Back to being a new kid

 

Well I have now started school. It is so vastly different from the U.S.!! Let me explain.

School starts at 8:45 and goes until 4:40; just about 9 hours. The classes are 40 minutes long; there are 9 classes each day. I am in one room with my fellow 15 classmates and the teachers come to the room for each class. The classes are not the same from day to day. For example, Monday I did not have math class, but Tuesday I did, and then again Wednesday I did not. I am what they call a "language student." This means that I have lots of language classes: English, Turkish, Literature (in English and Turkish) Geography, Philosophy, Sociology, and even 2 hours of German(in Turkish) a week. Then I have 2 hours of math a week, because the other students in my class have to prep for the college entrance test. I am currently in the 11th grade, but the kids in the class are all my age. We get 10 minutes between classes for socializing between the classes. The English teachers expect to participate and do the work, but the Turkish teachers tell me I don't have to do anything because I will not be taking exams for those class. SO I just sit through the Turkish classes and listen. It is rather boring, but at the same time, I am learning sounds and pronunciation. I don't speak Turkish and I know a limited number of words. The kids in my class give me a new word every couple of minutes and so I have a long list of new words in my binder for school. However, everytime I do say a word, they exclaim and appaud even if it's as simple as 'thank you.' They say my pronunciation is better than the pronunciation of people who have been here for years. =D
I am going to a private school. Well okay almost all the schools in Izmir are private schools, so it's normal. However, it is really strict. No cell phones, no drinking anything during class, no chewing gum, no wearing make-up or jewelry, and of course we have to wear our uniforms at all times. I don't really mind all the rules because I love my class. People here are very comfortable in their own skin. They have no personal space and are so very friendly. They accepted me right away and after 3 days, they treat me like I belong in the class. One guy said that they like me and don't think of me as a foreginer. It is so nice!! The kids all speak English and about 4 or more classes of my day are in English. Did I mention they are nice? I almost cannnot believe how nice and considerate they are. I have never ever experianced such kindness and acceptance.
There is another thing. There are Turkish flags EVERYWHERE!!! At school, at the bazar, on the balconies of homes, and strung though the streets. There is so much national pride here; they love their counry and are definitely not afraid to show it.
There is so much more, but it will have to wait for another post.

 

 

'Til then, here is a photo of my first swim in the Mediterranean Sea!!

Monica