Entrance Exam

Yesterday was the first day of school and we had to take our placement exam. I woke up and managed to find a rather large group of mostly blonde kids hanging out in the center and so I followed them to the CLM (Centro de Lenguas Modernas). Without them I would have arrived lost, and late as I did to the Palacio de Congreso just the other day. When we showed up there were probably close to one hundred US Americans milling about, waiting nervously to start the exam. We got to our assigned classrooms and were told we would have a 40 min. writing exam. I thought that went great, and I tried to give semi creative answers...to show off a bit, I admit. Then came the grammar part. I flew threw it, although the last section of the 9 section test definitely threw me off a bit. I must have just skipped the lesson about subjunctive in high school. I swear I do not remember learning that EVER. However, I had learned how it worked mas o menos in Argentina. I left feeling confident and ready to chat it up in my oral exam.

Then I actually got into the oral exam. This was not an exam but more of an interrogation. I was questioned where I was from and when the professor found out we were a group of seven from WSU she then moved on to ask what I had done in the many days I had been there (let me mention that 5 days in my opinion in a new country is not what I would call many). I told her I had walked around the city a lot, gone out to see what the Spanish night life was like and had eaten some great food. I think she wanted to know if I had made sure to do some touristy things right off the bat. Strike one. Strike two was when she asked if we spent all of our time together, the WSU students. Yes. We do, considering we are brand new here and haven't had a way to meet any Spaniards. Then, as I was trying to explain that having each other is comforting in such a new place, she interrupted to ask if we speak English all the time. I said no we didn't, but we spoke it a lot. Eyebrows raised she says that we will talk about my test scores now.

Level 9 being the highest possible level of fluency, aka a Spaniard, I had gotten a six on the grammar part of the test. I was disappointed but could believe that the grammar was the thing that I have the most trouble with. When she commented how my writing was better than my test score though she said that I could possibly handle being in a level seven class but that I should know if it was too hard they would move me down. All of this might sound fine, but I was mad. I left feeling completely decepcionada because I wanted a really great score. I couldn't help but feel like, so much for a year abroad to learn the language. A level six is what most kids were in. This assumption being based upon the eavesdropping I proceeded to do after getting my score and moving out into the cluster of other students.

So I can admit I acted like a spoiled brat about this whole thing, possibly overestimating my Spanish skills. I was humbled when I got to class today to find out that I really did not know much about the subjunctive tense at all. Even so, everything else in the class was stuff I knew and so I requested to be moved up a level which my professor gladly did for me. That means now I will have classes from 4-8pm now.

I also looked at an apt. yesterday which seems like a great option. I would live with a Spanish woman and her boyfriend right in the center. Washing machine, my own room with a wardrobe, kitchen, a grocery store just to the right of our building, wifi, heat, air...all for just 270 euros a month. Today I will look at a couple more just to compare.

SUITCASES ARRIVED!!!!!!!

Blessings: That I could see where I struggle with the language a lot. That my professor today complimented my skills and said she would definitely move me up a level. That my suitcases arrived today!!! That I have at least one good apartment option. :)