Training in Hinterglemm-Saalbach: Learning the word "todger," Ceilidh dancing, and baby turtles

This past week saw me in Saalbach-Hinterglemm for a three-day training on being an English teaching assistant in Austria. The training itself contained the usual information on being a teacher, and offered some helpful advice for sorting out all the legal and official matters of being here in Austria.

Most important, though, was the chance to network with TAs from across Austria, including many folks from our local areas. AND, of course, these TAs weren't all American--the group included a large number of UK citizens, folks from Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and England.

There were a few moments of light conflict--being forced to bring up stereotypes about the other side, but it was also an amazing time to compare language differences and learn new words like "minge," "clunge," and "todger." (This was on the first night in a bar--of course we wanted to learn all the dirty words that we'd never heard of...my favorite is the first one.)

The week was over too quickly, though--time flies when you're having a ball. Some  highlights include: dancing the Gay Gordons with everyone on "Bunter Abend," the final variety show evening where everyone lets their talents shine; playing cards near the top of a mountain instead of hiking to the top; aforementioned exchange of language in the only TINY bar open that night in Hinterglemm; being forced to drink outside because 10-14-year olds were filling the bar; witnessing the beauty and serenity that is the Austrian landscape.

Now, we all prepare for our first week of TA-ing in Austria. I'll leave for Tamsweg tomorrow in the afternoon (I am brimming with excitement to meet my students!) and return this weekend for Whiskey Weekend in Salzburg.

And a final word about baby turtles: One person I met this week, Rafiq, told the tale (probably for the fifteenth time) of taking a hike up a mountain on Catalina Island off California, getting lost because of fog, walking and walking for hours, but eventually returning safely home. At the end of the story, he  held up the pendant around his neck, a small turtle, and explained how baby turtles have to travel a huge distance after they are born, but they always know the way to get there, even if interrupted or misplaced. Some folks studying abroad or away from home feel lost, disconnected, or out to drift at some point. I love the story of the baby turtle in this sense--we know that the goal may sometimes be uncertain, the journey long and potentially painful, but that we will always end up where we need to, that we'll always get home at some point. This frees one to remember: enjoy the journey, even the uncomfortable parts, and remember what's important to you.