I just completed a month-long Arabic course at the University of Damascus last Saturday. However, 'completed' might not be exactly the right word, considering that I failed the final exam. But I was actually quite happy with my progress overall during the course, and the pass rate was 60%, so I'm not too worried about failing. At the beginning of the course, we had to do a placement test to determine our level, and because it was multiple choice and I didn't understand anything, I just answered all the questions randomly. This resulted in my being placed in level 3, the highest beginner level... and I was totally out of my depth. I decided not to change classes however, as I wanted to challenge myself and I found that I was learning a lot.
With my host parents
I've been having a great time here these last months. My host family are extremely nice and I've made loads of friends through the university as well as through the NIASD institute that I mentioned in the last post. The problem is that most of these are short termers and are leaving after a month or so of study, so this week I am saying goodbye to a lot of my compadres. I know a few locals quite well though, and there is an Australian guy and a German girl that will both be staying for six months, so I do know a few Westerners.
One thing I've been doing a lot of is playing chess. Right now I'm sitting in a cafe where I come almost daily for a beer or some soup or some tea, and the owner is a pretty good chess player, so we have a lot of battles across the chessboard. Really enjoying getting back into playing chess and I'm getting even better, if such a thing is possible...
Me in my favourite cafe, صيف و شتاء
In صيف و شتاء (Seif wa Shetta/Summer and Winter)
