Day 24: Tuesday, May 19th — Game Time: Holding the Python Lesson!

Change of plans in the journal—there was no more time for prepping because today was actually game day! I stepped up to the front of the classroom and officially held my lesson on Python.

It was a huge milestone for my time here on the exchange, and here is how the big day went down:

1. Stepping into the Teacher's Shoes

Walking into the classroom as the instructor instead of the student was a total rush. Both Kai and I were at the school, but all eyes were on the projector as I kicked off the Python lesson.

I was a little nervous about how the students would respond, especially with the potential language barrier, but I focused on keeping things interactive. We covered the foundational basics of Python, and instead of just lecturing, I had them write out code blocks right along with me.

2. How the Lesson Went

The students were incredibly engaged! It was awesome watching the "lightbulb moments" happen when their scripts ran successfully for the first time without syntax errors. Seeing them actively type out the commands, troubleshoot their logic, and actually understand the core concepts of the language made all those hours of hidden prep work completely worth it.

Kai was there to back me up, and the whole experience turned out to be a massive success. It felt amazing to give something back to the host school that has been taking care of us for the last three weeks.

Student to Student Tip: If you ever get the chance to teach during an exchange program, take it! Teaching a topic is hands-down the best way to prove to yourself how well you actually know it. Plus, the local students love getting a break from their usual routine to learn from an international peer.

With the lesson officially checked off the bucket list, a massive weight is off my shoulders. We headed back to the apartment to celebrate a successful Tuesday!