Today was our first day at the International School in Gothenburg. Darcy, Nicole, and I are placed in the PYP (Primary Years Program) in the 5th grade. Our three teachers team teach and do pretty much everything together. In fact, the classes switch during the day between each teacher based on ability level, subject, and so on. There are many times during the day that the classes combine and the three teachers work together to deliver the lesson. The school is the most amazing melting pot, with kids, teachers, and faculty coming from near and far away. My teacher, Christian, is from Australia and has lived in Sweden for the past 13 years. I was amazed at the community within the school - they have so much pride in diversity and believe their differences make them stronger. SO COOL. Between all three 5th grade classes, I will be working with 60 students. In my homeroom class there are students from all over the world, Syria, India, China, England, Romania, Mexico, Canada, and so many more amazing places. These children are BRILLIANT and put so much effort into their learning. This is my first time in a 5th grade classroom and I left school today thinking I need to brush up on pretty much... everything... I can't wait to learn more about the routines of the school and get to know the students better. I love talking to everyone about where they come from and hearing how they ended up in Gothenburg, Sweden. We weren't the only ones asking questions... we had a lot of fun questions about the Lonestar State too! The hot topics from Day 1 included: -Donald Trump (x 1000) -Homecoming Mums -Texan's need to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights -Don't Mess With Texas -64 oz Steaks It is too funny hearing the notions and stereotypes people have about Texas. Perhaps the funniest part is that many of them were a little too true. After school I met up with Darcy and Mckenna for Fika (Swedish practice of an afternoon tea/coffee break!) We stumbled upon a retro second hand shop and left with velvet skirts and silk scarfs. Too fun! I am so excited for the rest of the week at school and continuing to explore this incredible city. We are finally learning how to say the name of the place we live without getting laughed at for the pronunciation so I think that is a good sign! Adjö (bye) for now!
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We made it!!! Last night around 7 o'clock our flight landed in Gothenburg, Sweden. 24 hours after leaving Dallas we were finally in the place we would be able to call home for the next four weeks. Our sweet international coordinator, Cecilia, eagerly met us at the airport with a TCU sign in hand. After some seriously impressive loading, we managed to fit three (huge) checked bags, three (large) carry on's, and three (not so) personal sized items in Cecilia's car, a Ford Focus. She took us on the scenic route to our apartment building and we were able to see some of the main landmarks in the city. Pictures of my sweet apartment will come in the next few days! Today was a BIG day! Not only were we able able to see so much of this amazing city, but it is also precious Kenny's birthday! Darcy, Mckenna and I met up around 8:30 this morning to walk to Willy's, the grocery store next door to our apartment building. When we stepped outside we were greeted by SNOW! We have been told this is the first snow fall in over a month, a very rare occurrence for Gothenburg during the month of February! I'd like to think of it as a little welcome gift! I'll be honest when I tell you I have not a clue what I actually bought at Willy's. I tried my best to look at pictures and piece together word clues. The only thing I do know is that they had PEANUT BUTTER! Let's just say I stocked up. After dropping off our groceries, we set out to find a cafe for a little birthday breakfast! Even though I had the address plugged into my phone, I managed to get us lost... twice... and we ended up in a tiny little cafe called Kafferosten. The food was amazing and the staff was so friendly even when we asked a million questions. We set off to meet Cecilia back at the apartment, where she gave us maps and took us on a quick sightseeing tour of the schools we will be working in. We then stopped at 7-11 to buy our Tram passes and she treated us to some famous puff pastries which are only sold two months out of the year in Sweden! In the afternoon, we met up with Agnes, a resident of Gothenburg who studied at TCU last semester, and her two friends who are hoping to be admitted into TCU's abroad program! They spent the afternoon showing us how to use the city's transportation system, taking us to the mall to get some of the things we forgot (oops), and talking about life in Sweden! It was such a fun afternoon getting to be with them and seeing the city from their eyes. I can't wait to see them again soon. We ended the night with some Take-Away sushi and more dessert for the birthday girl! Tomorrow is our first day in the schools, and we are anxious to get started! I will report back soon with information on the school, my mentor teacher, and more of our adventures! To my friends, family, and precious third grade kiddo's,
Well, today is the day! I can't believe in just two hours I will be boarding an 8 and a 1/2 hour flight to London, and connecting 2 and a 1/2 more hours to Gothenburg, Sweden! For the next four weeks, I will be student teaching at an international school in the fifth grade. And you know what? As much as I want to tell you that I am prepared for this adventure, the truth is I'm not! Nope. Not even a little. And that's OKAY! At first I wanted to seem like I had it all together, and that being gone for a month was no big deal. It may seem silly to say it, because a month isn't THAT long but I'll be honest with you... I have spent my entire life in Texas, and while I have had many opportunities to take trips and be away from home I have never been this far outside of my comfort zone. And yet here I am... Packed and ready to board a flight. The crazy thing is that for the first time in weeks my heart is calm knowing this is exactly where I am supposed to be. No matter how scared I am of flying and no matter how many miles away from home I will be - this is my time to GO! Just this morning I had a dear friend encourage me with this: "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8. So here I am.... at gate 27A. And I'm ready to trust! Sweden - here I come!!! |
AuthorHey y'all! My name is Mandy Moore and I am Texas girl living in a Swedish world. I am a Senior Early Childhood Education major at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas who has decided to take the leap of faith to go abroad. Follow along with me as I spend four weeks student teaching in Gothenburg, Sweden and having the adventure of a lifetime! Check back for Adventures and MOORE! ArchivesCategories |