I’m in Oaxaca!

Bienvenidos!

I have officially been abroad for four weeks through SIT’s Migration, Borders, and Transnational Communities program! While the first week of our program started in Tucson, Arizona, I have officially been in Oaxaca, Mexico for three weeks now, and I’m excited to begin sharing insights into my life abroad through the Off-Campus Study Blog!

Arrival to Tucson

As my program launch date continued to approach, there were many mixed feelings involved–excitement, fear, anticipation, anxiety, and most of all, hope. When I arrived at the airport, I hugged my parents goodbye, turned towards the security gate, and then I was off! While there were some minor hiccups, such as delays and re-books, overall, my flight went smoothly. I even got upgraded to first class on my flight to Tucson! Before I knew it, I arrived at my destination, paid for an Uber to the hotel SIT staff organized for me, dropped off my suitcases, and walked to an Airbnb about 5 minutes away. I was greeted kindly by my program directors, classmates, and delicious pizza (which I was very excited for after a long day of travel).

Class Structure

For my program, our first week was spent in Tucson, Arizona, and it served as both orientation and classes. SIT focuses on experiential learning, which means that while we have classes, our learning also consists of many lectures and excursions. In Tucson, we spent the week learning from professors, journalists, and organizations about humanitarian issues along the border, and we also visited the wall separating the United States and Mexico.

In Oaxaca, we have a more formal schedule that consists of four classes that alternate daily, and our weekends mainly consist of excursions to various parts of Mexico. My housemate and I walk to class every day, which is about a 10-minute walk from our house. Much of our classwork consists of readings and reflections, and within the class, there are lots of discussions. On the weekends, we will usually have excursions to various parts of Mexico. While our directors are there to teach us, they have also been eager to learn from us and hear our opinions, thoughts, and feelings about what we see and experience!

Adjusting and Adapting

Upon arriving in Oaxaca, I was immediately enamored by all the color and the vibrant feel of the city. There is color everywhere, from the color of the buildings to the handicrafts that vendors sell on the streets. Additionally, Oaxaca is very culturally rich–full of life, delicious food, and amazing people! Upon my first glance, I felt that studying abroad in Oaxaca was a match made in heaven!

However, once I settled in with my host family, I began to feel the effects of both culture shock and homesickness. I vividly remember my first meal with my host mom. During our meal, I struggled to speak even one full sentence in Spanish. After we finished, I went back to my room and cried, questioning my decision to pursue a program that would be conducted entirely in Spanish. I felt very overwhelmed and in over my head.

I will admit that even after four weeks, I am still adjusting. However, living with a host family has definitely been a huge help in my adjustment. Over time, I have found it easier to have conversations in Spanish (although still very short). Additionally, she has been a great resource for all the questions I might have about life in the city. My host mom is very kind, funny, and attentive, not to mention an amazing cook. I have yet to have a meal that is not delicious!

While I still miss the stability and comfort of life back home, I am excited to continue learning and growing amidst moments of challenge. Thank you for being here, and I hope you’ll continue to tag along!

Enjoying the Marathon

Philip McGraw once said, “Life’s a marathon, not a sprint.” It’s been just over five weeks since I arrived in Vilnius and had my first taste of Lithuania. The initial week was a whirlwind of orientation, acclimation, and establishing a new routine.

Subsequent weeks have seen increasing sunlight and warmth, along with a settled weekly rhythm. Weekdays are filled with academic pursuits, complemented by spontaneous ice cream runs, visits to local coffee shops, group movie nights, and extracurricular activities like intercultural dance classes and worship nights. Weekends offer opportunities for exploring Klaipeda, grocery shopping, spiritual growth, and culinary experimentation.

Enjoying gelato with friends in Klaipeda

Amidst the excitement and daily adventures, there have been moments of personal challenge, cultural learning, and community building. Transitioning to a new culture is never easy, but as Theodore Roosevelt said, “Nothing worth having comes easily.” Below, I’ve shared some brief excerpts highlighting some of my adventures, growth, and learning experiences.

Study session with Agathe!
Adventures in the Kitchen

At LCC students are expected to prepare most of their meals themselves. While I do not consider myself a kitchen expert, I ambitiously decided to make potato soup during the first week of classes. Thinking it couldn’t be too difficult, especially since I was feeling cold and soup sounded comforting, I spent two hours in the grocery store gathering ingredients. Despite returning confidently to the dorms, ready to showcase my culinary skills, the two-hour shopping trip turned out to be just a taste of the commitment required to make this soup.

Making potato soup

I began my cooking adventure around 5:00 PM, expecting to eat by 6:00 PM. However, after peeling five pounds of potatoes and putting them on the stove to cook, I realized they would take much longer to cook than anticipated. Additionally, I discovered I didn’t have a potato masher or blender. Despite these setbacks, after about three hours, several burns, and many moments of doubt, I managed to create a delicious soup.

Although the process was laborious, the taste made it worthwhile, which was a good thing considering the large quantity I made ensured I would have soup for weeks to come. In fact, I’m currently in week five and still have some frozen in my freezer for a special occasion!

Dancing to Intercultural Rhythms

Every Thursday night, LCC hosts intercultural dance classes where participants learn about the cultural background of various dances and practice basic steps. I’ve been introduced to traditional Lithuanian folk dances, dances from Mozambique, and American East Coast swing through these classes. Despite not being a great dancer, I found it enjoyable to explore other cultures and traditions through dance.

Lithuanian folk dance involves flowing skirts for women and heavy jackets for men, along with group weaving movements, rhythmic clapping, and partner spinning. It was fun getting dizzy with friends and trying not to embarrass myself too much.

Participating in traditional dancing at a Lithuanian festival

Swing classes were enjoyable for a different reason. I convinced my sister to join, and we spent the evening messing up, flinging each other into turns, and stepping on toes while attempting the Charleston together. It amazed me how beautiful it was to learn a somewhat familiar dance like swing in an intercultural setting with classmates from around the world. Dance seems to transcend cultural barriers, uniting us despite our diverse backgrounds and experiences. 

My sister and I practicing swing dancing!
Becoming a Real Traveler

It was a beautiful Saturday morning when the recently exposed green grass glittered in bright sunlight when my sister and I decided to take an excursion to visit the Klaipeda travel center. The start of our trip went flawlessly — the bus we wanted to take showed up on time and deposited us exactly where we needed to be.

As we stepped off the bus, we were met by a beautiful city, warmth, and sunshine that made it so we were positively skipping down the cobblestone pathways. However, when we arrived, the center was dark inside. It turned out that the travel shop was not open on the weekends. So we changed our plans, strolled through the beautiful old town of Klaipeda, took a photo in Theater Square where Hitler gave a speech, and walked up a tiny staircase. Although our original plans did not work, we still had a wonderful experience and learned how to slow down to acclimate to the pace of life in Lithuania. 

While I’m sure there are many more experiences to come, that’s all for now! Thank you for joining me on this adventure!

Ciao!

I have now spent about three weeks in Milano so I thought I would recap! 

Arrival

I landed in Milan, Italy on the morning of Monday, January 22. My flights went smoothly and my luggage did not get lost, so praise Jesus for that! I then taxied to my apartment with some people in my program and after a tour of the building and unpacking, IES treated us to dinner at a local pizzeria. Then, it was off to bed! I was exhausted after a long day and a half of travel with little sleep. 

Week 1

The following day we began orientation by learning how to use the metro to get to the IES center, as well as a tour of their new center building, and some informational presentations. 

The rest of my week consisted of travel around Milan including visiting the Duomo for the first time & stumbling across a beautiful church, too. 

To end the week, I attended my first IES field trip where we were bused to a parmesan cheese a balsamic vinegar factory. I was able to try a balsamic vinegar that was aged for 100 years – how crazy is that! We concluded the day by going to the Ferrari museum, and that was very cool.

Week 2

I began my two-week Italian intensive class. We met every day Monday through Friday for 2.5 hours at the IES Center to learn some basic vocabulary, verb conjugations, greetings, pronunciation, and numbers. It was really fun to get to know some of my classmates – one of them is from Wisconsin too!

My second weekend in Europe I spent in London! My roommate at Hope, Macy, is studying at IES London so it was lovely to see her there and tour the city she’s been living in! Coincidentally, three other Hope students spent their winter break in London so it was quite the Hope College reunion — shoutout to Elsie, Clara, and Haley! Macy took me to almost every major attraction in London in just one day — that trip has been my favorite memory of my abroad experience so far.

Week 3

Our Italian intensive class continued this week and on Tuesday IES treated us to a light lunch at a local cafe so we could practice our Italian with the vocabulary we had learned so far. It was a success!

In addition to all-day field trips, IES Milan also puts together a list of “bucket list” items that students can sign up for. On Tuesday, I attended an Italian cinema to watch a movie (with English subtitles) that was entirely filmed in Milan. The movie was called L’ultima notte di Amore (Amore’s Last Night). It was a thrilling movie with an enthralling plotline that kept us engaged the whole time. While we watched the movie, we were served a traditional Italian aperitivo.

That’s all for now! I can’t believe I’ve already been here for three weeks, but I’m so excited for the adventures I have planned. Arrivederci e a presto!

A Weekend in County Cork

Cork, County Cork, Ireland

It’s about a three-hour drive to Cork from Dublin. Piled into the bus, we rode past brilliant green fields, dotted occasionally with sheep and cows. Rain slipped down the windows for much of the drive but the sun emerged as we entered Cork City. Like Dublin, a river runs through the city which is the second largest in the Republic of Ireland.

That afternoon, we were led on a walking tour of the historic city, past iconic sites like St. Anne’s Church, where I saw the first rainbow of the trip, and The Butter Museum. Built on a marsh, we crossed both the right and left channels of the River Lee, exploring the city center which rests on the original island. At Elizabeth Fort, I climbed to the top of the ramparts, the river below, and houses and churches dotting the landscape in front of me. Here, too, I was graced by a rainbow. As the walking tour drew to a close, we explored the grounds of St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral and walked through the iconic English Market which sells locally produced meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables… the list goes on.

In the evening, I explored the city center on my own. Although I’ve never been to Cork, I felt at home in the city, able to navigate the winding streets easily. Chances are, it’s because I’ve spent the past month in Dublin. After living predominantly in small towns, city life has definitely been an adjustment. I explored bookshops and wandered my absolute favorite store, Søstrene Grene. Inside, it’s set up in a loop of booths which are categorized by type of item. Everything is carefully made and, dangerously, in my favorite pale greens and pinks.

Cobh and Spike Island

Up bright and early Saturday morning and it’s back on the bus for the quick drive to Cobh (pronounced Cove). The town is right on the harbor, colorful buildings climbing the cliff. Even in the rain, it was beautiful. Hiking up to St. Colman’s Cathedral, bells range over the city, announcing morning Mass. The belfry contains a 49-bell Carillon, the largest in Ireland. The sound was truly majestic, as were the views from the top of the hill, looking out over the city center and the harbor. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to check out the Titanic Museum–Cobh was the last place the Titanic stopped before heading to New York.

At eleven sharp, I boarded the ferry to Spike Island, AKA Ireland’s Alcatraz. Initially used as a monastic outpost, the island functioned as a prison from 1779 to 2004. The prison only closed in 2004–the same year I was born–becoming a functioning museum in 2016. Historically significant, the island catalogues 1300 years of Irish history.

Whilst on the island, I explored the 24-acre Fort Mitchel, walking through the cold, dark punishment block, up the six bastions or lookout points, and past the timeworn shells of prison buildings. It was truly haunting walking through the grounds alone, with only the sound of the wind in my ears and the seagulls calling. I stared into two-story buildings open to the sky, trees growing inside, vines coating the walls, floorboards sloping in defeat.

Leaving the Fort, I walked down the hill to the abandoned village. Houses, a school, family stories, and history were abandoned to the elements following the prison riot of 1985. Many of the roofs had caved in, the earth seeking to reclaim its own. I wondered how long it would be before the woods swallowed the village, if these buildings could be fully erased.

As my time on the island drew to a close, I walked along the shore, rocks and shells crunching beneath my feet. I couldn’t shake the feeling of sadness, the history of the island weighing heavily upon me. Whilst walking along the shore, I found numerous pieces of broken crockery: plates, bottles, perhaps cups… all thrown into the harbor when the British evacuated the island in 1938 after finally signing it over to the Irish.

Blarney Castle and Gardens

On the last day of the trip, we drove about fifteen minutes to Blarney Castle and the surrounding gardens. I’m sure you know the castle–it houses the famous Blarney Stone which is said to give the gift of eloquence once kissed. And yes, I did kiss the Stone because…why not? When else will I have the opportunity?

The air was crisp as I stepped off the bus, brushing against my cheeks and rustling through my hair. I walked past vibrant green fields, showered with sunshine and the blue of the sky. Through the gates, ticket in hand, Blarney Castle rose before me, partially hidden by the soaring trees. The gray-brown branches were still bare, twining into the sky like arms raised in supplication, not yet the flourishing shade that would be formed come summer. The castle was still a long way off along a winding path up the hill. Crossing the bridge, I climbed the path toward the castle, past purple, white, yellow flowers pushing up from the soft, rich soil.

Standing amidst the gardens, my body relaxed. There was a river running through the grounds and everything was soft and green and quiet. Captured by the riverbank, the water was crystal clear, rippling over stones and small plants. Birdsong filtered through the trees along with the sunlight, creating a patchwork against the brilliant blue sky.

Ahead, there was a crossroads, one side leading to the castle and the other to the gardens. Stepping toward the gardens, I could see the entrance of a cave which, obviously, I had to explore. The floor of the cave was muddy, moisture streaking the walls. Mosses and minuscule fern fronds crept from the rocks, taking life into their own hands, refusing to be denied. Outside the cave, on the high stone walls, vegetation clung to life, coating the stones in kelly, chartreuse, forest greens. 

I climbed slick stairs set into the hill and emerged on a mulch path. The earth was springy beneath my feet and I could smell the nutty scent of its decay, the cycle of death to new life. The scent rested heavily on my shoulders, against my tongue, connecting me to the earth in a manner absent from the stone of the city. Fallen leaves squished beneath my feet and ferns brushed against my ankles. If I stood still, all I could hear was the birds chirping, the wind in the trees, the water bubbling below, the sound of my breath rushing out in a sigh as the knot of tension resting between my shoulders evaporated. 

Following the path, I passed by centuries-old stone structures, weathered, nearly overtaken by the growth of the forest and its determination to regain its own. In the fern garden, I watched as water spluttered down rocks into the pool below. The ferns here were different, like little trees rather than those that rest close to the earth. Vines curled down the hillside, reminding me of the mountain paths of my home. 

Soon, I emerged from the depths of the gardens to the tangle of red and pink camellias leading up to the castle itself. I ran past an old lime kiln, and paused to stand at the top as though this was my domain. I passed an ancient tree that was bigger than anything I’d ever seen. Stepping into the cocoon of its branches, the world was muffled and the air was cooler. From the main trunk, branches dipped back into the ground, rising again perhaps ten feet away. They were all connected, these trees, standing strong throughout centuries. 

Closer to the wall, I entered the poison garden or, as the sign jokingly called it, the carnivorous courtyard. The plants in this garden, hidden behind the battlements, were carefully curated, contrasting with the wild green of the estate. Some plants even rested in cages. Here lay wolfsbane and mandrake, chamomile, and rhubarb. As the saying goes, these plants could kill me or cure me. It’s a chance I wonder if someday I’ll take. I think I’d like to run off to these woods and never look back. Maybe one day my feet will find their way here again. 

To be honest, the grounds were far more impressive and impactful than the Castle itself. I think I may have a new favorite place and I do not say that lightly as someone obsessed with traveling and exploring new places. Then again, perhaps it’s because I’m a country girl at heart and I miss being immersed in nature. Either way, I’m convinced no one could ever be sad in a place this beautiful.

48 Hours in London, England

My alarm goes off at 2:30 am, pulling me out of a deep sleep. Despite attempting to prepare for this early morning by going to bed around 8 pm, the sound of my alarm is still painful. Still, I jumped out of bed as quickly as I could, using my adrenaline to motivate me.

Flicking my light on, I pulled on tights, a skirt, and a fitted top. My outfit is a monochromatic black, matching the bow in my hair. It may be early for such an outfit, but there will be no time to stop throughout the day. I may as well be prepared. I shoved the last of my belongings into my tiny backpack before heading to the kitchen where I gulped down a cup of steaming coffee and ate some breakfast. Even in the middle of the night, I will always love breakfast.

Accompanied by two of my roommates, I left the apartment at 3:00 am, catching an airport bus alongside the River Liffey at 3:30 am. From there, it’s a 45-minute drive to the airport where we made our way through security and to the gate. It’s my first time flying out of Dublin Airport and my first time flying Ryanair. Needless to say, we arrived in plenty of time for the 6:15 am flight to London Stansted. I was lucky enough to be assigned a window seat along the wing–my favorite seat–and to be able to watch an absolutely stunning sunrise. These simple beauties never grow old to me.

Once in London’s city center, I made my way to Trafalgar Square which we had pre-determined as our reference point for day one. Two of my companies had popped to the hostel to drop their bags so I had time to explore some of the bookshops that were on my list. First, I wandered through Cecil Court, a small pedestrian street with adorable Victorian shop fronts. Since the 1930s, it’s been called Booksellers Row, hence my desire to visit it. I also made my way to Waterstones Piccadilly which is Europe’s largest bookshop. There are plenty of other Waterstones locations but this one in particular houses over eight miles of bookshelves. Absolutely wild. I literally had to be dragged away.

Meeting up with the rest of my group, we walked through St. James Park toward Buckingham Palace. Even before the Palace came into view, I recognized the street leading up to it from years of watching royal weddings, etc. In the park itself, flowers sprang from the ground and birds covered the protected waterway. I simply had to stop and smell the scent of the flowers on the warm wind. Flowers, at the beginning of February. Nothing could be more magical.

Following our brief glimpse of Buckingham Palace, we walked through the city streets to Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. The area is simply beautiful, full of little streets just begging to be explored. Funnily enough, until standing there in person, I hadn’t realized how close these sites were to each other.

That said, we soon moved on, taking the Tube to Camden Market where we spent the afternoon. The Market is literally massive, full of eclectic shops selling leather, vintage clothing, touristy souvenirs, jewelry, and food of all kinds. To be honest, it was rather overwhelming. Online, photos I had seen only showed one strip–that of the colorful umbrellas. Let’s just say it took up probably two and a half hours to find this street. I almost started thinking it was in a different market altogether.

And, at long last, the showstopper that was the evening. For dinner, we went to a restaurant called Bella Italia which was genuinely one of the best meals of my life. The service was amazing and the staff were very aware of my allergies. Eating at restaurants typically makes me anxious but I did not worry the whole time I was here. On this occasion, I splurged on a two-course meal which included tomato bruschetta with delicious gluten-free bread, and a plate of pollo cacciatore even though I don’t typically like noodles. If I’m ever in London again, I will go back.

Following dinner, we walked about a block to the Sondheim Theatre where we had tickets to see Les Miserables. We were practically in the roof, but I didn’t care. Seeing a show on the West End has been on my bucket list forever and to have the show be the story that got me into musicals… It was magical. The set and lighting designs were so intricate and, combined with the music and acting, it was everything I ever imagined it could be.

Day two in London began with an Americano in Costa Coffee. Here’s where things get interesting… obviously, nowhere close had any gluten-free options. To cut a long story short, I did’t end up eating until about 7 in the evening. Luckily, I didn’t feel hungry until then either.

Taking the Tube, we walked to London Bridge which, honestly, was ridiculously underwhelming. It’s literally just… a bridge. Nothing special besides the name. At any rate, we crossed it and walked to St. Paul’s Cathedral where we stood up at the majestic building. After a while, we walked in the opposite direction along the River Thames, passing the Tower of London. Although I have always wanted to explore this historic site, we did not make it inside. Tickets were already expensive and the exchange rate between pounds and dollars is honestly terrible. Traveling on a budget, we simply couldn’t justify the cost. Still, at least it’s an excuse to return to London one day.

Crossing the Tower Bridge, my travel partners and I wandered into Borough Market, home of the TikTok famous chocolate-covered strawberries. The market was packed with tourists and locals on their lunch breaks. I loved the anonymity of the crowd, the bustle, and the vibrancy of foods, colors, and accents. There were so many arrays of pastries and fruits, drinks, etc.

At the end of the market, we popped into a Tube station and traveled to the British Museum. When I say I booked it through the exhibits, I mean it. I had about an hour and a half to explore which may sound like plenty of time, but the museum is massive. Still, I managed to see everything on my list: the Greek, Etruscan, Roman, and Egyptian exhibits, the Rosetta Stone, and the Parthenon exhibit. Standing in the presence of historical artifacts I spent my entire education to this point studying never grows old.

After a pit stop at our hostel in Elephant and Castle, I convinced one of my friends to go to Evensong at Westminster Abbey with me. Bear in mind that Evensong started at 5:00 pm and we left the hostel at about 4:25. We made it onto our train and should have had plenty of time but the train just kept sitting on the tracks with the doors open. Heart racing and palms sweating, I stared at my watch as the time ticked down. We probably sat there for five minutes before the doors closed. By the time we made it to our stop, we had ten minutes to go before Evensong started and a sixteen-minute walk.

We literally sprinted through the Tube station, emerging where our adventure had begun the day before. Sprinting along the Thames, we passed the London Eye as Big Ben began to chime the hour. We were out of time but we didn’t give up. At about five past, we made it to Westminster and were ushered inside. The building is truly majestic and the acoustics of the choir, the organ, and the harp created a melody like none I’d heard before. We recited the Apostle’s Creed and Scriptures were read over us. Sitting in Westminster that Saturday night, my body relaxed and my eyes closed, taking in the Bible in a way different from how I do at home. Worship in different countries reveals the truth of a global church. The word of the Lord is truly living and breathing, even in scheduled services.

Back at the hostel after eating a burger and rosemary-dusted chips for dinner, I set my alarm for 4:15 am. It was yet another early morning and I was absolutely exhausted at this point. But that’s the nature of insane international trips whilst studying abroad. Homework is crammed around adventure. Early mornings lead to forever memories. I’ll never forget riding a red double-decker bus in London or taking a train back to the airport. I’ll never forget absolutely sprinting through the streets, sweating and laughing, to Westminster Abbey.

These are the stories I will tell for the rest of my life.

Hello From Amman!

Arriving and Orientation

I began my semester in Amman, Jordan, a little over three weeks ago with SIT’s Refugees, Health, and Humanitarian Action program! After three flights, delayed planes, canceled trains, and very long Uber rides, I landed safely in the country I am so fortunate to call home for three months. I was welcomed at the airport around midnight by the very gracious staff at SIT, who continued to be just as welcoming as they had been on the first day. Arriving in Jordan at night, I only saw a little of the city as we were quickly shuffled into taxis, which took us to our hotel. But, in the morning, I was met with the beautiful city, and I am eager to continue exploring.

Looking out onto the skyline of Amman

During the first few days of the program, the staff and students all participate in orientation designed to give a “crash course” in all the basic skills we need to get started. One of the core elements of my program is taking Arabic classes, which drew me to this specific program. The first full day, the group of 16 students was put into a large conference room where we played games to test our Arabic skills. Knowing only a few introductory phrases, I was struck by how overwhelmed I felt after the quick Arabic lesson. I am one of only a few students who have yet to take a single Arabic class and was placed in the absolute beginner section, where we are slowly learning the alphabet, numbers, and days of the week.

Host Family

After orientation, we were placed with our host families, where we would be living for the rest of the semester. This was one of the things I was most nervous about prior to the beginning of the program. To my relief, I was placed with a family of five who welcomed me with open arms, and I have greatly enjoyed spending the last few weeks doing life with them! I have four host siblings who have all been very eager to help me with my Arabic vocabulary as well as play card games and soccer whenever we can find the time. A few of my friends from the program have been placed with my “host uncles and aunts,” who all live in the same building and neighborhood, meaning I have also gotten to know my new cousins! While there are certainly still moments of adjusting and learning how to fit into my new host family’s life, I could not have asked for a better opportunity and will cherish my time with them these next few months.

Coloring with my host sister, my host family’s cat (Chaba), and one of my favorite meals my host mom has made me – Koshari

Classes

Orientation and host family placement were such a whirlwind that the thought of academic classes was so far out of my mind until they began! Sunday through Thursday I have full days of classes, with two of them dedicated to various aspects of humanitarian action policy in the Middle East and exploring access to health care and support for refugees. SIT practices an experiential learning model, meaning our education is not confined to just the classroom. We have had a few really enjoyable weekend excursions to Jerash, Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife, and the Citadel, and we have more planned for Petra, the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum later in the semester. Every Tuesday, we also visit local NGOs and IGOs dedicated to the work of humanitarian aid in the Middle East, tour the facilities, and interview the staff as we prepare to intern at the sites later in the semester.

Walking through Jerash

Learning to be Uncomfortable

In many of the Off-Campus study orientations I participated in, I often heard that there would be times of discomfort and adjustment and that stepping into a culture different from my own would take a significant amount of cultural humility and grace with myself and those around me. In my first three weeks in Amman, I am definitely finding this to be true! Living in a country where I cannot speak the primary language has been one of the most significant adjustments I have had to make. While I am picking up the basic knowledge of Arabic much faster than I initially thought, I am finding it an incredibly humbling experience to be entirely dependent on some form of translation at all times. I am sure that the next few months will pose more uncomfortable opportunities for me – and I hope they do. If it were not for the moments I would have initially deemed ‘uncomfortable,’ I may never have gotten to experience a fraction of what I already have or heard the stories of those so gracious enough to trust in vulnerability.

Taken at the Citadel

I am loving this city I get to call home for a short time and hope to seek discomfort whenever the opportunity presents itself – It is already such a worthwhile experience!

Thank you so much for following my journey to Amman! May we all learn to love seeking discomfort where we find ourselves.

New Things in Granada!

I officially have my first week of living in Granada, Spain under my belt! What a beautiful city with so many things to offer! In this blog post, I will share some of the NEW things I have experienced in Granada!

Lema nueva (New Motto)

Say “YES” to everything that is SAFE!

I have decided that this is my motto for my semester here in Granada. A semester feels like a pretty long time, but when we received a singular sheet of printer paper that had our entire semester mapped out, I began to realize how quickly time is going to fly. So, my motto for this semester is to say yes to every opportunity or experience that is safe (you’re welcome for adding that last part, Dad).

Amigos nuevos (New Friends)

  • A selfie of two girls.
  • Four girls standing in front of an outlook to the Alhambra.
  • A table with four plates of food and three girls smiling.
  • A selfie of two girls outside.
  • Three girls standing together holding cookies.
  • Three girls sitting on a rock with a large bridge behind them.
  • A selfie of two girls.;
  • A BeReal with a professor on one side and a class full of students on the other side.

Comidas/Bebidas nuevas (New Foods/Drinks)

The drinking culture in Europe is super interesting! It is much more casual here and it is frowned upon to drink alcohol without also eating food at the same time. Because drinking is such a large part of the culture here, there are many drinks available that offer various amounts of alcohol so that everyone can partake!

  • A photo of a bowl of soup on a table.
  • A picture of a plate with two fried croquetas of chicken and sliced tomato.
  • A picture of a table with cheese, ham, bread, and wine glasses on it.
  • A picture of chocolate ice cream with a wafer.
  • A picture of a wine glass full of liquid and an empty bottle next to it.
  • A picture of a mug of hot chocolate and a plate of churros on a table.
  • A picture of a plate with rice, a fried egg, and a plantain.
  • A picture of a bottle of kombucha.
  • A picture of an açaí bowl.
  • A picture of a bowl of pasta salad with bowtie noodles.
  • A picture of two pastries.
  • A picture of a cup of coffee with whipped cream and a candy straw.

Vistas Nuevas (New Views)

It is so crazy to take in and process all of the views here! Do not fear, Hope College people, nothing could ever beat the Campus Ministries front porch, the barstools at Lemonjello’s with friends, the egg chair in my cottage (shoutout Pieter’s Cott girls!), or the top floor of Western Sem Library, but these views are pretty incredible!

  • A picture of a patio full of plants
  • A picture of a beautiful view with the Alhambra.
  • A picture of a giant cathedral.
  • A picture of a sunny room with many windows.
  • A picture of an orange tree.
  • A picture of a girl standing in front of a large bridge.
  • A picture of many white houses climbing up a mountain.
  • A picture of mountains and a sunset.
  • A picture of the street with hearts hanging in the air.
  • A picture of a coffee shop!

The Cool News Is, You’re On Your Own Now

The days are long, but the time is short. That’s how I would summarize my first two weeks here in Dublin. Right now, it’s the beginning of the third week of my program and I have a heightened awareness of how little time I really have to explore. To put it into perspective, there are about 88 days left in my program. Fewer days than when I started my countdown for arrival.

Sitting with this realization, I’ve realized every moment has a weight. Every moment is an opportunity to get out and explore, to go to museums or sit in parks and observe locals following their routines in places that are extraordinary. And, of course, there is still a “study” in studying abroad. I’m still learning to balance homework and adventure. Perhaps more importantly, every day I learn more about myself.

Classes Three Days A Week…

Last week was the first week of class here in Dublin. Starting that week was an exciting mystery. Yes, we had schedules and had chosen classes before the start of term, but we were also allowed to shop classes or sit in on classes just for fun. We are only in class three days a week, Tuesday through Thursday. Each class is two and a half hours long although our instructors tend to give us a break midway through to stretch our legs. I say ‘instructor’ because, here in Ireland, the term ‘professor’ is only used for the top tier of a university. We are invited to call our instructors by their first names, adding a layer of intimacy and connection into the classroom although we are still held to a high academic standard.

Although I sat in on the first session of Irish Playwriting, I ultimately chose to stick to my original schedule. On Tuesday, I take History of Ireland: 1798-1922 in the afternoon. So far, I’ve spent the morning studying, meal planning, and wandering the many public parks. Even in January, the grass is shockingly green and there are bright yellow clusters of flowers. I’ve yet to find a four-leafed clover, but, then, I’ve only ever found one in my life.

On Wednesday, my day begins bright and early with a 9am short story class called The Shadows We Cast. So far, unsurprisingly, it’s been one of my favorites. In the States, where I can walk across the street, 9am isn’t particularly early. In Dublin, I have a thirty-minute walk from my accommodations to the IES Abroad center. It’s a beautiful walk though, past coffee shops, pubs, the canal. Stepping onto the streets, I join the rush of the morning commute as faint streaks of color paint the sky, fading into a cloudy blue with the wind. After eating a sandwich and relaxing for an hour, I’m ready for my poetry class called The Finest Music. The class is a mixture of lectures and workshops, exploring who we are and the world around us.

And that brings me to Thursday. In the morning, I have an Immersion Writing class called Write Here, Write Now. I’ve never taken a nonfiction class before and I am excited for what this opportunity will bring. The course is a combination of memoir, travel writing, journalism, etc. Finally, in the afternoon, most of my programme congregates in the upstairs classroom for Celtic Myth and Legend. From what I’ve read so far, Irish mythology is fantastic and there are little to no rules when it comes to the magic system which perfectly suits me. It’s made up anyway, after all.

Four Day Weekends Means Travel…

When it comes to travel, so far I’ve only taken a few day trips although I’ve got some really cool plans coming up. Our first weekend here, IES took us to a coastal town called Howth which was absolutely darling and easily accessible by taking the DART from Dublin. While exploring, we came across an old church, just the walls left, standing in the center of a graveyard. Many of the graves were relatively recent, but there was one that particularly struck me. Resting against the ancient, abandoned church, was a cross, split in two. There was something deeply poetic about it, carrying both sadness and hope. Because it’s still there, a testament to the passage of time and the eternal. No matter where I look, I see God, be it in a graveyard or in a rainbow from St. Patrick’s Green.

This weekend, some of my more exciting travel plans begin. I’m going to London with some of my roommates for the weekend. I’ll be checking at least two things off my bucket list– London itself and seeing a show on the West End. We’ve got tickets to see Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre, a show I’ve been obsessed with since I was a little girl. The week after that, IES is taking us on a weekend trip to Cork which is about a 3.5-hour drive from Dublin which I’m excited about as well.

Learning, Growing, Becoming

To close out this blog post, I’ve decided to list some of the ways I’ve already grown or experienced that rest outside my comfort zone at home. They’re small things, but they’re important to me, especially as I look to move out of the dorms next year and learn how to live more independently.

  • Slowly, but surely, I’m learning how to cook! My two biggest successes so far are: the French Toast I made Sunday morning–drizzled with honey and dusted with cinnamon– and the Baked Feta with Hasselback Potatoes I made earlier this week. When I tell you I’ve never made anything better, I’m not kidding. Y’all need to try it.
  • I’m learning how to explore on my own! My dependence on Google Maps lessens by the day as I learn to turn by the twinkle lights or the blue building or the random palm trees. Unfortunately, street signs still make no sense to me.
  • I went to the National Museum of Ireland–Archeology after class. This may seem like a natural thing to do while exploring a new city and country, but the key is after class. I’m the kind of person that prioritises academics, so learning for my own pleasure is always impactful. The exhibits were fascinating and the building was incredibly atmospheric. I particularly found the exhibit about the peat bogs fascinating. In the collection, the museum exhibited four bog bodies, something I have wanted to see and learn more about since I read Karen Russell’s The Bog Girl in a creative writing class at Hope.

That’s all for now, friends! Thanks for sticking ’round till the end–I know this was a long one!

I’m Off to Granada!!

(With a few pitstops along the way:)

WOW!! I can’t believe that I am writing a blog for Hope Off-Campus right now, AKA, I can’t believe I am about to start a semester ABROAD!

Preparing for this crazy adventure has surprised me in so many ways. In moments that I thought I would struggle to say goodbye and leave my communities, I have been faced with excitement for what is to come and hope that my friendships from home will remain intact despite physical distance. Rather than anxiously packing the night before my flight, I prepared weeks in advance. Crazy how much I’ve already learned about myself before I’ve even left the United States!

UPDATE 1:

I am in the international terminal of the Atlanta airport. Again, it is so crazy that I am here. I packed my final things this morning, ate lunch with my parents, and then was dropped off at the airport. That was a weird feeling as someone who has never flown alone. I went through security and got to my gate where I sat and processed that what was happening was real life. To say I feel blessed to be able to have an experience like this is a HUGE understatement.

UPDATE 2:

I arrived in Paris and was approached by some students asking if I was in their program (I am!). Now we are traveling the rest of the way together which alleviates so much stress and makes traveling a little bit more fun!

UPDATE 3:

We have landed in Málaga, Spain, and are taking a taxi to a hotel to meet up with our program staff! We are all EXHAUSTED, but so excited to see parts of this beautiful country!

  • A picture of the street with palm trees and a sunset in the background.
  • A picture of a large building on a street corner during golden hour.
  • A picture of a sunset in the sky.
  • A mirror selfie in the bathroom mirror of a public restroom.

There are still a lot of unknowns to come throughout the rest of this semester. As I’ve prepared for this semester, I’ve found myself feeling very rooted in knowing that, at the end of the day, God has control over whatever happens. I have found myself in a posture of prayer often as I prepared for this experience and throughout this travel day. (I also watched Mamma Mia! on my first flight, which definitely calmed some nerves and set my expectations HIGH for Europe haha).

I am feeling SUPER excited for what is to come — the adventures, the challenges, the personal growth, the people I will meet, and the ways my language skills will (hopefully) improve. I am so excited to use this blog as a platform to normalize the highs and lows of studying abroad, while also recording my experiences and growth throughout the semester. So, follow along if you please!! ¡Vamos a España!

TYS > DUB: Look to the Stars

I’ve been in Dublin for three days now after what felt like an endless travel day. Most of the people in my program flew directly to Dublin. Not me though–I took three separate flights, each with a hefty layover in between. In a way, this travel day scared me. I’d known about it for months and been counting down the days since August. My bags were packed and I was ready.

At the same time, nothing really prepared me for that alarm to tick down to zero. It’s one thing to go to college a ten-hour drive from home, but another thing entirely when there’s an ocean in the way.

Walking through security, I didn’t look back. Keeping busy, going forward–nothing could stop me from living my dreams.

Hours later, I stared out my airplane window, watching the sea and Ireland’s coast appear before my eyes, illuminated in the glow of the rising sun. All I could think was I’m home. I still don’t understand the feeling or where it came from but Dublin has become home. I still look like a tourist and rely on Google Maps to navigate but I’ve stepped out of a dream and into reality.

Our first week in Dublin is dedicated to orientation: learning our way around the city and to the IES center where we’ll be taking classes, getting to know each other, and experimenting with shopping and cooking for ourselves. So far, I’ve stayed in a relatively small radius, in part because my public transportation pass hasn’t arrived yet. That said, I’ve been shocked at how quickly I’ve learned landmarks to orient myself around. I guess it doesn’t matter where I am; I navigate based on the buildings I like. Ancient trees, churches, pubs, coffee shops, bookstores… there’s beauty even in the smallest places. And somehow there are flowers, poking up from the dirt, searching out the sun despite the rain.

The resilience of these flowers reminds me of the bookshop I popped into today, a small building near Temple Bar called The Gutter Bookshop. At first a bit off-putting, the name quickly earned significance. Pressed against the window, on tote bags, on journals, reads

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

Oscar Wilde

I think, at present, that’s the point of it all. I know I’m riding a wave of adrenaline, nestled firmly in the honeymoon phase where everything is new and exciting. At some point, either sooner or later, chances are I’ll get homesick, be in the proverbial gutter. But it’s not the gutter that matters; it’s what we do with the gutter. We could let the water and debris wash over us, drown us, or we could look up at the stars. We are not invincible nor are we hopeless. To be human is to get up every time, to acknowledge the gutter and move beyond it. To be human is to dream and to make those dreams reality.

Welcome to Dublin, friends. A place of dreams and stars where the gutter is not the end of the story.