Classes:
Our classes here are set up in month-long terms, with class for three hours in either the morning or the afternoon four days a week. On Monday, we all have some sort of internship credit either here at the Whitworth campus (three students are doing an ecology centered internship and three are doing an afterschool program with some neighbor kids) or somewhere in the surrounding community (restaurant, hotel, schools, etc). Right now I am taking two classes, Spanish grammar/literature in the morning and Latin American culture in the afternoon. It makes for a lot of homework, but it's still easier than my typical semesters have been. The after another couple weeks, I will have a different class. My internship credit is for the education department, and is currently giving me problems. The school where I will work (Roblealto) still has not approved all my paperwork. So sticky about paperwork! Hopefully next week that will all be sorted out.
Campus:
The campus that Whitworth has used to be a restaurant/hotel, but had been empty for several (8?) years before Whitworth bought it. After much reconstruction it now has two classrooms, a eating area, kitchen, library, offices and apartments for the professors and TA's, and a lovely rotunda area in the front. It is up on in the mountains, so we often have very windy cold days, but other times it it just gorgeous. The campus is about a half hour ride from downtown San Rafael, where most of us live. All of the students come up for class on the buss, and then trek up the rest of the hill to the center. The climb makes for an invigorating, but sweaty, way to start the day.
Housing:
The campus that Whitworth has here used to be a hotel/restaurant, so there are "dorm" rooms here. We stayed in the dorms for the first week that we were here, and then meet our families at the end of the week. Now we all live with various host families in the San Rafael/Heredia area. In my host family I have a very exuberant and talkative mom named Eulalia (Lula) who works with her sister in a florists shop, and a 28 year old sister who works in the corporate office of a big central American food company. Also, Lula has 11 brothers and sisters, so I swear everyone I meet is either a sibling or a niece or nephew. Also, on the other side of our duplex we have a very cute little neighbor girl. Sophia is five years old, very funny, and always has an opinion. In the last week I have spent many a "only ten minutes" playing cards or coloring or taking picture with her. Also, we have a dog named "Manchas" (which means "stains").
I think that covers the basics for now. More pictures to come soon!
**Update**
Pictures!
My Room
Our Living room
The dinning table (other side of the living room area)
The kitchen
My bathroom (I have my own, I'm quite spoiled)
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