Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Bailey Hales - London, England

My name is Bailey Hales, and I was a study abroad student in the London Eye 6-week English program in London this past summer. Participating in a study abroad was the greatest decision I have ever made and I enjoyed every second of it.

London is a city where you can walk down a block, turn the corner and find yourself in a different place. You may find yourself in the complete hustle and bustle of a work day in a business district close to the Strand, or possibly in a Bangledeshi part of town by Brick Lane, or overwhelmed by tourists from all countries by the Tower of London. The best part about London is that you can find “your” spot of town anywhere.

I can say that I certainly “found” my parts of London, which is why I have decided to post my 10 favorite things to do, see, and experience in London.

10. Nando's.
Go and devour. You haven't experienced Portuguese food (well, unless you have visited Portugal) until you've experienced Nando's. Also, having a pebble-ice craving? Look no further than your local Nando's. Nando’s is also the perfect place to go out with all of your study abroad-mates, their huge tables were often filled by us self proclaimed Londoners.


9. Marylebone (pronounced Marleybone) High Street.

Quiet places in London are few and far between, however if you walk behind the cathedral on the high street, literally seconds from the entrance to the inner circle of Regents Park, you will find a very quaint area of fun shops and places to eat- I never encountered large groups of tourists there, which is nice when you are almost always surrounded by school groups and large groups of tourists in London.

8. Oxford Circus: Favorite- Miss Selfridge/Top Shop Combo Store

Forget the heels or uncomfortable shoes of the like. The only thing you need is a credit card and will-power to shove through the gigantic crowds that take over these stores on nights and weekends. Try going in the morning on a week day, trust me... it will save you a lot of stepped on toes and dirty looks when you snatch the last clearance dress from the hand of a competitor. I am a big shopper, and this is a store exclusive to London. Oxford Circus is a madhouse at all times, but it is an experience to be had regardless of whether you are a shopper or not.



7. Westminster Tube Stop

Simple. Walk out of the exit towards Westminster Abbey and slowly look up. If you haven't had your "London" moment yet, you will after that.


6. Victoria and Albert Museum

If you can only see one museum in London, make it this one (although, you should really go to them all). The best part? The fashion exhibit. They have Princess Diana's white pearl gown and many, many dresses from all designers and all time periods. Interesting and beautiful- also free, free, and free.

5. Millennium Bridge and the Embankment- At Night

Twinkle Lights, Romantic River, Beautiful Bridge.

Epitome of London.


4. St. James Park

A thousand times better than Hyde Park (overcrowded, too huge, and not my favorite part of town). There are tons of benches, lots of trees and grassy areas, and a beautiful lake to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Not to mention many of the famous sights are nearby.  You can walk from St.James Park to #3 in about ten minutes and it is an awesome walk.  

3. Trafalgar Square- At Night

I'm putting a disclaimer on here warning all that this is NOT my favorite part of London during the day. However, follow my directions perfectly and find out what all other tourists are missing out on. Hop on the tube to Charing Cross. Hop out and pass Trafalgar Square, instead walking behind the National Gallery to Leicester Square. Go to the Hagan Daz- get a cone. Take your delicious cone and walk back towards Trafalgar Square. The square should be fairly empty at night giving you great access to the best seats in the house. Sit in the middle of the steps in front of the National Gallery and tilt your head to look just beyond it and see Big Ben stand out in the night sky.


2. Primrose Hill

Take a run inside Regents Park until you reach the Regents Park Zoo entrance (follow the many maps inside the park- getting lost is the best part). Cross the bridges until you cross over into the Primose Hill park. Challenge yourself to run up that hill where the view is your reward. On your run back down, cross through Regents down the center of the park and walk through the Rose Gardens.

1. St. Paul's Cathedral.

Sit in the whispering gallery, walk all the way to the top and just enjoy the amazing view.

Then walk down Fleet Street and stop almost at the bottom for a delicious Chilango's burrito that will cure any Chipotle craving you have. Then walk back up and eat it in the St. Paul's church yard. Or walk a short distance, hop the tube at "Temple" and get off at St. James and eat there :)

St. Paul's is my place. There is nothing like it in the city, at least for me. I love going there to think, sit outside, and just take in the beauty of the city.


Monday, November 29, 2010

Andrea Garcia - Tours, France

Andrea Garcia is a Junior studying Social and Behavioral Science as well as International Studies. In the summer of 2010 she participated in the Intensive French Language Program in Tours, France.


My experience in Tours was unlike any other adventure I have had.  I would like to think of myself as an avid traveler; however, being part of another culture was an eye-opener for me. I was quite impressed at how accessible it was to go from one place to another in Europe. If you ever decide to go to Tours, which is one hour away by (bullet) train from Paris, you will fall in love with this calm, but yet, cheerful little town. Many people would consider Tours too quiet, but if you are someone like me, you will appreciate the break from the busy scene in Paris.
One of the most impressive constructions is the Hotel the Ville, which stands magnificent as it overlooks one of the busiest sectors in Tours.  This became a meeting point for many students as it is one of the most remembered spots. In front of the Hotel de Ville stretches a big avenue (Rue de Grammont), filled with cafes, shops and connecting streets that lead to shopping areas. If you ever have the chance to travel around June or July, you must take advantage of the big sales (or soldes) that take place throughout the town (including the stores located on Rue Nationale).
Perhaps the most memorable moments of my trip took place in Place Plumereau. It is a square filled with pubs and restaurants, where students and locals get to mingle and enjoy of each other’s company. This is perhaps the busiest place during Fete de la Musique which takes place at the end of June. For those of you who are not familiar with this festivity, let me tell you that is it one of the biggest music festivals (if not the biggest) in the country. Many students will usually travel out of Tours to nearby towns to enjoy bigger crowds and “better music”. Tours can get just as loud and exciting as other cities or towns. So, do not be persuaded to leave.
Let’s not forget about la guinguette! It opens during the summer and it happens to be located by the loire (river). Every night, if you ever feel bored, go to la guinguette and enjoy some good company and good music. Colorful lights decorate the venue, which make it look magical under the starry night. Not to mention, there are plenty of activities in the afternoons. You must sign up on time if you want to enjoy popular activities such as river rafting or canoeing. Last but not least, every Wednesday take the opportunity to enjoy some delicious crepes in the open market situated on Blvd. Beranger.  As I remember it, they were one 3 Euros for nutella filled goody-ness.
Tours is an exciting little town where not many people speak English. This is a great place to learn French and truly experience French culture. The food, the people and the atmosphere fill the spirit of anyone who dares to go. Keep in mind that once you leave, you will find yourself tearing up as you say good bye.



Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Sadie Kadlec - Senegal

Sadie Kadlec is a Senior studying French, International Relations, and World Civilizations at the U of U. She is participating in an IE3 internship in Senegal with Tostan, a human rights organization, during the 2010-2011 academic year.

The Dance and the Children

On October 2nd, the night of before the public declaration in Podor, Senegal, a region in which 66 Communities were about to declare their commitment to abandoning harmful traditional practices like female genital cutting (FGC) and child/forced marriages, I attended a cultural event. This was the first declaration I have attended and represented my first opportunity to participate in cultural festivities in Senegal.

 Music seemed to fill the entire city. Caitlin, Rose and I had spent the day helping villages to prepare for the grand event. As a small reward for the day’s work, I wanted to dance.  This was the moment I had been anticipating from the beginning.
 We arrived at the town square and saw many children already dancing. Without giving it a second thought we joined them and suddenly, we were surrounded with five children hanging from each of our arms. The kids had separated us into two groups and tried to teach us Senegalese dances.  It must have been a rather comical sight.
After dancing, I was exhausted. A young boy took my hand and made me take a seat, telling me that I was too red in the face and it was really important for me to rest a little. I laughed and took his wise advice. Soon, before I really had a chance to catch my breath, the other children began asking me to dance again. Not having the will to decline, I rose to join them.           

When I tried to leave the children asked me where I was going. I told them I was thirsty and needed something to drink. The young boy who had noticed my flushed face offered me water at his house. I accepted it and together, all the children and me, marched down the street toward his house. I was introduced to his uncle who was delighted to share a conversation. We talked about our families, my arrival in Senegal and my work in Podor. When he learned that I worked with Tostan and was attending the declaration, he happily shared some of his thoughts. He told me that before Tostan, the community did not understand the consequences of FGC, but now they wanted to give their daughters a life free from this practice. FGC is one of many topics about which Tostan helps to raise awareness in rural communities and I was encouraged to hear just how far the effects of Tostan’s holistic education program, the Community Empowerment Program (CEP), actually are. Rejoining the children who were waiting for me, we walked back towards the celebration, which would usher in a new era for women and girls of the community: one in which harmful traditional practices had been abandoned. While dancing, I looked at the faces of this new generation. Those smiles will stay with me forever.
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Monday, November 22, 2010

Becca Packer - Keele University, UK

Rebecca Packer is a sophomore in International Studies at the U of U. She is currently studying on exchange in Keele University in the United Kingdom.


It was quite literally a dream come true when I was accepted into the study abroad program at Keele University in The United Kingdom. It has been a down right change being in England instead of Utah but I have loved every minute of it. I will admit I was a little disappointed to not being able to study for a year in London. London is my favorite city in the world and I would have given anything to live there. That being said I am grateful that I did not end up in London this year. Keele is located in the West midlands of England right below Manchester and more or less right in the middle of the country. Which of course means that the whole entire country is all around me. If I had been in London, it is safe to say, I would have never left the city but being in an unfamiliar city in the middle of it all has given me the chance to go places I would have never thought of going.
I have been in England a little over 2 months and I have learned and seen so many things that it is amazing my mind has not exploded. First of all a little bit about Keele.
The schooling system is totally different here than it is in Utah, which is a given but I am still adjusting to it 8 weeks into the semester. I only have 8-9 hours of lectures a week and the divide their lectures into lectures and tutorials. So instead of having 2 hours of being talked at and taking notes like a mad person. You go to an hour of lecturing and then later that week or the next hour you meet with the subject tutor (professor) in smaller groups to discuss further the material for the week. Then you are expected to do readings and assignments like normal. Sometimes I feel the structure of lectures and of the university in general are a little questionable but I have learned a lot in my time being here and it is fascinating to get the British opinion on historical events.
Keele campus is simply gorgeous and nothing like the campus at the U. I see squirrels every time I walk out the door. There are more squirrels on campus then there are BYU students working at McDonalds. It is so incredible green and really tiny. I can walk across campus in 10 minutes and see every building there is to see. There is the original school building Keele Hall standing off by itself close to the woods. It is a gorgeous building with Italian gardens, a view of the seven lakes and the woods that surround the campus. Whenever I walk passed Keele Hall I feel like I have stepped back in time and right into Pride and Prejudice. The Student’s Union is a lot different from the SU at the U. There are parties there almost every night and the book store is about half the size of the book store at the U. At the parties you meet a lot of awesome people and you end up with a lot of crazy stories in the morning. There is a massive Halloween Ball and a Christmas fair the weekend before Winter Break; with reindeer, an ice skating rink, fair rides and mulled wine. Yumm!
I did not live in dorms while at the U so I don’t know how the housing there compares with the housing here but it is quite the experience. I live with 8 other girls (there was another one but we somehow managed to scare her off) I am the only American, which makes life so interesting. I am going to be honest and say I totally lucked out when it came to room mates. We are all equal parts insane and loud and 8 of us out of the 9 get along like we are best friends. I have come to call my dorm home and we are all family, which sounds so dumb but it is true. We do everything together- cook in our tiny to small for a table kitchen, go out to the SU for pub quiz night (we either lose or get disqualified, funny but not cool), complete our list of totally random things to do together or just hang out in the corridor while waking up our sick flat mates. There is never a dull moment in Lindsay O block. We have managed to set off the fire alarm twice now, once with a broom and the other with an umbrella. We decorated our flat with post it notes and we had a pet onion that was brutally murdered, by knife wound, 11 days after we adopted him. Like I said we are all a little weird but it makes for quite the entertainment.
I also lucked out with my travel buddy. There are a ton of international students here at Keele and all the International students arrive 2-3 days before the British students so that we get a chance to know one another. I met Morgan who is getting her masters and is from D.C She has never been to England so, like myself, was/anxious to travel all around England and see all it has to offer. We have already seen Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral (Magna Carta baby!), Old Sarum Castle, Shakespeare’s Birthplace and where he is buried, Anne Hathaway’s cottage, London, Notting Hill, Birmingham and on to Manchester tomorrow and Lincoln on December 3. I also had the totally awesome experience of going to the premier of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 on November 11. Being a Harry Potter crazed fan that was the best experience of my life even if I had to stand in the pouring rain in Leicester Square for 13 hours. I also had the privilege to participate in the protest in parliament square on Nov 10. I did leave before things got crazy but it is such an awesome feeling being in something bigger than yourself. I’m not a British student but hopefully the protests will make a difference to the government’s plan for the future of education. Keele plans 2-3 trips a month for international students to go on. They go to places like Manchester, Chester, Lincoln and London (just to name the ones they have had so far this year). They want you to be able to see this gorgeous country and it is worth the journey.
I am still loving every moment that I am here in England. Their phrases have taken some getting used to and I still refer to chips as French fries but that is mostly because it drives the British insane. I am so glad I still have 5 more months to be here and I hope that other people get the chance to come here one day because it is truly amazing. And yes just in case you were wondering the British do love the American accent.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Mike Kisow - Machu Picchu





Mike Kisow is a recent graduate of the Educational Leadership & Policy M.Ed. program. During the summer of 2010, Mike participated in the College of Education’s “Going Global” excursion to Cusco, and Machu Picchu, Peru.




Journey to Machu Picchu, an essay:

Just thirteen degrees south of the equator I sat in the lobby of a hostel eating breakfast immersed in the sound of pouring rain striking the roof. So much for it being dry season in the Andes.

It’s early, and still very dark in the sleepy village of Ollantaytambo, Peru where the University of Utah cohort had arrived just hours earlier by bus, also in the dark.

We leave the hostel and walk the street, which now more closely resembles a canal, towards the town’s center of vitality, the train station.

Bathed in an eerie light, we wait for a squeaky locomotive to arrive and deliver us to Machu Picchu Pueblo, a village so remote that no motorized vehicle access exists.

As scheduled, a train approaches unfazed by the rain, creating a scene that would rival the best of J.K Rowling’s imagination.

Our journey shadows the Inka Trail through the Urubamba Gorge. In my mind I try not to invent scenarios of flooding, mudslides, or railway bandits as we chug along.

Hours later, we arrive safely in Auguas Calientes, referred to by the locals as Machu Picchu Pueblo.  Different from our home-stays in mountainous Cusco, Machu Picchu Pueblo is a flourishing jungle teaming with banana trees and the sounds of unfamiliar birds.

After a quick bag-drop at the hostel, we board a shuttle that takes us another 1,300 feet higher by way of winding mountain switchbacks that often require one shuttle to reverse while another passes head on.

Now, at 8,000ft, yet still more than 3,000 feel lower than Cusco, we arrive at the entrance to one of the 7 Wonders of the New World.

Anticipation and excitement reign as we cross the threshold into the "lost city of the Incas”.  "Old Mountain", the literal translation of Machu Picchu in the local language, Quechua, immediately becomes relevant.

Before our eyes, on the impossibly steep terrain, are hundreds of structures constructed of perfectly cut stone and arranged amidst grass so green that it deserves its own crayon.

Llamas graze unimpressed as terminal cliffs plummet on all sides to the river gorges below. The fog and mist linger heightening intrigue yet impairing photo opportunities.


Consumed by the grandeur, I concede my insignificance. The fog creates a hauntingly spiritual ambiance as the mountain chooses to selectively reveal itself to we awkward visitors.

It’s frequently said that a picture is worth a thousand words. However, here I learned that pictures might also leave one speechless.

Innumerous tour guides recount the same legends in a cornucopia of languages as they are followed intently by diverse hordes of tourists.

We take guesses as to when the fog will burn off. It never does.

The day grows old and fleeting sunlight looms. Some of us, presumably prejudiced by the resolve of the Inca, elect to evade the returning tourist shuttle. Although exhausted, we commit ourselves to the hour-long walk back to town as an offering, or perhaps in an attempt to find a conclusion to our own Inca Trail.



Monday, November 15, 2010

Madison Hajeb - Barcelona

Madison Hajeb is a Senior in International Studies at the U. She participated in an ISA International Studies program at the Autonomous University of Barcelona in summer 2010.



Studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain was an experience of a lifetime. I spent my summer semester trying to discover as much of the city and surrounding area as I possibly could. I used my breaks between classes to wander the neighborhoods searching for hidden treasures like candy shops and public parks, which were often tucked away in some pretty secluded areas.  What looked like another residential street occasionally turned into a famous monument or little neighborhood park; it felt like I’d stumbled into a completely different city than the bustling Barcelona I had grown accustomed to. After classes and on the weekends, I took the opportunity to spend my days visiting some of the famous Barcelona sights and taking day trips out of the city to experience the different sides of the Catalonia province. While living in the city was an unbelievable adventure, and I grew to love everything Barcelona had to offer, some of my best memories are from these day trips outside of the city proper.
Pamplona
I was lucky enough to be in Spain during the famed San Fermín festival, where the Running of the Bulls takes place every morning for seven days straight. The city of Pamplona is located five hours outside of Barcelona when traveling by bus, which I quickly learned is the best way to go. While the tiny city of Pamplona doesn’t have much more to offer than typical Spanish architecture and a healthy dose of personality, San Fermín was the biggest party I’ve ever seen: people were jumping off anything they could climb into throngs of revelers, red wine was sprayed on everyone wearing white in honor of the festival, and the entire city vibrated with life and music. Eight in the morning came quickly, but no one was tired – we were all too excited to see the Running of the Bulls in person, and a few of my group had decided to run, against all better sense and advice. It started and ended quickly, with no injuries but stories and memories to last forever.

Montserrat
Montserrat is little mountain monastery an hour train ride away from the Barcelona city center. I was completely unprepared for how gorgeous it would end up being – tall cliffs and a beautiful monastery tucked into the mountainside, only accessible by a cable car. The area offered trails for hiking and a chance to get out of the humid city and into some cool mountain air, similar to hiking back home in the Wasatch mountains. The trails were peppered with interesting religious artifacts ranging from old crosses built into the mountain to small cabins where the monks would go to pray and meditate. Some of my best memories are from Montserrat, because it was so unique and such a different experience than the Barcelona bustle, yet so close to the city.

Costa Brava
This little collection of seaside towns on the coastline just thirty minutes drive outside of Barcelona draws both locals and tourists during the summer season. The beach towns are just quaint enough for Spaniards to settle year-round, but also big enough to draw a healthy crowd of boaters and kayakers and sunbathers from all areas of Spain. I stumbled into a little restaurant with some friends, and it ended up being quite a famous little place – frequented by the likes of Elton John and Frank Sinatra on their travels through Spain. The owner was a character, and essentially told each of us what we were going to eat, no questions asked. Luckily, all of the food was amazing, so we all left with a satisfied stomach and a fantastic story. It was fun to see a different side of Spain, spend some time relaxing on a boat in the sun, and swim in the Mediterranean Sea.
BarcelonaAll traveling aside, my time in Barcelona defined my summer. I lived in L’Eixample, the bar and restaurant district of the city, and I got to experience the unbelievable nightlife that Barcelona has to offer. Bars don’t really get populated until 11 PM, and close just in time for the discoteca clubs to open at 3 AM, rendering the city alive and full of energy until sunrise around 6 in the morning. During the daytime and evening, tapas bars were the place to be, sampling the Spanish cuisine and meeting locals and making friends to practice my Spanish skills with.
 As the summer progressed, the World Cup started, which defined the rest of my time in the city. I not only got to experience the tournament in a European country that watches soccer intensely, but I also got the chance to be in the 75,000 person crowd when Spain won the World Cup for the first time in history – talk about a celebration!
The architecture and history in Barcelona is indescribable, and there are so many different barrios (neighborhoods) in the city, each with their own personality and style. There was the Barrio Gotíco (gothic quarter), full of ancient history and energy, which houses the famously gorgeous Catedral de Santa Eulalia. I enjoyed exploring this neighborhood in depth, but also found a little bit of every barrio to fall in love with in Barcelona.
My time in Barcelona gave me a chance to get to know myself, Barcelona, and Spanish culture a lot better. I look back at the summer with fond memories, and I know that I will always feel at home in Barcelona. Adventuring and traveling through Spain has left me with a lot of stories, and is an experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Mary Hunter - Siena, Italy

Mary Hunter is a Senior at the U studying Film and History. She participated in the Intensive Italian Language summer program in Siena, Italy. 


Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Soccer and The Beatles: The Two Universals
The whole world loves soccer, a fact that I knew, but I never really understood until I came here. I love that I am here in Italy during the World Cup. Being here has made me love soccer, and love how it brings the world together. Last night I went to an Italian pub to watch the Italy v. Uruguay match, because even more exciting than the match is the Italian reactions to the game. Even though they tied, it was amazing. Italian men shouting, pounding fists on the table, and completely freaking out when they scored their goal. Completely amazing, something I will remember forever.
Another thing loved throughout the world: The Beatles. The Beatles are kind of defining my trip here in Italy. Not only have I been going through a Beatles phase of my own, but I hear the Beatles everywhere here. There was a street performer playing "Here, There and Everywhere" in Lucca, "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" in the Streets of Arezzo, a Beatles jam party in the Hostel in Cinque Terre, and a song was playing in Piazza San Marco in Venice, but I can't remember what exactly. Anyway, I love that they are wherever I go, it makes me feel like even though I'm in this entirely different place, it's just a different part of this beautiful world in which I live.
As I am sitting here watching the soccer coverage, listening to Sgt. Peppers, I felt this was a relevant topic.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Just a Few Things about Italy
Here are a few sweet things that I think could only happen in Italy. I mean, could happen elsewhere, perhaps in the U.S., but I digress. These happened to me in Italy.
-Getting yelled at in another language
So, it wasn't me who was getting yelled at in Italian, but I was there to witness my friend's landlady yelling at them, and I didn't understand any of it, and it was scary. Truly an experience.
-Strolling in the Campo with some Gelato
My favorite thing to do is get some Gelato and walk down to the Campo to eat it. It's fun to do alone, it's fun to do with others, it's all around just the best thing to do anytime of day. Gelato is so cheap here, and sooooooo good (to be expected, I know.) I get gelato at least every other day, sometimes in a cup, sometimes in a cone, doesn't matter because it is always delicious. Best combos so far-coco (coconut) and cioccolato (chocolate) or fragola (strawberry) and arnacia rosso (red orange, or blood orange)

-Window conversations
I can talk to people on the street through my second story window. People can tell me they have arrived at my apartment through my window. I love Italy.
-Making pasta from scratch
SOOOOOOOOOOOO good, and very very fun. At my cooking class last night we learned how to make pasta fresca. Yum Yum Yum. I fully plan on becoming a pasta maker when I come home, which I don't think my mother will like, because it was pretty messy, but totally worth it.
-The Birds
There are freaking pigeons everywhere. In the morning they all fly around with their screeching noises, which they do at night too. In the afternoon they hang out in the Campo and walk dangerously close to you. I have seen pigeons fight, I have seen brown pigeons, pigeons that are missing toes, and there is this big fat pigeon who hangs out on this ledge on the building across from me most nights.
-Walking EVERYWHERE
Siena=walking city. Something that is 30 minutes walking distance is suddenly something that I consider fairly close. Also, every street is a hill. It may be long and sloping gradually, or short and quite steep. Anyway, I walk everywhere, and if I am not super toned by the time I get home I will be super mad.

-CIBO!!!
Where do I even begin with Italian food? The pasta here is sooooo amazing. I haven't been disappointed with anything. The pasta is so amazing, the pizza, just sooo good. I could go on for hours about how amazing everything is, but in short, I want to eat myself to death here.
-Woken up by church bells
Church bells here don't ring like 5 times, they keep ringing and ringing. While yes, it is amazing, it is also quite loud. Not nice to be woken by them, but I guess it is better than an alarm. Since this only happens on Sundays, it's really not that big of a deal.
-Cinema Italiano
Saw Prince of Persia dubbed in Italian last night. All across Europe they have their movies with subtitles, except Italy. Italy has all their movies dubbed. So, the movie wasn't good, but I went for the experience, which was really cool. The theater was really old, and very awesome. Pretty sure they still had the movie on reels of film, and yes, overall very cool.
-Learning the Italian definition of a personal pizza
When you ask the waiter how big the pizzas are, and they say they are personal sized, they mean personal sized for a 200 lb Italian man. A personal pizza here is the same size as a pizza to feed four in the US. But, since the pizza is so much better you don't want to share anyway, even if you don't finish it.
-Alley with various animals
I have to walk up an alley everyday to school, and while it is perhaps the steepest hill in the city and I cannot breath by the time I reach the top, it is so quintessentially Italian because a) it's so cute and little with clothes hanging out the window and b) there are always just random animals hanging out there. To date I have see a black cat, a black and white cat, a grey tabby cat (who always is sleeping on a car) and a cute dog. I'm pretty sure they all belong to the same little old Italian lady too.
-Street Performers
Other street performers ain't got nothin' on Italy. Every day there is this guy who paints himself gold and stands on the street in a gold suit and "films" everything with a gold movie camera. This becomes less impressive when you see him setting up for his act and he's got his gold face, sans gold suit and top hat, but I digress. Street musicians are also way better here. I've seen people playing the accordion on the side of the streets=totally awesome. As we were eating on the Piazza in Arezzo a guy came up and just started playing beautiful guitar, making my lunch of Eggplant ravioli mega delicious.
-Anything to do with the Palio
For those of y'all who don't know about the Palio, it is a horse race between the 17 Contradas (districts) of Siena, which is run every July and August. Oh my gosh, Siena is all about the Palio. This is the only thing I have ever seen that makes men weep freely in the streets. They love their contradas so much, and I love how much Siena loves the Palio. On Sunday they chose the 10 Contradas racing in July, and it was of the so amazing, and this is just the beginning of the Palio.

Sunday, May 30, 2010
Italian TV
This post is dedicated completely to how awesome Italian TV is. In the past few days I've discovered TV. Basically there are channels in Italian, English, French, and German. They have South Park in German, which is scarier than scary. There is a channel that only shows old Italian movies, one that only shows what I assume are Spaghetti Westerns. There was a game show that was just people breaking Guinness World Records, a game show today where all these guys were wearing foam hand suits jumping on each other, and a channel that is always just some sort of musical program. Every once in a while there is some cool show on Siena or the Palio or something.  In short, so different from TV at home.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Michelle Dean - Oviedo, Spain

Michelle Dean is a Senior studying Nursing at the U of U. In the summer of 2010 she participated in the Intensive Spanish Language Program in Oviedo, Spain.


I had the awesome opportunity to study abroad this past summer in Oviedo, Spain.  I made some wonderful memories and had such neat experiences, and of course I greatly increased my fluency in Spanish.  My favorite part of the whole trip would have to be the time I spent in the little fisherman’s town called Luarca.  Most students referred to the people they stayed with as their host mom or dad, but the gal I lived with, Veronica, was quite young so I always called her my sister, which she was ecstatic about.  My first weekend in Oviedo Veronica invited me to go with her to Luarca which is where she grew up and where her parents still live.  Luarca is a beautiful, calm and quiet town, which is one reason I consider it a favorite, but what was most fun was spending time with her family and conversing.  They told me funny stories, and of course my Spanish was not perfect, so mistakes I made in speaking also gave us something to laugh about. 
            Not only do I have fond memories and better fluency from studying abroad, but I have noticed little things that help me in school this fall semester.  For example, I am more outgoing and participate in class more, which I believe is due to the courage I built when I stepped out of my comfort zone to speak Spanish even though I knew I would make mistakes.  In addition, I made many good friends, such as Veronica and her family, but also the students and professors I studied with.  I still keep in touch through email with Veronica and it is always fun to see the other students here on campus and reminisce about the good times.  Studying abroad was a great opportunity and I will never trade my experiences there for anything.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Geneva Thompson - Tianjin, China

Geneva Thompson is a Senior studying Asian Studies, History, and Political Science at the U. She participated in the Intensive Chinese Language Program in Tianjin, China during the summer 2010.



This past summer I had the amazing opportunity to spend 6 weeks in Tianjin, CHINA!! I was so nervous about spending six weeks in a foreign country, barely knowing any of the language, but after a couple days I really got into the flow of things and had a blast! My suggestion for anyone who is planning on spending anytime in a foreign country is to really explore the area you are around and try to see how the locals spend their time. Go to some of the tourist areas and see some of the sites, but you have to actually see how the people there live to even begin to understand how people of the country you are visiting.

My friend and I while in Tianjin would get into a taxi and go random places all over the city, we would try to get lost and every time we were lost we learned so much about the people of Tianjin and so much about the language. I think I picked up more language trying to figure out how to get back to the university than I did in class. It was amazing!! The whole idea of going on a study abroad is to live and learn!! Every weekend we would try to go to Beijing, which was about a 30 minute bullet train ride away, to see another part of China and get a new and different experience. 

The mentality you have to have when traveling on a study abroad trip is you are there to study so get a good grade, but at the same time you will learn a lot more if you actually go out and experience the area you are in. Don’t stay in your room the whole time and study, go out and really learn!! So my advice to you is study and get a good grade, but also go out, get lost and really force yourself to interact with people because that is where you learn language and culture. My Chinese language skills are much better because I went on this trip and it is because I was forced to use my language skills.

I really enjoyed my study abroad trip and because I know I was able to get around and survive six weeks in China, I now have the confidence to apply for a three month internship in China knowing I can travel and live in a foreign country. The study abroad program is an amazing program that allows people to not only learn a language, but experience a new culture and grow as an individual. So if you are thinking about going on a study abroad trip you should do it!! You really have nothing to lose and the world to gain!!