It's hard to believe, but we have been here 4 weeks and next week is the last week of the 1st summer term. We have slipped into a very nice routine that allows us to cover the necessary material and still leave time to enjoy Sevilla. The engineering classes start at 9:00 AM with the presentation of new material and examples. At 10:30, we take a 30 minute break so that we can all go around the corner for a cup of cafe con leche (coffee with milk).
Class starts again at 11:00 with 4 to 5 homework problems. The students are encouraged to discuss the problems and work together. When they get stuck, the professors are there to answer questions. We are generally done with the engineering classes by 1:00 to 1:30 PM. The students go home for lunch, a siesta, and then come back for the afternoon classes at 5:30 PM.
It is an unusual class format that is made possible by this unique environment. The students are doing well and we are covering as much or more material than we would in an on-campus long term class. The relatively small class sizes of approximately 25 make it possible for the students to get individual help when they need it. No one gets left behind. More classroom pictures here.
Our finals will be next Thursday and several of the students will be headed home for other summer activities. We are planning a couple of evening outings for those students to see the Sevilla Cathedral, the Alcazar, and the Plaza de Esapana. They can't go home without experiencing those.
What an amazing adventure for all of the students this term....memories to last a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a great time for all the students. The cafe con leche looks fantastic.
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