21 Sep First impressions: Classes at SFSU

Last week I started my semester at San Francisco State University. Back at home, in Amsterdam, I study Literary and Cultural Analysis and I am planning on rounding up a minor in Gender and Sexuality studies. This is why I chose to attend classes about these subjects here at SFSU as well. What I particularly enjoy is that compared to the University of Amsterdam, SFSU has very niche courses about rather specific subjects. Due to budget cuts, the minor I want to finish includes less and less courses to choose from every year. Here at San Francisco State, I get to learn about LGBTQ+ Cultures and Society and I am able to follow the course: “Feminism and the Speculative”. These are all classes that are not taught at my home university.

Besides a wide array of different subjects, I also find the people at SFSU, and in San Francisco in general, so kind and welcoming. On Sunday I tabled at a zine fair in the County Building in Golden Gate Park, where I encountered the most warmhearted community of zinemakers. Everyone at my stand seemed super interested in my zine and gladly told me about what other places I should attend. They gave me recommendations including cool bookshops like Green Apple Books in the Richmond District, Dog Eared Books and Needles & Pens on Valencia. I bought a couple of zines as well, and purchased a set of stickers by ‘Queer the Nation’ which I put on my notebook. A zine fair is the perfect place to explore a local art scene, and also get yourself some cute goodies.

The students in my classes seem to be really into the subject matter: They appear to be motivated and where theory lacks, they can support arguments with their own experiences. Especially in my LGBTQ+ Cultures and Society class, my professor has created an extremely comfortable situation in which everyone can share their thoughts and ask any question (if they ask it respectfully). Another class I take, called Images of Eroticism, also feels like a pleasant learning environment. The subject is dealt with delicately and the professor gives content warnings whenever it is necessary.

Of course I am only in my second week of classes, but for now I have been nothing but enthusiastic about my time here in San Francisco. If anyone has any more recommendations regarding zine fairs, interesting exhibitions or cute bookshops, please find me on Facebook and shoot me a message!

Lots of love,
Tessel ten Zweege