I decided to really update a bit about my life instead of doing a specific post this time, because im sure that it might be a bit more interesting this time rather than just doing "Subject-Specific" posts.
SCHOOL!
Im not exactly sure why I felt so icky going to that class...but if im honest with myself, I guess the big part of it is that my Exchange is slowly coming to an end, and by taking a class in English- it almost felt as though my exchange was ending even sooner than I intended!
I switched the course to another art class, and so now I am taking all of my courses at the regular Finnish campus of my lukio instead. And although it is much harder that way, I feel much more comfortable that way and happy! (Funny that how being UNCOMFORTABLE is now COMFORTALBE for me.) ;) I guess I am all around much happier when I speak Finnish, no matter HOW bad it is; and it makes me happy! Im not ashamed! ;)
Along with that art course, I am also taking History, English, Geography, and another Art class. I decided to take classes where I could socialize a bit more, because then I could speak Finnish at the same time and work on my speaking skills-. which is what I really need!
My Finnish is always slowly but surely improving though, and fortunately- I can now hold pretty easy conversations fluently and I understand almost everything that people say at full speed! Hilariously though, I still cant really understand very much when it comes to more educational discussions...so for example, when a Teacher assigns group discussions or projects, the person sitting next to me and I exchange an expression exactly like this:
The reason why its so hilarious is because I can understand EXACTLY what the teacher is saying, until she is talking about the subject we are supposed to present a project on or hold a discussion about...but im not capable to discuss what we are talking about at all! So my partner and I just awkwardly look at each other, while they try to figure out what to do with me!
I am also taking an Art History class...but unfortunately, we are supposed to memorize different famous art pieces and during the final we are supposed to give the names of them. But we discuss them all in Finnish, so I can never remember the names. (Especially because the names are not on our copies of the art work we are supposed to memorize!) But I am sure I will figure something out!
In my History class, I understand enough to follow the idea of whats going on, and if I tried really really hard, I could get out the most important information from the course...but because the whole lesson is always a lecture, its so hard to get through the whole class! It just feels although it drags on and on! (although it IS interesting...Finnish isn't my first language, and im no where near fluent! Its hard to get a lot out of the class without giving myself a headache!)
Anyway, I guess that is more than enough about my school update!
SPORTS
As everyone knows, we recently had the Winter Olympics! They were SO much fun to watch with my host family, and surprisingly its really super popular to watch them in Finland! Everyone was following it on TV and posting about it on facebook, and it surprised me a lot because in the USA we watch it of course, but we don't talk about it very much or follow it as closely as my host family or friends did in Finland.
When the hockey games started coming along- I would run home from my bus stop to watch the games on time, and of course when the bigger games came around, I got SUPER excited about it! (Like USA VS. FINLAND and FINLAND VS. SWEDEN.)
I was seriously SO into the Finnish games that I probably looked something like this...
It was crazy how all of my friends got so into everything once the hockey games started coming! The games were on the TV in stockmann (a small department store complex), and when Finland played Sweden. my teacher put it up on the big screen and we all got to watch the game! I was a little bit sad about the outcome...but im glad that Finland won the Bronze! :D
Everything else in-between...
Socially, now that wanhat is over, im trying to figure out exactly WHAT to do with all of my Free Time! Im excited that I get to attend more Rotary meetings now, and its nice to be able to get to know the Rotarians a bit more and attend the Rotary meetings about school. And fortunately, there is also an Interact club in Oulu now! (Which is a program for youth that is sponsored by Rotary and they create projects to help out the city and people, and its pretty cool.) Its the very first Interact Club in Finland- so its a pretty big deal!
I think its mighty snazzy that its in my host city! Especially because I am in need of hobbies; and it will be awesome to get involved more with my host city and rotary. ;)
One of the hardest parts about being an exchange student is keeping busy! You cant wait for people to invite you to things or for hobbies to come your way. You just gotta grab ´em as they come, and invite people to do things with you. Its hard sometimes, especially when so many things cost money; but there are plenty of fun things to do if you just go find them. :)
So far so good, my exchange is as great as ever! My ONLY current struggle is just finding things to do after school. ;)
OH- and I almost forgot! I have an announcement to make!
*drum rollllllll*
I- Jennifer, have OFFICIALLY signed up for the National Finnish Fluency Exam! (intermediate level of course haha)
But still! YAY! I am officially testing my Finnish skills April 5th!
I am no where near ready to take this exam...but im hoping that with lots of studying and preparing that I will be able to take the exam and do okay at it. But I guess what happens, happens. ;)
How was that for an update!? :)
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