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Just Do it! Faculty Led Course in St. Petersburg is Life Changing!

As a first year student at Fairfield University, I never thought I would be able to have the chance to study abroad so early on in my college career. I always heard from other students that I would not be able to go until well into my third year, a fate that seemed so far from my reach. It was only until I was visiting one of the many required FYE (First Year Experience) sessions that I bumped, quite literally, into the Study Abroad table at the clubs and organizations fair. This quick encounter, however, was all it took for Ms. Pivarnik to introduce herself and the many brochures of Fairfield’s beloved study abroad programs. This is when I first heard about the amazing opportunity to travel across the world to Russia for a faculty-led program about the History of St. Petersburg. As I listened intently, I soon found out that in just two weeks I would also receive three credits to complete my second history course requirement. I mean it all sounded too good to be true. Immediately after, I sent a picture of the brochure to my mom as I knew I wanted to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And so, I applied. The giddy excitement I first felt when I learned about this program never left, especially after I found out I had been accepted!

I don’t think the realization of what I was doing and where I was going had hit me until my last final on May 8th. It took me packing up my room to realize I should also be packing for my trip that was in just THREE DAYS! Somehow I managed, and I showed up to the airport to see three other students waiting too. Prior to this encounter, I did not know one person attending this trip as I pinned my hopes on the fact that there would be students who were just as excited to explore the city of St Petersburg. So perhaps a tip I would share is to go up to the other students and just start talking. I know it may seem intimidating but by striking up a conversation with the group of students is what helped most for future day trips and nights out!

Although exhausted, when we finally got off that last flight, I was eager to begin these next ten days in a new, unknown city. Immediately after dropping our bags at the hotel, the group took on the streets as I began to absorb every fleeting sensation that came my way: the sound of Russian people talking, the sight of the beautiful and grand architecture, the touch of the cobblestone bridges. It was a lot to take in but as I continued to soak in all of the small treasures of this beautiful city, I was also amazed by the familiarity. It was as if it was all new but the same. Something I certainly did not expect to feel as I traveled across the globe to a country I have never visited before. I know one of my biggest concerns of the program was how the course would be structured. At the hotel, however, we were all surprised by how comfortable everything already felt to us. Every morning we met at 08:30 for breakfast, with a few exceptions on time, and we would try several traditional Russian dishes-- Blini, pancakes stuffed with cheese or meat; Syrniki, a fried pancake topped with farmer’s cheese or honey; boiled or fried eggs; porridge. While we had the time to eat our delicious breakfasts, Professor Syssoeva would teach us “Survival Russian”, an aspect of the course that soon became my favorite. I was surprised in how by the third day I was already retaining so much of the Russian language. Professor Syssoeva made learning the foreign language enjoyable and easy as she provided every student with a packet of basic words and phrases to practice. Afterwards, the group would get ready for the excursion of the day. The shape of an “O” was constantly spread across my face as I was left gaping at all the beautiful and historical sites we visited.

Professor McFadden and Professor Syssoeva not only picked the best sites for the group to visit, but as well as, amazing tour guides that told us about fortresses, palaces, art and political museums. The information we learned was then reinforced as we would return back to the hotel for our daily seminar. With few assigned readings per day and your honest opinion, these seminars were a great time to share between the group as I got to hear many other students’ perspectives. Following the seminar, the students were given the rest of the day to explore the surrounding city, to go shop in the malls, to go eat with each other and any other activity one saw fit. I LOVED everything about our schedule as the beautiful weather and long hours in the day let the group, and myself, become more familiar with our environment. As I mentioned briefly before, everyday we would have a set excursion for the group. One of my favorite excursions that I need to include was the trip to the Hermitage State Museum. Now, before we took the trek for the nearly three hour tour, I was briefly familiar about the size of the museum. I mean with a thousand rooms, three million pieces of art, and an ambitious eleven years to view each and every piece, I knew it wasn’t going to be a small museum. YET, until you begin to pass each room, then do you begin to realize the magnitude of the place. I mean floor to ceiling, every inch was covered with art spanning from a multitude of time periods. The preservation of this massive art collection over centuries is what is most unbelievable as St.Petersburg aims to protect its art, its culture.

From the time I woke up in the morning to nightfall, my time spent in St. Petersburg was one that left me with so many unforgettable memories. Before this trip, I had known no one and while I wasn’t necessarily nervous about it, I feel incredibly reassured to the group surrounding me. Perhaps one of the best feelings is when you know those around you are just as excited and willing to explore the city around you. Learning about the history and culture of such a prominent Russian city with two passionate professors was a huge aid as I constantly found myself falling in love with St. Petersburg. I cannot recommend enough to any student thinking about wanting to have a taste of study abroad to do this trip! I can firmly say that this trip was one of my top highlights of my first year at Fairfield University— as I brought more than just matryoshka dolls home.

Ema Taglic Psychology, Pre-Dental HI0276 St Petersburg, Russia Class of 2022

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Reflection of My 10 Day History Course in St. Petersburg, Russia

Abby Dovan ‘20

Fairfield University

 Hoping off the plane, I was tired and nervous, but ready to experience something new and make irreplaceable memories. Four walls can be the most limiting factors on one’s education and I was ready to break out and just learn. There truly is no better place to learn and understand history than right there where it took place.  Walking the halls of Peter the Great’s winter palace, seeing Catherine the Greats wardrobe rooms, and standing beneath the balcony that Lenin gave speeches off of, I absorbed all I could and savored every last fact and sight.

One of my first startling realizations was how much Russians appreciate history and art. The amount of gold we saw while on the trip was absolutely mind blowing. The beauty in the architecture and purity of each structure amazed me. As modern as the city was, the buildings, history, and culture were still intact from three hundred and fifteen years ago. The fact that hundreds of years ago, the government and people were concerned and clever enough to preserve and protect the architecture and art is astonishing and appreciated by the masses.

As we adjusted to many of the cultural differences, including a hotel without an elevator or room key cards, I was amazed at how different the people and area is from what I expected. Stigmas, rumors, and governments aside, people are people wherever you go.  We got to experience this first hand from the connections we made with the Russian students we engaged with each night. I was amazed at how similar they were to us and how similar our day to day struggles were. Spending time with them was one of my favorite parts of the trip because I felt like I was at home with my friends except each night we had someplace new to explore or a new food or drink to try.

While I enjoyed all the sights we saw, I had two particular favorites. The first was Peterhof Palace. We explored the amazing grounds for almost the entirety of the first day. It really set a precedent for all that would come throughout the week and it awoke my senses to the pure beauty, historic intelligence and immense amounts of gold everywhere. The desire for decadence at this summer palace was quite obvious and well treasured. Walking through each individual room, admiring the fountains and perfectly yellow and gold exterior, I was amazed and nearly in tears. I will not forget what I learned during that tour, being outside the four walls of the classroom allowed me to absorb all the facts without stressing about an exam. I wanted to know each detail for the sake of enjoying it and being knowledgeable of where I was walking.

The second favorite place of mine was St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Although it was not a place we visited as a class or with a tour guide, I had so much fun and was amazed at the beauty. Given additional time to visit a site of our choosing on our own, a bunch of us went to the cathedral and climbed to the top. After making it to the top of the seemingly endless spiral staircase, we were able to see the entirety of the city in all its glory. As it was the end of the week we were able to pick and point out all the palaces and museums we had visited. It was a beautiful morning to enjoy and reflect on the plethora of places we went to and all we had learned.

In addition to fabulous sightseeing weather, we also got to enjoy the perks of the nightlife, and experience “white nights” while in St. Petersburg. The culture surrounding the additional hours of sunlight was vibrant and so enjoyable. I will never forget seeing the gorgeous sunrise over the canal at 3am. True beauty no matter the time of day, in any location.

In addition to those to beautiful sites, I learned and enjoyed all the other places we ventured to include The Hermitage, The Church of Spilled Blood, Peter and Paul Fortress, and the several museums. I think the things I was able to pick up on while exploring these sights and walking the streets of St. Petersburg are truly unique to this experience. While I made many observations about the people, their habits and lifestyles, and their personalities, it was the extra time, night life, and individual reflecting that allowed me to learn so much. I am extremely grateful for my short days in St. Petersburg and my new long distant friends. Thank you, Fairfield U, for the opportunity! Cheers to St. Petes, I will be back!

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Studying Abroad Changed My Life

It’s been almost a year since I left to study abroad in Florence, Italy for four months. People still ask all the time, “how was studying abroad?” and each time I say something along the lines of “it was amazing and I cannot wait to go back.” Usually people then ask places I’ve been and what I miss most, but no matter how many questions they ask there will never be enough time or enough words to describe to them the incredibly transforming experience that living in Italy truly was. I learned about different European cultures, how incredible real Italian food is, how to travel, work, and live in a foreign country, but I also learned a lot about myself and that is something that will stay with me years to come.

One experience that I will be forever grateful for is my internship in Florence. During my time studying abroad I was an intern for the Italian Committee for UNICEF in Florence. My work at the Italian Committee for UNICEF involved planning fundraising events and awareness raising events, while also assisting in research, and organizing the ongoing fundraising project called ‘La Pigotta’ in additional to seasonal fundraiser throughout the semester.

Not only did I learn about the compassion of the Italian people that I worked so closely with, but I also experienced a new type of independence and confidence in my ability to work alongside passionate and driven UNICEF employees and fellow student interns. I was able to make a real contribution to their mission through my own hard work, all while living abroad and commuting to work every day by crossing the Ponte Vecchio. It was a surreal experience. I had to balance work hours and responsibilities with school, day to day life activities, the adjustment of living abroad while making sure I spent every available moment traveling and seeing as much as I could.  It was at times exhausting but incredibly rewarding.

A favorite memory of mine was putting together a fundraiser and awareness raising event for Girls Education. It was such a fun and rewarding experience to plan this event and sharing what we are passionate about with our friends, fellow students, and the rest of the committee. I learned about the work that UNICEF does, as well as the status of children around the world. It was humbling work, but seeing our work come together in an event planned by my team was really special. While the traveling and the incredible things I got to see will always be something I can look back on, the feeling of accomplishment that my team and I felt is what I will never forget.

Besides enjoying my work as an intern, one of the best parts about my job was experiencing a completely different part of Florence life. I was lucky enough to walk over the beautiful Ponte Vecchio, past the Pitti Palace and through the quiet streets of Oltrarno to and from work every day. Working with local Florentines gave me the opportunity to experience the real day to day life in Florence beyond the city center and groups of tourists most study abroad students saw every day. I had the privilege to uniquely meet and work closely with locals. I had cappuccinos and lunch with my colleagues each week at the local bar where everyone knew each other by name. We would chat in the office over espresso breaks. We even had committee gatherings for the holidays and sometimes just for fun that always included homemade Italian foods and wines. They even introduced me to new places I never would have found on my own –some of which became my favorite places to go.

I had a unique study abroad experience because of my internship. It made studying abroad even more challenging but exciting. Florence taught me independence and a sense of confidence in myself that I didn’t know I was capable of. The experience of studying abroad changed my life and it also changed me. Not all of study abroad is easy and fun, but the person you are when you return will most definitely not be the same as the person you were when you left.

Jaclyn Conte

Fairfield University 2018

International Studies & Humanitarian Action Major

Math Minor

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Study Abroad Reflections

          It’s strange to me that I’ve been back from my semester in Australia for over a year, and even more bizarre that I left for my semester in Belgium nearly a year ago as well. From the beginning of Freshman year, I knew that I wanted to study abroad; as an International Studies major, I was aware that my course outline allowed me to take advantage of doing a full year abroad. With that in mind, I saw the opportunity to have two distinctly different experiences. Fairfield’s program in Brisbane, Australia provided me with several core course requirements, and the CIEE Business, Communication, and Culture program in Brussels, Belgium would keep me on track with my major and minor.  

          When asked about which semester I liked more, I have a lot of trouble articulating a definitive answer because in almost every aspect, both Brisbane and Brussels were complete opposites. I went from a small program in a mid-size city (with amazing weather), to a larger program in the capital of Europe (with overcast skies). While I could go on about the differences between the two, a very important constant was my involvement at CrossFit gyms in both cities. Before leaving to study abroad I knew that being away from my home gym was going to be something I didn’t want to give up; I was able to find local CrossFit gyms that not only allowed me to train, but also to step outside of the study abroad ‘bubble’ many students find themselves in.

Last day at my gym in Brussels

I’m still connected with many of my Australian gym friends, several of whom were close to my age and in grad school. In Brussels, my gym was located next to the European Union – which meant I got to work out with parliamentarians from all over Europe. Finding these gyms was a way for me to explore a different part of my host city, and I was able to show friends from my programs new cafes and stores I’d wandered past. Getting involved in something unrelated to school while abroad gave me a more culturally enriching experience, where I was forming friendships with people I never would have meet if I didn’t push myself to stray away from my program. While I didn’t know it then, the week I spent camping in the Australian Outback would spark my curiosity and end up being the focus of my IL300 Capstone; I learned about the Australian Aboriginal culture and the issues they faced from the government in terms of representation and healthcare. Because of this experience, I was able to pick a thesis topic that I am extremely passionate about after having been there and speaking to those directly affected by systemic racism.

Studying abroad for the entirety of my Junior year was not as easy as many people would assume it to be; the courses I took in both countries were challenging, I had to deal with a lot of uncertainty, and most importantly, had to give up a full year at Fairfield. However, even with all of that in mind, I don’t regret my experience at all. I’m able to speak about what I took away from two semesters abroad in interviews and talking to potential students going abroad…but most importantly, I have a years’ worth of amazing memories and friendships that I’ll remember being central to my college experience.

Most of my CIEE program

Last night in Brisbane

Rebecca Wise

Fairfield University 2018

International Studies/Communication

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How Study Abroad Changed My Life

Every day was an adventure when I studied abroad in Galway, Ireland. I was blown away at all the culture I was immersed in during my experience. This invaluable first-hand exposure to different cultures truly changed my outlook on life. Studying abroad was much more than simply studying academics at the National University of Ireland, Galway. To me, studying abroad really gets its claim to fame from the education you get outside of the classroom. I can still hear the lively street music echoing down Quay Street in downtown Galway.

I can smell the fresh rain enhancing the lush green fields.

And I can sure taste that perfect pint of Guinness.

These are things that I would never be able to experience had I not choose to study abroad. It was an eye-opening experience seeing just how much the world has to offer. My adventure did not even stop at Irish culture, as I was able to transcend more boundaries than I could have ever imagined. I made life-long friends from Italy, Hungary, Pakistan, Palestine, Belgium, and more! Many of whom I keep in touch with today, hoping to visit each other in our respective countries soon. The best part was being able to experience all of this alongside a great group of Fairfield students. We all became very close sharing our adventures and what started out as a group of complete strangers ended up a family after just a few months’ time.

I feel that I can even go as far to call Galway “Home”. This close connection makes me constantly reflect on being abroad, which reminds me just how much there is to learn and gain from being exposed to different cultures in unfamiliar locations. I feel that I have become much more independent, mature, inclusive, and cultured from studying abroad. These are qualities that I wish to continue to improve upon throughout my career as an engineer. Hopefully I can also travel more in the future because I believe that first-hand experience is the best was to get a real-world education on top of academic learning. Overall, studying abroad has changed my life.

Thank you Fairfield, Thank you Study Abroad Faculty, and Thank you Ireland!

Johnathan Menz

Fairfield University 2018

Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics

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Leaving Already?!

It has been a long journey here in Nicaragua. Both fun and stressful moments. However, much like all adventures, they eventually come to an end. I have learned a variety of things from both my professors and companions, academically and mentally here. For a fact, I know I have grown as an individual and will strive for even higher goals. Despite everyone here speaking Spanish, it was, at first, somewhat difficult to attune to the lifestyle followed by the intense high temperatures here. However, after three months of trial and error, I was able to increase what little of my Spanish vocabulary here.Though sometimes difficult to pronounce certain words and forming incorrect sentences, the people here have been incredibly helpful, always ready to correct and teach me.

It pains me to leave the country, but I will definitely visit again, soon! Upon arriving in the United States, life will be difficult because I will, first, have to attune to the freezing cold temperature there followed by the street life and traffic. Perhaps I will start speaking or answering in Spanish instead of English? That could also be a possibility. The one thing, I will hate to miss in Nicaragua is definitely the food. The fritanga and the quiopinto followed by the chilie de salsa used here. Fritanga is an absolutely amazing street food that people must visit upon arriving in Nicaragua! It is quiopinto which is cooked rice with beans stacked with fried plantains and your selection of pork, chicken, or beef! I usually go with a combination of all three meat selections, so I won’t miss out on the variety of distinct tastes! Learning Nicaraguan culture was definitely interesting to me as well!

I visited a multitude of places in Nicaragua such as the Lagoon de Apoyo, Leon, Granada, Matagalpa, Masaya, and San Juan Del Sur. All of these places were fantastic and definitely a sight to see! I will miss everyone here once I leave in a couple of days But I promise, I will visit someday!

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Hello from the other side (of the pond)

To start off, I would like to tell you about our amazing academic solutions team (our program mentors) who await upon your arrival to London! They are with you from start to end; booking various different trips, dinners, theatre outings etc... So far we have visited Dover, Canterbury, Liverpool! Kasia is our main point of contact and she is incredible! She is easily the kindest and happiest person I have ever met! Along with Kasia we have George, Ryan, and a student representative named Mary. Obviously the student representatives change by the semester, but I do believe Mary will be here for the spring 2018 semester as well! Together Kasia, George, Ryan, and Mary are our support outlet through out the study abroad experience! Kasia's named in pronounced like the Kashi cereal brand, except with an 'a' instead of an 'i'. (I struggled with her name at first). Kasia is very well traveled and knows all of the best restaurants. Below is a picture of me with Kasia at the Cavern Pub in Liverpool and a photo of me at the Cliffs of Dover!

A lot has happened since my last post! I have started classes and I have joined a couple societies on campus; such as the Arab society, the food society, and the Queen Mary Acapella group, which is a part of the music society. I was unsure at first if I wanted to join Acapella, because I had known it would be time consuming. I like to travel as much as everyone else, but I feel that I have my entire life to travel around the world, but only one chance to be apart of a European campus and create music with people from all over! Getting involved on campus is extremely important, whether I am at Fairfield or here at Queen Mary the importance of joining a club is huge. Studying abroad doesn't mean you have to take a break from what you love. Queen Mary has over 200 societies to choose from which is crazy, there are so many options! I am so glad I decided to join the music society, it has taken my study abroad experience to a new level while also filling my Glee Club/Sweet Harmony void. Plus, who doesn't like making more new friends? I have made such great friends in this group, ranging from Seychelles to Romania to Hong Kong.  Here is a photo of my A capella group and I enjoying a wonderful dinner!

Now, about my classes, I am currently enrolled in four modules: a British history class, a theatre class, a marketing class, and a business ethics class. Unlike the Fairfield, these classes meet once a week and are broken up into an hour lecture and an hour seminar. I didn't know how I would adjust to this teaching style, but I find it has a lot of advantages. I only have three days of classes per week, which gives me a lot of time to sit back and enjoy the beautiful view from my bedroom. Here are a couple photos of my great sixth floor views!

My theatre class has been my favorite so far, it is a history based theatre course, so it links well to my British history course. Most recently, my professor sent us to go see 'The Fall', which is a play about a student activism group the University of Cape town in South Africa, fighting for decolonization on campus. The theatre was small and intimate, and after the performance I was lucky enough to have met the entire cast! They all signed my script and I am now friends with some of them on facebook! They are actually performing their play in New York this winter, and I plan on meeting up with them again! 

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UCA! Cheap and Delicious Food?!

After a few months of attending UCA which stands for the University of Centro-Americana, I have noticed that their system is different compared to what I was used to back in the states. Instead of classes, UCA uses an hour system for credits where each class has a required number of hours that you need to participate in in order to acquire full credit. For instance, the history class that Jack, Sophia and I are taking, I believe is up to 90 hours which means we must attend at least 90 hours of the class. For the number of students wise, we have 4 in our Calculus 3 classroom which is fantastic, 7 in statics, 6 in history, about 15 in material science, 6 in chemistry and in lab. Every class is around 2 hours long with the exception of 3-hour classes.Despite the immense time for the classes, we do get breaks which is nice, giving us time to grab some fresh air and stretch before falling asleep or getting too tired.

Upon arrival, we thought UCA was huge but after some time, it was smaller than Fairfield! We walked around usually after class we would grab some food from the local cafeteria on campus. At first, I thought the system here would be similar to Fairfield’s where there are students living on campus and there are meal swipes. However, I was wrong. There are no meal swipes for food and there aren’t many kids that live on campus. When we grab food, the lady taking our order, because we have visited her cafeteria so much, she practically memorized our order! Our order usually consisted of Enchiladas with Coleslaw, a basket of fruits, water, and some fries on the side! The total amounted to around $6 which was surprisingly cheap!

Because the classes are so small, we got very close with a lot of the people in it where, at times, we would hang out, grab something to eat, go to the pool, cook together! Oh yeah, did I mention I also cooked some Asian food for everybody here because after a few months of not eating anything Asian-style cooked, I was dying. I asked if there were any places around here that sell Asian food. Apparently, there was! And I tried them all! In the end, the bubble tea was good but everything else wasn’t up to my expectations, so I decided to cook for everyone.

Alba, the one taking care of us was also curious in the peculiar way I was cooking so she had asked me to teach her some things! Long story short, we invited all of our language partners and we celebrated! After a few weeks, we also visited many cities such as Granada, Leon, and Masaya. They were fantastic despite the hot temperature as always! We got to taste all the different unique foods that each location has to offer, and they were absolutely fantastic! We visited cathedrals and landmarks while taking many amazing shots! Can’t wait to continue exploding! Not to mention we also visited a volcano in Masaya in the day and at night. The difference was exceptional. At night, you can really see the magma not to mention the stars in the sky!

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First Steps

After months of thinking of what I might need, I had finally finished packing. Many travel sites recommend packing light-- and only the bare necessities. In Spain, it seems to be quite arid and the temperature doesn’t drop lower than around 50 degrees during most of the fall/winter. Since I would most likely be on the go during my time abroad, I packed comfortable outfits for all occasions and possible weather conditions—from exercise and gala attire to light blouses and jackets. Although travel sites suggest the availability of most hygienic products abroad, it is not guaranteed that you will find specific brands and within your typical price range. It is also recommended to not over-pack so as to leave space for gifts and keepsakes acquired throughout the next few months. So, I jam-packed one large checked suitcase and then left space in a smaller carry-on luggage. On my back, I carried a travel backpack with all necessary electronics, cash, credit cards, insurance cards, and other obligatory documents.

Pro tip: Roll your clothes for more luggage space!

Attention online shoppers: Traditional online retailers in the U.S. are not as developed in Spain. Make a visit to el Corte Inglés in Madrid’s city center! They have everything you will need to get settled (even school supplies!).

After all the noise of this summer and much preparation, I was finally on the flight, by myself. I had explicitly stated my goals during the application process into the program: language immersion, furthering independence, gaining credits, etc. However, on this flight, I was instead thinking of the bigger picture. Going away to university is a huge milestone. In making this decision to study abroad, I had truly demonstrated something to myself. Studying abroad puts an ocean between myself, my family and my friends. I had made a conscious decision to leave what I know, although for a short time, and set out on a path I knew little of. Nice sentence. For those who dare to do the same, this demonstrates the immense power that we, as young people, have in making these decisions that we trust will lead us to be more.

After months of imagining what it will be like, I am finally here. If you are checking in a bag, I would advise packing first the imperative and needful items in your carry-on luggage in case the luggage were to be lost or delayed (like mine was for approximately 72 hours). Upon arrival, exchange to the local currency—at least enough for transportation to the homestay, a reasonable 30 euro flat-rate taxi charge from MAD. Just as important, try to get your host family’s direct contact information (i.e. apartment, floor, and phone number) in addition to their address so that you can find the place with ease. I had knocked on a few doors and had to ask a few neighbors before finding mine. As it turns out, she goes by a nickname—which made it all the more fun! Upon arrival, it is unlikely that you will encounter signal or Wi-Fi to be in touch. I would definitely consider it a learning experience.

Residential buildings in the quiet neighborhood of Chamberí.

Keep in mind: Traveling to new places can be extremely stressful. Deep yoga breaths and a stay-cool water bottle can help. Also, wear layers and be comfortable.

It is all so new and a bit overwhelming however, all the more fresh. When I finally reached my host mother, she gave me a kiss on each cheek (the traditional Spanish greeting). Then, she let me choose my room out of the rather large apartment, or “piso”. In it, I am finding a home. She speaks only Spanish-- and I look forward to learning more and more from her with each day. I have a feeling that my three other ‘flat mates’ and I will be no less than a little family. It is so good to have arrived here and, with the help of Fairfield, already have a secured support system.

The sun sets on a September evening.

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Food's Galore

           Being well rested, Sophia, Jack and I were taken on a trip to explore the regions of Nicaragua. We visited a museum that brought up information about past Nicaraguan civilizations as well as how the land developed. Following that we explored the authentic cuisine offered here. From what I have seen so far, Nicaraguan cuisine generally consists of rice with beans and plantains. It’s absolutely, amazingly delicious. The smoky, soft texture of the beans mixed with rice cooked at the perfect temperature followed by sweet, tender plantains that melts in your mouth with every bite. What we have here is a mix of foods.

For instance, in the middle left, there are two slices of sausage that just melts. Though a bit on the sweet side, the sausage taste best when eaten together with diced green peppers and onions followed by rice and beans. The yellow, crunchy food on the right is similar to plantains except in the way it is prepared as instead of the texture being soft and creamy, these are crunchy and crisp making the combination of this entire plate something that would blow your mind away. The name of this delicious relative to the plantains is called Tajadas fritas. The word fritas means fries which perfectly describes the representation of the food when prepared, in batches of strands similar to fries. Standing above that is a mini batch of one Nicaraguan’s special sauces mixed with tomatoes, diced garlic and onions. Just a small bite of rice with a slice of sausage mixed with a crunchy tajadas fritas will take you out of this world.

The drink you see here is accompanied with the food we ordered above. It is a special blend of fresh fruits, milk, and chia seeds I believe making it one super healthy drink. Drinking it after eating such a heavy meal is very refreshing. It makes you feel energized, ready to tackle anything that comes your path. Though drinking it at first, I thought it tasted weird and sort of disgusting. However, after a few sips, I got used to it. Turns out, a drink like this is definitely an acquired taste but once you do, you are hooked!

A few days later, we got invited to attend one of our language partners birthday celebration. We went to his house and met his entire family. They were super nice. It turns out they were cooking Chinese but with a Nicaraguan twist. After tasting the food they prepared for us, we were all amazed. The taste was phenomenal, not to mention the vibe their family and friends gave off. Definitely worth the trip especially after learning that it was one of our language partners’ birthday!

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Cheers From London

I did it! I may or may not have had to pay an overweight fee for my bag in order to get on the plane, but I made it happen. I have now been in London for close to a week and a half, and I already have so much to talk about!

To start, I successfully navigated Heathrow Airport on my own... which is HUGE, both literally and figuratively speaking. Racing through the massive airport wasn’t easy given the fact that I boarded the plane wearing thick leggings, two shirts, a sweater, a vest, and my LLBean boots... it was quite the workout, especially since I had to haul my 110lb luggage from one terminal to another to catch my ride. Despite the struggle, I met up with my group in time to catch the shuttle over to campus!

It was surprisingly warm in London, around 70°, so as soon as I got to my room I changed out of my heavy clothing and got ready to explore campus. Below is a picture of me and my study abroad group! I am one of three Fairfield University students studying at QMUL this fall and on the far left is our contact/mentor Kasha (who was at the study abroad fair last week). Kasia is one of the nicest people I have ever met!

After meeting Kasha on campus, I went up to my room and started unpacking. I am living in a freshman flat this semester with six other people, three boys and three girls. It sounds weird, but it really isn't once you get used to it. We all have our own rooms, that include a full private bathroom, a bed, a desk, shelving/closet space, and a fridge. At the end of the corridor is a common room/kitchen that we all share.

I was definitely nervous coming into the flat not knowing any of my roommates, but I was pleasantly surprised with how it all turned out. My flat is extremely diverse and friendly. As a whole the six of us in our suite hail from four different continents. I have been up very late almost every night so far, discussing differences in education and culture with each of my roommates... from the Armenian Genocide to Donald Trump's presidency. My roommates and I have learned so much from one another, it feels as though I have been here for a month already! We are all very excited for the upcoming months; it has been an amazing first week.

           In choosing Queen Mary, I was attracted to the far ranging diversity on campus. Finding out that one of my flat mates is from Egypt was a very pleasant surprise for me. I have just finished a year of Arabic at Fairfield, so having an Egyptian roommate is a great way for me to practice my Arabic, while also allowing me to help my flatmate(s) with their English!

I took the photo above on my trip to the London Eye. I had never been on the Eye before and didn't know what to expect, but the 30 minutes flew by. The views were definitely worth the ride and I managed to capture some great photos. It still feels unreal to be here!

My friend, Kendall, took this photo (below) as we got to the top of the eye. I recommend visiting the London Eye early on, it gives you an idea of the size and beauty of London.

That same day, I had the opportunity to go see Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre. Being the Broadway fanatic I am, it was very cool to compare the British performance of the show to the Broadway production. I highly recommend going to see one of the offered shows; London has so many opportunities and discounts for students interested in theatre tickets, and I plan on taking advantage of this while I am abroad!

All in all, my first week at QMUL has been a good. So far, I have seen some of the best that the city has to offer and I hope that I can continue to serve as a representative of what Fairfield has to offer the world as well!

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           After my departure from the United States towards Nicaragua, I made it my goal to eat healthier, stay fit and stay on track of my studying routine. Additionally, I wanted to master the art of coding so I planned to take some of my free time and practice some forms of coding such as Python, C++, Java, and Linux. Planning for my semester abroad was a challenge as I had no previous experience towards packing for studying abroad. I had to take into account what clothes to bring, how many, and essentials required for that country. Personally, I would advise others to gather some information in terms of the airline that he/she is taking as well as what is allowed to be brought on board. Always pack what you need rather than what you want because you will be far away from home so if you brought what you wanted such as a game station, it would end up taking the entire space in your suitcase. Instead of doing that, you can choose to bring along extra clothes.

           After arriving in Nicaragua, there are definite changes that are apparent such as the change in the climate, culture and architecture. Leaving the airport, I noticed the humidity was different than what I was used to back in the United States. The climate back home is colder than how it is here as we are closer towards the equator. I don’t see a lot of people wearing any long shirts, pants or even sweaters. Everyone that approached us had similes on their faces as they greeted us. After unpacking, Sophia and I walked to the person who is taking care of us, Alba, greeted her and thanked her for her generosity, allowing us to stay in a house during our time here.

However, I was not prepared as she did not speak much of English as she mostly spoke Spanish. Though Sophia and Jack knew how to speak some Spanish, I for one did not. Conversation was a bit difficult at first but after a few days, I picked up some essential words that assisted me throughout my everyday life here. Alba’s house is fantastic. After we unpacked, she introduced us to her housekeeper, daughter as well as other residents that will be staying along with us. By the end of the day of our arrival, Sophia and I met everyone and we all became one big family. I will be looking forward to with my time here as well as celebrating holidays that are not apparent in the U.S. Additionally, I am excited about celebrating Alba’s birthday and tasting all different, exotic, and authentic kinds of food here.

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Jessica Held

International Studies, Spanish

Madrid, Spain

Class of 2019

¡Hola! My name is Jessica and I’m from Pelham, NY. I am a rising junior at Fairfield, and this fall semester I will be studying at Universidad Pontificia Comillas through the Madrid program. I am an International Studies and Spanish major interested in world politics and cultures, as well as linguistics. My multicultural background has continuously molded my curiosity to be aimed at witnessing the unique way that others are brought up and what that contributes to their worldview or ideology. In the Spanish courses that I’ve taken at Fairfield, I learned so much in terms of the creative arts, customs, and languages of Spain. Throughout my academic career, I have been inclined to take advantage of opportunities to learn outside of the conventional classroom, and, with efforts to become an advanced Spanish speaker, I chose to study abroad in Madrid. I look forward to this semester with my classmates and understanding the world from a Spanish perspective, while savoring all that the Spanish culture has to offer. I am grateful for this opportunity to share with the rest of the Fairfield community, friends and family, and to anyone who would consider taking a similar path. Now, onto the journey…

Eric Jiang

Mechanical Engineering

Nicaragua, Universidad Centro Americana de Nicaragua (UCA)

Sophomore

Growing up in New York City, I was always surrounded by a diverse group of people. I always knew where things are, who my friends are and what to do. However, after enrolling into Fairfield University, everything changed. I was no longer surrounded by people I know, sheltered by adults. I had to figure out things on my own, become my own adult…figure out who I am. This is my story, my journey to tell.

Throughout my spare time, I usually work out to stay healthy and fit. Additionally, I play tons of video games, mainly PC, PS4 and online games such as League of Legends. I chose the Mechanical Engineering degree, not for the money but because I have the passion for it. My goal is to graduate with an Engineering degree and go into the fields of Mechatronics with the focus of enhancing robotic technology, making everyday life easier for everyone. I believe the qualifications of an excellent engineer can be traced to how well-rounded they are and Fairfield University provides that. Studying abroad is definitely a great opportunity to expand on your possible networks, connections and learning experiences. I believe by doing so, I will be able to figure more about myself…my own strengths and weaknesses.

 Paige McGuire

Finance Major/ Marketing Minor

London, UK: Queen Mary University of London (Mile End Campus)

Junior/ Class of 2019

Hello, my name is Paige, I live in Cranbury, NJ.  I am a junior at Fairfield University and about to leave for Queen Mary University in London for the 2017 fall semester! I love to perform, I have been singing and acting since I was five years old, and I currently sing in Fairfield’s all female A Capella group Sweet Harmony and the University Glee Club. In my time abroad I plan to continue singing and traveling across Europe one karaoke bar at a time! 

I chose to study abroad in London, not only because it is a beautiful city and conveniently located for traveling, but also because of the success and opportunity that surrounds it. After interning at Merrill Lynch for the past three summers, I know that living in London is a possibility in the Finance industry. I could definitely see myself temporarily relocating to London in the future, so these next three months will be a good test run. I am so excited for this opportunity and honored to be able to share it with you all!

[fairfieldustudyabroad]

More Food and Culture in Greece! - Aisling (’19)

In the last two weeks I have done a lot of traveling around Greece. An important part of Greece’s history are the 6,000 islands scattered throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas. Of those 6,000 islands only 227 are inhabited. As part of this class we had the opportunity to travel to Aegina, an island famous for their pistachios. While there we visited a pistachio cooperative, learned about how the pistachios are harvested, and got to sample some pistachios for ourselves. We also traveled to the town of Marathon which is famous for the battle in which the outnumbered Athenian army was able to defeat the Persians. While there we visited the first certified organic farm and tasted their authentic sheep and goat yogurt.

A member of the pistachio cooperative explaining to us how the pistachio matures

View of the island of Aegina

Site of the Battle of Marathon

I spent the last week of my class in Koroni, a small town located in the southern Peloponnese. What makes Koroni so special is the fact it was designated by UNESCO as possessing intangible heritage relating to the Mediterranean Diet. In this town people do not only model their diet around the Mediterranean Diet but also their lives. This means that everything they eat is grown locally, they have special traditions and festivals to commemorate their heritage, and there is a large emphasis on community. Every morning in Koroni we would receive a cooking lesson from the owner of our hotel, Mr. George. He would demonstrate and then involve us in the preparation of cooking our favorite dishes that we encountered while in our class. We would then get to eat whatever dish we prepared in the morning for lunch.

Photo of the briam (Greek mixed vegetables cooked in tomato sauce) Mr. George helped us make one morning for our lunch

While in Koroni we learned a lot about olive oil, which is an integral component of the Mediterranean Diet. We visited an old olive oil press, learned how to make olive oil soap, and even had an olive oil tasting with an olive oil sommelier. One morning we also visited a local bakery to see how traditional breads were made. The final week in Koroni was a nice way to end the class. My experiences there broadened my understanding of the Mediterranean Diet beyond its famous health benefits. It also allowed the class to grow closer as a group before our study abroad experience together came to a close.

Photo of us trying different olive oils at a local store in Koroni

Photo of the traditional Greek bread before it was baked in the oven

Taking this class was a last minute decision for me, but I am so happy that I took advantage of the opportunity to study abroad this summer. I have absolutely loved living in Greece for the past month as part of CYA. Being a student in Athens and not just a tourist offered me the experience to learn so much more about Greek culture and history. Also as part of CYA I was able to meet so many people from other places in the United States, which made the transition here a whole lot easier. If anyone has reservations about studying abroad or studying abroad alone I would wholeheartedly encourage them to take a chance. The study abroad experience is something you cannot miss.

Last sunset in Greece

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Summer in Sydney comes to an end- Julia ('19)

Our classes ended today, so we are headed home soon. The time in Australia went by too fast and I wish we could have stayed longer, but I knew it was not an option for me to come for an entire semester.

I would definitely encourage and recommend this summer program. Partly because the two weeks was not too long to be away from home and we did not miss anything at Fairfield, but also because the staff at Australian Catholic University was so friendly and they loved having us here. To anyone thinking about taking a class here in Sydney with ACU, I would just advise them to take a class that they are interested in because you do spend quite a bit of time in class.

Studying abroad has made me want to travel around the world even more to see all of the different cultures and cities, and simply how people live differently in other countries. I think that the most challenging thing about studying abroad was the fourteen hour time difference from home. It was weird to have my family and friends going to sleep as my day was just beginning. I’m glad I decided to go to a place that speaks English because it definitely would have been a huge struggle to fit in and get around a city if everything was in a different language.

By studying in Australia and taking the class that I chose, I definitely learned a lot about Beaches and Coasts. Australia has some of the most beautiful coastlines I’ve ever seen; they don’t even compare to anything in the United States. Although taking this class does not relate to my business major, I did learn some things that would be useful in the future. Such as different things to think about when buying a house, like how prone is it to flooding, that I had never really considered before. Overall, I had a great time and loved my experience with ACU in Sydney and although the time went by very quickly, I’m ready to come back home.

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History comes alive in Berlin- Katie ('19)

‘Hallo’ again! I am writing this as I am on my plane back to America, and thinking back to all the memories I made over the course of my time abroad. When I first arrived in Berlin, I was feeling rather overwhelmed by the busy city. I could not speak fluent German and maneuvering my way through the city was confusing. However, I quickly acclimated and found myself feeling at home in the middle of Europe.

Brandenburg Gate

  During my time abroad, I was taking a Holocaust Studies course, just to fill my upper-level history course. Yet after just a few days into my experience, I gained much more interest the subject than simply fulfilling a credit. Across Europe there is countless museums, tributes, artifacts, and even survivors that are still telling their story about living through that time-period. It is shocking to see and hear these things, knowing it happened not so long ago. On one of the most-recent class excursions, my professor took the nine of us to Ravensbrück concentration camp, which was a camp made exclusively for women from 1939-1945. At our visit, we were able to walk through the camp site and all the buildings that are still standing, learning about what went on at this camp, and those individuals that lived here.

Inside Ravensbrück

Barriers surrounding the camp

Later that week, my professor took our group to the house of the Wansee Conference. Here is where the final plans were made for the Holocaust, prior to the end of the war. It was heartbreaking to read about all the brutality during this time, but also reassuring to learn about survivors or relatives of survivors. Learning the stories of the people that were personally affected by the Holocaust forces you to really imagine yourself in their shoes.

  House of Wansee Conference

  Many of my weekdays were spent in class and wandering around Berlin. Berlin is a huge city so there was never a time we were bored! One of my favorite things about the city is the river that runs through it. There are many restaurants that have tables overlooking the water which were some of my favorite places to eat. On the final days before departure, the CIEE program took all session II students on a farewell departure dinner cruise. As it stays light out so much later than it does in America, it was a beautiful view of the city from a new perspective. It was a nice way to say goodbye to the city that you have called home for the past months, and share your best memories with your classmates.

  Berliner Dom

As amazing as my experience in Germany was, it was not what I had originally planned. Prior to my decision to go to Berlin, I was planning on spending my summer studying abroad in Dakar, Senegal. Very shortly before my departure, my program was cancelled and I was told I could no longer attend the Dakar program and should choose a new destination. Though I was heartbroken at first, I forced myself to look at the bright side and focus on where else I could go. I had previously been to other areas of Europe, but never Germany and decided to give it a shot. Evidently, it was nothing like my Africa trip would have been like, but it worked out and I am thankful to have gotten this experience. I met some amazing people that I know I will keep in touch with, and gained a major sense of independence, while also realizing how grateful for everything I have in America.

  Danke schoen, Berlin! I will be back.

[fairfieldustudyabroad]

Aisling ('19) learns about Mediterranean diet and culture in Athens!

Yassas from Athens! I have been in Athens a little over a week now and I cannot believe how fast the time is going. On my first night here my professor Aimee Placas took the whole class out to dinner at a local taverna. She introduced us to several traditional Greek dishes, such as zucchini balls, fried cheese, green beans, and stuffed peppers and tomatoes. Everyone's favorite though was the feta cheese! The dinner was a great way to meet the 13 other students who I would be spending the next 4 weeks with. The next day Aimee took us on a tour of Pangrati, the neighborhood where CYA is situated. She pointed out some great places to get dinner and all the popular cafes we could get our daily coffee. What I love most about Pangrati is how centrally located it is. My apartment is right next to the Olympic Stadium, a 10 minute taxi ride to the Acropolis, and a 15 minute walk to Syntagma Square which is a popular shopping district in Athens. On one of my first nights in Athens everyone in my class decided to walk up to Mount Lycabettus where we were able to get a full view of the city!

Visit to Pantopoleion for a Greek cheese tasting

View of the Olympic Stadium from Mount Lycabettus

We have class just about every day. In the morning we typically tour a part of Athens that has cultural significance pertaining to the Mediterranean Diet or Greek dietary practices. One morning we went to a local kafenio and had traditional Greek coffee. Afterwards Aimee showed us how people used to predict their friends’ future from the leftover grounds in their coffee mug. Another morning we visited a major fish market in Athens where a 3 star Michelin chef showed us how to make sushi. That day was by far my favorite. We have also done cheese tastings, visited a bread museum, visited a local cemetery, and met the president of the local farmers market. Soon we will be traveling to Koroni where we will be tasting local olive oil! In the late afternoon we typically have lecture where we discuss assigned readings and learn more about Greek culture. So far I really love taking this class because it offers me the experience of learning about and immersing myself into the Greek culture. I am looking forward to the upcoming day excursions to Aegina and Marathon, and then our final week in Koroni! - Aisling

Sushi making at a commercial fish market

Before photo of Greek coffee

After photo of Greek coffee where we predicted each other's future from the dried coffee grounds on the inside of the cup.