Classes Update!

Hey guys! So despite what it may seem like if you have been reading my blog, my life is not all travel and adventure. 5 days a week I take classes in the lovely Chateua du Differdange, and I thought it was about time I give you a brief update on how they are going. Overall, classes are far easier than at UVa, but I still have to do work during the week, it is not a complete joke. It has been wonderful to not be so stressed out about school and really focus on other things that just seem more important right now. All my friends at UVA, and Kyle and my Mom, can attest to how hard and stressful last semester was for me, so this has been a fantastic break and just relaxing time. I feel like I am still learning a ton, both in and outside the classroom, but I am focusing less on my grades and more on understanding the content of my classes to benefit me, not to please a teacher. This i quite refreshing, and I am going to try to take this lesson- that I should not obsess so much about grades- back with me to school. I have been finding that I am still doing just as well when I obsess less, so I realize what a waste insane stressing can be. Anyway, sorry this is so philosophical, just a few things I have been meaning to write for awhile but keep forgetting! But here is a brief recap of my classes:

-History of Witch Hunts- this is the class I went on my travel tour with, and I love it! The professor is a really cool guy with a lot of diverse interests, and I feel like I have gotten to know him pretty well. Sometimes class can get a little boring, but overall it is engaging and fun. A highlight was when we acted out different types of witch hunts, I played the role of the accused witch in the most severe type of hunt! It was pretty hilarious, and I was sadly burned at the stake in the end!

-Rise and Fall of Hitler- This is a great class and I have learned a ton about the Third Reich from it already. My professor is a well known European historian, and he lectures each class and gives you a ton of information. It is structured a lot like the other history courses I have had at UVA, so I feel pretty comfortable with his style. In a few weeks we will be going to Prague, Auschwitz, and Crackow together for what I think will be an incredible experience. I am so interested in trying to understand the Holocaust (I know I will be writing my thesis on something relating to it), and I really think this experience will be life changing. Our professor graded our first exams pretty hard, but I got an A-, which I was ok with. There were only a few As in the class, but he was tough! I think he just wants to encourage us to read more!

-Museums- This class is taught by an American lady who is here with her husband who is also a professor and teaches architecture. She is pretty young and really cool. Like I said below, this class has made me rethink a lot of my understanding of museums and every time Kelly and I visit one, we end up relating it back to our class somehow. I am even considering writing my thesis on museum representations of the Holocaust, I am going to the Holocaust Museum in Berlin this weekend and I am hoping this will inspire me somewhat...

-French- I really like this class as well. My teacher is a very chic French women and she is so nice. We have learned about all the different regions of France (which is helpful for travel plans), French politics, and French families- this was funny because we were comparing French and American weddings and I was an expert on the later from my maid of honor experiences with my sisters! This class isn't a ton of work, and very small, so I have gotten to know most of the girls in it which is nice. We are going to go to Metz together one Thursday afternoon with my teacher which will be neat.

-Politics- Ok, so all these rave reviews means there must be one dud. This is it. Although my

professor is interesting, he is not so great at teaching. He drones on and on, and it is quite hard to pay attention. Everyone is on their computers in class, and he doesn't really give useful information that can't be found in the book. It doesn't help that we have it for 4 hours on Monday with only a lunch break in between. I have my midterm on Monday for this class, so I hope it goes ok...wish me luck!

Ok hope you enjoyed this scholarly update!

Care