I moved into the dorms at the University of Haifa a couple of days ago. Yesterday was my first day of class and I'm hoping that my reading, writing, and grammar will improve greatly during my time here.
The campus is narrow but very long, with the dorms at one end and requiring students to walk about two thirds of the campus to go to class. The eateries on campus are all Kosher so it's really exciting to order a chicken sandwich from McDonalds. There are a ton of stairs at the University, and some are so long and spread out that I don't even know where the elevator is. Like many parts of Israel, there are a lot of stray cats, many of which hang out in and around the dorms (there's a cat hanging out in the dorm lobby near me as I write this). I live in an apartment and there are six individual rooms, each with showers (which take half an hour to get hot water after a switch is flipped).
The other people that are currently in my apartment are from the United States, somewhere in Israel, Austria, Slovakia, and Peru. There are a little less than 30 countries represented taking Ulpan (language immersion). In my class, there is a non-commissioned officer in the Danish army. I've had to explain a few times where Oregon is and explain that it is in fact a state. I've met people from France and England as well as two AEPi Brothers from San Diego and a Chi Omega from Wisconsin. The International School is, as you can tell, quite eclectic.
I've been to the beach three times in the last four days (Tel Aviv included) and I'm enjoying my tan (yes Ima, I'm putting on sunscreen). I forgot how much I like Goldstar and whoever said you can't drink on the job, tell that to the cashier at the dorm minimarket. I haven't seen downtown Haifa yet and I don't know when I will get there as I'm still trying to figure out a routine, much like everyone else.
The internet is terrible in the spot that I've been using it, but I don't feel like it's much better in the main building on campus. However, I was able to read this article and watch this video (http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100706/wl_yblog_upshot/dance-fever-sweeping-through-israeli-military) as soldiers walked right by me in the dorm lobby.
Unfamiliar to Americans are the security measures at malls, bus terminals, train stations, etc. People must pass through a metal detector and have their bags inspected (smaller ones by hand, luggage through an x-ray machine). However, I'm curious as to how effective this is: I went to the beach today and had to pass through a bus terminal, but when I set off the metal detector, the guard (not military) didn't care. Are they just that comfortable and reliant on the myriad of soldiers in the terminal already for security? If so, I hope nothing bad happens from them doing a sloppy job.
Speaking of malls, there are a few here and I went to one two days ago with some people to get some supplies. It's called the “Grand Kanyon” as “knyon” in Hebrew means mall and it's in a small valley. The place is amazing! Three levels and tons of stores.
The food here is amazing. Burgers (schnitzel!), ice cream, crepes, breads, drinks, etc. I haven't had bowekas yet (a type of puffy pastry filled with either potato, cheese, spinach, etc), but I will definitely hit that up when I get the chance. In the mean time, I'm trying to stick to one main meal a day and snacks at other times. Not the healthiest way, but the most convenient.
Well, I have to go shower, eat something and do homework. I'll hopefully post pictures next time.
-AZ
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