School started Monday, the first (No Labor Day here). My class schedule consists of történelem (history), Biológia, Matek (math), Magyar (Hungarian), Angolul (English), Német (German), Fizika (Physics), Rajzóra (Art History), Testnevelés (PE), and Énekóra (general music). Of course everything is in Hungarian so this week hasn't exactly been thrilling. I try to take notes when I can (When the teacher writes neat enough) and listen for words that I know. The Hungarian and German classes are advanced, the English is beginner. The math is easy enough for me to understand what's going on despite lack of language knowledge (I believe it was my 8th grade math, A3 at home.) and music is universal. I was told I don't have to attend English and German classes so on Fridays I get to leave school three classes early because there is a double period followed by a single period of language classes. The school is working on getting me into a more advanced English class so I don't end up the student teacher. I assume I'm with the class of German majors (that's what they call them) so I can learn Hungarian faster. The people in the class I am in are all 16 or so. It's different here in that the classes stay together instead of going to individually chosen courses, so I've been lucky enough to follow them and not get lost. The teachers meet the students at various classrooms with the exception of art, music and gym. It's been a rough week as far as trying to stay awake in class though. Some classes the teacher only speaks so I have nothing to take notes on, and all of the classrooms are dim because its been so hot here. I've resorted to counting the tiles on the wall at one point! The people have been very nice though and those who can speak english have helped me whenever I have a question. The rest all try their best to ask me questions about myself and to try to get to know me with mutual half english-half hungarian conversations. Thursday was the first day of "Debreceni Jazznapok", the Debrecen Jazz Festival. I went with a classmate to see the opening concert in front of one of Debrecen's big hotels. Jazz is slightly different here as far as the modern style. A lot of groups fused jazz and folk together or played American standards. The groups that played were: Debrecen Jazz Group + Subicz Gábor, Ágoston Kvartett, Harcsa Veronika Kvartett, and Rosario Giuliani Quintet (who were Italian). Names in Hungary are written family name, then given name. This weekend I will be going to Lake Tisza with my host parents and some other families from across Hungary. I believe we're also going to catch the last night of the Jazz Festival because, according to my host father, that's when the good bands play. Next week I'll be starting floorball (a less-violent field hockey mixed with ice hockey) and rock climbing in preparation for the mountain I will be climbing with my host father and sister in Austria, called Klettersteig. I'll definitely post pictures of that!
2 comments:
Thank you Sarah. This is wonderful. many Rotarians are reading your blogs. They say Thank you to you for doing this. Years ago, we were lucky to get 2-3 letters all year. I saw Mr. Liss at the football game tonight, and he wants it, I gave Ms. lowe the address, so more teachers may get on. Linda is doing OK. She says History and Govt. is harder, but I think it will work out. Looks like our heat wave is over - Hanna is supposed to drop an inch of rain or so. Time will tell. All these 80 degree days have been great. Take care and we know you are will be fine as the year goes on.
Mr. G
Sarah,
This is terrific! I so enjoy the accounts of all your amazing experiences! I am pleased to see that you are also enjoying the architecture as well as participating in athletic events. Please be sure to include a clip of your floor ball encounters.
Miss Smith
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