Time has gone by....

It felt like I never left the USA. When I finally returned to my old job, I walked to my office and gingerly unlocked the door. My computer, white board and bookshelves were waiting for me. I opened a dusty envelope to see my diploma for the first time and read it, “Barbara Fisher, Bachelors of Science.” 

I stood there for a brief moment and reflected about the past 11 months. A few minutes later, I smiled and sat down at my desk, ready to create a 26-character long password that even I could not remember.

You might wonder, what have I done in the past 2 months…. Not much. Just traveling.

Homesick? Missing the CR?

Life is good,  BUT strange.

  

I've been in Chicagoland for 2 weeks now. It feels nice, but I feel strangely at home after such a short period of time.

The decision to move wasn't easy. I had a PhD with a stipend, tuition waiver and fellowship waiting for me (a PhD is my ultimate goal).... However, I realized one thing in the past 10 months; teaching is not as enjoyable for me. I recognized that if I were to get a PhD with teaching as my only job experience, then I would be limiting myself to a life of teaching... Mind you, I would be a college professor, but still, if I did not enjoy it as a high school teacher, then I highly doubt a university setting will be dramatically different.

 I am happy to be back, because it's a good work environment filled with interesting problems and a good sense of humor. I like it a lot and can't wait to start graduate school soon. I'm taking 2 classes this fall; one on fuel cycles and another on safety.

If you are curious my new job is essentially Quality Assurance; I assure quality :)

It may not be the most important job there is, but I like it ... and well that's all that matters, right?!

In Conclusion

The Czech-American Struggle with physics.

STEM is unique like music in the regard that it is rather difficult to become very good in a short period with minimum effort. Globally, students struggle with subjects that we loosely call “the hard sciences.” This is an intriguing topic for many to study and often the pit of some untactfully delivered jokes.

This is not simply about “MURICA” being the "BEST." Quite the opposite; a topic as serious as this matter has perhaps a more profound implication. How could the world possibly ensure that innovation in addition to efficiency does not plateau, when nations capable of funding revolutionary ideas do not have the specialized human capital required?

Imagine for a short period, [the consequences] if only a few people from one location being able to compete academically in STEM. Initially, ideas may flow and many things are created. Yet eventually, this uneven balance will have some upper limit, albeit not a clearly defined one.

Precise Differences

 

Czechs and Slovaks are seemingly better than their American counterparts. Observing only the mathematics results can give a clearer insight of some fundamental performance differences:

I believe that the average capabilities of a student has little to do with culture or inherent skills. The stereotypical math and physics text-books in English cover the exact same material as the "staple" Czech books. Yet, it appears the presentation of problems is completely different between the two. (I assume Slovakian educational materials will be comparable to Czech.)

This is perhaps more diffuse than the potential upper limit of innovation that was previously mentioned.

Explanation

There is one intriguing topic in linguistics as well as speech pathology, which suggests that language forms the way you perceive, approach and solve problems. The human brain is a complex system capable of many things. Understanding how we process information is still a confounding topic that is commonly researched today.

In Czech the distinction between two completely different, yet similar variables is not the same as in English. This where the way language forms our thoughts come into play. Your ability to solve a problem may initially be defined by your native tongue.

[The following are excerpts from teaching materials which I purchased in Czech Republic.]

 

Something so simple as power is expressed in two separate ways in two different books. This only begins to explain why I have noticed a confusion in differentiating between variables; something that American students tend to struggle less with. For instance, velocity and speed are the same word in Czech; rychlost.

Consequently, a physics problem involving both speed and velocity would be phrased very differently in Czech than in English, despite the fact that it is the same exact problem. This in addition to how language forms thoughts may explain how and why one problem might be "easier" in one language than another.

Numbers Are the Universal Language 

It is often said that numbers are the same in every language. Despite the fact that we commonly use Arabic numerals.

 

As previously stated, STEM is like music. Sounds are abstract things and difficult to distinguish in complex arrays. Often, a person must develop specific skills, in order to become an accomplished musician. Similarly, numbers are also abstract and in smaller quantities, more comprehensible than words or descriptions. However, in larger quantities and in more complex expressions, our brains cannot compute nor comprehend the meaning. A person must develop their abstract thinking skills, in order to become accomplished.

When you add words/phrases to a typical number problem, this removes the universal understanding of numbers. It is now a problem that requires understanding something more than what should be universal. When you decided to translate, one of two things may occur; the problem becomes simplified or more complex.

I believe that theses slight differences in translations between problems can have a significant affect. However, it is undeniable that OECD results imply that the "typical" American student is weaker in Mathematics, than Czech or Slovak students. This should not be ignored as Mathematics testing normally does not require lengthy translations as physics, chemistry or biology might.

*** More detailed information regard OECD results can be found here: http://www.oecd.org/pisa/keyfindings/pisa-2012-results-overview.pdf

The last weeks

Ten months came and went. Only 3 weeks until my commitment is over :(

I suppose it’s time to tell the world my plans? Originally, I intended on starting my PhD in Nuclear Chemistry and eventually become a university professor. However, I have decided to move to Chicago and pursue a career there.

My advice for future accepted Czech ETA’s.

(1) Not everyone’s experience will be the same.

(2) Brace yourself for an unpredictable year.

(3) Take advantage of the situation and learn Czech.

“He who would travel happily must travel light.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Pack only the essentials. Bring a camera and basic supplies. Everything you need is here and what is not can fit comfortably in one suitcase. Remember: you carry memories in your mind, not your bag.

            The hardest parts of being an ETA: Never seeing your old friends again.

My 10 seconds of FAME!

So, let's face it. When you live in a different country, you will most certainly do things you wouldn't normally do in your homeland. For example, going to a recording of a reality show.... then ending up on Czech National Television.

I have to say, that this experience was pretty cool. I wasn't really expecting the guy I was rooting for to win (Jiri), but he did! Well, I have to admit that I don't really know Jiri, he's a friend of a friend ... and well... I kinda went because at the time it seemed like a fun idea.... and now I know the cleverest of Czechs! 

If you are curious about the show, you can look at the website... it's pretty legitimate!

http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/10654598060-nejchytrejsi-cech/

Fulbright facts. *Due to the questions*

How many hours do you work a week?

14 or 16 (on average 15) plus my extra English club.

How many students do you teach?

Per class, no more than 12, no less than 4. Usually, 6-10 students.

Do you need to speak Czech?

In school, no. In the capital, no. In my town, yes, but I manage with ease.

Did you learn Czech?

Yes and no. Some background: I did have a Czech tutor for a year in the USA before I applied for a Fulbright. When I came here, I did not take lessons for 6 months, then I started taking lessons at a language school. So, yes, I speak enough Czech to talk to people, make some friends, make arrangements… but honestly, I usually speak English…. I do not think I would have made friends in this country, if I didn’t at least attempt to speak the language.

What are some shocking things you’ve experienced?

There are good shocks and bad shocks.

Bad shock:

Knowing German and French is as good as knowing English in this country.

Living alone gets pretty lonely.

Good shock:

How easy it is to make close friends. When you move to a new country, people understand that you’re alone and they want to help!

How great this country is!

 What are you recommendations for applying?

Make sure you don't apply to a random country... Apply to a country that you (1) been to, (2) learned about and (3) genuinely want to live in. It will be obvious in your application, if you are not very interested in the country that you are applying. Also, if you do not want to genuinely live in this country, you will not be very happy in the coming year.

20 Reasons why I love Czech Republic. 

What do you know about Czech culture and life? Is Prague really the only thing you think of when you hear Czech Republic? There are so many things this place has to offer and I must admit that Prague is a bad example of Czech day-to-day life. Prague is a city that is flooded with foreigners and isn't a great reflection of the country as a whole. 

Over the past 8 months, I have developed a love for this country.  So, this blog post is dedicated to things that I absolutely love about this country. 

1.   Saying "Ahoj" to my inner circle of friends and consequently unleashing my inner pirate. 

2.   Walking into a classroom full of students, only to have them stand in my honor.

3.   The ever so addicting Pribinacek.

4.  The ever so addicting knedliky.
5.  The ever so alcoholic beer that goes from 11% to 14% without a 13%, because it is an unlucky number.
6.  Svejk.

7. Pan Ucitel

8. Tmavomodry svet 

9.  Balada pro Banditu

10. Czech Humor....

11. Milos Zeman... how there is is picture of this president in every classroom despite his antics.

12. The landscape.

13. The traditions.

14. The National Symbol

15. The history.

16. The location.... its the heart of Europe :)

17. Ceske Televize and how they always talk about the USA (and makes me feel like my country is important).

18. How the word "na" is used for almost everything.

19. How it's totally ok to have a double negative in a sentence.

20. Prague (when its not flooded by tourists)