February 2

2-2
Today was the first day at Carlos III University. We took a written placement test first thing in the morning, and then had a welcome reception. They served alcohol, and there are a few people in our group who apparently can’t control themselves. I’m sorry, but it is not necessary to have at least 4 glasses of wine at school. It’s school, not a bar. In the afternoon we had the professors from half of the classes come and present their topics. There are a few classes I’m really excited to take, like history of Spain and cultural studies. I think I’ve decided not to take the art class. Even though it would be really cool to have class in the museums, I have enough other classes I want to take more, and that would be the only class on a Friday. Otherwise I’m done at 6 on Thursday until Monday afternoon. I’m not sure of a definite schedule yet (I’m waiting for the other half of the presentations tomorrow to decide) but I think I’m going to take cultural studies, history of Spain, Spanish film, the mandatory Spanish grammar class, and either Spanish literature or short stories. I was thinking of taking a colloquial Spanish class, which I think would have been really good, but it conflicts with film. Stupid scheduling conflicts. I have an oral placement exam on Wednesday or Thursday. After tomorrow, it looks like there’s not much on the orientation except the oral exams. So the rest of the week should be easy. And it probably will drag on endlessly. Fun.
Today was all in Spanish, and I understood almost everything! Well, I guess that’s a lie. We still spoke some English among the AYA group. But there was a ton more Spanish today than ever before. And I knew what was going on! The professors are mostly easy to understand, and it seems like it’s not going to be any harder than the Spanish classes at Ripon. There will just be a lot more of them. I think the majority of the students studying at the study abroad section of Carlos III are Americans. At least, I heard a lot of American English. I’m not sure how many of them are going to start speaking seriously in Spanish. The professors stressed a lot today that you need to attend your classes, so I guess they’ve had problems with students skipping out and not being there to learn. So I wonder how many of the people there are just looking for an extended vacation. It makes it sound so intimidating when they’re talking so much about how important it is to be in classes, and how your grade will suffer if you’re not there, but then I remember that that’s what I do all the time anyway. They just make it sound like a big deal.
I’m tired. Concentrating so hard on what everyone is saying all day is exhausting. There’s probably not enough time for a siesta before supper, but maybe I’ll go to bed early. I feel like I say that all the time since I got here! Being in a foreign country is tiring!
Well, nothing more on my end tonight. Later, y’all.
Bethany