Classes I am taking while Studying Abroad

Some people have pointed out to me recently (Thanks uncle bill 😛 haha ) that no where on this blog have I really talked about my classes. SO, here it goes.

Yes, I am actually taking classes. Although it really doesn’t feel like it.

I am taking 3 courses here and only one of them, my geology class, is taken for a grade and will effect my GPA. It is called Evolution of the Living Earth (ELE) and it aims to cover the entire history of earth. What is cool about it is that it is basically a mix between a bunch of different earth science disciplines, from paleontology to biochemistry. What is not cool about it is that there is actually not much geology so I am just as lost as all the other freshers, oh and that I actually have to pay attention and try in this course… it just really ruins the whole I-am-just-travelling-and-not-actually-schooling thing.

The other two classes I am taking are just for fun. One is Scandinavian Studies, primarily focusing on vikings. The other is the Psychology of Music. The psychology of music is by far my favorite class so far. My professor plays the saxophone and often brings it out to play for us, and we discuss things like changes in popular music throughout time, Elvis, Beatles, how people use music to identify themselves, and more.

I’ll admit that since 2/3 classes are not taken for a letter grade I have not been the best student while here. However, I did have a test in ELE yesterday which I feel like I did well on, and I have some midterm essays coming up which I have ALREADY started. That means *technically* I am a more productive student here than back at Berkeley since typically I do not start essays until the week before. (Are you proud of me yet mum?)

Other life updates:

• My flight from Barcelona back to Edinburgh was cancelled so I may not get to go there anymore 🙁
• Today it was 10 degrees Celsius and apparently that is warm enough to warrant a giant line out the door of ice cream shops????