9/19/10

First day of school! First day of school!

Okay, so I really wasn’t that excited, but I was happy to finally get to do what I came here for! I had three fifty-minute classes today and they were all relatively to the point. This semester is most definitely going to be a lot of work and there is so, so much to learn.

Here’s some disappointing news: The required textbooks for my classes –still just as expensive as back in the states. Ugh. Like I can even read the Arabic 101 book. I don’t know which way it’s supposed to open, let alone how to make sense of anything in it. But that’s what the class is for, right?

The class sizes themselves are extremely small, so far no more than 20 students. Most of my classes are in the same building, conveniently located right across from my dorm. If I can keep up on the assignments and teachings, I shouldn’t have a problem with the academic portion of this trip.

My professors were friendly enough (some were slightly intimidating, some hard to understand) and moved through the material quickly. The variety of students is what amazed me the most. In my first class, for instance, I was sitting across from a guy from South Korea, next to a Hungarian, and diagonal from a Japanese girl. I met a really sweet girl from Germany in another one of my courses and have met several people from the States (mostly New Yorkers).

I was introduced to a modern twist on a pasta restaurant earlier this afternoon (finally, some carbs) and I’m slowly starting to feel somewhat relaxed. I’ve been so stressed these past few days trying to get my sleeping on track and all of my necessities together that it has almost been nonstop tension. Meeting people from the same home country has helped to put me at ease as well. I’m just going to try and take it easy and establish some sort of routine within the next couple of weeks. The control freak in me needs to stop freaking out.

In other news, I found the indoor skiing area that everyone back home likes to talk about while I was on a grocery jaunt yesterday. It was pretty interesting watching kids sled and have snowball fights. Since there isn’t a whole lot to do outdoors because of the weather, it isn’t such a bad idea.

Ski lift

Kids having a snowball fight

Sledding area (with a snowman!)

Honestly, I have found Dubai to be pretty overrated so far, but I have three months to become convinced otherwise. I’m ready to buckle down and drown myself in my studies and I will be sure to check out all the must-see spots along the way. The country itself is so culturally confused and the struggle to become more modern while maintaining traditional culture is a battle that I'm not sure will be able to last much longer before one side or the other prevails. If anything, it makes me even more grateful for the home, family, and friends I have waiting for me back in the States (and that hugs and public dancing isn't illegal. Hug-dance party when I get back, mmk?). 

Seven-star hotel, Burj Al Arab, as seen through my bus seat window

I’m in dire need of sleep, but will force myself to stay up a few more hours.

I had a really encouraging quiet time this morning and I really feel that God is going to teach me so many things through this experience -if nothing more than perseverance.

Trying to stay positive!

Chelci

P.S. It's time for "Name That Logo!" C'mon all you American addicts, I know you know this one (plus, the other sign kind of gives it away).