One month down...

Well I have survived my first month. I can’t believe that I have only seven weeks to go!

I haven’t been going on too many adventures, Its still Ramadan and people are constantly exhausted. I was planning on going to a football game but it was rained out.
And by rain- I mean monsoon. The past two days it was been monsooning at night. Sheets of rain with endless thunder for around five hours each night. Today we lost power but regained it in less than an hour. Tunisian streets are not adapted for such high quantities of rain and flooding is a major problem. Last night we drove to Grandmas house ON THE MEDIAN…yes. The median of the freeway, the actual street had around two feet of water covering it and objects where floating by us as we drove.

Magically most of it was gone this morning so I could go to Saturday class. Our teacher has been killing me with class lately the past three days I have had six straight hours of Arabic. Six… is too much. I really can’t handle one more second of class or studying. Which is perfect timing because we have an exam next week (I think, Tunisian schools aren’t organized like they are in the west. The only rule about exams is you have to tell your students at least a day before. Other than that its all free game.)

The largest difference between Tunisian and American schools is the lack of choice. When each student is 15 they make a choice whether they wish to study sciences or languages (although everyone learns English, French and Arabic). At the age of 18 they take the baccalaureate exams. This single test determines what schools they can attend and what feilds they can study. My host cousin wanted more than anything to be a doctor however she didn’t place high enough in her philosophy exams and that brought down her total score. She is now attending the school of telecommunications. I think this is system only hold the country down. Students work harder in subjects they truly care about. If I would have taken such tests I doubt I would even attend college due to my problems with handwriting and spelling. By placing such weight on the single exam Tunisia is missing out on many bright students and forcing others into careers without passion which can only bring them limited success.


The picture is the view from my widow. From which I sing songs and watch the crazy men make e-brake turns in the roundabout everyday at 7.