Getting Oriented

The group is slowly getting oriented in place and time.  Sunday was spent on walking about and getting familiar with how to get to the computer center, the Kursbüro (course office) and back to Kaufland.  On the way, we found a very unusual tree in a yard.  Going over to look at it, we noticed that the owners had erected a plaque explaining what is was and where it was from--they must have had a lot in inquiries.  Here is a photo the the three UC students in front of the tree, as well as a close up of the branches and the information plaque.

Monday brought the first official day with an opening ceremony.  A woman sang (beautifully and playfully), with guitar accompaniment, a medieval English ballad, a Baroque German song (about how to kiss correctly) and a modern Spanish song.  The duo was delightful. 

The president of the university welcomed everyone, as did the head of the international office.  Then it was down to serious business and the placement test.The test was computerized, and a series of 8 reading selections where students had to fill in the blanks with missing words, verb endings, vocabulary, etc. 

The results were available as soon as the exam finished (about 40 minutes), but we will have to wait until this evening to find out the actual class placement.  It's a little like elementary school, where you go to see which class you will be in, in that the lists will be posted this evening when the opening dinner and party begin.