Cliffs, Classes and Castles!

Bore da - Good Morning in Welsh. After a long and confusing process I am officially a student at the University of Bangor, Wales. The registration process here is way different then the one we experience at Central College. To start off we had to look online at all of the modules (classes offered) and match those with the timetables (when the class is offered) which was located on a different website. Once we had schedule set up we had to go to the module fair and get permission from someone in the department in order to take the course. Then take all of our signatures to the international director for him to sign. Once that process was completed we then got to officially registure the next day, which was a long process in its own.
The Saturday morning before classes started a group of my friends and I decided we needed to get out an enjoy the beautiful weather (becasue it doesn't come very often) and nature. We took a 10 minute bus ride to the Snowdonia National Park, and decided that we would climb 3,700ft up to the peak of Mt. Snowdon (the highest peak in the entire UK!) Our group decided that we would be adventurous and take the hard route and create our own path to the peak. We began scrambling through rocks to a near by peak. When we reached the peak we looked out and realized that we were in for a treat. The next mile or so of our journey would consist of us crossing "Crib Goch Traverse" this is a ridge that is only a foot and a half wide and 2,000ft up. I sat there strattling this peak and took a look to my right, a look to my left, and realized one little slip either way would send me tumbling to my death (not to mention I despise heights!) An hour and a half later we finally reached flatter ground and realized we were only half way, and still had one more peak to cross before reaching Snowdon. We met our goal and made it to the peak of Mt. Snowdon and unfortunately by the time we got there the clouds had rolled in and stole our view. After resting a bit at the peak we decided we would take the easy path down the mountain. This path wound down through the mountains past a few beautiful lakes.
After 3 weeks of fun we actually had to start what we came over here to do - be a student. I have found that classes over here a way different than in America. I am taking 5 course but only have class 1 or 2 hours a day. Our classes are broken into 2 different components; lectures which are the whole group meeting 1 time a week and seminars wich are small groups meeting 1 time a week or every other week. The lectures are also taught by multiple professors. My favorite class by far is my Outdoor Pursuits class every Tuesday. I have 8 of my American friends in my class. In OP we have the chance to do a variety of outdoor activities. On our first day of class we went to the Conway Centre and did some team building activities, then got all harnessed up and did a low and high ropes course in the rain. A high ropes course is an obstacle course up in the tree tops using wires, ropes, logs, platforms, and zip lines. The next week we put on full body winter wetsuits and learned how to surf in the Irish Sea. After hours of practicing I finally managed to stand and ride a wave. I can't wait to see what they have in store for us in the weeks to come.
Last weekend Tecwyn brought us on a few more fieldtrips. On Saturday we got to travel to Conwy and tour the Conwy Castle. This is a Norman Castle built by King Edward I, and it still has all its walls surrounding what would've been the midieval town. The trip was made better by our outstanding tour guide. In the city of Conwy we also got to see the smallest house in Great Britain. We then travelled to the city of Llandudno and toured the world's largest underground copper mine. The next day we went to the city of Caernrafon and went to what has been my favorite castle the Caernrafon Castle also built by King Edward I. Tecwyn told us we had 3 hours and let us loose to explore the castle. This castle is where Prince Charles was crowned Prince of Wales.
The weather is back to cold and rainy as our second week of classes are coming to an end. Although I am getting very excited to travel to London this coming weekend to visit some of my friends that are studying there. I am starting to meet more locals and become good friends with my flat mates. Cheers!

For more pictures check out this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30488030@N04/sets/72157607867799593/detail/