I feel that my Mongolian did not improve as much as I wanted over that summer, but I was able to talk with my host family without using Google Translate.
After my training was done, it was time to meet my teachers and new school, where I am still working and will continue to work until the summer break this June. My teachers and school were very welcoming and friendly. They showed and told me about the city and our district. They helped me understand how everything worked. They were also very helpful with getting my apartment set up, including things like the Wi‑Fi, which turned out to be much more difficult than I imagined.
Beyond my fellow teachers, I have really enjoyed teaching my students and running several clubs at my school. The students I taught in my classes and clubs helped me realize that kids everywhere go through many of the same problems, even when they live in different cultures. One thing I have learned about teaching is that it is a very difficult job, but it is also one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had.
I have also had the privilege of traveling to many places in Mongolia, which I know may not be possible for everyone. If you have the chance or opportunity to travel in your life, I strongly encourage you to take it. Traveling can give you a new perspective on the world because you can see with your own eyes how things can be different or even better in other places. Being able to connect with people is one of the most valuable skills you will develop, and learning to connect with people from different cultures will only make that skill stronger.
My time left here is short, as I will probably be leaving this August. There are many parts of Mongolia that I know I will miss.
