Walking onto the Harrisburg HACC Campus was really weird. I didn't know what to expect. I'll admit I'm a bit of an academic snob so I failed to realize that for some people, this is it. It looks like a real college. I arrived via Rabbit Transit Express from York at 8:30 in the morning. It's a snowy morning and both York and Lebanon HACC campuses are closed today (In my defense I'm pretty sure at least the York Campus is just one building. I'll find out for sure on Friday.) so I wasn't even sure Harrisburg's would be open this early. Much to my surprise, there were people everywhere; hanging out with labtops in the lobby of the main building, hanging out in the gazebo in the courtyard. It's unmistakeably a college campus. I still found it weird that it was 8:30am and so many people were out and about. The library (my current location) is pretty full. You would only see a crowd like this at this hour of the morning during finals weeks at Lehigh. Well, come to think of it, I can't say that with any authority, because I was personally never in one of Lehigh's libraries from 8-9:30am. I was either in class or sleeping (or both!) so I could be wrong. I guess HACC students don't have the luxury of jumping out of bed and running across campus to class. The have to hang out here all day in the midst of going to class. And now I'm one of them. A line from another Avenue Q song comes to mind. The last line to this sucker:
"These kids are so much younger than me." (Which I would only say because, following the rhyme sequence, it has to rhyme with 'be'. Grammatically, it's an incorrect sentence and should be "younger than I". See, I told you, I'm a snob.)
After the initial shock of "whoa, this is like real college" I read the syllabi for two of my classes online and was reminded of where I am. With remarks like "quotes should not take up the whole page" in instructions for one page responses that will be due and later examples of the type of sentences NOT to write, my professor's frustration with prior students' performances is palpable. The other syllabus for the online class is filled with threats of deducting points if your posts are indicative of a lackluster effort. A post doesn't count if it only repeats another student's point and doesn't add anything new to discussion, you lose points if it looks like most of your posts are posted "at the last minute simply to meet the deadline rather than engaging in meaningful discussions" (that sentence is in bold and underlined) as well as for poor grammar and spelling (bold and italic). I've never felt so talked down to in a course syllabus. But then I look around me and see the guy next to me singing along obnoxiously to whatever is coming through his headphones (remember we're in a library) and the guy across from me aggressively scratching his junk and then I understand why they include these things.
Showing posts with label bus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bus. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
New Title, Same Great Posts
So I've returned from a fantastic visit home. Unfortunately, I didn't get to do/see everything that I had on the list, but it was a great time nonetheless. Miki said he could see himself living there in the future and that it's not too much different than the Czech Republic minus all of the driving everywhere, of which he was not a big fan.
I arrived to Prague after about 36 hours of traveling by every mode of transportation I can think of, except for car or boat (bus, plane, subway, train, at one point bike, and of course, by foot) all the while carrying bags that were far too heavy and falling apart. But at least it didn't involve sleeping in airports or train stations like the two nights prior to coming to the States. But I digress. We are young, strong, and healthy. Now's the time to schedule ridiculous travel routes just to save money and/or visit different places.
As I was saying, I arrived on the evening of Friday the 18th after 36 hours of traveling, carry heavy bags, with very little sleep, and had to be at the office at 9:30am to begin my weekend of intensive training. Piece of cake. Actually it really wasn't that bad. Getting up the next day was worse and I wrestled with the alarm clock snooze button for two hours before finally being dragged out of bed and downstairs where Miki's Grandmother had cooked us a nice lunch. So I groggily stuffed myself with the giant section of chicken (I think) that she so lovingly prepared, while they spoke in Czech. Great. Back in the land where I have no idea what's being said around me. At times like these, it's funny how much I long to be back in the land where I usually know kind of what's going on, or can at least fake it (i.e. Germany). Luckily I had to be at work soon, so I escaped rather quickly. (Note: I'm being over dramatic, it's really not that bad here. I'm having lovely time.)
Undoubtedly I was one day become facebook friends with fellow Wattsenglish teachers, and they will find this blog, therefore be it known, that I think it is a good company. However, they basically write your first lesson for you, since you are just getting the kids excited about English and showing them the way and thing they will be learning. That being said, the first day of work doesn't require much independent thought. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, after watching other sample videos I stumbled upon on YouTube from other potential candidates that may or may not have made the cut, I see why they write everything out for you. Let's be honest, not everyone is as awesome as I am. (kidding) So at the training I got a lot of papers to read that were filled with ideas for games and activities and then got the Demo lesson as well as the first month's lessons all planned out for you. I stopped feeling bad about missing the training pretty quickly. However, I did miss out on meeting everybody. I plan to fix that problem by hosting a party for my fellow Prague teachers in the near future.
However, as punishment for not being at training, nay, as a result...well I guess that can't be proven either...anyway my first week's schedule was very empty (as is this weeks). They keep insisting more is to come, and I'm sure it is, (though I've heard horror stories of over-hiring/under-booking from last year that keep me feeling a little uneasy) as of right now, I only teach two 25 min classes on Monday and Friday mornings. And this Monday was a Holiday.
It's actually been very nice because I've then been able to run around and do all of the bureaucratic things that I didn't get to do during the week of training, and I've been able to do some proofreading so I'm not entirely useless. Although I must admit, I could get used to the idea of being able to work in my pajamas in front of a computer.
I arrived to Prague after about 36 hours of traveling by every mode of transportation I can think of, except for car or boat (bus, plane, subway, train, at one point bike, and of course, by foot) all the while carrying bags that were far too heavy and falling apart. But at least it didn't involve sleeping in airports or train stations like the two nights prior to coming to the States. But I digress. We are young, strong, and healthy. Now's the time to schedule ridiculous travel routes just to save money and/or visit different places.
As I was saying, I arrived on the evening of Friday the 18th after 36 hours of traveling, carry heavy bags, with very little sleep, and had to be at the office at 9:30am to begin my weekend of intensive training. Piece of cake. Actually it really wasn't that bad. Getting up the next day was worse and I wrestled with the alarm clock snooze button for two hours before finally being dragged out of bed and downstairs where Miki's Grandmother had cooked us a nice lunch. So I groggily stuffed myself with the giant section of chicken (I think) that she so lovingly prepared, while they spoke in Czech. Great. Back in the land where I have no idea what's being said around me. At times like these, it's funny how much I long to be back in the land where I usually know kind of what's going on, or can at least fake it (i.e. Germany). Luckily I had to be at work soon, so I escaped rather quickly. (Note: I'm being over dramatic, it's really not that bad here. I'm having lovely time.)
Undoubtedly I was one day become facebook friends with fellow Wattsenglish teachers, and they will find this blog, therefore be it known, that I think it is a good company. However, they basically write your first lesson for you, since you are just getting the kids excited about English and showing them the way and thing they will be learning. That being said, the first day of work doesn't require much independent thought. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, after watching other sample videos I stumbled upon on YouTube from other potential candidates that may or may not have made the cut, I see why they write everything out for you. Let's be honest, not everyone is as awesome as I am. (kidding) So at the training I got a lot of papers to read that were filled with ideas for games and activities and then got the Demo lesson as well as the first month's lessons all planned out for you. I stopped feeling bad about missing the training pretty quickly. However, I did miss out on meeting everybody. I plan to fix that problem by hosting a party for my fellow Prague teachers in the near future.
However, as punishment for not being at training, nay, as a result...well I guess that can't be proven either...anyway my first week's schedule was very empty (as is this weeks). They keep insisting more is to come, and I'm sure it is, (though I've heard horror stories of over-hiring/under-booking from last year that keep me feeling a little uneasy) as of right now, I only teach two 25 min classes on Monday and Friday mornings. And this Monday was a Holiday.
It's actually been very nice because I've then been able to run around and do all of the bureaucratic things that I didn't get to do during the week of training, and I've been able to do some proofreading so I'm not entirely useless. Although I must admit, I could get used to the idea of being able to work in my pajamas in front of a computer.
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