Life Here Is Great

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:

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

POSITIV ǀ 1/2019 59