Really?

Just a quick message this evening. Today I went to a very confusing German class then to the introduction for the colloquium. After the introduction there was a reception. Very interesting conversation with Prof. Dr. Marc Frey at the reception. I told him my name and this is what he said, "Ah yes. I remember your application. I didn't think you'd fit in here at Jacobs with your interests." Interests meaning my academic interests in women in religion and women in history. He then suggested I talk to some professor who is the premier Islamic professor in Germany. I'm not quite sure I needed to know that the profs did not think I would fit in. My advisor asked me exactly what I planned to do while I was here as well (only she said it, "Sometimes we cannot tell when students apply what their intentions are. We wondered about yours." Really? I just want to learn and this is a university therefore I should be able to learn at this university.

It was sort of weird. I am pretty sure that I am in culture shock. Not from this in particular, but little things like this are starting to pile up. We'll see how things go.

Love,
Elizabeth