It's Official. Real Classes in German are HARD!

My first class was at 11:15 today. It's a literature course. Two other girls from my program were also in the class, something I didn't find out until I got there. I think this class will definitely be a challenge, especially since I've never really discussed my interpretations of literature in German! The only Americans in the class are the ones from AJY and some of the others are from Japan, China, Itlay, Ireland, India and the Czech Republic. I find it so cool that I have classes with people from all over the world! All of the students in the classes I take are studying German as a Foreign Language so none speak German as their native tongue. But that doesn't mean that some don't sound like it! In combination with my AJY literature class, it should count for my lit. requirement at Elon, which would be fantastic.

I stopped by AJY for a bit to talk to Dr. Tracy after class. I want to take this online class so I emailed the professor and she wrote back saying that it would be taught in Stuttgart. That just didn't make sense to me seeing how it is an ONLINE course! But Dr. Tracy explained that it was still online and that I wouldn't have to go to Stuttgart. We'll see how it works out. I emailed the professor (b/c someone different is teaching it now) and am waiting to hear back from him.

My second class of the day was at 3:15. This is one of the classes I was looking most forward to because it actually has something to do with my major. There were so many people interested in taking the class that we had to switch to a larger room. I recognized a few faces from some of my other classes. There was one girl in the class who looked about 30 and she was so obnoxious! She would correct the teacher, spoke German with a thick Italian accent and just babbled on and on when she asked questions. The professor seemed nice, but she spoke incredibly fast (as if she were teaching German students) and sped through her powerpoint presentation. AJY recommended that we attend more classes than we actually need to take the first week or so. Then, if there are classes we attend that we don't like or think will be too difficult, we don't have to go back. I do not think I'll be returning to this class. I understood the basis of what she was telling us, but not well enough to actually be tested on the material. Even though I was somewhat bummed out about not being at the level to take that class, everything will work out ok. I have PLENTY to keep me busy!!

I really lucked out with my schedule. I don't have classes on Mondays OR Fridays! I have two classes on Tuesday and one on Wednesday and Thursday. I am also taking an online course and a tandem speaking course where you meet with another person on your own time. Additionally, I am doing an independent study through Elon that, once I get started on it, will give me quite a bit of work. The University system here is just so different than from at home. Almost every class only meets once a week. A syllabus is rarely given out and homework assignments are often vague. They are vague to the point where they assign something, but then you're supposed to delve deeper into it on your own and figure out what else you're supposed to do. And if you want to receive a grade for a class, you have to tell the teacher specifically. Then you will have to do some extra work like papers or a presentation. I don't know why you wouldn't want to get a grade, but apparantly it is common. It may all sound chaotic, but I don't think it will be TOO bad!!

My roommate Anna helped me out with my independent study tonight. She answered a few questions I had on camera. She also helped me fine-tune my questions so that when I ask other people, they will be correct!!

AJY hosted a little party tonight for the language partners and students. I arrived a little early and helped Frau Heckmann pick up the sandwiches at Subway. I LOVE Subway! Sooo yummy!! Simone came a little late since she had a class, so I got to know a few of the other language partners. Simone and I also talked a little in English which was nice and gave my brain a bit of a break. Everyone was talking at the same time so it was slightly difficult to understand German. I couldn't focus!!! Simone told me that there is a train that goes directly from Mannheim to Paris for only 19 Euros! It takes three hours to get there with this special new super fast train. I told Heidi and John Kornfeld about it and they were really excited. Hopefully we'll get to do that! We stayed at the party for a really long time and I also interviewed Simone. Then she walked me back to my house and we talked for awhile more. I showed her pictures of friends and family and she told me that we could go see a movie together or go to Mannheim and go shopping, anything I want! She's SO nice and I feel really lucky that I have a language partner who is so interested in helping and getting to know me!