Learning Processes ITA

The learning process from start to finish, including the followups are what really set ITA apart from any other learning institution I’ve studied at. The meaningful professional feedback, created a sense of being a part of career program, that became realistic as the process progressed. The reason I say this, is because in the beginning the thought of traveling and teaching in Europe was very abstract for me. This is also the reason I am a huge fan of the stories graduates share about teaching abroad.

Since I have been in Nitra, the region of some of my own ancestors, in the Slovak Republic, my experience has moved beyond the classroom. I have learned about the culture and the people through my students and through the community. In particular, I have seen the responses to the war in the Ukraine, as the community is affected by the crisis.

Sadly, the effects of a long Russian presence here has influenced the residents, even many years after the Russian era ended in Europe. Several of my students even confided in me about mysterious disappearances and residual fear due to the Russian presence in the modern day and historically, both in the region I was teaching in, and in regions adjacent. The sad part was that it was the students who told me about this, whereas the adults tend to shy away from the subject, and this makes them appear unsympathetic.

The part that didn’t make sense, was that this country is an EU member country. So why would people here be so scared of Russia still?
It seems to be a situation that will most likely improve over time and as the war resolves, but again being from Canada things are definitely a bit of a surprise. I mention it here because the American and Canadian press are covering the Ukraine crisis often, and I just picked up on things here and there, worth saying.

Another thing that I noticed is that many of the smaller nations like the Slovak Republic where I am, don’t really call out Russia in the press. I think there is a concern that Russia will just spill back into Europe, and no one wants to be on record saying that the war is horrific. It really has become a normalized thing throughout this region and many others.

This is outside of my scope as an English teacher and the content of the essay, but I thought I should mention it, just in case. So yeah, you guys are great and some people living in countries near Russia are pretty damn scared of it. So what else is new, I suppose.

Seriously though, you guys are awesome and overall, it has been totally worth it to achieve my certificate and teach abroad. Thank-you so much. Probably the best money I ever spent!