Language Camp

I am going to be completely honest with how I felt about the language camp in Vetlanda that I arrived home on Tuesday. I think it was a complete waste of 2.000kr ($306). The Swedish that we were taught  I already knew. I can understand for the students who couldn't/didn't study Swedish back in their home country, it would be totally worth it. But for me and assumed others, a waste of time and money.  I know the camp was to learn basic Swedish, meet the other exchange students, learn some about Sweden and its culture, and have fun. But I already knew a little bit more than I was taught.

I felt excluded from the other exchange students. I was only with 5-6 other students out of 27. I am shy and it's hard for me to get used to so many new people within a few days. But the exchange students who I did hangout and talk to got to know me. And I got to know them. It felt like every time I went to talk to the other 21 students, they would ignore me. I didn't like feeling like I was an outcast. I know that I am the only one from my town and the closest exchange student to me is 45min to an hour away. I wish people were a bit friendlier.

During the language classes, were always speaking and writing in English. I thought we went to the camp to speak and write in Swedish? I mean yes we spoke very little in Swedish, but we should have been more engaged to the language. I also thought that we should have learned how to ask where things were, how to find simple objects, how to get to the doctors, school, shop, or home, and what some other normal everyday items were called. I felt like I learned more from sitting on an online class then being a classroom with a teacher who was willing to help you.

Some classes instead of learning Swedish we would walk around the school learning about art and the  history of the school. To be honest, I don't care about art of teachers or history of a school I would never walk into again. I understand that some people would be and good for them. But I know that I'm not the only one who thought that walking around was boring. 

The few things I did enjoy was traveling through a cave, having Fika, down time to meet with other exchange students or talk with friends, and having a Rotex (past exchange students) night. Fika for those of you who don't know is where you drink coffee and have a small dessert. It is very popular in Sweden. Almost everyone does it 2 or more times a day. 

I was more than ready to go back to my host family's house and learn Swedish by myself. I have now filled 20 or more pages with Swedish words and phrases that I will need to know to be able to talk in any Swedish place. Or even with my host family. But I am leaving to go and meet a friend of my host mom and go do someshopping. Hej då!