The Banerjee Blog: Kunshan Family

Showing posts with label Kunshan Family. Show all posts

Friday, March 21, 2014

When the Doctor Comes Knocking

China, March 2014

There is no greater feeling in the world than to have your other half stop by for a visit... and NO I don't mean Chitrak! I mean my best friend, sister, and college roomie: Jess Arnett (now Ebinger).

From our "Roomie Rings"

To our booty rolling, ghetto dancing days,

...we have many memories together, and they now continue in China. Jess is less than a month or so away from graduating from medical school, and just finished an internship through one of the best medical universities in China, Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou. She bravely flew into Shanghai for a weekend to spend with us!

Our first picture together, REUNITED.

Chomping on some German cuisine and steak. Come on, we're from the Midwest!

How can you come to China without a scooter ride, from yours truly?? Yay for authentic experiences!

Can your find Waldo? I really mean Jess & Chitrak
(Please see random scooter in the middle of traffic).

Enjoying the simplicity of travelling to Shanghai by the high speed rail. (Stay behind the white line Jess!)

We fight the crowd at the Shanghai metro. The pink bags really go well with Chitrak's complexion!

Shopping, what girls do best!

When we dropped her off at the Shanghai Airport, we were all full of tears. We can't wait to travel together again, but next time with Pierce too. Next on the drawing board, plans for INDIA! :-D

In case you are curious about Jess's experience at as OBGYN in China, check out her blog:
http://pinkcamostethoscope.blogspot.com/

A stroll down memory lane (in no particular order)...

Our famous photo, taken at our wedding, July 2009.

Recreating our favorite pose at the Ebinger Wedding.

Jess always keeps me on time (Megan, don't forget your wedding!)

Roomies from 414

Preparing for Jess's wedding.

Our concession stand days with Chitrak at football games.

Cleaning our room after loooong breaks, EW!

Roomies who play together, clean together!

And mop together too.

Getting ready for a dance performance.

YUM!

One of our first trips was to support Jess in getting her nose pierced (I think I was far more scared than her!).

And we support Jess when she gets tattoos!

Chitrak's 1st apartment @ Cummins

Playing in the snow, because we can!

Taco Bell, late night dinners

Dancing our way to dinner.

Road Trips

Cedar Point... and the brave blonde who talked me in to the ride.

The Fray concert at Purdue

Sunday, October 27, 2013

The Canadian International School Kunshan (CISK)

Phase 1 Site - Canadian International School (CISK)

One of the biggest, most recent changes I have made in my life was the decision to move to the Canadian International School Kunshan. It was not an easy one, as I had to leave my fellow colleagues and a great a principal behind (and I'm not really Canadian, eh?). But for me, it was a special chance to grow and a way to give back to my community. Last year, in May of 2012, I signed on as the first foreign staff at CISK.

I started in a planning office on the West side of Kunshan. I helped in reaching out to the community, finding innovative ways to market our specialized programs, and recruiting students. Each morning, I walked across the lawn from my apartment, and through a beautifully gardened pathway, to our 9th floor office.

Since then, the scenery and my role in the school has changed. In October of last year, all school staff moved in to our Phase 1 site. Looking at it now, you'll never believe it was a strip mall. We began with a small enrollment of one student, and now after one year, we have over 80 students educated within the carefully designed learning spaces of our school.

I currently teach a combined class of 1st and 2nd graders, and from time to time, help in the promotions of our school. Since CISK opened its door last October, we have the first English library in the city to offer its students, we've introduced after school clubs, offer an international lunch menu, and have plans to expand.

We are expanding, as of this month. Construction has already started on our Phase 2 site next to Duke University Kunshan.

In future posts, I hope to describe my experience teaching in an international school in hopes that you may find an interest in going abroad to help students all over the world.