February 4th, 2013: First day of school on another continent.
Yes, I know it’s ridiculous that I’m starting school so late. I’ve been in Europe for almost a month, and this is the first time I have to set an alarm. I snooze it three times before I manage to get up from my bed. That’s when it hits me: so many things can go wrong today.
To calm my nerves, I made a list:
- I have no idea what the professor is saying to the class/me.
- I have no idea what the other students are saying to the professor/each other.
- I understand enough to know that I have a 15-page paper, oral presentation, midterm, and exam, on top of being in class with people I don’t understand.
- I took the train in the wrong direction, and I am now alone on the metro car with an old man yelling things at me that I don’t understand.
I put on my big girl pants, down an espresso, and text the only other Brown student that’s supposed to go to this class. I passive-aggressively tell her, “Leaving my apartment! Don’t be late.” But passive-aggressive texting is a dying art, and I’m left loitering in front of a building for 20 minutes. Thanks, friend. Continue Reading