"Throughout the year I was able to see and do many things that I would have otherwise been unable to do. This year was a year of enormous growth and learning about the world of teaching and myself. I would never have been able to do it without Readak."

"I've learned a lot in the past eight months, and wouldn't trade the experience for the world."

"There are few other chances in life to so quickly become submerged so completely in the culture and the community of an area. The Readak teacher is an honored guest. Homes are opened and dinners are held. People proudly share what is special to them, and you go away richer for it. The rich local culture that is so often hidden behind the homogenous mask of interstates and anonymous chain franchises is placed into the lap of the visiting Readak specialist. A month or six weeks pass and you move to the next place, into the open arms of the next hidden facet of America. It's like Steinbeck's Travels with Charley except you go deeper and you don't have to deal with the dog."

"No other job I can think of could have suited me better at the time. I have undoubtedly grown in so many ways as a result of it: professionally, mentally, personally, and socially."

"Seven months have never been filled with so much!...Foremost, I have met so many interesting, and good people. I have new friends in Arlington, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Oberursel, Germany, and Acton, Massachusetts, not to mention the scattered home towns of the teachers that I became close to in training."

"I have come to find more of a balance between the roles of `teacher' and `friend.' I have learned a great deal about how students at different levels learn and which techniques or activities are most helpful in the process."

"I had a wonderful time working with Readak this past year. My stays at the schools have proven to be the most satisfying teaching experiences I have had. I not only feel as if I have completed a job well done, I also feel as if I have had the chance to positively impact the lives and futures of a few hundred kids."

"The public speaking and public relations skills I have learned this year are so important in furthering any career I may choose."

"The key is to be interested, plan ahead, keep an open mind and sense of humor, carry a date book, and know you can tackle any hurdle with your common sense."

"I am now a very independent person. I have no problems going out to eat or to a movie alone. Many of my friends and family question how I can do it. But I tell them...`I did it for 7 months, I'm quite comfortable with it.' I know now that I am able to be thrown into an unfamiliar environment and survive. I can easily make friends, I can easily get around and find my own way."