Wow, today has been a long day! At 07:30 we (the new international students) met for our obligatory information-day. We spent the day getting to know each other (icebreaker games), and get information about campus, campus life, health care, payments, you name it. We also got information about personal hygiene routines in the USA- it is normal to shower about every day, and use deodorant. Deodorant is to be sprayed onto your body, NOT your face (as was demonstated in a sketch on stage). I am sure there must be a reason that this rather awkward information was given, so I did not laugh.

As I mentioned yesterday, everything is quite deserted here right now. I got confirmed that this will change next week, then the campus is going to be packed with people again (can’t wait!). But anyways, today everything was closed, including the cafes and coffeshops.  I seriously can’t remember the last time I went a whole day without drinking coffee- it was painfull.

We all got some vouchers for different cafes, pens, a little backpack, and stuff like that. We also got a scarf! I am not sure which house I belong to yet- the talking hat was too busy today.

The other international students are mostly from India (and that is also the largest international student group already on campus, followed by Chinese). I was the only one from Norway today, I am not sure whether there are any Norwegians already here. There was one German student today- and I realize that I have a bit of explanation to do every time people ask me where I’m from. I wasn’t even aware that I have a German accent, but I obviously very much so do (“Hi, how are you?” “Good, how are you?” “Oh, WOW, you are GERMAN?!”). Then explaining that I am German, but also Norwegian, learned English in Germany but now have lived in Norway for ten years, that gets boring rather quickly. So I’m not sure what’s best to say yet.

Good news: I am NOT the oldest one- pew!! We were divided into groups all day, so I haven’t seen all my fellow immigrants, but from what I’ve seen I would guess that the average age is around 30, actually (some are contributing more to this average than others. The oldest one in my group today was somewhere between 40 and 50, I would guess). I haven’t had the chance to talk too much to all of these guys yet, but I guess that’s gonna happen soon! I also learned that to make it through a conversation you really only need to know three words:

1: “Wow!”

2: “Awesome!”

3: “Cool!”

If you manage to mix these three around a bit, you can make it through any smalltalk. I haven’t been here for too long yet- but I already talk in superlatives a lot. That’s just how it roles over here. People may say what they want about the superficiality here, but I really enjoy it so far. It is nice to be called “honey”, “gorgeous” and “beautiful” all day long! What do I care if they really mean it! If you smile, you are guaranteed a nice response. That’s not what I experience in Norway or Germany, but it sure makes everything a bit easier.

And oh, I forgot to post pictures of my room yesterday- even though it might be easier to see on the webpage, actually:

We also went on a bustour through KC, which was a good way to get an idea where things are located around here. It would be great to have a car, so much I can tell. But as our tourguide (a fellow student) said: it’s all about making friends with the people that have cars!

I also went to shop some groceries. It was a 30 minutes walk, which was so nice in the crisp, sunny weather today. I think there only is a bus going back to campus, not from campus to the store. I have to check that out- otherwise it’s good exercise, I guess. This is how the neighbourhood looks like, it’s really friendly and nice!

I also got an american account today, my student id card, and learned how to use an american washing machine. And I got a lighter for my scented candle! 🙂