Name: Mette Poulsen
Job position: Schoolteacher
Company website: www.rg.kk.dk
Year of birth: 1973
Address: Oehlenschlaegersgade 58, 5.tv
DK-1663 Copenhagen V
Cell phone: 045 4223 0698
Private mail: die_mette@yahoo.com
As a schoolteacher for 27 wonderful 3rd grade students I have a hectic and fun day. I teach Danish, mathematics, history and English at Randersgades Skole – Copenhagen International Profile School. Apart from teaching I am also involved in developing new ways of teaching with an international dimension; interdisciplinary as well as within the subjects and in the daily life of the school.
With the GSE I hope to gain knowledge (and inspiration) of how Korean teachers work and how they manage their class-rooms, and I would very much like to share ideas about education. This is also a perfect chance to learn about a culture which is very different from the Danish. The exchange will give me a hands-on experience and I see myself introducing South Korea to my students in form of a more inspired way of teaching and a better knowledge than any book can give, and to my colleagues in sharing a knowledge about a school-system and a way of doing things which could inspire us to do things differently.
My main goal in my teaching, when teaching international projects, is for the students to gain the understanding that even though we may look different and live in countries far apart, we can still communicate and we still share many of the same values which can unite us.
Although I am 37 years old I have only been a schoolteacher for 4 years. Prior to this job I have worked as a human resource assistant at a large pharmaceutical company, at a travel insurance company where the main focus was to arrange medical help for Danish tourists on holiday, and as a tour-guide primarily in South East Asia.
In my spare time I am outgoing and I like to do social things with my friends and family. I live in the heart of Copenhagen where there are ample opportunities to enjoy good cafes and restaurants, I like going to the movies, the theatre and concerts. I also enjoy a good workout at the local fitness center.
As a schoolteacher I am fortunate to have long summer holidays and I usually spend 5-6 weeks away from Denmark. I love to explore exotic countries, their natural wonders and cultural sights – so far the ruins of Macchu Picchu in Peru and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador have been some of the highlights.
Meeting other cultures has given me a new perspective on ways of living, which is also what I am looking forward to with the GSE experience in Gyeongsangnam, South Korea.
Vocational wish list:
• School-visits – primary and secondary school, mainly Korean, English and math but I am interested in all subjects.
• Teachers training college or university – to get an understanding of how you become a teacher in South Korea
• International schools and language schools (English)
• Children’s sports clubs and social clubs
Personal wish list:
• Hiking in Jirisan National Park
• Hurshimchung hot spa
• Visit some of the islands
• Beomeo-Sa temple in Busan
• Big shopping arcade in Busan
• Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan
• An ocean Tour
• A Korean cooking class
