Start of Second Term

It was certainly a different feeling when I returned to Duino compared to when I arrived for the first time in August. I reflected, sitting in the plane on my way here, how much more confident and comfortable I felt. I also reflected on the amount of personal growth I went through in my first term. While I will not be as dramatic as to say I am a completely changed person and nothing like the girl who went on the same plane four months earlier, I would be lying if I said I hadn’t changed. I gained so much knowledge of the world around me, both in and out of the classroom. I also met some amazing people I am lucky enough to call my friends and I also learned a lot about myself and what I need to do to take care of myself.
It feels unreal that I have been back for two weeks now. It has flown by but it feels as though I have been here for much longer at the same time. While it was difficult initially to transition back into my routine of classes and extracurricular commitments, I have now reestablished my routine and am enjoying it immensely. I am continuing to go to the local elementary school and read in English, visit the senior’s centre in Trieste and take my ceramics class but because it is winter I am now doing cross-country skiing instead of hiking. It is a nice activity and very exciting – especially for those who have not skied before.
Speaking of winter…although it is much warmer here than back in Canada temperature wise, there is this super strong wind called ‘Bora’ which does a good job of cooling everything down. It was very strong for most of this week, one of the teachers said that it was 130km/h-140km/h. It was so strong I felt as though I could practically lean into it and it would support my weight. I have never experienced anything like it before but it will return in bursts throughout the winter! I must schedule my Canadian swim so that I go on a day where there is no Bora because I think I will be cold enough already!
Now that it is our second term, the first years have started our ‘Theory of Knowledge’ classes. This is a very interesting subject and I think will make me consider knowledge in a way that I never have before. While I am sad to lose some of my free blocks, I am excited to take this class and learn more!
Also starting this term were our college services. I am taking two college services, cross-country skiing and cultural visits. For cross-country skiing I help organize the equipment room and do some labelling etc. For cultural visits, I will work with other students to help plan cultural trips to different nearby cities. So far we are just working out which dates would work, but I am extremely excited to begin planning and researching different attractions that we can visit as well as actually going on the trips!
Anyways I do not want to go to bed too late because I need to get up early for skiing so I will end it here. I know that this term holds amazing things and I cannot wait to experience them!
Ciao,
Stephanie

Advertisement