Recent Hamilton graduate Mike Zesk '08 has spent the last several months in northern Mongolia as a teacher, director, explorer and game show host. A religious studies major at Hamilton, Zesk was also a long-time member of the Men's Rugby team and a former captain. Despite his incredible experiences 6000 miles from Clinton, Zesk's thoughts are focused on the future:
My Mongolian adventures began back in July when I was working at the Corporate Executive Board in Washington, D.C. On July 17, I was offered a position as a teacher of American and English Literature at the Hobby School in Ulaanbaatar (hereafter UB), Mongolia. Since it has long been my ambition to work at the State Department, I jumped at the chance and in August I found myself on a plane to UB via China. Since then I have been teaching reading comprehension and composition to students aged 9-18. In addition to my teaching duties I have spent time leading hiking trips, coaching the school debate team, directing a play for the 4th grade, and writing and co-hosting a game show for Mongolia television.
Yes, you read that correctly, hosting a game show.
My school co-sponsors an English language, nationally broadcast, quiz show called Magic Tour with Hobby School. Another teacher and I write all the questions used on the show and take turns hosting a segment called "Guess that Word." I will continue my duties here in UB until June when I return to the United States. At that time I hope to take the Foreign Service Officer test and will also be applying to masters' programs in international relations and foreign service in Boston and Washington.
My Mongolian adventures began back in July when I was working at the Corporate Executive Board in Washington, D.C. On July 17, I was offered a position as a teacher of American and English Literature at the Hobby School in Ulaanbaatar (hereafter UB), Mongolia. Since it has long been my ambition to work at the State Department, I jumped at the chance and in August I found myself on a plane to UB via China. Since then I have been teaching reading comprehension and composition to students aged 9-18. In addition to my teaching duties I have spent time leading hiking trips, coaching the school debate team, directing a play for the 4th grade, and writing and co-hosting a game show for Mongolia television.
Yes, you read that correctly, hosting a game show.
My school co-sponsors an English language, nationally broadcast, quiz show called Magic Tour with Hobby School. Another teacher and I write all the questions used on the show and take turns hosting a segment called "Guess that Word." I will continue my duties here in UB until June when I return to the United States. At that time I hope to take the Foreign Service Officer test and will also be applying to masters' programs in international relations and foreign service in Boston and Washington.
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