oh...this is a STUDY abroad?

So it is our third day of class, and I haven't really done much except go to class, read, and plan for my upcoming trip to Interlaken this weekend. Consumer Behavior is interesting. We have a chapter or two of reading every night, and three hours of class a day. It is an interactive class, and David will call on people who look like they are dozing off...so it is important to stay alert and pay attention. We have started to discuss the difference between European and American culture and how that might change the way marketers present information to the public.

We started Italian yesterday with an adorable local lady who is very energetic. She also will call on random people to respond to her questions, so we have to keep up and pay attention. We have 2 major assessments in the class, and both have a conversational component, so I am nervous about my ability to pick up the language in such a limited amount of time. We have vocabulary to study every night and we get great practice by talking with locals around town.

We are still having trouble getting our student visas. Switzerland just changed a few rules in December, and even the people at the government offices are confused about what exactly we need to do. Therefore, we are staying in Switzerland and traveling to Interlaken this weekend. I might go skiing with a group of people. I would LOVE to go skiing in the alps, but am afraid I will hurt myself. A girl in our group went skiing last weekend and broke her knee. She is having surgery today, but I can't imagine how terrible it would be to try to recover while everyone else is traveling. If I do decide to go, I will be extra careful and take it easy.

Class is about to start...but below are some pictures that I have taken so far.








Ciao