Tomorrow marks the end of the first week of classes. Am I a better person on the eve of this momentous occasion? Well, I'm a tired person, at least.
I am registered in the following:
Beginning Arabic - The professor rivals Kasaxler if you know what I mean. She's very well put together. I now know the first five letters of the alphabet or the "allefbeh," the word for door, mother, father, and every curse word imaginable (taught to me be my Palestinian friends and various cabbies, not Prof. Ismail)
World History 1500-present - I'll just preface by saying I did an amazing job at choosing to take this GRC course abroad. I like the prof a lot though, she be a good one.
Modern France and Algeria - Analyzes the conflict between the two nations particularly from 1930 on.
Global Political Economy - The course will examine just that. It is however what's called a Soliya course. Soliya apparently is a format of course in which we will be video-conferencing with students all over the globe (at 8 different universities) for one, two hour session each week. We will be in groups of eight, one from each university, together discussing history, current events, and politics under the direction of a moderating professor from one of the universities. I however as an American studying abroad here am a little confused. Am I to represent AUS or the USA?
Arab Political Economy - I am most excited about this course. The Professor seems very stimulating, pushing me the levels of critical thinking not demanded of me before. My sole task for the semester: one 25-page research paper on any subject I like pertaining to Arab political economy. I am to use only the British archive we have in our library here. I think I have settled upon arms trade within the middle east as sanctioned and forbidden by the British from 1870 to present day and can't wait to get started on the project. He has challenged me to the project allowing me to forgo many of the other smaller assignments he has assigned the rest of the class. I'm sure many of you share my enthusiasm... Go arms trade!
Apart from class, the student center seems to be the hopping place on campus. It is the nucleus of socialization for sure. Choice activities include but are not limited to; billiards, bowling, making fun of each other's countries in jest, bowling, and more billiards. I shared with some very animated Afghans, Pakistanis, and Bangels the furor of Minnesotan winters. They were baffled and impressed. I was challenged to a game of bowling by a random Palestinian from Saudi this evening conviced he could beat me. 123 trumps 68, buddy. Poor soul...
Hopefully we're off to Dubai's club scene tomorrow night in search of a good time. Will report back if I make it out alive.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Thomas, Patrick here in India. I just want to make sure you know that as a proper Expat, you should first of all make clear your American citizenship to everyone at all times just to get things straight in their minds about what kind of a person you are. And also mention that as such, you fully support, without questioning, ALL of the policies of the United States government. If they are not happy with the war in Iraq, the difficulty in obtaining tourist visas, or our irresponsible fiscal policies, please explain to them why they are wrong. ~Thanks
oh yeah and the gun ownership stuff too, if applicable.
Pretty much the only thing I remember from my semester of Arabic is "I love the door" and "elementary school." Oh, and "pita"
Patrick, I appreciate your patriotic words and will take all to heart. God bless the USA.
Post a Comment