End of Week 2

Now that we have completed our first class, I can give some feedback. There are three two week classes. The first and second week are either a History & Culture course or you can choose to take a research course. The third week will be either and education or business course depending on your concentration. In my dorm there are three other guys. They all took the research course and were pulling their hair out for the entire time.

I am a history major, so the History course I took was a cake walk. I'm sure that the research course can be manageable if you keep up with the homework. One thing I can recommend is, KEEP YOUR FOCUS! I began slipping away into drinking with classmates in the dorms and going to the beach. This summer they allow alcohol on school grounds, but for those reading this, you will be welcomed to a dry campus as CUI is moving to a more Christian oriented academic experience.

While taking either the History or Research course on MWF, you will also take Mandarin Chinese TR. On top of that, you have to take a TESOL class. The TESOL is on either Tuesday or Thursday and is from 3:30 to 8:30. Luckily I am a T.A. for TESOL because of my experience. I'm still required to go to class, but I don't have to do any of the homework.

So, your schedule for the six weeks will be MWF 9-5, TR 10-2, and either T or R from 3:30-8:30. It's unbelievably difficult, but when everyone around you is busting their ass, it's very motivating. I've been here two weeks and I know all sixty people by name simply because we all study together out of necessity.

Nearly everyone lives on campus which makes study groups easy to organize. I haven't written anything on here yet because I have been consumed with class. I did go to Newport Beach, which is 15 minutes away and had my fair share of social gatherings in our room. We've been leaving our door wide open, this has kept an inviting environment for our living area.