Hi everyone!
Last couple of weeks have been really busy for me! I’m sorry that i haven't done many posts lately so I’ll give you one big update what has been going on for the last two weeks! One thing that is big news is that I have extended my stay one more semester at Maryville College!! Why I did it was mostly because time runs by so fast here and I don’t want to leave US and all the amazing people here so soon! It was an easy process! I just had to get permission from my home coordinator, my swedish class advisor, and my coordinator here at MC. After that I got approval I had to fill in another ISEP (International Student Exchange Program) health insurance form. Just the same one that I did before the fall semester. Easy peasy! I still need to apply for a new US visa but I will do that when I go home to Sweden over Christmas break :)
My apartment, Lloyd residence
So, two weeks ago my parents went back to sweden and I went back to hanging out with my friends and study. As I mentioned earlier I have been pretty busy this weeks because I have done some midterms and a lot of assignments. I have to mention that the exam system here is quite different in comparison to the swedish exam system. At my home university we have to sign up for the exam no later than 10 days before it is, otherwise we have to take the exam at another time (normally 3 occasions every year). The exams are also totally anonymous. In comparison to the exams I had at Maryville College you just have to show up to class to do your exam/midterm and it is not anonymous. I don’t really mind this system but it could be disturbing for some people who want to be anonymous.
Angela and me
In the beginning of this semester I decided to apply for having a host family here in Maryville.
Having a host family means that they will take you on trips, invite you to their home or just be there for you if you need to escape from the college life. My host family is the couple Brian and Angela that live next to the smoky mountains. They both are in their mid 50’s and Angela is a home wife and Brian works as a pilot. Our first meeting was last weekend when they invited me to their home for some dinner. We talked for hours about everything and we ended the evening with Woody Allen’s movie Midnight in Paris. I truly enjoyed hanging out with these wonderful people because their hospitality and extraordinary knowledge about culture.
Mountain Challenge, Rock climbing at the Smoky Mountains
I haven't done that much traveling lately because I had a lot of studies that kept me busy. However, last saturday I went with Maryville College Mountain Challenge program to do some rock climbing in the smoky mountains. It was amazing but due to the fact that I am uncomfortable on high spots, it was quite scary too. Usually they have sporty activities every weekend (except on holidays or breaks) that’s only cost $3/event. Upcoming weekend Mountain Challenge are going to do some caving. I will certainly go to this event! I just love caving!
I want to end this blogpost with some breathtaking fall pictures some trees here in Maryville :) See yah next week!
