Papers and Tests and Packing OH MY!

If you would have told me a year ago that I would be going to live in Europe for three months I would have told you that you were crazy.  But sure enough.  I am going to live in Europe for three months!  Vienna to be exact.  I will be traveling on the OC Study Abroad program with 19 other students.  God had truly blessed me on this journey.  I have certainly had my ups and downs but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and soon I will be in Vienna on a new adventure.

The Rochester students are awesome!  They got to OK on Monday and we have already become family.  They are so nice.  We showed up at the airport with signs, noisemakers, hats and so much more.  They were so tired and so overwhelmed by our excitement that I think they were frightened but they smile and came to greet us anyway.  We are now laughing about it and both groups can't wait to get to Europe.

One thing that nobody really told me about the European Studies program was how intense the homework and orientation was going to be.  Oh my goodness!  I have not been this stressed out over homework in a very long time.  The entire summer was spent working 3 jobs and taking 15 hours of school.  We took several tests and started our research papers.  Arriving in OK I still had to finish a research paper and take all the test.  Well....it is now Wednesday and I just finished my last paper.  This was not an easy task however.  I have proof.  This picture is what we looked like when we first started studying and doing homework.

And this is what we looked like after a few hours....

The stress of all this homework was really getting to us.  We would go into fits of laughter because we were exhausted.  I am a theatre major so most of my homework is performance based so this was difficult for me.  But it is so worth it.

So not only do we have to write papers but we have to take tests.  The first was European Civilizations.  It was not so bad.  I was content with my grade.

But the German...Well we were in for a treat.

We had to complete this German workbook that was 107 pages long.  Let's just say I did not do the "German in 10 Minutes a day" book in 10 Minutes a day.  I actually did it in one day.  I sat down and did noting but German for about 4 hours.  It killed me!  I was not remembering any of it.  At one point I looked up from my book and said "Guys!  We leave in a week and I don't Sprechen Sie Deutsch!!!"  Sprechen Sie Deutsch means "You speak German."  So this is everything I said... Guys!  We leave in a week and I don't you speak German!!!  Oh boy.  I was really in for it.  But luckily I have an awesome group of students going with me and we got together and drilled flash cards.  

and....

I PASSED THE TEST!!!!!

So I guess I do spreche Deutsch. <--- that is correct by the way.  

Orientation has been an interesting experience.  I feel entirely too overwhelmed for my own good.  We meet every day from 8ish to 5:30ish.  It is just so much to take in at one time.  They are telling us so much information and I am starting to get a little freaked.  I know that it will be worth it in the end and I hope I am a little prepared for what I am about to do.  

I am hoping to keep this blog going while I am over there.  Check back occasionally and read about my adventures! 

Happy Travels!