The dean of Miami started today (1/6) by saying that one of the most rewarding and valuable experiences of MUDEC is learning to personally adapt in challenging and difficult circumstances. This however is only gained by being in a situation that is challenging or that you didn't anticipate.
Frankly right now that is a little terrifying... as I am still trying to find my way home and I am not yet ready to fully embrace the sensation of being lost (also given the fact that the sun is really only out for 9 hours a day right now it is difficult to go exploring... I don't want to cross into France accidentally in the dark!)
The next three days are known as integration we will be having meetings on various topics, going on excursions and opportunities to explore the local communities.
We were at school all morning (I'll talk about the castle probably in greater detail in another post but basically I stood in a stair well that a battle broke out in 400 years ago as someone attempted to conquer the castle.... ummm can you say cool?) We had lunch around 12:00 pm lunch was actually very good... it was a huge piece of chicken. It is going to take some time to adjust to eating the largest meal of the day at noon.
After lunch we split into small groups and went on a scavenger hunt to find things in Differange. It was pouring rain and really only one other girl and I seemed to be into it. I am actually shocking myself with the amount of
French that is coming back and that I understand.
Granted unlike most European countries today Luxembourgers (especially in Differdange) are typically not obnoxious to Americans. Since WWII there have been extremely positive relationship between the US and Lux. Also (similar to Switzerland) which is on the border of francophone and Germanic countries there is such a mix of the two languages then throw in Luxembourgish and its just a big mess! Most people speak more than enough of all 3, but its common for things to get lost in translation or not to understand one another completely. Therefore it makes them more willing to try to help you, since they frequently do that with one another. Also unlike Switzerland Luxembourg is an extremely diverse society, which I think also helps with us being foreigners… unlike Switzerland where everyone has descended from someone from like a 1,000 years ago. As long as you ask politely in French and make the effort people or more than willing to help you.
French that is coming back and that I understand.
Granted unlike most European countries today Luxembourgers (especially in Differdange) are typically not obnoxious to Americans. Since WWII there have been extremely positive relationship between the US and Lux. Also (similar to Switzerland) which is on the border of francophone and Germanic countries there is such a mix of the two languages then throw in Luxembourgish and its just a big mess! Most people speak more than enough of all 3, but its common for things to get lost in translation or not to understand one another completely. Therefore it makes them more willing to try to help you, since they frequently do that with one another. Also unlike Switzerland Luxembourg is an extremely diverse society, which I think also helps with us being foreigners… unlike Switzerland where everyone has descended from someone from like a 1,000 years ago. As long as you ask politely in French and make the effort people or more than willing to help you.
After then had to go to the town hall to register with immigration (we still have not completely registered yet/ received our official visas) which given my last name took forever. Then several friends and I walked around the town exploring which was quiet adventuresome given the fact that it was pouring. We then had a small dinner and went out for a little while.
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