Since we arrived on Monday, we have been at the Hotel Amazona and we have been very busy. We have language classes in the morning and then we are in meetings, interviews, and presentations with the Peace Corps Staff . They are presenting information on Safety and Security, Administration (Finance), Education, Health, and a variety of topics to help us through Pre-service Training and eventually through service.
The team is very welcoming and supportive. Today, we had interviews with staff from program managers, the country director or her assistant, and our in-take with the medical team in charge of our care while we are here in Kosovo.
I interviewed today with our country director, Carolyne. She was born in Africa and grew up in the U.S. She has an amazing smile and melodic speaking voice. She makes you feel very comfortable. She mentioned that she is excited that we are both Rotarians. She said she believed that Rotary and Peace Corps have a great connection. KOS 08, the group who arrived in October, also had a Rotarian. Carolyne told me that there is great need for support in education especially in the rural areas. They may lack resources, teachers or teachers with the necessary training.
The language learning is intense and we will have language classes Monday through Saturday. We will have Sundays off. Right now, language class is two hours with homework each night. On Friday, we will leave for Kamenice. The municipality is approximately ~36,000. There has not been a census here since 2011, but the staff tell us there has not been a population increase. Kamenice is our training site for the next 10 weeks.
Today, Thom and I found out that there are not enough host families, so we will be placed in a family together. At this point, all that we know is that it is a large family. We will be walking to our training center from our host's families house each day. KOS09 is such a small group, we will all be training at the same location, but Thom and I are in different language groups. We also are in different service sectors and those classes will be different for each of us. My sector is in education or TEFL; while Thom's is community development.
Yesterday, we had a cultural sessions. All we knew was that it was called "Valle" on the schedule. Valle is the word for dance, so we learned two basic dances that are done in a circle. Our language teachers lead the dance and staff and volunteers all dance together on the patio. We have been told there is a dance culture is very big; especially at weddings.
We also have been told that the best work gets done in the coffee shops and there is a significant coffee culture. We are told the coffee culture is important. Hopefully, more will come on the dance culture and coffee culture in future blogs.
When our group voices our concerned with learning the language, grasping all the materials presented, or not being ready by the end of April, they all tell us to "trust the process". When we ask questions that we are not yet ready for, they tell us that will come later and to "trust the process". They tell us that they have never had a trainee not pass the language test and that we will all be ready come April
We eat at a buffet each meal and they are quite nice with a variety of options. We have very little extra time, but Thom and Vincent get out for a run and exercise in our break between sessions and dinner. I have been walking during that time as well. We are very busy!
Hi Benda and Thom: My comment that I am following your blog and enjoying it! Thank you for your efforts! Paul
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