So I'm a teacher?

So I've finally got my finalized schedule of classes that I'm taking and classes that I'm teaching. Technically, I don't feel like I'm teaching. What I do is basically talk to the students, ask them questions, answer theirs, and encourage them to participate in our discussions. I've been creating short power point presentations as a guideline. For example, for the first week, I wanted the students to learn a little more about me and my state, so I created a power point on me, my friends and family, my university, and North Carolina itself. For each new class, there's a new topic of discussion. So far, we've been discussing travel and vacation throughout Spain and the U.S., our favorite and worst vacation memories, and families.

I've really enjoyed my students in the past couple weeks. It's so strange to say students because I'm learning so much from them, too. I'm working with 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th year students. I haven't met the 5th years yet and the 4th years are in London this week, but so far, they're all very interested in learning and improving English. I think it helps that they're speaking with someone their own age and who is pretty different from them considering I'm a foreigner. Kerry and I are also doing a speaking and listening class for 2nd years where we play tapes and teach from a book. It was a little intimidating last week because I was standing at the front of the classroom on a platform and with a podium and everything. The students weren't accustomed to the American accent, so when I spoke or asked a question, they'd just stare at me. However, knowing how the class works and that I will start having conversation classes with them, too, I think it will get better.

My other classes are going pretty well, too. Although not all are always interesting, at least I don't feel overwhelmed like I thought I would in the beginning. I particularly like my French culture and Translation (Eng-Spa & Spa-Eng) classes. In my French class, there was only Steph and me at first and now there's an Italian girl, too. But, still, that's it. What is really nice is that we haven't really had homework yet. I've had to read one short article and write my opinion on it and present information on a francophone island, which wasn't even graded so there was no pressure. Even though I want to do well on my final exams in June, my actual grade comes from the notes I take, so I write down everything that I can understand. Also, my GPA won't change while I'm abroad, so that's another load off my chest.

I must say, though, that while study abroad is for studying, I think that it's more than studying books. It's studying, and more importantly, learning about another culture, which encompasses language, customs, food, lifestyle, everything you can imagine. If you can take something away from the experience and allow it to change you, you've basically passed.