Thought I would just do a quick update on the papers I am taking since my first week of Uni is almost over (yea three day weeks!)
Anatomy 242: Neuroscience- This could possibly be one of the hardest classes I have ever taken and it is day 2. It even beats Comparative Chordate Anatomy if this is even possible. It is a very in-depth study of the whole nervous system, specifically the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Lecture is held in the hospital and it is mainly med students taking it. It is really interesting and something I am considering pursuing later on as a specialty, but damn, shits intense. The one cool part about it is that because im in this class, i have special access to the anatomy museum which houses a couple hundred human specimens, and its heated (a major plus for this country!) I will admit that late at night it does get a little weird when you realize you are the only one in the building and you are sitting there holding a human brain and a fully dissected spine.
Zoology 222: Evolutionary Biology- Typical evolution class. Something I have gone over a million times. Hopefully it won't be bad.
Marine Studies 2...something: Marine Invert. Biology and Ecology- In-depth look at marine invertebrates and their interactions. Interesting class. Nice throw back to the good ol' Marine bio days in DM. Whats really cool is that we get to go out on their major research vessel POLARIS and play around with un-maned submersibles to check out the little critters in their natural habitats.
As for culture shock: This is the only thing they talked about in our 2 hour orientation (mind you school was not really mentioned once) It really is not bad here. Its a lot like home looking at the big picture. Its when you have the small things that you have to step back, scratch your head, and just think "What the HELL is this?" Here are a few cases:
1: School supplies are different here. No spirals to be found, and the binders are all two hole. This about sent Sara and I into a subarachnidal hemorrhage (see Im learning something)
2: Skittles are not the same flavor. And Diet Coke tastes different. When i grabbed a handful of skittles at the movie I about shit a brick. They have black berry and apple instead of grape and lime. This is a HUGE disappointment to me. Get it together NZ.
3: The people are really nice. Everyone helps you if you ask. Our lab leader for Evolution was really helpful when I didn't have a clue of what she was talking about.
4: When you use your credit/debit card here, they actually check your signature.
5: They drive on the left here (and i have almost been hit 10 times) BUT they walk all over the sidewalk making me look like an ass trying to dodge them
6: I'm about 90% sure they could care less if you took a weapon on a plane, but so help me god if you have an apple, the penalty is death. Of course this is after a $400 fine.
Overall I love this place and these little things have just thrown me for a loop the first time i encountered them (especially #1, it took us an hour to buy school supplies)
I am loving hearing about these classes! Keep up the good work! Love you!
ReplyDeleteI would like to make amendments to your Culture Shock list. They are as follows:
ReplyDelete1. Spiral bound notebooks are like coffee. I can't function without them. Life cannot function without coffee. And time management clearly isn't a priority here since you have to fold every piece of paper in half just to know where to punch the holes.
2. Get over the skittles. You shouldn't be eating candy anyways.
3. The people ARE super nice. And you don't face the death penalty if you have a conflict attending lab...learn from this ISU.
4. If this country would let you use PIN numbers there would be no need to check for signatures. And it's aweful hard to make your signature look like your signature when your hands are so cold you can't even hold the pen. It's called central heating NZ!
5. If by 10 times you are refering to our first week here, then yes, 10 times. I am not adding the old ladies leading us into the middle of the road at the crosswalk or Joel's "OH!" into that count.
6. The hell with biosecurity. Who needs an apple when you can tote a machete and dissection kit?
7. (Yes I'm adding an extra item to your list) THERE IS NO GRAPE JELLY. Who ever thought of making boysenberry jelly the same color as grape...that was a cruel, cruel joke.
Gotta Love Culture Shock.