I did it, I made it through my first week of Bosnian High School! I have to admit being introduced in front of the entire class was a little nerve wracking, but I made it to my seat without stumbling over my nervous feet. The first day was very short, just one forty-five minute class in which we received our schedules and learned a little about our up coming excursion to Spain with short stops in Italy and France. As I expected High School here is a lot different than at home. Each grade is separated into different tracks; mathematics, science, social sciences and languages and within the tacks there are different classes. Each class has the same pre determined schedule and most of the teachers come to our class room instead of the students going to the teacher's room. As a teacher enters the room we are expected to stand up until they reach the front of the room, a simple sign of respect for our educators. School is attended in shifts, a morning and an evening alternating each week, second shift is by far the best, getting used to waking up at 10:00 on a school day will take no time at all!
In class I do not understand enough to gather what any of my teachers are saying. At times I can understand a few words and get the gist of what is being said, but mostly I write notes on subjects I look forward to understanding in a few months. I do recognized more words now, but it can get a little boring just sitting and listening for six hours at a time, however I always have breaks in between classes to look forward to. During this time I try and talk to my classmates, all of which are very kind to me. They help me with my pronunciation and learning more words, practice, practice, practice all the time!
