It’s not what usually gets talked about, but schoolwork is a significant part of the study abroad experience. My program, Contemporary Issues in China is fairly intense. We have Chinese class throughout the semester and Area Studies courses, which are held in intensive blocks one at a time. Right now I’m in “China in International …
Monthly Archives: March 2013
Not-So-Everyday Happenings
Time is going so quickly, my mind is perpetually confused in some non-existent and illogical time frame. My french language classes are coming to a close this Wednesday (hooray!) and Thursday I leave for a two week home stay in the mountains!!! Near the ocean!!! And a only a day-hike away from Spain!!! I’ve been …
Living in German Dorm
Everyone who lives in a US college dorm know that the best way to get to know people is leaving your dorm doors open. In Germany however, people like to close their doors. This does not mean that they are trying to avoid you though. Every time I have needed anything I just go and …
Unexpected & Beautiful: Chengdu
This past weekend was a long travel weekend, so we had Friday off of classes. On Thursday night, I flew with two of my friends to the city of Chengdu (成都) in the Sichuan Province of western China. We originally decided to go there because it is the only place in the world where you …
And it starts with a snooze
11 Am- I wake up to the sound of alarm and react to it exactly like anyone else. I snooze it. That’s how my day starts. Everyone has their daily routines for their day and I have realized how they have differed from what I do back in Hope College. 11:30 Am- By the time …
Okay, perhaps this photo is a bit deceiving as today we got snow in Toulouse, but a few short days ago this was life after classes, sun-bathing on the banks of the Garrone. Such bliss!!! I seem to have somehow entered a glorious place in my study abroad experience: the demands of the language are …
Cultural Shock..Hurts!
Despite the title of this blog, I am thankful for and LOVING everyday here in Valparaiso! Waking up to my host dad having toast, cheese and coffee all set out for me (breakfast of champions, right?), rounding the corner of my barrio and seeing the sparkling Pacific and the faint shape of Battleship game pieces floating on the horizon. And everyday I get to …
Cultural Differences – By the Numbers
17 minutes – How late my class at University of Granada usually starts. Spain is quite relaxed with their sense of time, and it takes so much of the stress off. 106 people – The capacity of the normal sized bus in Granada that would probably hold 50 or 60 people in the US. Twice – The number …
Study but do not stress out
This has been a slow week compared to the previous ones. No matter where you are or what you are doing there is one thing that we all will have to focus on while studying abroad; that part is studying. Studying abroad is not just about travelling and getting to know your host country but …
Buenas desde Chile!
¡Buenos Finalmente desde Vina del Mar, Chile! After spending what seemed to be a second summer vacation at home in eastern Michigan ( expect for the snow part 😉 ) I am finally in Vina de Mar, starting my semester with SIT Study Abroad. After only a week here, I have had too many new …
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