarities. Some words are the exact same, some have different endings and of course some are entirely different. For example “kniga” is Russian for book but “Kinha” is the Slovak word. Thankfully Slovak has a much simpler alphabet which reads phonetically unlike the Cyrillic Alphabet, which took me forever to learn. However, I sometimes do confuse the two languages and I still respond in Russian sometimes, but most of the time they understand me. I love language learning and hope to get a firm grasp on Slovak soon.
Adjusting has been easy in some ways, hard in others. Getting paid in Euros is new, and credit cards are not common here. I have never had this many coins in my pocket before..the Euro is full of coins. This is a very last minute culture, so my type-A personality has had to be flexible with last minute memos, and scheduling changes. Of course language barrier is never easy, and being the “new kid” anywhere is always hard. However, being in Ukraine for a few months has helped, so honestly, some differences do not even occur to me. Living in Chicago for almost three years has also helped. For example, I am used to walking everywhere and bringing bags to sack my groceries. Certain things do not phase me.
The Food here is pretty similar to Ukrainian food, minus the borsch. Lots of bread and potatoes. Many dairy products, and soups. The chocolate of course is excellent and I like the tradition of drinking tea and coffee after a meal. The food isn’t too much of a change for me, but it is a little more expensive and gluten free is a new thing. Celiacs is not common here yet, but its on the rise I suppose. I enjoy the many fruits and vegetables
Another interesting fact is that there is no separation between church and state here. For example, pastors are paid by the government like anyone else and the school I teach is “Christian” but considered a public state school, also government funded. The country is predominately Catholic, and many of my students come from that background or non-religious families. Most churches here are Catholic, and many of the holidays are Catholic, but I attend what is close to a First Evangelical Free Church, Emily attends a Baptist church, and there is a Lutheran church, seventh day-Adventist and an Apostolic church in the city. There are still many aspects about the culture I have yet to learn, but I still enjoy the learning process
School
I work at an Elementary school, with the best ESL program in the city. If you want to look at it, here is the school’s website: *******. I am the youngest faculty member, because most people my age are still in school. The European school system differs from the American. You cannot get a job without a master’s here, and “high school” is very similar to our undergrad system. I am always still amazed at language learning here. These kids not only take English, but are offered Spanish and Russian, and do have to choose one by the 5th grade in addition to continuing English, which is taught from the first grade on, not optional. This is the school’s first year with a 6th grade class, and each year the school adds on a grade until they reach the 8th. I am really enjoying teaching so far. I was intimidated at the thought of teaching 4-6, because for the past 4 years or so I have consistently worked with little guys, but pre-teens seemed scary. However, my students and I have connected pretty well. My kids speak English pretty well. The 4th graders are crazy still, and kids are kids but so far I haven’t had any major issues . They are at a funny age though, the 4th and 5th graders are still at “we can’t intermix in fear of contracting cooties” and the 6th graders are somewhat like that, but some are discovering their hormones and that maybe cooties don’t exist after all..Honestly, it is somewhat amusing to watch. I have “lunch duty” once a week with the kids and I asked them to teach me some Slovak and I had an entire crowd around me last week. They really are sweet, and I am enjoying getting to know them. I have even spent some time with the little kids, and their English is not quite as good, but they are quite fun. The first graders especially, are still so new to school, and they hold hands and are easily awed. One little boy knows very random words in English which surprises us all, and likes to go around pretending he is a car during the day. He will pause to tell you something in English and the go about attending his “car duties. “ One of my 5th grade students asked me where I was from, and I told him Texas, and he said “Ooo! Sombrero! You have?”.
I currently teach 18 hours a week and will soon add on a faculty ESL class. Many of them have been requesting it and once I get settled into my required teaching hours, I will develop a curriculum for the teachers. In addition to teaching English, I also co-teach four classes with a Slovak teachers, to develop bi-lingual education. I teach Art and a sociology/ethics class. . I did not ask to teach these, as I feel qualified for neither but since I’m co-teaching it shouldn’t be too bad. For 5th and 6th grade,it is interesting, but not too difficult. Honestly, the art class will probably be the biggest challenge, due to my non-artistic abilities. The other class is actually pretty interesting so far but we’ll see how 5th graders handle decision making, problem solving and the outcome of their decisions based on how they choose a solution..they get to grasp ideas such as “individualism” and “utilitarianism” in their second language…as 10-11 year olds. Coming soon we will start working on the winter Musical, but its one step at a time for now.
Being a full time teacher is fun, and I wasn’t sure what to expect coming in, but I am enjoying it. Its hard, but its worth it. I anticipate the upcoming school year and I know challenges will arise (they already have) but I stand back and thank God for calling me to this.
Personally…
I am adjusting decently here. I like it here, however culture shock is still inevitable and still wearing off. I have had moments where I wish I could run out to coffee with a close friend, but I know deep relationships take time. I miss my family, and wish they could be here with me, but I am beginning to make relationships with the faculty at school as well as people from my church. My roommate Emily has been a huge help also. She is from Texas as well, and has lived in Slovakia for four years now. Many people here have been very kind and helped me as I get settled in to my flat and start school. We have most things we need in our flat, minus an extra bed. I was on the couch until this weekend, and Emily graciously offered to switch with me. I figure until we get another bed we can alternate. Part of missionary life I am still working on getting my Visa, which has been rather painful. The foreign police here still run with communist mindset. They ask for something, you give it, they its “and now this, and this...” They don’t like to tell you everything upfront. My first work permit was rejected due to the notarized stamp on my diploma not being the correct color stamp, and I had to have another copy sent from the states. They stamp and notarize everything here, and there is much paperwork required. I will spare you the details of that, but I now have my work visa but am waiting on my permission to stay. It should be here within the next 2-3 weeks, but please pray if you think about it! I have until mid-November to get it, otherwise I go to Croatia or Ukraine for a bit then get to come back however, in the middle of the semester I’d rather not.
Ok, if you read this letter, you may now wipe the sweat off your brow..It was long and tedious I’m sure! This will be the only letter with such length, you have my word. I just have so much I wish to tell you all, and I wish I could put everyone on plane and take you out to coffee with me! Please pray for my visa to be completed soon, and that I will continue to adjust and build relationships. There are a few ministry opportunities at my church I am praying about but I am trying to evade the fallacy of jumping in too quickly. I still trying to work out my school schedule, which is different day-to-day and adjust to teaching first. However, I do wish to be involved in church ministry and I am excited about what the Lord is doing right now within the church here. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Please keep me posted on your lives as well!
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