SO, sorry it’s been a while since I have updated my blog. I guess I should let ya know how my classes are going.
So, Sunday I missed my Anthropology class—but I think a lot of people did and I didn’t really miss much. We went over the syllabus…and I will have to write a 14-15 page research paper discussing a country of the Middle East, the country’s geography, natural resources, traditions, politics, etc. I’m not sure which country I want to write about but I gotta figure it out soon. I’m thinking Egypt…since I’m in Egypt. Or maybe a smaller less known country like Qatar, Kuwait of Bahrain would be interesting.
So, next class was Arabic, which I will have four times a week. I’m a little worried about my Arabic class because it looks like it’s going to be super hard!!! The teacher only speaks in Arabic to us, and even when he’s explaining new concepts he explains them in Arabic and expects us to understand. Also, I feel like a lot of the people in my class are more advanced in Arabic, and I have no clue what’s going on! That class makes me feel a wee bit dumb…so I guess I’ll need to do A LOT of studying!
Ok, Monday’s and Wednesday’s I have my three journalism classes, which all seem like they are going to be a blast!! All of my professors seem like they are going to make the class a lot of fun, and they are all really accomplished. Two of them formerly worked for CNN, CBS, National Geographic…and all that cool stuff!
For my online journalism class I will be eventually creating a Web site, for which I am going to need to start a blog, so when I do I will put a link of that to here so you guys can check that out! Also, a girl in the class asked me if I wanted to freelance for the Caravan, which is the AUC school paper which will be neat. One of my goals is to publish something while I’m here—even if it’s just for the school newspaper.
My broadcasting class also seems like it’s going to be a lot of fun, but a little bit difficult considering I don’t have a television. I am doing my best to listen to CNN and BBC radio online—but as far as watching them online, my internet is just waaaay to slow for that…so who knows how this class is going to go!
And finally, my Camera and Editing class is AWESOME! The teacher is really cool, he did the kind of stuff I want to do in the future where he just packed up his stuff and went to a foreign country where news was happening and shot, edited and produced a story for companies like CNN.
The only problem with this class is that the professor wanted to talk to me and the other study abroad student in my class to let us know that the class is over its enrollment limit and that one of us is going to be kicked out! Now I’m just waiting to see which one of us it is going to be. I’m not really sure how the professor is going to decide, but if nobody volunteers to drop the class, he’ll try to decide by who enrolled in the class first. I hope I don’t get kicked out of the class!!! Since Baylor doesn’t have a broadcasting program, I am really looking forward to being able to use a camera and learning the basics of reporting, recording, editing, and producing a story.
OK, that’s all about the classes. As far as the campus, because it is so far away we are all stuck there until our classes are over and we catch a bus back, so the place is really crowded. There are Egyptians/Arabic speakers everywhere!! And very few study abroad/international students so I still kind of feel like an outsider. I feel like a freshman all over again—I gotta make friends, find my way around and adjust to the college lifestyle.
Oh before I forget, as far as the school is concerned—it’s funny that we are trying to hold classes there when the place is still under construction. One of my professors was saying (and I think more directed towards the Egyptians students) that they should complain to the provost and get their parents to complain, demanding part of their tuition back. The reason being that they are paying for an American education and with all of the construction they really deserve better than what they are getting. I personally, think the campus looks beautiful, but I definitely understand that with the construction, there are many constraints on the professor’s ability to do certain things, like show important videos, get internet access, have air conditioning, and other technological problems.
OK, I think this blog is long enough, and I’ve bored you enough :p I will write more about school later!
Thanks for reading my blog :]
