Two Weeks On - The Honeymoon is Over!

Well two more full weeks have gone by and I have to say that they have not been easy.  This really is a very different system to work in and although it is a bilingual school it is not a bi-system!  The school is run totally as a Slovak school and it has gradually become more apparent that the owners want to keep to the Slovak ways and require the native English speaking teachers to teach English subjects in a Slovak way.  Haven't quite worked out how to do that yet! It has been difficult to find out how, especially as the induction process for new staff is sadly lacking.  There seems to be a sad disregard by top management/governors for the personal welfare of staff and one ends up feeling like a commodity rather than a person.  The other members of staff are really lovely and several of them have made a great effort to help but the attitude of the owners/managers leaves a lot to be desired from an English perspective. This has made life a bit difficult and these two weeks have been rather a struggle.  How this will work out I am as yet not sure.  The one thing I am certain of is that without the support of the International Church of Bratislava life would be a lot more difficult.  They are a wonderfully welcoming congregation and I have already been put on the Sunday School rota and am doing the intercessions in two weeks time.  It is so nice to be hugged into a Christian community and this Sunday I was taken out to lunch by one of the families and I saw a new part of Bratislava.  I really love the city and am beginning to find my way around it despite the fact that I only visit once a week.
So how do I feel after a whole month in my new environment?  Theer have been some great times and I have met some lovely people.  The children are great and I am certainly enjoying being back in a primary classroom.  I have also had times when I have been homesick and felt very much like a 'stranger in a strange land'.  On the whole though my experiences have been positive and I never thought that this adventure would be plain sailing.  Life is never that simple!! I would welcome prayers and I am trully thankful for the support and encouragement I have already recieved.  Watch this space and I will keep you informed as to how I am coming to terms with this different system.