January: Ups and Downs of Being and Exchange Student

I know that it has been a while since I last wrote something here, but I have reason. Life is moving, no whizzing by. Every second brings me forward to the end of this experience. Because time waits for no man (or woman), I have been trying my upmost to live here fully and completely - physically and mentally. One may ask, why title this "ups and downs of being an exchange student". Well, honestly, being on exchange in a foreign country is one of the hardest, most beautiful, most gratifying things that I could have possibly decided to do. It has stretched me in so many ways. Everyone always says that there is no such thing as the perfect exchange. Now, I can back that up with personal experience. One thing that one must remember is, however, that for every bad thing that may come along, there a many more wonderful things.

Overall, this month has been somewhat uneventful. After Befana, I didn't go back to school for two days....wait! Halt! I didn't explain Befana. Befana, January 6th, is a holiday celebrated here in Italy. Basically, during the night of the 5th, la Befana, an old woman, goes around to all of the childrens socks that are layed out and places items in there. It is kind of like their version of our stockings for Christmas. If a child has been good, they will get little candies and toys. If they have been bad, they will get coal. Anyway, there was technically school on the 7th and the 8th, but no one in my class went. We bridged that time period and started on the 11th. School, five days a week, all month. One weekend, I spent the entire time with my PE teacher and her family. It was a wonderful experience. We had so much fun together! They have a summer house in Spartà here on Sicily. We went there for one day and we picked fresh vegetables out of their huge garden to make our lunch. I loved it! I went with her daughter to go to her dog's obedience class. That evening, I saw Avatar with friends from Intercultura. The next day, we all just stayed at there house here in Messina. I helped to take down their Christmas tree and it was really relaxed. Other than that, I have been doing school, eating, and sleeping.

The reason that life is more serious here now is because I understand the language. Now, I have to study. School here fascinates me. They study more than many people do in Corvallis, and for good reason. When they do tests here, there are two different kinds. There are written tests....and there are interrogations. Yes, you heard me...interrogations. That is the word. Basically, you are interrogated by the teacher on the recent stuff you have studied in class. To study for these tests, people read the material, read it again, read it out loud, basically memorize it, and then they are ready to take the test. It is pretty hardcore in my opinion. I have found it difficult being an intelligent person being here, not understanding anything, and subsequently not doing anything. I am used to reading and studying. Now, I get to do that and participate more in the class. It's pretty exciting...except for the interrogations. I have to be interrogated! I have not had it happen yet, but it will soon. I know that my art history teacher, my Italian teacher, my French teacher wants to hear a little, my chemistry teacher wants to hear some.... You get the idea. I have been studying a lot. I like it though. Studying that is.

As for outside of school, things are happening. I am going out with friends even more so now. This weekend, I am going to be spending the night at a friends house and then on Saturday, we are going out with a bunch of other people. It will be really fun. I love my friends here. I know that we will end up staying friends long after I leave here. We have become close. Also, big news! I have started swimming! I swim two days a week for 45 minutes each session. We are literally swimming for 45 minutes straight, no breaks. I love it. I haven't swam like this in a long time, but considering that I have basically been in the water all my life and have a scuba diving certification, it came back lightning fast. I can proudly say that I can do almost everything the others can...after only three sessions. I am faster than most of them. One of my best friends from school is also doing it.

Now, as you could tell at the beginning, there have been not so wonderful things going on here too. Well, I am not going to elaborate too much, but I am in the process of changing families. Things just didn't work out in this current one. Everyone knows that I am leaving just as soon as a new host family is found. These times have been hard, but I feel sure that I can leave this family and we can all feel positive and part on good terms.

The language is getting even better. I am at a point right now where I want to talk all the time. It is fantastic being able to speak in a different language and being able to understand everything around me. I have made many new friends this month just by talking. I have even been dreaming in Italian. The first dream I had was a month or two ago. Now, they are coming more often and frequently. Also, when I am writing in English without thinking a lot, I start writing the sentences in Italian form and I have to translate some words in my head from Italian to English instead of English to Italian. It is rather an accomplishment...if I do say so myself. :)

More coming soon!!!!

Love you all! Ciao!

Love, Rebecca