/Casual greetings in Graz/
It was such an eventful and a long February. I am becoming more and more "official" here in Graz. I got my bank card, student ID, semester bus ticket, and phone number, oh and an insurance card! Nobody can deny that I study here, aha! :P Most importantly, I registered for my courses and had my orientation. There were so many international and exchange students during the orientation week. I met several new people, but it was way too many people to remember. Also, I finished my Intensive German course after 3 weeks and getting ready for my German A2/2 course. My listening comprehension and grammar have improved a lot, but I still struggle with speaking. However, I am going to a German speaking "Stammtisch" every Wednesday. It is a good opportunity for people to meet international people and for the international people to speak in German with native speakers. I am getting more or less a weekly routine. I have started going to Salsa Party every Thursday, it is not quite like a party, but it is more for people who enjoy dancing. There is a workshop every evening for 30 minutes from a dance school, and after the workshop people just start dancing and inviting other people to dance Salsa together.
Compared to the first 10 days, everything is getting under control. In my dorm room, I had 100GB internet usage for a month and maxed it out for the first 2 weeks. I was so used to using unlimited wifi and was not even turning my wifi at night, so I am trying to do better in the upcoming months. During the orientation we all had advisor meetings, and for my Environmental Studies major I found more courses that I am able to register. Uni-Graz "self-service" and copying and scanning are little bit confusing at first, but I managed them to function. I am taking 2 Master level courses from the Environmental Systems Sciences Center since I am at my third year in MC. I am overjoyed with my courses, I will be taking Waste and Recycling course, and Sustainability from a business and supply chain management perspective, and Waste in context of cultural anthropology. Two philosophy courses and the philosophy department has a cozy library, and the classes are held in a "Philosophy Tower". I am not sure how it exactly looks, but it sounds "ausgezeichnet". Also, I registered for a Tango course . The university doesn't have a fitness center, gym, or anything like that, so they work with local sports centers and gyms to provide discounted prices for the students.
I have made few good friends here, and we plan some activities together. Last week we went bouldering/indoor rock climbing. I have never tried it before and had to google what it was, haha. I thought it would be at least 15 euros, but it was so affordable, only 6.50 euros for getting inside. I am just throwing myself at any fun activities I can go to meet new people and learn something new. Students here plan a lot of activities together, and enjoy their time. I found it really interesting that they sort of study at their leisure because for them university is not a financial struggle. I think that gives them less pressure and to have time to really explore what they want to study and do as a career.
Sorry I have written so much, I have lot more to say, but I will wait a little bit to find more experience on those topics. Fun fact: I am being considered sort of "American" and people ask me how to say things in English, haha. :D Not so many pictures this time. Bis bald!
