Classes

So tomorrow begins the first week of real classes. International students have to be there early in the morning for registration because it is first come, first serve. I am heading to campus around 5:45 so hopefully I get there by early enough to get the classes I want..which are: International Relations and History of Peru in the Modern Times. I'm pretty excited for them and I hope there is enough room for me. Then besides those 2 classes there are 2 required classes through the program and they are to work on our Spanish abilites; an Advanced Writing Workshop and Peruvian Social Reality. They seem pretty cool and it’s only the people in our program so at least we get more bonding time :)

Tonight there was a mass for my host mother's uncle who died one year ago and she wanted me to go so that I could meet most of her family for the first time. The church was huge and very beautiful! It was hard to understand everything that was said or sung but the sermon was about Salvation and I am pretty sure I was able to catch most of it (which I was pretty excited about!). My host mother's mother had 8 sisters and 1 brother and there are 5 sisters left and the brother, so I got to meet them. It is nice being a part of a big family while I am here and they were all very nice.

On our way home we drove by a Methodist Church that is closer to my house than a few others that I had seen. I am going to have to try and stop by there and see what time services are and see what it is like. Oh! and today I got to talk to my brother, Jason, his wife, Wendy, their daughter, Mara, and my other brother's kids, Allyson and Jacob, and it was amazing seeing them all again (well on skype anyway) and it made me realize that without everyone's support I would definitely not be here :) Any who I need to finish my homework and then get some sleep since tomorrow is going to be a loonnnggg day.

<3 aj

First 2 Weeks at the University

So Friday we finished our Intensive Spanish Class and boy was it a tough couple weeks. 6 hours of Spanish everyday and there was a lot of information to cram into those 10 days, but it brought us closer together as a program and I have made some really great friends. Oh and I’m able to get to school by myself now. I prefer to ride with 2 girls that live close to me but if it was necessary I would totally be able to get there and back alone and I am definitely proud of that fact. It takes about an hour bus ride to get there and it is not like a normal bus ride, the route is random and you never know it because it’s not set in stone. Needless to say it’s crazy and you never know how long it’s going to take you because of traffic. It’s terrifying but I have only seen one accident and I would definitely expect there to be more.

The University is called Pontificia Universidad Católica Del Perú. It’s a beautiful campus and now I am working on trying to find my way around. I think I look silly having a map with me everywhere I go though. Classes start tomorrow and the first week is kind of like a try it before you buy it thing. We get to go to classes and see what they are like all week and then we decide which ones we want to take on the 23rd. It should be interesting but I am pretty excited for it.

Last week we went on a 3 hour bus tour of the city and it was freezing because it was a night but it was fun and we got to see a lot of the city. We stopped at a park full of fountains and it was amazing! I loved it and we had fun taking pictures. Then yesterday we went to the Huaca Pucllana. It is a pre-Incan ruin site literally in the middle of Lima. It’s pretty crazy that they have been able to restore it and keep it in such good condition considering it is so big and so old. Besides stuff through the program I haven’t been anywhere yet but I have a long list of places I want to visit.

Ok well I have to figure out what classes I want to attend this week and go eat some lunch so that is all for today. <3 aj.

Orientation and My Host Family

Well Friday was the beginning of orientation and it was a long 2 days. There are 27 people in the program..4 boys and 23 girls.

We went on a bus tour of Lima and saw a lot of places. We went out to eat both days and it was buffet...but not like the buffets in the States because 1. I didn't know what stuff was and 2. The layout was beautiful. I'm happy it was a buffet because then I was able to figure out what dishes I really liked and ones that I didn't care for so much.

The students in the program are really cool and I think we're all going to have fun together. We've been thrown a lot of information and it's nice that when you don't catch something someone else is able to help.

Yesterday, Sunday, I met my host family. My Peruvian mother is Maritza and my father is German and his name is Walter. They have two empleadas named Jacky and Neci. Jacky has a son named Valentino and he is 2 1/2 years old, and he is quite a talker. I just wish I knew what he was saying all the time! Also, Jacky's brother is the gardener and handyman around the house, and I am not sure how to spell it but I think it is Rolo. The house is very nice and I have my own room and bathroom. They are wonderful people and I'm very excited to be here!

Today we took the placement exams and found out more about how the classes work at the university..nothing really exciting though. There will be more news at the end of the week because we have some cultural events.

buenas noches!
<3 aj