The ups and downs of the ‘study’ in study abroad
Up:
Yesterday in my Senegalese culture class, the topic of discussion was “the history of Senegalese politics.” One hour into the three-hour class, the professor finished his lecture, closed his notebook, and said “let’s go.” Then he shuttled us out to his beat-up white Renault and drove into Dakar. We stopped at the grave of Senegal’s first deputy to the French parliament, then at the headquarters of the socialist party—who ruled the country for the first 40 years after its independence—and finally at the headquarters of the current ruling party. We shook hands with party officials, toured the building, and left loaded down with Senegalese political propaganda. I am now the proud owner of a giant poster of the president’s FACE. And for ‘classes’ like this, I am receiving a semester’s worth of academic credit. Incroyable.
Down:
Today in my History of Islam class, the professor announced that we would have an exam the next class. That was what he said, “we’ll have an exam next class,” and then returned to his lecture as if the subject were thoroughly explained. But we proceeded to pepper him with questions—what kind of exam? how many questions? about what? how long? He seemed flummoxed. “Do you not have exams in the United States?” he asked. Well yes, we do, but we also have this incredible thing called requirements for each class being laid out at the beginning of the semester and not whenever the professor feels like it. Anyway, long story short, I have a two hour essay exam next week that might be on any subject the class has discussed since the beginning of the semester. Best part is, I understand only about 50% of what my professor says in lecture and of what’s in the readings. And this exam, of course, is in FRENCH.
asdklasgdklasdl;gkqwetkleyt!
Anyway, there’s no conclusion to this entry. I just wanted to brag and complain. Hey, it’s my blog. I do what I like :-)
