Intensive Spanish Session

So our first week of class is officially over. When they called it an 'intensive' session, they weren't kidding around. Not only do we have class for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week but we also have 3-4 hours of homework each night. Sometimes more. It's a lot more than I was expecting to have, but I've been assured that regular classes won't be this stressful. 


The good thing is that I am learning A LOT. We're reviewing a lot of basic concepts quickly using new business, economic, and accounting vocabulary that we're learning to prepare us for our business classes during the regular session. I'm also trying to forget a lot of vocabulary and concepts that I've learned throughout the years. In the States, we're taught Mexican/Latin American Spanish. Spain Spanish is different in a lot of regards, just as American and British English differ in certain areas. So a lot of what I already know is wrong. 


Our Professor, Miguel, is great. He is nearly fluent in English, which helps when we're confused about certain things. He also speaks English with a British accent, and he uses a lot of British terminology. They are taught British English in Spain, so it's fun to hear him talk. He has also tried to keep the class fun by teaching us a lot of cultural and colloquial phrases such as:


Hacer zapping = channel surfing
Estrenído = constipated
Tener un punto = to have a buzz (from alcohol)
Los chupitos = shots
Un guiri = slang term for a foreigner (I've gotten called this a lot...)
Un trepa = brown-noser or suck-up
Echar una meada viva = to have to piss like a racehorse


Surprisingly, none of these were completely random, they all came up in class one way or another. We've also learned the best Spanish wines to drink, which also just happened to come up during class. I certainly plan to try them all out to add to my cultural experience here in Sevilla. Also, they average 3-4 euros per bottle...which is ridiculously cheap. They include:


Rioja (red)
Ribera (red)
Fragata (white)
Barbadillo (white)
Señorio de Heliche (white)
Pedro Ximénez (dessert wine)


The worst part about the class has been the surveys...we have to approach random Spaniards and ask them about their jobs, political affiliations, opinions on the economy, opinions on the government, etc. Not only is it intimidating but it seems rather intrusive. But at least there's only a week left. Then I get to start my regular classes that I'm actually super excited about!