School

Nerves
Last week classes started on Thursday. Both of the classes I have had since then have been interesting and taught by seemingly kind professors. The classes are very long however, four hours each. Each class only happens once a week, which is why they are so long. The length of these classes I am taking intimidates me and the fact that I don't understand 100% (I am around 90% comprehension) of what my professor says is also intimidating. I am nervous but, even classes in the states make me nervous at first, so I assume I will adjust.

Ongoing Complaint
I made my schedule two weeks ago. One of the classes I signed up for did not have a determined location. I was told to email the international office and that they would send me the location. I emailed them. They did not return the email. This ended up not being a problem. I made a phone call and got the information I needed. But what about the average exchange student? This international program administrators do not even know I speak Portuguese. Their thoughts are not "Oh yes Katie Drown has a lot of resources she can use to survive here so we can ignore her". I can't say I know exactly what their thoughts are, but I cannot help but feel forgotten or even worse, ignored. I can do well on my own, but I am offended by the lack of welcome, concern and responsibility on my host institution's end. I also feel bad for any exchange student who is here without all the advantages I have (a comfortable living area, concerned and supportive close friends, familiarity with campus and surrounding city, a cellphone, and fluency in the language).

A Guilty Ongoing Complaint
So I should do something about it! Right my American friends and family? Not quite, at least not yet. I told my host mom last night about my hesitancy to make a complaint and she confirmed my thoughts with her opinion that nothing would change and bad sides do exist. So I guard my thoughts until I find that they will be respected and not punishable.

Redemption
Though the institution has its faults, kindness from other students is making my school experience better. In my very first class I met a group of very helpful peers who invited me to lunch (couldn't go but I really appreciated the invitation) and took me to the library and helped me figure out what steps I needed to take to use the library system. Another student emailed me very descriptive instructions on how to access a type of student database online. :) They made me happy and probably do not know how much their kindness mattered. Some "thank you cookies" might be in order.