bienvenidos al universidad antonio de nebrija. today was the first day of school. welll, sort of...we had a placement test. but we saw all the other students we'd be studying at the school with-probably 1/2 were international students. probably the biggest group was from brasilia. probably 50-75 kids that we'll be there with doing the language intensive month. there are like 8 levels to fall into...the test was un poco dificil (a bit hard)-3 portions, one of which had 100 multiple choice questions on grammar! yikes. and also an oral section & a fill in the blank.
anyhow, tomorrow classes begin. after the placement test there was a orientation which was a bit intimidating. classroom etiquette is just a bit different than the u.s. to give you an idea, la profesora told us they start training kids at the age of four to sit in a class for 30 minutes straight, and as they get older, increase the time...all to say by the time we're in la universidad we should be able to sit in class for an hour & twenty minutes. absolutely not allowed to leave during that time--it's terrible etiquette.
we have 4 sessions of classes beginning at 8:30 and ending at 2:30, and a "tentiempe" from 11:20-11:40--a very important spanish custom of a snack or bite to eat. they say if they didn't
have this, they'd topple over because the spanish are accustomed to such light breakfasts of just a cup of cafe. she was right...today, we had no tentiempe and i most definitely felt as though i was going to fall over when i got home at 2:15 ready and eager for lunch.
our morning started at 6:30 with adventurous trek & several line changes on el metro--the very efficient, convenient & extra crowded at 7am spanish subway. it took us an hour to arrive at school, but i imagine when we're veteraned it will be a 40 min. ride. class until 230, then home for lunch & a siesta! today we absolutely took one and it was much appreciated.
after the siesta, we met carlos (one of the program directors i mentioned on the first day)--there we are with him--& katie for a bus tour with a tourguide. so many photos. i think i took 75. they will all be on snapfish. this is my favorite of the ride. beautiful. this is the Fuente de Civiles which is a very famous & picturesque fountain in the very center of the historical area of espana.
the tour was delightful, but a bit difficult to follow like the last tour, as the tour guide spoke in very fast spanish, with many words i don't even know. in this blog entry i have noticed my thoughts are beginning to form first in spanish. i will be a pro once classes start.
after the tour, katie, jenny & i walked around in the plaza del opera--a plaza in the center of an arts area that's the equivalent to our broadway. poor katie's luggage STILL hasn't arrived, so she finally caved & bought some clothes at the outdoor market area.
this is the street on our walk home from exploring. it was gorgeous. it still amazes me how the street is bustling all throughout the day. it never stops. it is so comfortable to be out and about among the people--i haven't felt overwhelmed yet. summer evenings in spain are indescribable.
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