Day 4- Thursday the 22nd
I was very excited and looking forward to today because today was the day I got to enroll and finalize my classes. I went to The Gateway building at 9:30am, which corresponded to my last name (I found out the time thing on one document hidden online), in the orientation materials it just says international student (study abroad) advising 9am-1pm. I wanted to get there at 8:30 to beat the rush, but I was so tired I hit the snooze button until 9; also, I figured out the last name thing. When I got there I showed them my student ID card, they then asked what subject(s) I was taking. I said History and IR (International Relations). I was told to meet with the History adviser first and then the IR one. So I was pointed in the direction of the history and English table. There were about 10 students there; none of us knew how this was going to work. Then, a student orientation helper person came out and said “I have one spot for history advising, who wants it,” 4 of us raised our hands. Then we realized we would have to keep track of who got there when. I was 4th when I got there, it was not so bad since the next time the lady came out for history she had 2 spots. (There were 2 history advisors.) Everybody was talking to everyone at our table and I looked to my right and saw this really red headed girl. I recognized her from Loyola. It is such a small world. No one from KU is here but a kid from my grade of 500 is. I must say that I was not very happy to see a familiar face, or American faces; I figure I am here to study abroad in Scotland I want to meet Europeans, not Americans, that is just like home. Also, I like being the unique one in the group, and there are many Americans here (all studying IR…) so after it was my turn I went back into this room with advisors and computers (see picture posted 9/23/11). I was then told that it looked like someone had jumped in front and I should sit down on this row of chairs against the wall- at that point I thought I would be there until 1pm. I again talked to the people around me, including Elizabeth (she will resurface later in this post). Then it was my turn, the lady was very nice. She pulled up my pre-advising, saw I wanted to take The Castle in Medieval Scotland (1100-1500) and asked if that is what I still wanted to take, I said yes. (This is the class I really really wanted to take, being in St. Andrews and everything). She said okay. I asked about textbooks. She said in the honours level (3000-4000 level classes, this class is 3000), that they really don’t have textbooks. Then she said something about readings online. Then she said I could go to Blackwell’s bookstore (the textbook shop in the union) and ask the people there what books would be useful for this class. So, everyone in the class is reading different books… I think. She told me that she did not know where the class was, since it did not say on the screen, so go to the medieval history building, look on the honours bored and the time of the first class will be posted. During the first class, the other times and everything will be sorted out…. Interesting…Then I asked if I could wait to see the IR advisor in the row of chairs instead of going back to the tables in the other room; it seemed that everyone else was doing this. They said it was fine. I was 2nd in line to see him. And again I talk to someone. She was very nice. It seems like everyone I have met here has had some advising problem. Some people have been told they cannot major in the 2 or 3 subjects they wanted to because of “timetable clashes” so they had to just drop a subject they really wanted to study or, as with the 2 majors, decide between the two, and it is very hard to turn back after they decide now. Also, lots and lots of people have been told, mostly for “timetable clashes” that they cannot take a class, which when studying abroad here, and only getting to take 4-6 classes in the year, it is a big deal to not be able to take a class you wanted to take.
I did not think I was going to have an advising problem. Then the IR guy looked at the course I wanted to take. I wanted to take IR 4510 Central Asia in Global Politics. It is all about the “’stan” countries. He was very around the bush on whether I could take this class or not. During the conversation he said: I could take it, I couldn’t take it, it was full, but he could still get me in, they usually never alone 3rd year students to take 4th year classes (but 3 and 4 year are honours classes), but he pointed to a sheet with about 10 classes on it- I assumed all the ones to study abroad kids can take- and pointed to the first 2-3 and said these are 4000 level classes you can take- like the number really mattered to me…, (in the States if I like the class, I take it, it does not matter if it is a 100 level or 600 level), he also asked what have I studied in IR (I said Africa- which may be a little white lie), have I ever taken a IR theory class (I have at KU, I hated it, but I said yes J). He said there is another class about Central Asia at the 3000 level. I was thinking the classes are not the same, I want this one! But he realized that is only offered in the 2nd semester before I could say it. My mom has always said that if you want something don’t be wishy-washy and give in because you don’t want to make waves. So, I told him I think I can handle this class. I want to take this class. He said no, no way I can take it. So I looked though about a choice of 10 classes that I could take. I saw IR 3008 International Terrorism, which was my 2nd choice for my IR class. (When I applied I wrote my essay about studying history and IR here, so I figured I should take a class in both). He looked at his sheet, which I think told him how many people he had enrolled in some classes, and said it was full, I could be in it, but it is very big. He said that the discussions- or whatever they call them tutorials- where at 20 people, and the lecture was at 40. I informed him that I have taken classes with over 1,000 people (I think the biggest class I have taken was 200, but I wanted this class). Then he said if I had any background in studying terrorism. I tried to lighten the mood by saying I live in the 21st century… and am American. He stated, “What does that have to do with anything?” I said that is all we talk about. He just looked at me with a blank face. Then he said if I wanted to take the Gender and Terrorism class. I had read that course description in the summer when I was “pre-advising.” I said no, thinking that just because some classes are semi close in subject does not mean I want to take them. So I said, so I can’t take this class? He said this class really expects you to have taken other classes about terrorism. At this point, I asked to look at the packet with the classes I could take, knowing this guy was not about to budge on this, although I still really want that Central Asia class. I looked though it a number of times, the whole time he was shaking his head, I was just thinking you made me do this, I am going to take my time! I had already looked though the whole course catalogue in Chicago and the Central Asia class was my favorite, then the terrorist one, then one about people in 3rd world countries- which I did not see on that list, so I figured he would have a problem if I asked to take that class. But, after scouring the IR course catalogue online, I don’t think that class is in the IR category. I skimmed a few of the class descriptions, and asked if I could take IR 4540 The Changing Character of War. I did not like any of my options. I wanted a class I could not take at KU/ summer school in the US, I wanted a unique class. At least the title of this class and most of the course description sounded a little interesting to me. He then said “you really want to take this class?” I said, yes. Can I? he said, sure, and scrolled down a huge drop down menu of all the classes in the University, clicked it, it appeared on the right with a green check next to it, or maybe it was a red x, either way I was still depressed when he clicked the red x next to the Central Asia class and it was gone. That was it, the class I wanted- done. He then said that if I did not like the class, not that I will, but if so, you can re-advise and switch. I was just thinking at least it will be a different advisor. Then he said, “With me”… oh no! He is the only advisor, I thought. I asked for a card, because the history lady had a stack. He looked around and said no, just find him online. I said okay- but there is no way I will ever be going back to him… MR. something something Ogden. I then got up and left, said good luck to the next person waiting, who I had talked to when I was waiting. Then I followed the orientation peoples route out, told someone my passport had already been scanned (since I matriculated… am I the only person that is organized here?!?!). So, I was told to go to a group of ladies with computers. I walked right up, all the ladies were free; Douglas said that this was the part that took him the longest, so I was glad I did not have THAT problem. She asked for my ID, to check if I had completed all of the steps to officially become a student here. I had!! She said I would get an email about it, I thanked her and left! I am official! I ran into Safa, with a lady, with official looking papers, filled out/being filled out by Safa everywhere on this little desk area in-between 2 computers. As I left, I saw a few people entering, it was 10:30. I was just thinking you have no idea what is coming, I was sure that were as excited as I was, until I saw the process (and met Ogden).
After, I decided to walk to the medieval history building to try and find my class location, since I did not have much to do today. I had a small map; however, it was not very useful, since it only had orientation buildings on it. I did see more of the town/campus. After then walking up and down the history building block 3 times looking for it, I found it. See pictures for building. I walked in and spotted the board, however, they did not have my class on it. I think that it is online anyway. There was also no one around to help me, no central office, no secretary. I stood at the boards for a while hoping someone that walked by would help me…nope. So, I figured I could figure it out another day, especially since I realized later that the class is on Friday.
I got a sandwich from Boots, which I usually have done this week for lunch. Then I took the bus back. I can take the 99 or the 99a. The 99 takes 5 minutes to go to DRA and 99a takes around 20, since DRA is its last spot before heading back to town, but you do get to see more of the outer areas of the town.
I hung out in my room for awhile, including taking a shower, which is always an adventure in this shower (I will have to post a picture.) It is about 2 feet by 1 foot, so every time you turn, you hit the shower curtain or the water handles. It is also in the corner of my bathroom, just a curtain, a drain, and a very very very little slope in the floor with about a centimeter or 2 high ledge that is supposed to keep the water in- but doesn’t, the slope and ledge is less than a foot from the drain. The water pressure is not bad though, it could be worse. There are also 2 water handles, hot and cold, very easy to use. However, the water did stop and start a few times for a second or 2; it reminded me of KU when people said that the water stops and starts when the toilet flushes.
Then I waited for 45 minutes to take the bus back into town, which only comes once an hour (however, I think the 92 comes right to DRA and to the union (a block from the bus “town” station about every 15 minutes on a school day, starting Wednesday, maybe…. and met the History Society. It was nice. It was at St. John’s Garden, behind the medieval history building, which I had to walk around the block to find the entrance to the garden, since there was construction stuff blocking the history buildings door to the garden. There was food and an alcoholic drink- all of which was bad. But I did talk to a few people, a creepy post grad, Douglas, Faye, a few others, and Elizabeth again. Elizabeth and I stayed for about an hour (way longer then I had suspected I would have stayed). We exchanged numbers and found her medieval history class location on the board. Then we parted ways. I found a bus stop- one on the 99 route, but not at the starting deport (first time for that). I waited about a minute for the bus, which also a first; it was very nice! So now I have Safa’s number (from Wednesday) and Elizabeth’s from today. (Plus my flatmates and other people from this building but you know, those are the people you have to get numbers from since they are the first people you meet and live so close).
I was back around 4pm. I called my phone provider to make sure I was getting charged what I had been told and that I was not over charged, especially on Tuesday- I think. It was 5p instead of 4- but that is okay, that is still amazing, and that is what the actual company advertised. I also figured out on Friday and Saturday that in fact my phone company is Lebara, not orange or o2- the mainstream ones, that most have.
At 5pm the flatemates were starting to arrive. We discussed our evening- which was not planed very detailed/ at all. At 5:45pm, I had dinner, with Jonathan and Akito, the Japanese student. It was very nice to have a long conversation with Jonathan… and no one else. This dinner time was very early for me/my flatmates. Dinner is from 5:30-7pm. This is one of 2 nights since arriving that there has not been a fish option for dinner. However, there was a bread thing with cream again… my favorite!
After dinner, I chilled a little, then Douglas, Jonathan, Faye and I went down to Meg’s flat (flat 2 on the ground floor), with Heinekens and grapes because it was her birthday. Meg studied a year at William and Mary and now is finishing her degree here. We stayed for a long time, hours. It was so fun, for the first time I felt that they all liked me; they were all interested in what and when I was saying, which I did talk a lot I feel, and laughed my jokes. Then, Meg, and her flatemate, Ramona, Faye and I went to the main building, to the bar there, to check out the karaoke going on. There were very few people there, it was probably because we got there at 10:40 ish and the bar closed at 11. (It closes at 11 every night, which I find odd). There were only about 5 people there doing karaoke, and only 1 was singing. I was tired and not having a lot of fun, so a few minutes later I left (the guy singing sung parts of 2 songs, before I left, I am pretty sure he was drunk). I then went back to my room and caught up on my TV shows, since most of them started this week! Although it sucks that I cannot play videos from certain websites here, like previews of next week’s episodes on nbc or cbs. I then went to bed around 1:30am, this seems to be a normal time for me since I have gotten here. Tonight, and last night, were really fun! However, I wanted to go to a drink mixing class, but did not because I could not find anyone to go with, that is the last time I do that; if I want to go, I will go. I am not going to miss out because I don’t know anyone going, it is just a copout. I wish I went to check out the bonfire a few nights ago. I also figured out the taxi situation here, so that cannot be my excuse anymore either. I found a taxi number on our bulletin board in our kitchen and Naomi said it was reliable and not sketchy. It is 4 pounds into town, but if you find 4 people to share it with, it is only 1 pound…
It was also really fun to talk about history with the gang today. Earlier in the evening, Douglas, Jonathon, Naomi and I talked about the “hatred” and differences between North Englanders and South Englanders. It was cool to learn about that stuff, especially since I thought England (and England and Scotland) were all one big happy family; it was also nice that the Americans were not the focus or being picked on. They also took an interest in the US, including US geography, for one of the first times. I told them that Kansas was in fact a state and not a city. At Meg’s party, we talked a little about the US civil war and relations, including race relations, and what the north and south think of the confederate (flag) today.
Today was also a big day in that tonight, I made my first cup of tea, for myself, here at St. Andrews. There is lots of tea drinking here and usually someone will heat up the water and then make tea for anyone that wants it. Then, we put our own sugar and milk in. I of course, put in 3 spoonfuls of sugar, or more.
I am sort of rambling since it is very late on Friday night; so… good night.
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