Hi, my name is Robin Cathey and I am living and teaching English in Hungary.
Today I was fortunate enough to visit the Csányi Foundation in Kaposvár to meet and speak with the wonderful students here. I was greeted at the train station by one of the helpful mentors from the center and we went to eat a traditional Hungarian lunch. Afterward, she and her colleagues took me to the center and showed me the facilities as well as pictures of the children they work with. Then we met some of the students from the foundation and walked to Kossuth Square where we saw the Christmas decorations and had coffees and hot chocolates! Back at the foundation, I met with students age 12-16 and showed them pictures of my home state of Georgia. We compared some of the issues of discrimination in the USA with the plight of minority groups here in Hungary. We brainstormed about minority languages and dialects in Hungary and discussed what the future might hold for those who speak them. Then, in groups, students planned their own presentations based on what they considered to be most representative of Hungary. The students were engaging and had important insights into their country and its culture and I was impressed by their grasp of the English language. I hope to visit again soon!