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Global Ambassador Emma Rieves shares a story map detailing her experience studying abroad on the IFSA Butler University of Otago program. Check it out!

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A Forever Family

By Brianna Denny, Global Ambassador

IES Granada

I eagerly exited the large charter bus that we rode in from Malaga to Granada. It was pouring rain but families were still lined up on the curb, patiently waiting to see our smiling faces. My roommate and I had no idea what facial features we were supposed to be looking for, we only knew her name which was Paula.

The crowd began to dwindle down until there were only a few students left and Alexandra and I had still not been claimed. We looked at each other with concern, afraid that our host mom forgot about picking us up. Shortly after, a woman slowly walked up to us and said something so quite we could barely hear. Next to her, there was a little girl riding a bike who, I could tell, had many questions in her eyes. The woman then repeated what she had said before, and we realized she had asked what our names were. With confidence, we told her our names and she gave us the biggest smile I believe I had ever seen. She embraced us both in her arms and said “Soy Paula,” and introduced her daughter, who was also named Paula. After a few awkward moments of not knowing what to say while smiling and nodding, we grabbed our bags and made way to our new home.

Paula continued to ask me and my roommate questions to which both of us mostly replied “que?,” because we were not advanced in conversational Spanish. Eventually, I managed to work up the sentence to ask if her or her children spoke English, to which she quickly replied “no.” In my mind, I was already dreading every conversation to be had in Spanish because I was afraid to mess it up, so I knew that conversing with my host family was going to be a challenge.

A sigh of relief came over me once we arrived at the doorstep of the apartment building because we had trekked twenty minutes from the bus stop, in the pouring rain, with all of our luggage. After we put our years worth of luggage in our individual rooms and took a quick tour of the flat, Paula insisted on going on a short walk to the Science Park nearby. With our exhausted voice, we reluctantly said “si,” and prepared for a difficult conversation that we would use Google Translate for the majority of. I never would have guessed, in that moment, how much I would give to be able to walk around Granada with Paula again.

From that day on, Paula, Alex, and I ate lunch together almost everyday while conversing over mostly trivial things because that was the only Spanish vocabulary we knew. There were many times where Paula would laugh at our attempts to speak Spanish, but would then use the time to teach us vocabulary and grammar. It started with us picking up a piece of dinnerware or pointing at a food and asking how to pronounce it, but the three of us eventually built up the confidence to have more sophisticated conversations, which taught me more about the culture of Spain than any class could have and for that, I am grateful.

In my time abroad, I learned to appreciate the little things that would be the most meaningful. Many of these memories were of Paula and how she made me feel like I had a family in a place far away from home. There were nights that she sat on my bed for hours, reading through my essays for Spanish class and fixing my mistakes or telling me how I could make them better. She welcomed us into her life so easily and never failed to take care of us as she did for her other children. Without Paula, my study abroad experience would have been very different and, I can imagine, not nearly as impactful. I hope to reunite with her one day when we can converse over lunch and enjoy a cup of tea like we did back then. For now, I will carry the memories of my host family with me.

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Weekend Getaway

Regardless of what part of Europe you decide to study in, the beautiful and metropolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, Barcelona, must be on your travel itinerary. Located on the coast of Spain, Barcelona has fantastic Mediterranean climate that provides sunny, warm days year-round. As long as its not raining, you’ll be able to eat or hang around the world famous La Barceloneta beach. The city has an efficient and well-connected underground, where you’ll be able to get metro tickets at the kiosks in the stations. On the topic of metro stations, City Mapper is a must have app specifically designed for metros in cities around the world, it is a helpful, reliable, and quite frankly, a life saver of an app. 

Concerning any worries about the language barrier, you’ll be able to get by just fine even if you don’t speak flawless Spanish. As Barcelona is in Catalonia, Catalan is the more dominant language over Spanish. Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city however, just about every local will speak English. It is very appreciated however if you at least try to say a word or phrase in Catalan or Spanish, locals will be much more receptive and happier. 

In such a large city, deciding where to stay at for the weekend can be daunting. From my personal experience and recommendation, the neighborhood by the Gothic Quarter was in a very accessible location with tons to do by it. The neighborhood itself was bustling with bars and restaurants, although metro rides to other parts of the city weren’t ever terribly long. Being only 15 minutes from la Barceloneta as well, I was ecstatic with the convenience and pleasantry of my stay.

Lastly, as for where to visit, Barcelona is a huge city, it would be impossible to touch every corner in a weekend. Some places that you should check out however are: Catedral de Barcelona, where you can eat or drink at one of the many rooftop bars and enjoy the view, Pez Vela Chiringuito, a restaurant on la Barceloneta with some extraordinary paella, Park Guell, make sure to book tickets in advance to see this architectural beauty, and Divinus, a restaurant on Passeig de Gracia that is ideal for more paella and mojitos. These are just a handful of the places I can recommend, not only can I recommend more but there are so many other sources of knowledge when it comes to what to do in Barcelona. Of course, make sure to stay safe and vigilant of your surroundings as pickpockets are very common, especially in Las Ramblas. 

Yeison Martinez

London, England (WFU INSTEP)

WFU Global Ambassador

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Costa Rica

Pura. Vida. These two words were the embodiment of my time within Costa Rica. From the bustling atmosphere of the Mercado central in San Jose to the sparkling Caribbean waters of Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica really was an all-encompassing study abroad experience. The only thing that rivaled the mesmerizing nature of Costa Rica was the beauty of the personalities of the “Ticos” themselves, the endearing term proudly internalized by the native inhabitants of Costa Rica. My professors, my host mother, and the Costa Rican friends I made were all very kind and lived religiously through “Tico” time, which resultingly led to a very calm, laid-back lifestyle that rivaled that of the Southern hospitality found in my hometown of Alabama.

As this was not your typical study abroad location, I was struck by the sheer difference between Costa Rican and Western culture. In addition to easier cultural adjustments, like the food (the patacones are literally to die for) and my school environment, I experienced some cultural shocks that took some time to overcome. The tougher aspects included things such as housing and social interactions. For example, my racial background earned me the nickname of “Chinita”. I initially was not impressed, as my racial heritage does not stem from China; however, through my stay within Costa Rica, I learned that it was a form of endearment to refer to someone by a nickname. The nicknames were almost always based on physical traits, and as such, I learned to take pride in my given nickname. I even met a Costa Rican nicknamed “Chinito” along the way, and we bonded over and laughed about our shared nickname. Though my transition was initially difficult due to small culture shocks, I grew closer to those around me because of them, and it helped me to further understand the mindset and lifestyles of the Ticos themselves.  

In addition to learning more about Costa Rican culture through cultural adaptation, I also learned a lot through my use of Spanish and interactions with others, which was one of the main reasons I chose this study abroad program. Interestingly, the Spanish I had learned since middle school was taught using the Spain dialect of Spanish. Once I arrived in Costa Rica and began to speak with my host family, I realized very quickly how different Spanish dialects were. If you were wondering why the Costa Ricans pridefully carry the nickname “Ticos”, then you should know that this stems from their uncanny ability to attach “tico” to almost every noun in the Spanish language. Eventually hearing phrases like, “espere un momentico” and “es chiquitico” became like second nature to me.

In addition to Spanish, I also chose this program because it offered a chance for me to study health-related aspects from a Costa Rican and Spanish-speaking perspective. Regarding the school environment, the university I attended was a mix between and indoor and outdoor environment, as there were many open-air spaces that existed within the building. The classes I took included a 4 hour long intensive Spanish medical terminology course, and an introduction to physical rehabilitation course. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about different health aspects from the point of view of another culture. For example, during one part of the curriculum, I learned that there are certain ways to ask a patient health form questions during clinical visits, as some questions could seem demeaning or provoking to a patient, such as asking about one’s marital status. Likewise, we learned how to give recommendations to patients based on what was available to them in that culture. As my professor loved to say, the papaya is the king of a fruits when it comes to creating a diet plan for a diabetic patient, and you’ve got to be very careful when trying to limit a Costa Rican on their intake of coffee! As well, I learned that Costa Rica is a predominantly Catholic country, and in order to tie that in with the health course, we made a presentation that sought to teach young Catholic children about sexually transmitted diseases and their preventions without crossing religious borders.

Overall, this was an unforgettable and enlightening program that opened my eyes to a culture that was completely different from my own. Who knew that “universal” healthcare could actually be so different when taking into account cultural impact?  From my time on this program, I learned how to understand the backgrounds of others and to recognize how cultural influences can impact relationships and social perspectives. If you are considering a study abroad program and you want to brush up on your Spanish or traverse the diverse world of healthcare, then venture out and try this program in Costa Rica!

Jasmine Roby ISA Costa Rica (Summer)

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 “You have to go to the theater!” This was the first thing my Professor told me when I asked what I had to do during my time in London. Finding cheap tickets to shows is achievable through websites like timeout.com and going to “TKTS LONDON” in Leicester Square for discount tickets for the same day or next day. I went to Agatha Christie’s play “The Mousetrap” for only £8! Tickets are available for all plays almost every day, even the most popular West End shows like Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Matilda, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. If you’re attending an evening show, restaurants throughout Covent Garden offer pre or post theater dinners at a fixed price starting at 5PM or after 10PM. This is a fun activity to do if your parents or friends are visiting. One of my favorite memories from abroad was when my mom surprised me with tickets to Hamilton when she visited in February.

Mollie Rouan

IFSA Butler, London School of Economics

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The Tate Modern is a massive museum holding international and modern contemporary art inside the old Bankside Power Station. The Tate Modern is most accessible by walking from St. Paul’s across the pedestrian only millennium bridge. On a nice day, this is a great way to see the city and features views along the Thames of famous sites like Big Ben and the London Eye. This museum has a wonderful permanent collection which features artists like Andy Warhol, and it always has amazing visiting collections from artists such as Modigliani and Dali. Like many other London museums, the Tate Modern is free entry, though special collections require a priced ticket. Be sure to take the central elevator to the top floor to see views of the City of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Shard. After visiting the museum, Borough Market is a short 15-minute walk, and this food market has some of the best restaurants and food stalls in the city.

Mollie Rouan

London, England

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London is known for having a vast number of parks and open spaces for being such a massive city. Regent’s Park is my favorite park to visit because it covers such a large area, and it was only a ten-minute walk from my dorm. The park is located in the City of Westminster and the borough of Camden, and you can get there by tube at Regent’s Park station or by bus at Regent’s Park stop. Regent’s is one of London’s eight royal parks, and it has recreational spaces, a lake, and the London Zoo. There is a 3-mile loop around the entire park, so it’s an excellent space to run, particularly if you’re there in the fall to see the leaves changing. The lake has row boats you can rent during nice weather, and there are events going on throughout the entire year, such as free yoga sessions, art installations, and sporting events. I enjoyed going to the park for afternoon picnics and to people watch; I once saw Prince Harry’s motorcade drive through the park during a charity event he was attending. Primrose Hill is also part of Regent’s Park, which offers my favorite view of London. Primrose Hill is on the northern side of Regent’s and separated by Prince Albert’s Road and the zoo. If you summit the grassy hill, you will be impressed by the most spectacular and expansive views of the city.

Mollie Rouan

IFSA Butler, London School of Economics

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London has a number of markets throughout the city that each have a unique atmosphere and feature specialty items. One of my favorite markets is Camden Market, which is located in Camden Town on Regent’s Canal. This market has a “hipster” vibe with over 200 stalls along narrow alleyways that are always flooded with tourists and locals. To get to the market, you can take the Northern line to Chalk Farm Road or Camden Town or hop on the bus toward Chalk Farm or Hampstead Heath. There are free walking tours available, though exploring on your own is a great way to get a feel for the market. In addition to the handmade jewelry, vintage clothing, and record vendors, Camden Market is also famous for its delicious food stalls; one of my favorites is The Mac Factory, which offers mac and cheese made inside an actual cheese wheel. After exploring the market, a walk to Primrose Hill is a great way to burn off your lunch and see spectacular views of London.

Mollie Rouan

IFSA Butler, London School of Economics

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Christian’s Guide to Meeting Locals while Abroad (Part 2)

  I spent my semester abroad at DIS Copenhagen. The Danish culture is one which emphasizes cooperation and a strong national and community spirit, but Danish spheres are also known for being particularly tough for outsiders to penetrate. Danes don’t generally talk openly to strangers and many of them maintain few but strong friendships, which does not always lend itself well to making friends with the random American who is only there for four months. But I really wanted to experience as much of Denmark as I could during my time there, and for those who similarly would like to engage with the culture of their study abroad country, here are a few tips for ways to build that bridge.

 Sports / Hobbies

If you a favorite sport or hobby that you enjoy, you can use that to your advantage while abroad! Most cities generally have some recreational level sports clubs or communities that get together regularly for different hobbies. Joining one of these can help you keep up your passions while abroad, but even more it gives you a great chance to meet others who share a similar interest which can be a great step towards bridging a friendship.

I joined a local Danish soccer club which let me regularly hangout with a lot of Danes. Soon I was traveling with them to games around Copenhagen and then even attending local club get-togethers or other events that teammates were going to. Several friends joined a local runner’s club which would go for a run together twice a week (and would always end their runs at a local bar for a drink and some socializing after the run).

Other than sports, there are plenty of other clubs that are usually offered around town, you just might need to go searching for them. Several of my suitemates got very into rock-climbing and bouldering while in Copenhagen and joined a local gym to hang with Danish friends as they climbed. Another began attending art classes at Copenhagen University in the evening and got to meet other artists that way. Whatever you can enjoy, there are definitely others who enjoy the same, so use that to your advantage!

 Go To Local Events

There is almost always some sort of event going on in cities and these can be another great way to engage with the local culture. From holidays to city sponsored events or just local businesses, there are plenty of different ways to find something to do in your city. Sometimes these can be difficult for a non-local to find, so be sure to check newspapers or city websites to try to find cool new things to try. Some of my favorite things in Copenhagen were the local breweries. Especially when the weather was getting nicer towards the spring, almost every weekend at least one or two local breweries would be hosting some sort of free tasting which brought in plenty of Danes. There were also local concerts downtown, art shows or museum events, and every Tuesday night at the Studenterhuset (The Student’s House) was Salsa Night.

It can be tough when you still have school and homework and tests and deadlines, but try your best to manage your time and keep up with local events to help you break up your schedule and do something different with some locals!

Christian Green, DIS Copenhagen

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Daniel Chan, IHP Health and Community 

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“I’m a huge fan of theater, but growing up in Idaho meant I had limited access to highly regarded shows. My favorite part of London was being able to see 13 west end shows over the course of the semester. I got tickets to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and was seated next to Scarlett Johansson which was really neat. Theater in London is second only to broadway, and even that is debated, so I am incredibly grateful that I got to see so many plays that I have admired for so long.”

-        Paige Raudenbush (WFU London School of Economics program, Fall 2015)

Interviewed by Katie Super 

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Study Abroad Resources by

Kalyn Epps, WFU Salamanca and IES Vienna

Brenderia Cameron, WFU Southern Cone

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Noah Eggers,

SFS Turks and Caicos 

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Keru Luo, IES Vienna

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Tyler Boucher, IFSA Butler University of Otago

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The Bund

A very famous spot in Shanghai is the Bund, a very famous waterfront that is regarded as a “symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years.” It’s a very typical, tourist spot for Shanghai, but it is definitely worth the visit! The Bund was a very short subway ride from ECNU and very easy to find. You can take Line 2 or Line 10 to East Nanjing Road Station and then walk towards the Huangpu River. There are also street signs that point you in the direction towards the Bund. Along the Bund, there are different malls, a bunch of restaurants, hotels, and a few little shops, which are great for picking up some little gifts or knick-knacks. Right across the street from the view of the Bund is the HSBC, and inside, there is a beautiful mosaic. In my opinion, it is definitely worth checking out if you’re in the mood to admire a delicate piece. There are also two sculptures, a bronze statue of a bull, and the Monument to the People’s Heroes, which is a tall, abstract concrete tower. Both are worth checking out. 

              The Bund is full of Chinese history as it was established as a trading port in 1846 after the Opium Wars. As you walk along the streets, you can see all kinds of different architectures, many of which are most western-inspired. There are not only shops down the streets of the Bund, but there are also banks and offices, which have a very western feel to them. If it weren’t for the Chinese characters, you honestly wouldn’t feel like you were in a Chinese city.

              The night view of the Bund is also worth seeing as it fully exhibits the various architectural styles of the buildings and is a beautiful scene of Shanghai. You can see all the lights floating on the river and the flashing lights on the far side of the river.

              The Bund was one of the first things I explored when I started my study abroad program. Honestly, my friends and I could probably spend a whole afternoon walking along the Bund and then visiting the shops and restaurants. Throughout my semester abroad, I definitely went back a couple more times to visit different shops, try different restaurants, and took a bunch of pictures of the view and buildings.

Kelsey Rudolph, CIEE Shanghai