Friday, November 7, 2008

There is More to Argentina than Having Fun

One might think that my time here in Argentina is simply fun experiences and exciting vacations, but that is not entirely true. As much as I do love it here and am having the time of my life, the school aspect is still very difficult.

The next three weeks are going to be very exhausting and difficult for me. I have already completed and passed a 4 credit class earlier this semester. I am currently enrolled in 12 credits. One of those is Tango, another is Horseback Riding. Last week, I finished another one credit class about culture shock, which leaves me with 9 real credits. This sounds pretty easy on paper, but it has turned out not to be so easy.

I am doing fine in my 3 credit spanish grammar class and have no worries about passing. My hard work in there seems to have paid off. My other two classes, which are both worth three credits also, are causing me a little more stress.

The way they work, is that there are two tests throughout the semester and a final. In order take the final, one has to pass the two tests during the semester. If one were to fail one of the two tests, there is a recoupatory period where one test can be made up. I unfortuanately failed both of the first tests for my classes of Contemporary Art and Pop Culture.

This is how I sit now. I have to pass both my tests this week (One in Art and one in Culture). When I pass those, I also have to retake the first one for both classes the following week. When I pass those I will get to take the finals. Whatever I score on the final for both classes will be my final grade. This being said, I have a lot of studying to do. I have 6 exams in the next three weeks, and I have to pass all of them. If for some reason I do not pass one of them, I will actually fail a class.

It kind is kind of a downer, because among all the fun I have been having here, I have also been spending just as much time studying. I just do not like to talk about that aspect of my life here. The fact that I am taking classes in a different language makes me feel a little better about my situation. I also keep reminding myself that I cannot fail because this experience has already taught me so much more than I could ever learn in the States.

It is going to be a tough few weeks to close out my program, but I am ready to study like I have never studied before. Wish me luck!!

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