Incredible!!

I'm finally here at AC and everything is absolutely incredible. I've been so busy but I've finally found time to update this blog. At the moment I'm sitting in the very nice computer lab at the Atlantic College in Wales. Outside the window I can see the Bristol Channel and the beautiful, mind-blowing 700 year old St. Donats castle.
I arrived here a week ago today but it feels like it's been much, much longer! Upon arriving (in a car with my parents and sister) I was enthusiastically greeted by a huge group of my second years loudly banging pots and pans. It was quite an intimidating experience! I moved into my room with my coyear from India, Viveka and my second year from Poland, Ola. My other second year in my room is Rebecca from Ireland but I've yet to meet her becuase she is on a project week in France.
That night I began the lengthy process of learning everybody's names. This is an incredibly difficult process considering there are over 300 new names and many of them are extremely foriegn. Here every introduction is done as "Hi! I'm [name] from [country]!" Everyone here is so nice and inviting and really want to get to know you... it's so refreshing from a lot of normal society.
There are seven houses here with both boys and girls dorms. My house is called Dyfed which is a Welsh word pronounced "Da (rhymes with that)- Vid" I love my house so much even though it is the oldest one and so is falling apart somewhat.
The first few days are already a blur but basically we were kept very very busy with inductions to every aspect of AC life. We took a swimming test of 100 meters (easy!) and chose our classes. At the moment I'm down for taking Higher Level Economics, English, and Spanish and Standard Level Enviornmental Systems, Maths, and Political Thought. I can't wait for classes to start although our second years keep telling us to enjoy our lack of work right now.
On Friday we left for First Year Camp. This is a 3 night event that takes place in St. David's which is about 3 hours from here. We traveled in coaches and arrived in good weather. We slept in military tents so there were about 12 people per tent (it was very cramped!). We stayed on a farm and becuase the tents were set up in a cattle field, there was cowpats EVERYWHERE!!! And they were wet.... and really disgusting.... and got all over everything....
At camp we did a lot of activities. To name a few.... coasteering, surfing, a seven hour hike... it was all great! The good weather lasted the whole time and in that respect we were very very very lucky becuase three days in a row of sunshine here in Wales is nearly unheard of.
We were all very glad to get home (yes I already think of AC as home!) and take a hot shower and sleep in a (relatively) soft bed. All around, camp was a great bonding experience.
The feeling here is everything I hoped it would be. The diversity is amazing here! Right now I'm sitting between a guy from Zambia and a guy from the Czech Republic. Every conversation is new and everyone has a different point of view. Plus we all get to learn the swear words in the most random languages!! Haha.
For the rest of this week we are continuing induction into the services. And on Friday we will be made to choose a service that we will do for all two years. I have NO idea what I'll choose... we'll see. And on Friday evening we finally are given freedom and allowed to leave campus to go into town. And of course there's the "pub induction" which the second years are eagerly awaiting... we'll see. ;)
I miss you all so much and hope everything is great. Thanks everyone who has been commenting!! It's so nice to hear from home!
I haven't had time to take pictures yet but as soon as I do I will post them on here straight away.

Overwhelmed,
Malia