Teaching Online: Yay or Nay

In the spring, as I realized my classes were winding down for the summer, I knew I was going to need to find a supplemental source of income for slower months, or even days where I had time in the afternoon. Luckily, there is such high demand for English education in Asia, China in particular,…

I Nearly Died Canoeing

Ok, so I didn't nearly die. At the time, it felt like it. About a month ago, I decided to go canoeing with a group called Aventouro. They organize awesome outdoors trips around Czech Republic and Slovakia for really good prices. I'm more of a kayaker than a canoer, but I thought I'd give it a try. We set off in the morning for Beroun, where we'd get a quick lesson on canoes and safety and then hit the water for a 13 km paddle.

Upcoming Travel!

Now that I have my visa, I can start traveling again! I normally leave a little spontaneity, but since it's almost peak season in Europe, and I have limited flexibility, most of my big summer trips are already planned or in the works. So where will the next few months take me? May:    …

What I Love (and Hate) About Teaching ESL in Preschool

I didn't come to Prague expecting to teach preschool. I wanted to teach kids, sure, but I didn't want to go as young as three or four. And I certainly never expected to be doing it with no Czech speaking co-teacher. But here I am, almost five months later, and I haven't pulled my hair out (yet)! There are some days where I absolutely love the environment, but other days when I really question my sanity. There are definitely aspects that I love and hate about teaching general ESL preschool.

Hostel Review: Generator Mitte Berlin

Note: When I stayed at the Generator, I wasn't really planning on writing a blog post review, so I didn't take any pictures, but I'll link to their website at the end. The pictures there are pretty accurate. Generator is a hostel chain that exists in quite a few cities in Europe.  In fact, there are…

Back to Berlin: Part 1

I've been quiet for awhile-- for good reason, it got a bit busy for a couple weeks. At the very end of March, my visa was approved! This was great but sent me into whirlwind planning mode because I had to get health insurance, find a time to go to Berlin, get a bus or train ticket, book a hostel, and make sure I had all the necessary paperwork ready to go.

Perfect Saturday Mornings in Prague

The air has been getting warmer, flowers are starting to sprout, leaves are slowly starting to appear on trees. The signs all point to the approaching spring and the return of the farmers markets is just another tell-tale sign winter is almost behind us.

22 Hours in Berlin

I'm down to under 12 hours left in my whirlwind 22 hour trip to the German capital. Six of the hours were spent sleeping, three were spent in the Czech embassy, and two were spent watching a movie with the friend I was staying with. I knew I wouldn't have much time to see the city, and in my opinion, the best way to get to see a city quickly is on a walking tour. Even better if it's free. So that's just what I did.

Surviving a Czech Spa

Surviving and spa don’t usually go in the same sentence. But that’s because Czech spas are different than the type of spa that most Americans picture. These spas are more medical and wellness spas than pampering, so the ones not attached to fancy hotels, aren’t always the most luxurious and the treatments are more medically oriented than relaxation.

Am I Becoming a Hipster?

Is it possible? Am I shedding my preppy New England persona and edging more and more towards hipster? I mean my food choices have definitely always aired on that side, but has Prague been bringing out the rest of my previously hidden hipster persona?