Kunming is a great post graduation location for me. I'm a recent liberal arts grad without a clear direction of what I want my life to look like in the next five years. This is my time to explore and Kunming is full of options to try on different hats. I know every place has lots of opportunities but where these days can you literally stumble upon jobs.
Everyday on Gokunming.com, Kunming's version of Craigslist, there are at least a handful of new teaching jobs. So I cast a wide net and sent out a lot of emails saying I was available to teach. Within days I was swamped with emails requesting interviews and details. However, in the meantime (i know what meantime?) a friend told me about a school he works at run by a passionate experienced Canadian teacher, Scott. Instantly upon meeting him, I knew this school would be something special. Scott is dedicated to making learning fun and planning effective lessons. Every inch of the school is decorated and can be turned into a game. I have started working at this school on weekends and I look forward to learning more from Scott's grab bag of teaching wisdom. Also the kids are absolutely adorable. I work with 5 year olds and 12 year olds. The 5 year olds can barely repeat after me and like to hold my hand when we play games, while the 12 year olds are just learning to be too cool for school.
On top of this teaching job, I was asked by a friend to work a three week job with the World Agro-forestry Centre. Through a Swiss grant, five North Korean scientists will be coming to Kunming on Monday to study agro-forestry. They already speak a little English and the Agro-forestry centre is an international NGO, so English is the language currency of choice. I will be both their language teacher and Kunming tour guide. I don't yet know any specifics of this job so you'll just have to be patient and I'll let you know what happens. Because this job seems like an incredible opportunity I will be taking a one month hiatus from the Minds Abroad job. After one month, I will reassess if it makes sense to continue to work in their office.
It is thrilling to be living in a place where everyone wants to be involved in language exchange. The exchange is mostly between Chinese and English, but my French house mate is busy tutoring French. Apparently, Chinese people think French is sexy. It's as if people living here major in language, cultural exchange and relaxing. There is a vibrant culture of retirees, who live here like in Florida. As I was walking through the park the other day, I came across a group of old men sitting on individual portable chairs holding large wheels of rope. Somewhere off in the sky I spotted it- the kite. Yes it's quite a life.
Congratulations Talia! I'm so happy to hear that you're doing so well, and feeling so at home in Kunming. I was reading the post where your friend Kate comes, I had no idea Calcutta was such a short plane ride from China! I'm excited to read about this adventure with your teaching job, and many more!
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