Ça c’est l’afrique…

Sociology exams DONE - Political Science exams...upcoming!

Yesterday we FINALLY finished our sociology exams. I only had two to do and was totally prepared for them last week (when they were scheduled to be) but 'Ça c’est l’afrique'** so no such luck at doing them they day they were scheduled :) Both profs postponed until Monday. Which - wasn't a bad thing since in reality it meant more study time!

In the end the exams were...interesting. The first one was in our development durable course. The way these exams work (they are oral) are that you show up, and you write your name on a list and then about 4 students at a time are called in. Everyone is given a subject and you have a few minutes to prepare...then one by one you present. You can be sitting there for hours!

We started the process in the morning at 10 with on prof and didn't finish until 5 with the other prof - all the waiting around. The first prof was pretty bad. He took students until about 1:00 and then took a break until 3:00 and at that point he only took some of the students. The rest had to wait until today. But he had promised us we would go at three but he didn't tell us he had to leave at 4:00. So we finally got into his office at 10 to 4 and he said he was in a hurry so it had to be quick. We each had 5 minutes...he wasn't even listening and he even made phone calls while we were talking. He most certainly just made up random marks!!! But thats okay, its over! And apparently he is a really great academic, he just doesn't show it so much to his students....

The second exam was more serious and the prof actually listened and took interest and asked questions! Phew!!

At this point I am just glad it is over. Now we move on to exams in poli sci! ARGH!
Wish me luck!
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**
Ça c’est l’afrique – This is Africa!

This little phrase is a favorite of people here. Our profs say it, sometimes multiple times in one class. Students say it to explain inexplicable things that happen. Anything that seems a little odd ‘This is Africa’….some of you will understand!

And

Ça c’est Canada...according to Prof. Dieng

We have this hilarious professor for Environmental Law! He is so great. He teases the students all the time and makes jokes. He was talking about climate change and extreme temperatures and started talking about how cold it is in places like Canada. Then he asked us how cold it could get. I said -20 C was pretty average for the heart of winter. Then he said “you guys have a lot of tunnels don’t you?” and Lenny and I kind of looked confused and said “yes, sort of, in some cities…” and he went on to this huge spiel about how Canadians live underground and never emerge during the winter and they escape to their underground safety when it gets cold because it they go outside they will die horrible deaths…the whole class was laughing! And this is how misconceptions are perpetuated :) Although, I hope the students knew he was joking!