In Kazakhstan, Hayes taught English to teenagers in the town of Almaty. "I learned Russian and took the job kind of as a personal journey," she said. "Kazakhstan is very much a country in flux and while they have modern amenities like cell phones and coca-cola they don't have paved roads, and the college I was at didn't have indoor toilets." Kazakhstan is located in Eastern Europe and is ranked as the ninth largest country in the world as well as the world's largest landlocked country. "The people there were very hospitable," Hayes said. "My time there gave me some great perspective." Hayes said she signed up for the standard 27 months in the Peace Corps, but had her job held just in case she didn't love it enough to stay. "I just turned 30 and I really found myself wishing to be back in the U.S.," she said. "I came back with an enormous appreciation for the modern conveniences we have. I'm also happy to be back closer to friends and family." Hayes said her time in a foreign country also left her with an appreciation for the schools in America. "Even though it's not perfect here we do put a lot of time and energy in," she said. "It's great to be back in Norwell though. It feels good and I have more of an appreciation for things here and I think I'm a bit wiser."
Eliza Hayes returns from Kazakhstan
Norwell teacher returns from Kazakhstan
By Dana Forsythe
Thu Sep 10, 2009, 03:22 PM EDT
Caption: Vinal School teacher Eliza Hayes spent the past year in Kazakhstan, teaching English as a Peace Corps volunteer.
Norwell -
As students returned to the Vinal Elementary School and entered their new classrooms this week, they likely came across a few new faces.
"We're very happy to have several new hires this year," Vinal Principal Annette Bailey said.
In the last several months, the school has hired a number of new teachers, aides, instructional tutors and a special education teacher. There's also a new assistant principal in place (shared between Vinal and Cole Elementary), who will focus on instructional technology and curriculum.
Eliza Hayes, a former guidance counselor at Vinal, isn't exactly new to Vinal, but hers may be a new face to some students. Last year, Hayes took a leave of absence to join the Peace Corps and travel to Kazakhstan where she taught English.
"I had the superintendent hold my job so they had a long-term sub in my position last year," Hayes said this week.
In Kazakhstan, Hayes taught English to teenagers in the town of Almaty.
"I learned Russian and took the job kind of as a personal journey," she said. "Kazakhstan is very much a country in flux and while they have modern amenities like cell phones and coca-cola they don't have paved roads, and the college I was at didn't have indoor toilets."
Kazakhstan is located in Eastern Europe and is ranked as the ninth largest country in the world as well as the world's largest landlocked country.
"The people there were very hospitable," Hayes said. "My time there gave me some great perspective."
Hayes said she signed up for the standard 27 months in the Peace Corps, but had her job held just in case she didn't love it enough to stay.
"I just turned 30 and I really found myself wishing to be back in the U.S.," she said. "I came back with an enormous appreciation for the modern conveniences we have. I'm also happy to be back closer to friends and family."
Hayes said her time in a foreign country also left her with an appreciation for the schools in America.
"Even though it's not perfect here we do put a lot of time and energy in," she said. "It's great to be back in Norwell though. It feels good and I have more of an appreciation for things here and I think I'm a bit wiser."
Hayes said she's looking forward to sharing her experience with the children of Vinal in the upcoming school year.
"I think it's a good introduction to a broader view of the world for them," she said.
