Welcome to School!

Hall of Flags; this is the first thing you see when entering ICSV.

The school year has started and I'm still trying to keep all the teachers and students straight. My first two weeks in Austria involved New Staff Orientation at ICSV where we learned more about the school, living in Austria, and getting to know Vienna. It was also learning how to survive without A/C as the days were consistently in the 90s and I don't have an air conditioner in my apartment. Thankfully, the evenings cooled off so it was possible to sleep comfortably. I'm just glad that ICSV has air conditioning so it wasn't too bad during the day.

School started August 22nd and students had a half day. The first week of school for me was pretty easy since I didn't see any of my students as they were doing back to school activities all day. I have been very thankful that the previous teacher is still in Vienna and has actually been coming to school every day to help out. She is considered the official teacher right now since I don't have my visa yet. Until I receive it I am not considered an official employee of the school according to Austrian Labor Laws which has been annoying as well as I'm not allowed to be paid. I am currently considered a volunteer at the school and I will be until I get my visa. The main problem with this is that the "previous teacher," Ms. L., has to stay at the school even though she has plans to move on and I can't be paid until I have my visa. At least I saved my money and have enough to make it to the end of September if I am frugal. However, after that I don't know so please pray that my visa comes sooner rather than later!

Since the second week of school, I have seen my students and worked with Ms. L to help these students and support them. I currently have six students who come to see me as well as a "watch list" with many more students who we are monitoring to see if they will have to have support in the future. All of my students are great and I am looking forward to building relationships with them and seeing them progress! Just with my six students, I have four different nationalities represented! In fact, this year at ICSV there are over 60 nationalities represented which, I've been told, is a record for one school year! I can't believe that such diversity is at our small Christian school. I am so glad that I can be a part of what God is doing in Vienna and and ICSV!