So, things were not quite working out where I lived, so yesterday I moved to a new home with a new Uruguayan family in Montevideo, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier.
First off, the family is wonderful. I am living with a mother with her two daughters, one who also goes to UCU and the other who I think is 14 or 15, her son who is maybe 12 or 13, and I am sharing a room with another exchange student from Puerto Rico who also goes to UCU. It is definitely a full house, but that just means more interaction and opportunities to speak Spanish!
Secondly, the apartment they live in is fabulous. There is a 24-hour doorman who lets you in to the building, then I have to take the elevator to the eighth floor. The apartment is very spacious with wooden floors, an awesome view of Montevideo, and, would you believe it, heating! I no longer see my breath at night and can comfortably walk around without having to be bundled up.
Part of the living room and dining area
Hallway
The other part of the living area
At the dining room table
Lastly, one of the best things so far has been all of the interaction and all of the practice I will get speaking Spanish. The family eats dinner together at the dining room table, everyone helps set up and clean before and after meals, the son enjoys watching TV, so I try to watch and understand, and I feel comfortable talking with everyone and asking questions if needed. Needless to say, I am really happy here!
Final good news of the day: I finally received a call from the community service office at the university. I will be meeting with my group on Friday (which consists of three other international students) and we should be finding out what we will be doing, and hopefully we will start next week.
As you can probably tell, things really couldn’t be any better! Now, if only it weren’t for the homework part…
Saludos!
Adventuras Uruguayas 