26.08.18

This past week was very difficult for me and that is okay. I experienced homesickness for the first time in my life. It was less of me actually wanting to go home and more of me longing for the easiness and comfort that is available to me back in the US.

At first I tried to fight being sad because I felt guilty for feeling sad while in Argentina. But, it just came down to hey I feel sad and I am going to have to let myself feel sad if I want to progress. So, I spent a night crying, meditating, talking to loved ones, and listening to The Doobie Brothers.

Round-and-Round

In addition to my Spanish course I’ve begun taking, I have to be enrolled in two other courses for my semester of school. Thus, I had to figure out classes this past week.  I was told I had to be in a Sedimentology course because that was the best option for me, but I knew I couldn’t take that course if I wanted to get credit for a science class back at NAU. I felt very rude for having to change the course because my mentor here had suggested it to me, but if I wanted to progress in my degree, I had no choice.

So, I went to the Sedimentology class that I was signed up for and sat through the first class. Then after class, I mustered up all of my courage and told the professor that as much as I’d love to take that course with him, if I want to graduate on time I had to find another course. I showed him my progression plan from NAU and he was very understanding and even took me to professors’ offices and introduced me to them to help me find the correct course to take. So, my paranoia of being rude was just me overthinking and all I had to do was speak up. And hey, as silly as it may sound, it was very difficult for me because I did not want to come off as ungrateful for the help I was previously given. Plus, I had to communicate all of this in Spanish and I did not want to be misunderstood.

I then spoke with one of my mentors from NAU and he helped me find which courses I should be taking here and helped ease my stress over the chaos that had unfolded. Turns out I will be taking a Structural Geology Course, stay in my Spanish course, and take a History of Argentina course.

The next day, I went to the Structural Geology professor’s office and introduced myself and asked if I could take his course. He was incredibly helpful, signed me up for his class, gave me all of my course materials and even told me there will be fellow exchange students in the class (an Italian and a Brazilian)! So after running around for three days, shedding tears, and getting over my fear of asking for help (I actually struggle with excepting help from others and am slowly getting over it, slowly haha), I am now signed up for the correct geology course and am ready to go! Phew!!!!

As for the History of Argentina course, I found the course on Facebook and messaged the professor introducing myself and asking if I could take the course. The professor messaged me back, said they would be glad to have me and gave me the class schedule. Yet, the professors in the School of Philosophy and Letters are currently on strike, so that course will begin sometime in September.

What Did This Teach Little Ole Mia?

This past whirlwind of a week taught me that it is okay to cry, let it all out, take time for yourself, and then get up and do what has to be done. It is also okay to ask for help and do what you know you has to be done, even if you were originally told otherwise. Oh man, I am happy that this week is done!!!!!! This was a rough week and I know there are going to be more rough weeks, but hey now I know I can get through it… and in Spanish too!!

After figuring everything out, I went out and enjoyed drinks with friends, listened to music, and chatted about life. I am ready to capture more instances, even the hard ones.