Orientation

Today was orientation for Qasid Institute. Given a few presentations from Qasid staff about life in Jordan...dress code, taxi's/buses, language, safety, etc. There was another session about Life at Qasid. This covered more details about classes, staff, rules, requirements, etc. After these sessions we took our placement exams that will decide what level of Arabic class I will be in. They will tell me in a few days, but I know and am happy wiht starting at level one. I have learned half of what is taught in the level one class here over the summer, but did not the other half. I'm happy to review and do my best to really understand all of the fundamentals. I think it'll be good.

The placement exam was a large written test as well as a panel interview. That was scary. I was expecting one-on-one with a professor, but no, I had 4 professors all sitting across a small table from me speaking to me in Arabic and I had to do my best to show how much I have learned. Needless to say the assessment didn't last long. After we were finished I told them I looked forward to level one class. They laughed and said, "well, you'll find out in a few days...but yeah." I enjoyed their honesty!

The new students are from all over. Lots of Europeans and American mostly though. many are here for just the quarter and will leave in December. Some are here for 6 months and only very few are doing longer then that like me. So, I get the feeling that rotating friends is gonna happen a lot throughout the next year, but thats ok. Its good to meet new people and if I get the Mercy Corps internship, then that might be a source of consistency for me, which would be nice.