My first semester teaching at college is finished!  We had exams 2 weeks  ago and  I spent the last week doing an Instructor Skills Workshop (ISW).  Overall, I’d say my first few months in middle east have been a positive experience.

The School

It’s definitely admin-heavy, but after getting all my HR stuff sorted out things settled into a weekly routine of level meetings in which we discussed testing and assessment for our course.  The weekly meetings turned out to be pretty good.  I was part of a good group that got along and worked very well together.  ESL teachers can be a pretty stubborn bunch and I was happy to be with some great people.

Qatar

I can’t really say that I really know any Qataris yet.  To further muddy the waters the Qataris break into two groups the nationals, honest to goodness Qataris in the eyes of the state; and non-nationals, people born in Qatar but who are not Qatari.  It’s an important distinction to make.   So even though your students may be born in Qatar, and may have lived their entire life in Qatar, they will tell you they are of another country, and they won’t enjoy the same wealth and receive the same entitlements as their classmates who are considered Qatari.

Vacation!

Right now I’m back in Korea for a little vacation.  I tried to surprise K who went out about ten minutes before I arrived at her apartment.  She’s says it feels like I haven’t left.  The first thing I noticed about being back were the streets, they’re full of colour, lit-up signs inviting you inside to shop or eat.  I’m surprised but my Korean has not been forgotten, in taxis and shops at least I can speak just as I used to.

It’s been fun being back here as a tourist.  Even in four short months, a lot of little things have changed, the dak galbi place I used to enjoy is now gone, and the Korean vegetarian restaurant I used to always threaten K with is now empty space awaiting the next tenant.  Other things of course are the same, taxi drivers still can’t figure out where Outback is located, Korean food is still amazing and spicy, where-as Korean-ized Western food is still a work in progress (to put it very kindly!).  I ordered a Caesar’s salad and this is what came back to me:

I’ve only got a week out here,  It’d be best to stick to the Korean food and enjoy it while I can.