So, as I mentioned in my last post, my mythology class will double up for a week while another professor is on a leave. So, we are going to be doing a group project during that week (consisting of taking a myth, examining it from different perspectives, and presenting it). At first, I was like "oh no. I can't do a group project, I don't know anyone in the class." So, feeling like a middle schooler on her first day in a new school, I approached this girl who looked friendly (whatever that means), and timidly asked, "I don't have a group. Can I be part of yours?" And she said "yes! My name's Rocio". The next day, I came to class, and she waved me over and introduced me to her friends! As much as I dislike group projects, I am excited for the opportunity to get to know other students in my class.
I volunteered at the colegio today, to help with the English class. I had a conversation with Joaquin, who is a beginner, and then with Victoria and ______ (can't remember...), who are more advanced. I also sat in on instructor Chris's class, which was a lot of fun. He's been teaching English in Sevilla for the past 4 years, because he loved studying abroad here so much! I also met Claudia, another instructor, that's been here since September.
Went to Granada this past weekend. Pics to come, when I am caught up on homework.
I'm going to London this weekend! We have Monday off, because it's the Dia de Andalucia, so my friend Kate and I are flying out on Thursday night, and coming back Monday night. I'm excited to see the city, including the Globe Theatre, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and hopefully a show or two as well. We are staying in a hostel, which makes my mom nervous, but I am excited for the experience, and to (hopefully) meet other travelers.
Today was a long day (was gone from 9am to 8:30pm), so I'm going to do some homework and head to bed.
G'night all!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Food and Education
I have successfully learned how to eat an orange with a knife and fork.
I have not successfully learned how to eat fried fish that still has a spine in the middle... You have to take off the sides, eat whatever is on top of the spine, and then somehow, not clumsily, peel off the spine to get to the fish underneath. I think it's just beyond my food skills.
I started volunteering at a school yesterday! They have English classes as an "extra-curricular" from 4-6, and the students are split up by age. They take whatever "level" test they are ready for in May, when a British instructor comes and administers the oral exams. The entire exam is oral, so they just need to have a grasp of understanding/speaking English, not writing. As a volunteer, I will be talking one-on-one with the students to encourage them to say more than "yes" or "no," and to help them think of answers to possible questions the examiner will ask. Yesterday I met the instructors of the classes. One is from Wisconsin! His name is Chris, and he's from Lake Geneva. He totally knew where Hartland was, too. I am excited to be volunteering somewhere (apparently, it's not very common for Spanish people to volunteer) and working with kids again.
The educational system in Spain is quite different from the US. From what I understand, right now, there is a grado and a licenciatura in each field. The grado is 2 years, and the licenciatura is 3 years. After 5 years, they come out with the equivalent of our Bachelor's degree.
I am taking a Classic Mythology class with Spanish students. What I just explained comes into play, because the students are basically all in the same classes, at the same times. They move through the program together, with little say of which classes they take each semester, until they get to the optional classes at a higher level. So most of the students in my class are also in Medieval Christian Art together, etc.
This leads to a problem when their Art professor is taking a week off of class. Basically, my Mythology class is doubling up for a week (having class both during the Art time slot and the Mythology time slot), and then we won't have class for a week while they Art professor makes up for missing that week. All of this would be fine and dandy; however, I have class M/W during the Art time slot. I shave yet to figure out which class I will be skipping those days... I have a couple weeks, though, to decide.
I have also started looking for summer internship/job opportunities, which is incredibly difficult while abroad, and when I won't be back in the country until at least June 2 or 3. Anyone with suggestions? I am hoping to get field experience in Psychology for applying to grad schools, as well as affirming my career path.
Well, it's getting late by me (11:30pm), so I am going to head to bed.
Hasta luego!
I have not successfully learned how to eat fried fish that still has a spine in the middle... You have to take off the sides, eat whatever is on top of the spine, and then somehow, not clumsily, peel off the spine to get to the fish underneath. I think it's just beyond my food skills.
I started volunteering at a school yesterday! They have English classes as an "extra-curricular" from 4-6, and the students are split up by age. They take whatever "level" test they are ready for in May, when a British instructor comes and administers the oral exams. The entire exam is oral, so they just need to have a grasp of understanding/speaking English, not writing. As a volunteer, I will be talking one-on-one with the students to encourage them to say more than "yes" or "no," and to help them think of answers to possible questions the examiner will ask. Yesterday I met the instructors of the classes. One is from Wisconsin! His name is Chris, and he's from Lake Geneva. He totally knew where Hartland was, too. I am excited to be volunteering somewhere (apparently, it's not very common for Spanish people to volunteer) and working with kids again.
The educational system in Spain is quite different from the US. From what I understand, right now, there is a grado and a licenciatura in each field. The grado is 2 years, and the licenciatura is 3 years. After 5 years, they come out with the equivalent of our Bachelor's degree.
I am taking a Classic Mythology class with Spanish students. What I just explained comes into play, because the students are basically all in the same classes, at the same times. They move through the program together, with little say of which classes they take each semester, until they get to the optional classes at a higher level. So most of the students in my class are also in Medieval Christian Art together, etc.
This leads to a problem when their Art professor is taking a week off of class. Basically, my Mythology class is doubling up for a week (having class both during the Art time slot and the Mythology time slot), and then we won't have class for a week while they Art professor makes up for missing that week. All of this would be fine and dandy; however, I have class M/W during the Art time slot. I shave yet to figure out which class I will be skipping those days... I have a couple weeks, though, to decide.
I have also started looking for summer internship/job opportunities, which is incredibly difficult while abroad, and when I won't be back in the country until at least June 2 or 3. Anyone with suggestions? I am hoping to get field experience in Psychology for applying to grad schools, as well as affirming my career path.
Well, it's getting late by me (11:30pm), so I am going to head to bed.
Hasta luego!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Classes, Weather, and Food!
Sorry for not having written for a while! Been keeping busy with classes and friends.
Our 2 week intensive session ended on Friday with a bang, courtesy of an exam and paper. The class seems to have gone well, and we'll find out our grades next week. Our professor, Angel, was amazing. He had an incredible wealth of knowledge about history and culture, and was incredibly kind and friendly too. (And a great sense of style). He treated us as adults, and challenged us to improve our language skills while encouraging participation in conversations about culture. I'm pretty sure every person in our class had fallen in love with him by the end, boys and girls alike, although we continually debated whether the girls or boys had a better chance with him. :)
This week is the first week of university classes, and we are tasked with attending classes to determine which we want to take. After changing classes again, I think I have ended up with: Contemporary Poetry, Spanish Cinema, Contemporary Literature, and Classic Mythology. The Spanish Cinema class is with Angel, which Jessica and I are very excited about. I'm not quite sure about the Contemp. Lit professor, however, because she spoke very simple Spanish, as if we couldn't understand her. I am excited about reading Unamuno, Garcia Lorca, and other 20th century authors, though! It will definitely be a challenge being in classes with students who are less... prepared linguistically for classes in Spanish, especially coming from the intense, fast-paced class with Angel.
This past weekend, my friends from the residencia and I tried a nearby Italian restaurant. The food was great. Jessica and I split a margherita pizza and spinach-filled tortellini. After failing at finding churros at 10pm on a Sunday, we resorted to McDonalds, and got ice cream for dessert.
Keeping with the food topic, I have definitely gotten more used to Spanish cuisine. I have been trying many many many types of fish and seafood. My senora made their version of a potato salad, which is basically potatoes smothered in mayonnaise. Tasted great, but I'm sure it was as unhealthy as can be. Speaking of which, one meal was fried potatoes, empanadillas (fried "pockets" of tuna and tomato sauce), and fried fish. Holy fried! They have their own personal deep frier, like what you see at McDonalds for french fries.
Laura and Pablo, the grandchildren, came over yesterday after school, while their mom was at work. Laura ended up doing homework in my room with me, because "the TV was too loud and she couldn't concentrate." She's learning English, so she asks me how to pronounce words. We also played a game, although I'm not quite sure what the rules were, what the objective was, or if we won... :P
Saturday was a shopping day! We wandered around Calle Tetuan, and I bought boots and a sweater dress. The boots are mid-calf length, black, and have buckles. The stores are in a period of rebajas, which is basically their end of season sales. Everything is discounted up to 50% off for January through February! You can find some great deals, although you'll never find deals of 70% off like the US has.
The weather is warming up, which is fantastic. You can walk around at lunch time without a jacket! Nights in the house are cold, though, because the tile floors keep everything insulated and chilly.
Pics of last weekend's trip to Cordoba soon.
I got a letter from Lauren today, one of my 7th graders, which made my day! Speaking of which, if anyone feels compelled to use snail mail, I love receiving letters, and I will write back! My address is:
Alyssa Pon-Franklin
CIEE Study Center in Seville
Calle Munoz y Pabon, 9
41004, Sevilla SPAIN
Adios for now!
~Alyssa
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)