Anna Dorfman is a 23-year-old female from Tempe, Arizona in the United States. She currently works as an ESL teacher at Maximo Nivel in Cusco, Peru. She has a Masters in Development Studies from University of Sydney and a Bachelors Degree in Sustainability and Global Health from Arizona State University. She enjoys traveling, rock climbing, backpacking, hiking (especially if it ends at a waterfall), a good thought provoking book and she is addicted to way too many television series.
Why did you decide to participate in the TEFL certification program with Maximo Nivel in Peru?
Anna: I initially decided to get a TEFL certificate after talking to several friends who had taught English abroad and had nothing but good things to say about their experiences. I was also at a crossroads in life after having just graduated with my Masters in International Development, but not having enough work experience to get a job in my field.
I specifically decided to take the TEFL course with Maximo Nivel in Peru because it offered a unique intensive 150-hour in-classroom experience. The week of practical teaching and overall curriculum also stood out to me when I was researching other TEFL courses around the world.
It’s location in Cusco near Machu Picchu, and in such a historically and culturally rich environment also appealed to me. I also wanted to incorporate traveling with education.
So I thought an in-country course would be more beneficial than an online one. Furthermore, I wanted to learn Spanish and the week of complimentary Spanish classes that came with my TEFL course were an extra incentive.
What made this teach abroad experience unique and special?
Anna: Many things have made my teaching abroad experience special. The first things that come to mind are the location and the people.
The location has definitely played a huge role in making my time abroad unique. Cusco is such a fascinating and beautiful city that never ceases to amaze me.
I absolutely love the architecture and the scenery, which I think are both very important elements of any city. If you are surrounded by beauty both natural and man-made, it is almost impossible not to be happy.
Then there are all of the amazing people I’ve met here that have really enhanced my teaching experience thus far. First there was my TEFL teacher who truly made the course what it was. Then there are all the unique and interesting teachers that I work with that I’ve become friends with.
Each of them has added something to my adventure in Cusco and I appreciate how lucky I am to have wound up with such a wonderful team of co-workers.
Has your worldview changed as a result of your trip?
Anna: My worldview hasn’t necessarily changed directly as a result of my trip to Cusco, since I have done quite a bit of international traveling prior to Peru. However, my time in Cusco has reiterated my love for traveling and living abroad.
A lot of my worldview is still being developed, and is constantly being altered with the more I see. For instance, the varying social norms in developing countries I’ve been to, always provoke conflicted thoughts.
On one hand there are so many aspects that I find intriguing and appealing such as the simplistic lifestyles and laid back attitudes of locals. However the quality of social welfare systems and general infrastructure are really lacking in comparison to westernized countries, and it is certainly something that takes some adjusting to.
One particular thing I’ve seen in Peru that really effects me, are all the children on the street working to sell candy, finger puppets, or charging for pictures with a llama. I try to be as open-minded as I can about cultural differences, but when I see very young children working instead of being in school, I can’t help but feel sad.
At the end of the day though, I have to remember that there will always be cultural differences and a part of traveling abroad is expecting and adapting to them. The most important lesson I’ve learnt is: accepting what I can’t change and trying my best to change things that are within my control.
Tell me about one person you met.
Anna: My TEFL teacher Karen, was phenomenal throughout my entire TEFL experience. She truly went above and beyond as a teacher during the course by making extra time for students outside of class and simply by her unique and hands on teaching style.
She was always prepared with fun and engaging lesson plans, which made what could have been dull material, much more enjoyable. She took the time to review mine and other student’s resumes and assisted with improving and altering them to make the more professional and in an international format.
There were also a few days when I got really sick and had to miss class, and she made time to tutor and catch me up on all the material I had missed. She also gave very critical feedback on my practical teaching lessons, which gave me better insight into my strengths and weaknesses as a teacher.
Overall, she really made the course much more enjoyable and played a big role in helping me find a job after the course was complete.
What do you the miss the most about Peru or your experience?
Anna: I am still living in Peru and working as an English teacher at Maximo Nivel. I thoroughly enjoy living in Cusco and my experience has been extremely positive thus far.
However, I know that when I do eventually leave, I will truly miss Cusco! Not in the way that you miss the beach at a tropical resort that you vacationed at for a week or two, but in a much deeper way.
I will miss the laid back culture, and “Peruvian time,” which is so drastically different from the constant rushed feeling that seems to be engrained into our culture in the United States.
I will also miss the feeling of awe that I get without fail every morning when I wake up and look out my window to see the stunningly green mountains and historically rich architecture that encompass the city.
I will miss the countless Incan ruins that surround the city, that constantly remind me of the ancient civilization and rich history that Cusco has to offer. Most of all I will miss the people I have met here, including strangers, my students, and the other English teachers at Maximo Nivel.
