Friday, September 3, 2010

Diakonhjemmet VS. Cobberland (Concordia)

I'm just going to point out some things that are different in school so far...

-Teachers are called by their first names
-There is no emphasis on their degree (Doctorate or Masters)
- Their paper and notebooks are longer...and they have 4 holes instead of 3
-The cafeteria is small and expensive...there are no "meal plans"
-There is hardly and International Program, there are only 4 students and they execute things very poorly
-There are no student events, it is up to you to entertain yourself
-They don't have Homecoming :(
-You have to pay for printing
-There are few assignments and no exams
-The classes run on a pass/fail agenda
-It seems very self-taught.  In class the students seem to have more power, but reading are not discussed, it is up to you to teach yourself the literature
-There are no general courses here...it is sort of like a "Tech School", they only offer Social Work and Nursing
-There is student housing, but not many students live there, it is a lot of older people
-You can have alcohol, candles, etc. in your room
-The rooms have their own sink
-You have class once a week, for a LONG time, and you get breaks every hour
-It is common to be older and attend college

All in all...the school is VERY DIFFERENT and absolutely NOT what I was expecting.  It is a very hard adjustment to the schooling part of things (as well as everything else).  The teachers are approachable but really expect you to do everything on your own.  There aren't really like due dates...you basically just read and do everything yourself.  Sort of frustrating when I am so used to deadlines and being very scheduled and structured all semester.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

I'm LEGAL!

...In Norway.  Monday I had no school, but I had to get up at 6:30 AM to go to the immigration office.  That is ridiculously early for me, really.  Thankfully we had ridden past it when we were out on Saturday, so we found it easily.  That was my first time riding public transportation without a Norwegian student with me!  Anette and I found our way in..and then were re-directed to a huge line waiting outside...like LONG LINE.  The doors eventually opened and when we went to get numbers, the lady said that Anette didn't even have to be there!  So I waited out by myself (I was number 46) and after about 1.25 hours, which is really short considering, I got called to window #3.  I gave her all my paperwork, and their system wasn't working, so she disappeared for a bit.  Eventually, everything was good, and I had a picture taken for my passport...I looked absolutely AWFUL because I woke up at 6:30 and put clothes on...yuck. 

Afterwards, I made my way to a tram stop (Lightrail) and hopped on the right one to get back to the Central Station.  There I got some headache medicine and went to Trafikanten to get my monthly transit pass.  I had already spent 260 Nok on transit in less than a week, so I decided to spend money my money more wisely on a monthly pass for 340 Nok.  While I was there I got some brochures on Oslo, so I intend to read them soon!

Then I took a new way home :)  ..by myself, and when I reached Majorstua, decided to walk around a bit.  I dipped into a few small shops and made my way home slowly.  It was a nice day and I had it all to myself.  I came home and took a long nap!  I did some homework later and prepared for the week, only to get super sad about my time here.  I really miss my things, my pets, my space, my people...etc.  BUT with some help from Mike and Jake, I am feeling better today.  I realize that at school in Moorhead, I like my time to myself anyways...so I am just going to keep up in my classes and pretend that I am there!

Today we had a short class, and only 3 remain in that course (!), and after Matthias and I signed up for the student trip.  It leaves next Thursday, and I signed up for rafting and a ropes course.  What a great way to spend a weekend but camping in the forest and doing adventurous things!  Totally my deal...so I'm hoping it's great! 

Now I am doing boring homework...This is a picture of the opera house we visited on Saturday.