My first day was exactly like I'd heard it be, difficult (if not impossible) to understand anything that was said, people were helpful and understanding (those that spoke english made sure to sit nearby to help me) and there were a lot of awkward stares. When you're preparing for your exchange, previous years exchange students warn you that the first couple weeks of school will be very hard. But most of us fail to believe it till we get there and realize they weren't exaggerating. People are friendly, don't get me wrong on that point, no one hates an exchange student (and eventually they'll love you). But they're friendly, they're not friends.
And like exchange students everywhere, I did suffer some of those big, oops moments (one exchange student I know got flustered and accidentally told a boy she loved him instead of asking him his name. It happens.) You know you're going to make these sorts of mistakes, but of course you hope it won't be on the first day...I guess on the flip side though, at least I got them over with.
I mean, mistaking the boys bathroom for the girls, for instance, was a bit embarrassing (followed by my attempt at a nonchalant walk out of the boys room and into the girls). Getting locked out of my history class because I got a little confused and lost, was also a bit upsetting since I then had to hang out in the school lobby for 30 minutes pretending to read bulletins (which of course I couldn't actually read because they were in Spanish). But, you have to remind yourself, this is the hardest day of school I will ever have, tomorrow can only be easier.
And it's tomorrow now, and I'm very happy to say it was easier. I was invited to sit with a group at break. I understood maybe 10% of what was being said in class (a big jump from yesterday's 0) and was able to speak a little bit more Spanish than the day before. A few more people introduced themselves, and said hello the next time they saw me in the hall. For the three classes we have together one boy (I think his name is Yifil) has made sure to sit by me both days because he speaks English fluently. In my World Lit class Guyermo (William), Enrique (Henry) and three other kids whose names I've completely forgotten (it's hard when they're not all Matt, Emily or Kevin) have invited me to be part of their group...well, at least I think that's what they said. The teacher told me I needed a group and Enrique did a thumbs up at himself and his friends and said si! So I assumed that meant I was in (perfect example of an average conversation with a new exchange student). In my Advanced English class (a class I can not only pass, but am also helping to teach) I've made a few friends by offering english help in exchange for Spanish help. And math...surprisingly is my best class (with the exception of english).
School here definitely makes me miss my friends, but I have to remind myself I've only been there two days, real friendships will probably take a few more than that (but I'm thinking three's a good number :) Luckily a number of other Rotary exchange students live nearby and three Rotexs (kids from Spain who went on exchange the previous year) are also just down the street. So I have a built in friend group outside of school which helps.
The reality of being here for a full year has finally hit me though and as scary as it is, every day I notice something new that's completely unlike anything in California, it keeps it fresh and exciting for me. At school for instance: kids call their teachers by their first names. Students in 11th grade pick which path they want to be on (Humanities like me, Social Sciences, or Sciences) and then have to take the 8 classes required for this path for 11th and 12th grade. You have six classes per day for one hour each. The teachers change rooms not the students (except for certain classes, for instance, my advanced english class is in a different room) so you're generally with the same kids for all of your classes. Schools here are also generally much smaller. There are about one hundred kids in my entire grade. Which, the way I see it, means a hundred new friends to meet.
The room where all of my classes (except Advanced English) take place.
Asi hasta mañana
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