Katrina Boulton – about Canada as you haven´t known it

Katrina se u nás na škole již od září podílí na výuce angličtiny. Jakožto rodilá mluvčí navštěvuje hodiny, které vždy vede zajímavou formou plnou her a soutěží. Všichni víme, že pochází z Kanady. Jak se jí tam ale žije, jak funguje tamní školní systém, které české jídlo jí chutná a po čem se jí stýská, to se dozvíte v tomto rozhovoru!

1. When did you arrive to the Czech Republic? How long have you been here?

I arrived in the last week of August. So, I’ve been here for 9 months.

2. And are you planning to stay?

Yes, I hope so. I´m trying to get a visa so I can stay another year or 5 – who knows, we will see.

3. There are many interesting countries in Europe so why did you choose the Czech Republic?

There are so many reasons.

It´s cheaper than some other places so it was a financially good option for me. There is also a lot of teaching opportunities – I can teach kids and also adults. In addition, it´s really easy to get to other countries from the Czech Republic – Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria.

4. Did you have any expectations before you arrived to Czechia?

I don´t think I had too many expectations. I really didn´t know what to expect. I have never been to this part of Europe before.

5. What surprised you the most?

I´m happy about the public transportation – it´s so wonderful compared to the North America.

And other thing that surprised me was student-teacher relationship in school, because it´s pretty different than in Canada.

6. What do you miss in the Czech Republic?

I miss some restaurants and of course my family and my cat. But not too many things. I don´t miss all the snow and the bad weather in Canada.

7. Have you visited any other Czech cities?

I haven´t visited too many places yet and that makes me really sad, because there are so many things to see. I visited Frýdek – Místek and I really liked it. Also I visited Prague two or three times, Kutná Hora and Brno. That’s basically all, because I didn´t have much time.

8. Which place was the most impressive to you?

I really don´t want to say it, but I think Prague – there are so many things to do or see. And so much history. It´s really amazing city.

9. When did you finish university?

I graduated just last year in April and I studied teaching English to speakers of other languages.

10. Is the study system in Canada the same as in the USA (that you can borrow money for studying at university)?

Yes, it´s the same. I think in Canada it´s not as extreme as the USA (like it doesn´t cost us too much).

11. Many people want to study abroad. Do you think Canada is a good country to study?

I definitely think it would be a good place to study. You always find someone who is similar to you. I would recommend some universities in Vancouver, Victoria or Toronto.

12. Lots of people would like to go to Canada and I have got a few questions about it. The first one is: Do you know some secret but beautiful places? Dou you have some recommendations?

Definitely the west or the east coast.

West coast for British colonies. They are beautiful just in general, but I love Vancouver. I also like Jasper national park and Victoria Island.

On the east coast I would recommend visit Labrador and Newfoundland.

13. There are some stereotypes about the mentality of Canadians (like kindness, …). Are they true?

Yes, definitely. We are mostly polite. Holding the door for people, always apologize – that´s very specific for us.

But some are fake, like that we all wear flannel and living in igloos.

14. Are there any specific customs, traditions or holidays in Canada?

I don´t think so. We celebrate Christmas, Halloween, Easter – typical commercial holidays. But nothing too crazy I think. It also depends on the territory and provinces.

15. Is there any typical Canadian food that you would like to recommend?

Cheese and Beavertails.