Please Read the Course Description

So, if you've been following me of Facebook, you know that classes started on Monday.  & if you've been paying super close attention, you may have seen my melodramatic status following the start of class on Monday.  I first owe you an explanation for that post, and an apology if it seemed that I was crying for attention or something of that nature.  I can assure you, my intentions in that status of my "no good very bad day" were simply to vent and get my troubled feelings out in the open.

Now, would you like to hear what happened?  Thought so.  Monday went a little something like this:

I woke up pretty early before I had to be to class at 1:30, did some laundry with Emily, took a shower, and headed to Uni (what Europeans call college) at about 12 in order to purchase books, find my classroom, etc.  I arrived to my first class, Spanish Linguistics Level 3, and the classroom slowly filled up with 8 other students, all of whom were speaking Dutch and looking at me as a foreign elephant in the room.

Back home I major in Spanish, and have been studying the language for going on 7 years now, so when I saw that there was a linguistics course given in Spanish and available (so I thought) to exchange students, I jumped at the opportunity to keep my language level up on this semester out of the States.  The professor of this course, we'll call her The Devil's Mistress, had other expectations for me.  I will also point out that I had e-mailed her 2 days before the start of class, explaining my situation, and asking if I would be eligible for the course, not being a Dutch student and she never replied.

When The Devil's Mistress entered the classroom she addressed everyone by name, and me by, "oh I received your e-mail, you're the exchange student?"  I excitedly replied that this information was correct, and then the fun really started.  She then explained, to the class, that she was curious as to how I was permitted to enroll in this course, seeing's how exchange students are never allowed to participate in Language courses.  Following this she asked me a question in Spanish which I had absolutely no clue how to answer (I would later find out she had asked me by what method did I learn Spanish back home... now if anyone reading this would be able to answer that question with confidence I revoke my harsh words, however I'm pretty confident this isn't the case) and then, again in front of the class, she announced, "oh so I see you have never studied Spanish before."

And cue tears.

I was absolutely mortified.  On one hand that she dare question my capability of speaking a language that is my concentration of study, on another that she put me on the spot in such a condescending way in front of other students who she clearly had previous relationships with, and on my right foot that I had no come-back for her in English or Spanish.  I wanted to run out of the class, find my mom, and hug the tears away.  Obviously this was not possible, however, so I had to put on my bravest face and carry on with the 2 hour class trying my best to make no mistakes in the activities and even being required to be the teacher's partner for the group exercise.

At the end of the session The Devil's Mistress asked if I needed the credit from this class, or if I was just following the course work for fun.  Yeah, right, because a lot of times we buy $100 books and spend 4 hours a week in a class that we're not getting anything for.  Honestly confused by the question I explained I would need to take the exam at the end of the course and she said she would get back with me after speaking with her colleagues.  Later Monday night, I received this e-mail:

Dear Jessica,

You can stay in Spanish level 3 and we'll see at the end whether you pass the exam in order to get the credits. 

Best,
The Devil's Mistress

Okay so now it's a game.  If I accepted the challenge I could continue with the course and then just see if she would pass me in the end.  Sounds fair.  By the way please note the kindness and sincerity in her letter.  Great first impression right there.  Please also note that the only fabricated facet of this e-mail is the change of the professor's name... Best my ass.

After talking it over with my mom and Emily, I decided that it was not fair for me to have to earn my spot in a class, and that it would not be worth the stress for the entire duration of my stay to feel that I had to meet standards that I wouldn't even find out if I made until it would be too late.

So, after going to my other classes yesterday and this morning, I feel 100 million bagillion times better about school here in Amsterdam, and am even pretty excited to be meeting new faces.  The teachers I've had are also a lot more kind than The Devil's Mistress, which is a relief!  Phew!  After a meeting with my faculty advisor this afternoon I am free from this burden that was on my shoulders and am so so grateful for all the love and support I have been receiving.

Praise the Lord, even when he throws problems your way, I know there is a reason these difficult situations come upon us.  Thanks for reading, praying, and sharing your time with me!

 Love from Amsterdam!! xoxoxo