A few things I forgot to mention

A few things that I've done the past week.

So classes started last week! Not everything, but a some. At the university (not that I am taking that many there), they are switching their education system, so there are two waves of classes: classes from the old school way and classes from the new system. Once everything starts, my full schedule will include two classes with the proram: grammar and contemporary Spanish art history, one university class: theater movement with Sergio, and a painting class at the local youth center. I also will be volunteering at the university theater and helping tutor/teach university students English. I had my first grammar class, which I LOVE. We are learning a lot of useful things that schools should teach in America. Although, maybe students need to know the not useful vocabulary and phrases in order to know what is useful. Also, this is one of the first Spanish classes I've taken that has been completely taught in English. Exciting and kind of sad that I haven't had that before. Miguel Angel is the professor. So nice and patient, espeically when I can tell I am one of the weaker speakers. I just have to make sure I try as hard as I can and participate to make up for what I lack in my language skills. The class will count as a 300 level course! I also had art history, another program class. The professor, Arturo, has the craziest voice. He is so Spanish! He is incredibly knowledgeable and patient, and I am excited to see what else we are going to learn. We talked a whole class period about Picasso's Guernica. After taking art history in the States, it's interesting to relearn art history lingo in Spanish. And he even gave us a break in the middle of our two hour class. I thought that was very nice of him, although unnecessary because we only meet once a week if you don't count the extra help tutoria. The moment after he said we would be taking a break, he bolted for the door. Seeing this, I realized this break was more for himself, seeing as he was going on his cigarette break. I am a little worried about my art class. Let's hope I get credit!

Aside from classes, we still have a lot of orientation activities, things I failed to talk about here on my blog. The second day we were here in Alcala, we had a breakfast with all of the students and their host families. So nice! Had a pleasant walk to the restaurant with Pilar. Afterwards, Miguel and Sergio gave us a practical tour around Alcala. SO PRACTICAL. Not touristy. They showed us things like where to buy stamps, banks, the train and bus stations (including a "how-to" put your ticket through, which trains and buses go where...), Carrefour, a chain super market, little traditions such as a side alley where it is good luck to hold your breath all the way through. We also had various presentations by professors from the university about their classes. We had a tour of historic Alcala. The third day, Miguel and Sergio took us to Madrid to have a picnic in Parque de Retiro, Madrid's central park. So cute! There's a nice man-made lake with row boats to rent. Sergio and Miguel's bromance came out during our time on the water. They are so fun. The showed us how to navigate the metro system so we didn't feel overwhelmed. They took us to the brand new Tufts-Skidmore in Spain office. AWESOME! I need to take pictures to describe it. Think chic, big, historic apartment meets Ikea and pop art. Super bright colors in an old, majestic apartment. Ya? This week, the program brought in a culture-shock therapist to talk with us as a group about adjusting here. At first I thought it was going to be stupid, but the woman was really relaxed and obviously had a lot of experience in her field.

Coming up: intestinal adjustments, Segovia, and The Boy Who Lived