Papers (Courses)

So far, my papers (classes) are not bad (good). Besides the differences in language and the anti-Americanism, I've actually enjoyed them. I'm still waiting to find out if I have to take a 4th class. For the three classes I have now (Latin, English, Religion), I have 68 points according to Canterbury, 18 credit hours according to Butler, and 9 credit hours according to Wake Forest. The normal load at Canterbury is 60 points, but to be considered full time at Wake, I have to take 12 credit hours. So, it's quite the dilemma.

Anyhow, Latin class seems doable so far. The lecturer has two small children, and she brings the attitude she uses with them to the classroom. She tries to remember everyone's name - a big task for a class of 40 or so - by commenting on it in some way. She told one girl, Sharon, that she didn't look like a Sharon! And she also commented that Nancy was a 60's name! Unfortunately, Butler registered me with my full name, so in every class I am the only student who is called by all three names! In Latin, the lecturer called me "Anne who is not Newberry" on Monday after I told her that my last name was not, in fact, hyphenated. Yesterday, she called me "Anne who is a North American." She knows I'm from America because she asked if there were any Americans in the class on Monday after she made a comment about Bush. While telling us how to get the textbook cheaply, she commented that the NZ dollar was strong now, "because George Bush is an idiot!" When she said she could say that here freely, I got the impression that she thinks all Americans idolize Mr. Bush.

In my religion class, Pakeha Prophets and NZ Christianity, the lecturer began by accusing the NZ students of not knowing their own history! He's probably correct though, because the NZ identity here is largely a result of other cultures. Just about everything is imported, and hardly any products are kiwi-centred. For example, the Latin textbook's use of the word "gooey," explained the lecturer, showed that the book was written in America. While New Zealanders have their own national identity, they often feel in the minority in relation to the rest of the world because their country has so little standing globally. The Religion lecturer continued, noting that New Zealanders don't regard religion with much respect, and their attitude that religious people are wacky results in religion's exclusion from much of New Zealand's written history. The lecturer showed us some political cartoons from the 1860's here to explain where the prejudice against religion came from. As it turns out, the missionaries' decision to side with the Maori against English settlers created an English scorn for religion that continues today.

In the 18th Century Novel, the lecturer focused on the book - not politics! I got to class a bit late though - AWKWARD! - because I got lost, and because she began class early. (The classes before 1pm start on the hour and go for 50 minutes; the classes from 1pm on start at 10 after and go until the next hour.) I talked to her after class, and she realized that she had started early. I'm a bit afraid of being labelled the "Late American" though.

I've been told Americans stand out here because they were certain brands - and tennis shoes! The NZ style is a bit different, and the kiwis are keen (another popular word, meaning "fond of") to wear skinny jeans, flat shoes, and long shorts. I know I give myself away as an American the moment I open my mouth, so I'm trying to pick up kiwi words and gestures and anything else I can think of to make myself a less obvious intruder. Despite the fact that the kiwis rely so heavily on America for products, entertainment, and culture, they still seem to hold a sense of resentment to US economic domination in the world. For that reason, I'm going to keep on trying to blend!