When I first applied for this I expected that once I got here I would be helped. Any questions would be answered and I could to them with any problem. I got here and did the orientation. That and the first week was the only time I saw the coordinators. They helped us register took us on a few trips, then released us to muddle our way through. I would have loved it if they had told me during registration that I was about to take the prerequisite and the course at the same time. This was not information provided to me. The only time I see these people is when I pick up my stipend check every other month, when I needed a form signed, or when I'm checking to see if I have mail. But maybe perhaps because they have left me to my own devices I was able to find my way better than if they held my hand the entire time. I am traveling on my own, and have been to many different places, and perhaps if the only time I went on a trip was with them, I wouldn't know how to plan a trip. So, as much as I really wish they provided more help, I'm grateful at the same time.
The locals here are interesting to say the least. The girls are often curious as to where I come from and the guys are curious to know if I have a boyfriend/ if i do do I want a local one. I don't have too many local friends here except for Dean and Kevin who have gone on the trips with us and help me when I need it. The accent these people have is rather thick and even now I still have a hard time understanding them. I receive a lot of attention for being white, and at first I found the attention really nice, but now I tend to shoo the guys away when they approach me. The locals here are very nice, but I desperately wish that they knew/wore deodorant because being under the sun for so long creates some very bad body odor. About every other day I open the door to my room and walk into a wall of B.O because my roommate has a lot of friends over in our very tiny room and all of them stink. Also, the students here don't really seem to know where anything is. Whenever I need to find something I tend to wander for a little bit and hopefully come across what I need. But for all my complaining the locals are very nice and make this place what it is.
There are over 30 people in my program (ISEP) and at least 20 others in one other program. I do not know how many people are actually here. I know most of the people's names but I don't know everyone's. I hang out with only a small chunk of the people here, but I am close to them. Most of the international students here LOVE to party and really enjoy drinking as well. I don't often hang out with those guys because I am not big on partying. Most of the international students here are from the states, and I have met a girl from CT. All of the international students are really nice, and I really liked the week long camping trip because I got to know them better. I will miss a bunch of the group when I go home and I hope that at some point in time I can visit the others from the states, or vise versa. I also hope that I keep in contact with all of them once we part ways.
No comments:
Post a Comment