STYLE

mosféra, což dělá školu radostnou. Užívají si zde

jak studenti, tak učitelé.

Nesmírně si vážím kolektivu, který tady máme,

hlavně mezi učiteli. Všichni jsme z různých

zemí, s různými zkušenostmi. Cítím, že jsem se

od svých kolegů hodně naučil, a to nejenom profesionálně, ale i lidsky.

Co Vás inspirovalo stát se učitelem?

Nikdy by mě nenapadlo, že se jím stanu. Tedy dokud jsem se v roce 2006 nepřestěhoval do Jižní

Koreje, a to po absolvování studia genetiky na vysoké škole v Británii. Rozhodl jsem se, že budu v Koreji učit angličtinu, abych si vydělal nějaké peníze

na cestování po Asii. Pak mi došlo, že se mi práce

učitele vlastně líbí, a že mě uspokojuje. Rád sleduji

studenty různého věku při procesu získávání nových znalostí. Po třech letech v Koreji jsem se vrátil

do Skotska, abych získal titul učitele v oboru věd

a do teď toho nelituji. Další výhodou výuky v zahraničí je fakt, že mám šanci okusit život v jiných

zemích, jejich kulturách a poznávat tak nová místa.

Life Here Is Great

Sebastian Russo teaches Science at 1st International School of Ostrava

and the Ostrava International School. This is his story:

Where are you from? How are the people of that

area, do you perhaps have any special memories

growing up in the area?

I’m from Glasgow, Scotland. The people are

generally friendly and love a good joke and laugh.

The Glaswegian sense of humour is famous

as being dark and self-deprecating. Glasgow

had a big music scene and growing up, I went

to see lots of concerts and shows especially at

university.

Scotland is geographically similar to the Czech

Republic, and our love of the mountains and

outdoors is just as strong, so growing up I went

on lots of school trips up to the Highlands. As

an adult, every time I go home for a holiday,

I try and go north for a few days in summer and

because of the long summer nights it is even

more spectacular.

Could you give us your brief view on the current

state of Great Britain?

With Brexit coming soon, that is what is all over

the news and on people’s mind. As a result of

Brexit there are talks and rumours of a second

independence

referendum,

as

Scotland

overwhelming voted to remain in the EU in 2016.

I think Scotland will gain independence in the next

five years.

Why did you decide to come to the Czech

Republic, what is your story?

I came here because I was working at a summer

camp in Bulgaria in 2014 and a colleague, who

had also just got a job at the 1st International

School, recommended the school so I applied for

the job and got it. To be honest I had never heard

of Ostrava until I found out about the job and had

to google it.

How is your life in Ostrava and the region, how

are you involved with people here?

Life here is great, the people in the Czech Republic

are friendly and welcoming, and I have thoroughly

enjoyed it. I have a group of friends here, both

foreign and Czech, and we go out in the city and

go hiking and other outdoor activities together.

How is your life at The Ostrava International

School?

School life is fantastic, I enjoy teaching at the

school. The students are eager learners, and the

school has a good ethos when it comes to teaching

and learning. The atmosphere is also great which

makes the school an enjoyable place to work.

The mix of people, especially the staff, from all

different places, experiences and backgrounds

has been invaluable both professionally and

personally.

Name:

Sebastian Russo

Age:

33

Nationality:

Scottish

Hobbies and interests:

taekwondo,

skateboarding,

travelling.

Favourite place in the Moravian

Silesian Region:

Anywhere in

the mountains.

Favourite Czech food:

Was there anything that inspired you to be

a teacher?

I never thought in a millions years would I become

a teacher until I moved to South Korea in 2006

after I graduated with a degree in Genetics. I went

out to teach English as a way to work and travel

Asia as I never had a break from studying. While

I was out there I realised I enjoyed being in the

classroom, and the reward of watching people

of all ages learn was immensely satisfying and

rewarding. So after three years in South Korea

I returned to Scotland to get my teaching degree

and became a Science teacher and have not

looked back since.

Teaching abroad has also given me the opportunity

to travel and live in places that I would never have

thought of or been able to. This is another perk of

being an international teacher.

Ribs with horseradish,

peppers, mustard and

crusty bread. Does beer

count as food?

Text:

Adam Koneval

Student of The Ostrava

International School,

IB programme

Foto:

www.is-ostrava.cz

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