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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