Classes and Life thus far...

So I have one class left then the weekend here!!! Richmond does not hold classes on Fridays so every weekend is a long weekend which is pretty nice. My classes have definitely been different from those in the U.S. First off there is a lot more intensive discussion and reading involved but on the other hand less work in a sense. Almost all my classes require an essay, midterm and final and that's it for the grade...no participation or attendance count towards your grade (though there is a school wise policy). I have a few scattered group projects in 2 classes but otherwise my entire semester is outlined right from the start which again, is nice.

I have already said 'hello' and 'goodbye' to one of my classes (it was near graduate level and threatened a 5% mark down if your cell phone went off). I readily replaced it with Advertising Management which I think will be fun, I have always liked marketing.

The European standards of university are generally different on a different level as well. In my 'European Business Environment' the class is split between Americans and year round, 4 year students. There are people from Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Sri-Lanka, Germany among many others. They spoke for a bit about their views of Americans and how we approach schooling. The girl from Italy said she was appalled one semester by a student who walked in with a hat and flip-flops on as well as coffee in hand. Then there was an uproar of laughter from the year round students when they mentioned the idea of going to class in pajamas. Things are simply more formal as to what is expected in university ('Uni' as it's called here). I personally miss wearing sweats to class but I'll manage until December. There is no such thing as 'multiple choice', 'true/false', or 'fill in the blank'...a professor stated 'I know you are from American but we aren't in Elementary school anymore. So the good news it despite lack of television and going insane about missing ABC shows I will heave pleanty of reading to do this semester. Though I did find shows on YouTube (online) which made my night last night.

Nothing else much is new...we've had rain and sun on and off for 5 days now and the chilly nights are already upon us here in the UK. I hope you are still having some pleasant nights back home! I have signed up for a Stonehenge trip so hopefully that will work out in coming weeks!

So today plans are to finish up classes, head to the gym, play frisbee in Hyde Park with some friends, have dinner and head into the city for the evening :o)

Things I've noticed:
-TJMaxx is TKMaxx (though I'm sure Katie would hate either)
-Everyone here is 'go green'. Unless you ask for a bag you won't be given one and often if you require a big bag for shopping they will charge you 10 p. for it (about 18 cents).
-British beef is horrible...I miss American cheeseburgers more and more as days pass
-Cars stop for no-one...so you either play frogger or wait until there are no cars.
-Teachers love to joke about how hung-over we are everyday of the week...they also like to recommend good Pubs and Bars...
-Whole foods is the best store in the entire world...
-People actually say 'cherrio'...it's cute.

Lots of love,
Kate