The Education Abroad Experience

Trip to the Dominican Republic

By SIMRUN KAUR SONI on May 22, 2013 9:34 PM | 0 Comments

Hi! My name is Simrun Soni and I am a rising senior, majoring in Economics with a minor in Business. For the first ten days of summer break, I was in the Dominican Republic working on various service projects with ACES North America (Advancing Communities: Educating and Serving) with the end goal to solve poverty through education. Words cannot describe the experience I had, it was truly life changing. The poverty there, in a place so rich and known for their tourism industry, is unbelievable. Water is scarce, electricity is rare, and air conditioning is nonexistent. Traveling to each various... (read more)

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"My Eyes Have Finally Been Opened" A student's experience in Panama

By CASEY JAMES FENTON on June 11, 2013 2:00 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

By Brittany M. ColtonWhen I signed up and paid for my plane ticket to Panama, I knew it was finally happening. After consistently changing my mind for the past two years about what I wanted to do immediately after graduation, I finally thought I was set on a fixed plan: I would attend law school for public interest purposes. With this plan in mind, I knew I wanted some first-hand experience. I stumbled across the Global Brigades organization online, specifically the Human Rights chapter, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. I had no idea the prospects that... (read more)

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An Eye-opening Excursion in Southeast Asia

By CASEY JAMES FENTON on June 10, 2013 2:00 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

In May 2013, three Penn State faculty along with eleven Schreyer Honors College students embarked on a journey to Cambodia and Vietnam. Liberal Arts student Daniel Magerman shares their experience on his website Nambodia 2013.... (read more)

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Rollin' on the River...

By REVA BAYLETS on August 1, 2012 10:53 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Throughout the course of this study abroad, there have been various activities to partake in order to give us more time to practice our language skills. I got to do a high ropes course, canoe, visit a First Peoples' Nation, and listen to a nature concert on a lake. The grande finale of the entire program of events took place on a cruise ship that sailed up and down the river. We got to get all dressed up and relax on the boat.... There were beautiful scenes along the river throughout the night. Check out the Chateau Fontblanccccc at... (read more)

Festival d'été de Québec

By REVA BAYLETS on July 17, 2012 7:22 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Some of the most amazing experiences that I've gotten to have so far in Canada are directly related to the Festival d'été de Québec. In total, there were "300 spectacles 10 scènes, and 11 jours [days] de musique." Throughout the festival, I attempted to go to one concert a day, though it was exhausting to go into the city every night after classes and homework. The first one I had the opportunity to see was LMFAO at Scène Bell. This state was the biggest of them all and as you can see in the photo, there were so many... (read more)

Arbre en Arbre

By REVA BAYLETS on July 9, 2012 3:56 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Yesterday, I had one of the most exhilarating and terrifying experiences in my life. Let me explain: I vehemently detest heights. I don't do ferris wheels or desire to get close to the edge of any tall place. So I'm not quite sure what I was thinking when I signed up to go Arbre en Arbre (tree to tree). When we got to Le Relais centre de ski resort, I was super excited/nervous to try my hand at the high ropes course, even though J'ai peur des hauteurs (I'm scared of heights).As I was climbing up the ladder and onto... (read more)

Poutine et biére

By REVA BAYLETS on July 7, 2012 10:43 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

One of my favorite things to do in a new place is find out what is local to that area, especially when it comes to food and drink. I believe that doing things "as the locals do" is the best way to experience a location as well as being an exercise in global citizenship. For me, eating is an intimate experience and when one opens oneself up to trying new foods and customs surrounding food, I believe it is an exercise in adaptability. Participating in other customs make us more fluid in our ability to relate to others very... (read more)

Losing un peu... gaining beaucoup

By REVA BAYLETS on July 1, 2012 7:37 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

When I loose one of my favorite things in a foreign place, I know it's an omen of a good trip. When I went to Hawaii last summer, I lost a stone and wood necklace I had made. This time, I surrendered a favorite turquoise ring of mine the first day the CIC group toured la ville de Québec. Though I am sad to have lost the ring, I know that I will gain so much by studying here this summer. The CIC group got to tour Vieux Québec (Old Quebec) with Monsieur Fernand Gill. His accent was difficult... (read more)

Pionta Guinnes, le do thoil!

By JESSICA ELIZABETH BRENN on February 28, 2012 4:48 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

"She wants us to sing this?" I thought to myself as I looked down at the lyrics in front of me. We sing along slowly with our teacher, gaining a little confidence. But then, she presses the button on the Youtube video and we are shocked back to beginners! We do not sing or speak that fast in Irish. Yes, that song (that will be stuck in your head now!) is in Irish! I signed up for Beginner's Irish thinking: it'll be practical and it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. So I couldn't say no to a weekend immersion... (read more)

Clifden

By JESSICA ELIZABETH BRENN on January 30, 2012 6:55 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Last Tuesday, I took an impromptu day trip to Clifden with my boyfriend, Dan. After an hour and a half bumping over small country roads in a big bus, trying to look at the amazing landscape without getting too motion sick, we pulled into the main square of the town. In about ten minutes, we had walked around the whole town center and picked a pub, Griffin's, to get lunch at. My love for soup increased with each spoonful of my tomato & pepper soup and the spoonful of Dan's mushroom soup. Delicious! So with warm food in our... (read more)

The Homestay!

By JESSICA ELIZABETH BRENN on January 17, 2012 7:43 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I spent this past weekend with the Reillys, an Irish family who lives in the village Corofin. We (myself and another girl from my program, Trissanna) had been told we would be staying in Tuam (pronounced toom--doesn't rhyme with Guam), but this was not the case! My first shock was sitting behind the driver on the right-hand side of the car! It was dark when we arrived, but the headlights illuminated a very narrow, unpaved road ahead of us as we headed back to their home. So my second surprise was that we were far from town; rather, we... (read more)

Greetings from Galway

By JESSICA ELIZABETH BRENN on January 8, 2012 4:49 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I have officially been in Ireland for one week! It feels like it's been so much longer. Sunday through Wednesday morning, I stayed in Dublin for orientation through Arcadia University. We had the afternoons off to sleep or to explore, so I explored until I couldn't stay awake any longer. I didn't take a lot of pictures because I was afraid of getting my camera wet in the rain, so you'll have to take my word for it, but I saw: the Millennium Spire, Grafton Street (a nice shopping center), the Guinness Brewery, St. Stephen's Green, Trinity College, Temple... (read more)

DR and Done!

By Kate Thompson on December 8, 2011 11:37 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Today marks our first day of, well, no work. We're done! No research, no class, no papers- the academic portion of SFS is over! So let me catch you up on the end of DR. We finished our DR papers earlier this week. As I mentioned, I wrote mine on domestic tourism. How and why levels of national park visitation are low; why educational programming during national park visits should be increased and how TANAPA could go about doing so. (TANAPA= Tanzanian National Park service). In my opinion, I believe there is no reason for increasing domestic tourism if people... (read more)

The Return

By AUTUMN A GRIFFIN on December 8, 2011 3:14 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

As much as I love blogging, I've realized that I really don't like doing anything that is attached to a due date. Nevertheless, here is my last PSU blog post. I've been back in the states for almost two full weeks now (after leaving ZA, I went to Aruba for a week with some family and got home the Sunday after Thanksgiving), and I can't say that I've still fully adjusted. I think part of the reason it has taken me so long to write this post is because I wasn't sure exactly what angle I wanted to take. I'm... (read more)

Can I Make a Bar Graph to Convey How Much Time I Now Spend in Front of My LabTop?

By Kate Thompson on December 1, 2011 2:31 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

So I apologize for dropping off the face of the planet for the last ten or so days. Directed Research is in full swing here at Moyo Hill, Tanzania. I'm living on a diet of coffee and data analysis, and still don't know how much logical progress I'm making. But I'm going to be optimistic. Allow me to catch you up. Over our eight days of field research we interviewed over 257 adults, 45-some students and 15 or so teachers. Our subjects came from the Karatu, Mto was Mbu, Isilalei, Majengo B, ChemChem and Kilimatembo areas. My classmate Sam made... (read more)

Directed Research

By Kate Thompson on November 20, 2011 1:31 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Now that's an exciting title! But really, beginning our direct research for our Environmental Policy teacher Mwamhanga has been really interesting and fun. I am researching domestic tourism within the Northern Circuit Parks of Tanzania. Or maybe more inappropriately the lack there of. Despite its booming foreign tourism industry, in Tanzania very few citizens travel regularly to National Parks. Tanzania gives a discount for citizens- entry cost is 1,500 THS or a little over a dollar compared to the 30 USD at Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Yet they miss the point, as most Tanzanians I've interviewed didn't own car, and therefore... (read more)

Oldupai Gorge and Serengeti- two checks off my bucket list.

By Kate Thompson on November 15, 2011 5:30 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

So yesterday we returned from our second expedition. Where to begin? I guess with our drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, all the hilly red mud roads and breathtaking drops into rain-forest valleys and grass-land crater. As we descended, the road became yellow and graveled. Let me tell you, twenty year old land cruisers do not handle rutty roads smoothly, and my teeth chattered with the endless bumps that rattled the vehicle with every inch. Tired and stiff, we arrived at Oldupai Gorge a few hours into our journey. Let me clarify- Oldupai (rather than Olduvai) is no typo on... (read more)

Ubuntu

By AUTUMN A GRIFFIN on November 9, 2011 10:48 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Throughout my time here in Cape Town, I've learned a lot about the Ubuntu through my interaction with others. Below is a short essay I wrote for a seminar about just how similar my own values are to those of Ubuntu: The value my cultural partner and I discussed is the African concept of Ubuntu. She told me that in Setswana, the term is "botho" and derives from the expression "motho ke motho ka batho," which literally means, "a person is a person through other people." She explained that you are not an entity in and of yourself, but rather... (read more)

Lions and cheetahs and hyenas- oh my!

By Kate Thompson on November 3, 2011 2:20 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Happy Halloween! So, before we begin, I have to clarify that Halloween is my third favorite holiday. I love trick-or-treating, love dressing up and being scared for fun. So I was a little bummer out last week, figuring this Halloween would be a bit of a letdown, seeing as most Africans have never heard of the holiday. WRONG! That day, we went to Ngorongoro Crater, the largest land-filled caldera in on the planet. It was once a volcano, and where magma once churned and bubbled now rests a hotspot of another kind- wildlife bio diversity. The twelve mile depression is... (read more)

Hiho, Hiho, it's off to bird we go!

By Kate Thompson on October 29, 2011 10:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Hiho, Hiho, it's off to bird we go! Not going to lie, I had that tune from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" stuck in my head as we headed out to hike Moyo Hill this morning. Our professor Kioko held a Wildlife Ecology class on birding. Even though I've worked at a nature center for years, I've never gone bird watching. Really! So I was excited about today's lesson. But first, I took a few pictures of our campus so I could give my friends and family a mini tour. Here is the line of bandas- or little houses-... (read more)

Places to Go, People to See

By Kate Thompson on October 28, 2011 1:47 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Greetings from Moyo Hill! So, I apologize for the delay between blogs. We've gotten settled in at Moyo Hill, SFS's Tanzania campus. It has spotty electricity and water despite its nice facilities, which means very limited internet. This is frustrating in terms of communication, but this has a redeeming side as it makes me think of others things to do with my time. The camp is smaller than KBC, walled in with green (that's right--green!) vegetation and a beautiful muraled gate. It used to be an old lodge. The sign's still up for it actually. Inside is one city block... (read more)

Still Looking for the Southern Cross

By Kate Thompson on October 23, 2011 2:39 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

On one of my first nights in Kenya, my dad suggested I look for the Southern Cross amongst the constellations in this hemisphere. Tomorrow, we are leaving for Tanzania, and I still haven't found it.It's hard to believe that after this, the next time I'll be in Kenya will be at the Nairobi Airport for the flight home. I've come to think of my life here like summer house might feel. I've never had one, but I imagine you get to feel comfortable in your home away from home. You explore the neighborhood find your favorite coffee shop and begin... (read more)

The Need is Great

By Kate Thompson on October 22, 2011 11:01 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

The Need is Great Today is our first official day off from the SFS curriculum. Okay, that's not true- we've had no programs days and game drives and expedition, but today we are in academic limbo. Our course work in Kenya is done. Our work in Tanzania has yet to begin. No tests, no classes, no class work. But the learning always continues. After breakfast, we set out for Mbirikani Medical Clinic in the Mbirikani Group Ranch. This hospital-esk compound was started by a woman from Chicago over a decade ago. She came to Kenya as a tourist to safari... (read more)

No More Tests, Tafadhali

By Kate Thompson on October 20, 2011 11:23 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Exams! We're done (well, our exams for Kenya, at least!) I studied maybe ten hours cumulatively for my exams in Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Management and Environmental Policy. Two days models of protected areas, Simpson's Diversity Index equations, land use tenure regimes and reform, Kenya's Vision 2030 (an overall improvement plan made by the government with some real pie-in-the-sky goals) and vegetation assessment techniques in relation to translating black rhinos. I felt almost through back into high school, as I studied my notes and chew on the end of my high lighter, mosquitos buzzing around the lamp. AP tests, SATS, mid-terms,... (read more)

Bush Camp, Sweet Bush Camp

By Kate Thompson on October 12, 2011 11:50 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Bush Camp Sweet Bush Camp I'm sitting in the Chumba, watching the KBC troop of baboons over my shoulder. We just returned from Lake Nakuru, National Park after a near week of expedition. We arrived the end of last week. Our group of SFS studies, faculty and staff stayed at a fenced compound constructed by the Kenya Wildlife Club in the 1930s. No changes have been made, except for maintenance, because any such structure in the park needs to be made so that it can be torn down and the habitat restored. So we slept in tents around the buildings-... (read more)

My Hair Story

By AUTUMN A GRIFFIN on October 12, 2011 8:28 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

For a class project, my group created a blog about hair and identity. We each had to write our "hair story." Here's mine:...it's complicatedThe relationship I have with my hair is similar to that of an adolescent girl with her high school sweetheart. At times, it has been so ridiculously complex that I'm shocked we're still together. Because of it, I've had to deal with bad-mouthing, pesky relatives and friends who feel the need to give their input, and resort to advice from my mom when there was nothing else I could do.I first fell in love with my hair... (read more)

What's in a Name?

By AUTUMN A GRIFFIN on October 10, 2011 2:32 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

A lot! Hello, everyone! I'm sorry for not sticking to my promise of writing three days in a row. Yesterday was a bit hectic, but I'm back and with a vengeance. As you can see, today's topic will be names. During one of the first weeks of classes, we talked about the importance of naming in African cultures. I have always grown up knowing that my name means something, but I don't think that until this discussion I actually thought about how it plays a role in my everyday life. This entry will take you on the journey of... (read more)

Here's an eye-opener...

By AUTUMN A GRIFFIN on October 8, 2011 3:27 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Hi everyone! I'm sorry I haven't written in a while. I wanted to take a minute and get my thoughts together before I did so. I know you all like hearing about what I'm doing, but in some ways I think it's more interesting/thought-provoking/helpful to hear about what I've been thinking instead. I've decided that for the next three days straight (hopefully) I'm going to write a series of blog posts. This one is going to be about what I've been thinking about Cape Town as a whole and a class I'm taking that has kind of inspired these... (read more)

Maasai Fashion 101

By Kate Thompson on October 4, 2011 4:39 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

With our Expedition to Lake Nakuru National Park approaching, I decided to make some changes. We won't be showering for sometime as we camp, hike and explore. The physical attractiveness of my hair was one worry I didn't want, so I signed up for KBC's improv beauty salon. Here's the story! 1.mp4 And the mid-transformation update 2.mp4 And the take away message of it all. A lesson in Maasai Fashion Fabulous, but not what you'd expect. Because as popular as hair braiding is in Kenya, it's not traditionally Maasai. Maasai women have shaved heads- it's only the men who traditionally... (read more)

Weekend in Cape Town

By AUTUMN A GRIFFIN on September 27, 2011 4:06 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

So...my weekend did not go as planned at all, but like every other weekend here, this one was nothing less than exciting and enlightening. On Friday, I went with CHOSA to tour all of the different volunteer locations. We went to several children's homes, a primary school in Khayelitsha, and a daycare center. The children's homes were pretty much as I expected. That is, they were very similar to Baphumelele. It's so interesting to see how wonderfully happy these kids are. The smiles on their faces brighten up my day each and every time I see them. They're a... (read more)

Maasai for a Day

By Kate Thompson on September 26, 2011 12:59 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

The first thing we did was make chai. I have been advise to live by a to do list of only three things. 1.Ask people what they time and listen. 2. Eat food with them and 3. Drink chai tea. Minutes after Steph and I arrived in Melita and Nirosim's boma for our homestay, Nirosim offered us chai. We sat with her in her musky and cozy cattle-dung numba, as she poured powered tea into our hands and tipped them into the steaming pot. She cut open the cartons of milk we brought and added them in, along with an... (read more)

A Hodge-Podge update on My Week

By AUTUMN A GRIFFIN on September 22, 2011 2:33 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that the passion I thought I had for kids is actually there. The bad news is that my mother was right. The longer I work at CHOSA, the more I realize that my calling is truly education. It bothers me when I know kids are not getting the education they should be. Actually, it does more than bother me. It haunts me. I lose sleep over it. I don't understand why I was given the opportunity, not only to go to college, but also to study abroad, while... (read more)

In Masaai Matrimony

By Kate Thompson on September 18, 2011 7:01 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I've only ever been to two weddings in my life. The first was my aunt and uncles; I was a five and a flower girl. The second, actually, occurred yesterday. Not in a church or chapel, but in a Masaai boma (homestead). Our neighbors- the local Masaai tribe- invited us to the wedding of a young warrior. The same boy- between 17 and 20 years of age- had danced at our goat roast the week before. Warrior dancing isn't anything like or YMCA or Cha-Cha slide. The group of warriors- called the Maran- marched in, in full jewelry and red... (read more)

Maybe "the Lion King" was actually based on Amboseli

By Kate Thompson on September 17, 2011 6:28 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Okay, so I know that's not true (Pride Rock- the original- is in the Serengeti) but with the sprawling herds of elephants, white breaded brindled gnus, and zebras, the wallowing hippos, and meandering giraffes- the plains of Amboseli look like a seen from that age-old Disney film.And look! They even had lions (my favorite)- see this fuzzy looking log?We spent the first hour of our trip in a game drive. We learned to identify different antelope species (Grant's and Thomson's Gazelle), and learned the minute differences in tribes and subspecies of Giraffes and Gnus. We continued our drive through the... (read more)

Out of the Classroom and up on a Mountain Top

By Kate Thompson on September 12, 2011 2:36 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Back at Penn State I climbed a few stairs to get to my lectures. Yesterday, we climbed a mountain.We had our first field lecture at the top of Mount Olosoito. Our teacher, Daniel, used the landscape around us as a real life map of the local riverine systems that fed all life in the Amboseli/Kimana region. He spoke of how important the snow melt from Mount Kilimanjaro was, as it supplements the scare and unpredictable rainfall in the region. Rainfed agriculture is nearly impossible at 350-500mm of rain a year, so farms must be irrigated. This means siphoning water off... (read more)

Napapende Hapa KBC (I love it here!)

By Kate Thompson on September 8, 2011 4:41 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Here is a mini tour of my walk from my "banda" to the "chuma" (dorm to school house). Every time I wake up to these birds and these mountains- the sights and sounds and feel of this gritty red dust, I have to convince myself again that I am living out my dream.More to come, but for now- Kwaheri!... (read more)

Matoto & Mzungu

By Kate Thompson on September 7, 2011 2:28 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I've been in East Africa a little over twenty four hours; I'm the happiest I've been in months. The biggest change is I am hungry to learn again- everything is new and exciting. In Kenya, however, patience is the way of life. Everything-- from travel, to cooking, to connecting to the internet-- involves a lot of waiting. We visited the small town of Kimana today, and the locals gave funny looks to the students who walked and ate at the same time. They do not multitask like we do. Freshman year for me was filled with anxiety and stress. Even... (read more)

Hello Heathrow!

By Kate Thompson on September 5, 2011 12:03 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

They say the best part of life is the journey, not the destination. But, I have to admit, I'm en route to Nairobi, Kenya, and I'm pretty excited to get there! My family dropped me off at Newark Liberty International Airport yesterday evening. After a manic packing session, and several last minute trips to CVS, I was ready to go. I hugged and kissed my mom and brothers ttfn and set of toward Gate 54. I was pretty nervous at first, anxious that I wouldn't find my class mates, and would have to make the journey alone. I would be... (read more)

The Return: Reflecting on Mexico

By KELSEY MARGARET ROGALEWICZ on August 7, 2011 4:27 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

My oh my, how the time flies. I have been home from Mexico for over a month now, which is frightening to realize. I've been so busy, yet my study abroad experience feels like it just happened, still. The last few days I was there were CRAZY. Not only did I have oodles of studying to do and essays to write, but I also finally got sick. I'd been pretty lucky to be one of the few people to stay healthy the whole time, but, of course, with my luck, I had a terrible allergic reaction my second-to-last day. Luckily,... (read more)

Barcelona and Amsterdam

By BRENDEN H DOOLEY on July 31, 2011 6:36 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

@font-face { font-family: "ＭＳ明朝"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria Math"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; } Hello again, I just went through my last entry and noticed that there were some spelling errors mixed throughout the text that I missed so I will try my best to correct that problem for this and future entries. Like I said at the end of my last blog I have spent the next two weekends travelling to the beautiful cities of Barcelona and... (read more)

A Lil' Taste of Haiti

By JOANNE ASHLEY AUGUSTIN on July 31, 2011 4:24 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

My host family had been so good to me. I feel apart of the family. We have our little inside jokes, we spend hours after dinner just talking about life, and of course we go out together. My host family always asks me about my Haitian background. I explained and showed them different dishes, our carnival attire, and I had them listen to "Kompa" (our genre of music). I decided to give them a Lil' Taste of Haiti. My brother was leaving for vacation in a couple of days, so we planned to have dinner the night before he left.... (read more)

Who can say they turned 20 in France!? Me!

By JOANNE ASHLEY AUGUSTIN on July 25, 2011 1:57 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I turned 20, Saturday, July 23th, where? In France! I have to say this was one of the best birthdays I have had so far. I already celebrated a little bit last weekend in Barcelona. My birthday weekend was nothing but FANTASTIC! Friday July 22th: My friends took me out to dinner. I was craving salmon, so we wanted to go to this restaurant that I had already tasted their salmon and liked it of course. We met up at 9:30P.M at Place de Huit Septembre, which is the typical meeting place in centre ville, and waited until 10PM for... (read more)

Weekend in Barcelona!!

By JOANNE ASHLEY AUGUSTIN on July 25, 2011 1:02 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

The group of Penn Staters that I am with this summer love to travel. So far almost every weekend they have traveled somewhere. They all have the EuroPass, so tickets are cheap for them. I didn't get a EuroPass, actually it didn't even cross my mind. I had planned on visiting Montpellier, Paris, and possibly Toulouse, because I have friends there so I wouldn't have to pay for hostels or hotels. But, if I wanted to go out of the country and visit somewhere, it was Barcelona, Spain! My friend in Montpellier has family over there, so she always... (read more)

Traveling is the Best Education.Delirium cafe

By BRENDEN H DOOLEY on July 20, 2011 6:46 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Hello everyone, I know it's been awhile and that everyone is wondering why I am MIA. Did I get kidnapped in some godforsaken land and am now located in some obscure town in Eastern Europe? Fortunately no, I have just been extremely busy. With all the travelling, planning, reading 21 chapters on the European Union in six days, and the inability to find an Internet connection in some places blogging has proven to be quite difficult. So to make up for all the missing pieces of my adventure in Europe I will be writing consecutive entries to catch you all... (read more)

Feeling Part of the Family

By JOANNE ASHLEY AUGUSTIN on July 13, 2011 5:37 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I have been living with my host family for over a month and I can feel the difference in tension/tone from when I first arrived until now. When I first came, there was tension in the air, not in a negative way, but just referring to being afraid of the unknown. We didn't know each other at all. Therefore, I had no idea what to expect: what do they eat, what do they don't eat, are they an open family where you can relax and use the phone without asking, are they a bit closed off, etc. In the french... (read more)

Week Off in Montpellier!

By JOANNE ASHLEY AUGUSTIN on July 12, 2011 2:46 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

After my session ended at the CLA, we had a week vacation before our second session started. I went to visit a friend of mine in Montpellier. It was an amazing week off! The weather was fantastic! It didn't rain once. It was a lot different than the weather in Besançon. It is a lot cooler in Besançon and it rains every other day. It was a nice change of environment for the week. My friend took me to visit all of "centre ville" (downtown). The main spot in centre ville is "Place de Comédie." In Besançon the main public... (read more)

Catching Up!

By DANIELLE ELIZABETH CALLEN on July 3, 2011 7:00 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I am terribly sorry for my lack of blogging, I have just organized all my pictures from the past few weeks, and will be able to provide a thorough blog on all of our extended trips we've taken the past three weeks tomorrow - I promise! In the meantime to tide you over, here's a bit of what we've been doing around Todi.Our brother, Michele, preparing dinner... He's a chef at a restaurant in Tuscany, so we absolutely loved this pizza.Our mother, Rita, giving us a Friday night cooking lesson... so much fun, and the food is always delicious.Our tiramisu... (read more)

Letter from Stellenbosch, South Africa

By ROBERT MICHAEL WIECZOREK JR on June 29, 2011 2:58 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Words cannot begin to describe my experience in South Africa thus far. Much like they cannot begin to describe the landscape of the Western Cape. For the past two weeks I have been taking courses at Stellenbosch University and meeting people who I now feel like I have known my entire life. But before I proceed to talk about these experiences, I must digress and explain how I got here in the first place. When I told everyone I knew that I would be going to summer school in South Africa they all thought I was lying. Once they realized... (read more)

Letter from Stellenbosch, South Africa

By ROBERT MICHAEL WIECZOREK JR on June 29, 2011 2:12 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Words cannot begin to describe my experience in South Africa thus far. Much like they cannot begin to describe the landscape of the Western Cape. For the past two weeks I have been taking courses at Stellenbosch University and meeting people who I now feel like I have known my entire life. But before I proceed to talk about these experiences, I must digress and explain how I got here in the first place. When I told everyone I knew that I would be going to summer school in South Africa they all thought I was lying. Once they realized... (read more)

Cuetzalan: The Final Countdown

By KELSEY MARGARET ROGALEWICZ on June 28, 2011 2:14 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Our final trip together as a group was this weekend (que triste), and even though Cuetzalan is a tiny little town way up in the mountains, we certainly made an adventure out of it. It was beautiful, and it was probably my favorite trip of the entire program. Our first stop, however, was the highlight of all highlights. Since the early years of the Puebla Mexico study abroad program, Penn State has been helping out a growing school in a teeny, tiny rural village called Yohualichan. We were able to give the Escuela Secundaria (essentially a middle school) a nice... (read more)

Mexican After-School Adventures

By KELSEY MARGARET ROGALEWICZ on June 28, 2011 1:26 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

We obviously have been traveling a lot as a group on weekends, but we've also been doing a series of mini-trips to places nearby after classes end! We went to Cacaxtla, which is an awesome archaeological site. The main area we visited used to be a palace! We also met a nice herd of cows on our way out... That same day, we visited Tlaxcala (wow-- some of the names of places here can be exhausting to learn/ pronounce), which was a cute little town nearby. We got to go to the Municipal Building there, which is practically covered in... (read more)

Already One Month in France!

By JOANNE ASHLEY AUGUSTIN on June 26, 2011 3:21 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } This week marked the end of my first session at the C.L.A. I have learned so much. I went into the session with the weakness of "l'expression orale" (oral expression) and now I feel like I have improved an amazing amount. I also needed improvement in "l'expression écrit" (writing). We had the option of picking an elective and I choose "Soutien à l'Ecrit", which is a writing class. We discussed how to write a formal letter,... (read more)

A week in the middle of Europe!

By BRENDEN H DOOLEY on June 24, 2011 9:41 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Hello Everyone!Last time I left you I had just arrived here in Maastricht. A lot has changed since then, the jet lag has finally worn off and I've gotten to explore the city quite thoroughly. The city is big enough that you end up in places but small enough that you know the general area--so it is pretty manageable! The Dutch way of life is a little different than that of the United States. People leisurely sit eating lunch for 3 hours, the cars always stop for you at crosswalks, and of course everyone uses a bicycle. I honestly cannot... (read more)

A month after Turkey....

By COURTNEY ANN MUNDT on June 23, 2011 4:03 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

It's hard to believe that Turkey -- with our "miserable" tour guide Nazim, our crazy bus driver, our forgetful teacher, my amazing new friends, the sites, the smells, the tastes, the sounds, the cats, the dogs, the everything -- was not a dream. I miss it, and while the papers were difficult (and I did not work at hard as I could have on them), all of it was part of my overall abroad experience. While I love the USA and want to travel it, I have had my taste of another part of the world, and all I want... (read more)

18 km later: Days 12 and 13, 5/21-5/22 -- Lykia

By COURTNEY ANN MUNDT on June 23, 2011 3:34 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Tlos Our first stop after our hour and a half ride into the mountains was to the site the Hittites called Tlawa and the Romans Tlos. It is being excavated by the Med University in Antalya, and has been excavated since 1838. It is on the eastern side of the Xanthos Valley and had connections with that city. It was founded around the 12th Century BCE and then conquered by the Persians in the 5th Century BCE. It had a population of around 6,000 to 6,500 and was the religious center of the 6 Lykian cities. The first part... (read more)

Hiking Experience: Day 11, 5/20-- Fetiye

By COURTNEY ANN MUNDT on June 23, 2011 3:20 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Today we hiked up from the beach near our gulet to an unexcavated Lykian site near a shepherd's house. The hike was rather hard for me because I am not in the best physical shape, so I was at the back of the pack with Captain Talet (who took my bag from me and is in the picture of me in the Mediterranean) the whole way up. We saw an old tomb, a few old buildings, and a water hut. We then visited the shepherd and his family, who served us sage tea and let us browse their merchandise.... (read more)

My Poor Italian Ancestors: Day 10, 5/19 -- Caunos, the Mediterranean and the Aegean

By COURTNEY ANN MUNDT on June 23, 2011 3:06 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

I was the token sick student of today's trip. The morning of Day 10 dawned with me feeling positively awful. Something I ate the night before did not agree with me (my burps tasted like the fish we had the night before), and my stomach tossed and turned the entire time at Caunos before I finally emptied it into the Mediterranean at the end of the trip near where we saw the turtles. I felt fantastic afterwards, so hopefully I will back to better health tomorrow. We left our boat the Sadri Usta around 8am on a smaller boat... (read more)

The Day of Food Poisoning: Day 9, 5/18 -- Knidos and the Aegean

By COURTNEY ANN MUNDT on June 23, 2011 2:50 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

We woke up at 6:30 this morning and left at 7:30. Cyndi, Kelly, Kristin, and Alicia all had food poisoning from the chicken at dinner the night before, so we has to stop once before continuing our travels to Knidos. We stopped off at a store for the WC (which was a little gross due to the flies and feces in the toilet), and Cameron and I got our ice creams. We then traveled a few kilometers to the Tuna Restaurant, where I had a chicken kebob and 2 appetizers (the almond and squash one was great; the potato... (read more)

My (Hopeful) Future Internship: Day 8, 5/17 -- Bodrum

By COURTNEY ANN MUNDT on June 23, 2011 2:13 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

This is one of my favorite days in Turkey.... Enjoy!!!!The Institute of Nautical Archaeology is where they stabilize, desalinate, and research archaeological finds in the seas around Turkey. In the conservation labs, cardboard-like wood can come back solid after desalinization and a soak in the polyethanol glycose baths. Dr. Harpster showed us around here and the Bodrum Castle as well as having dinner with us, and I got his email so that he could recommend me for an internship here next summer. (:0) Rebecca and Mike (2 Ph.D candidates) are working on shipwrecks from the Yenicapi site we almost... (read more)

If only I had internet access at home---- Day 7, 5/16: Priene, Miletus, Didymus, and Labranda

By COURTNEY ANN MUNDT on June 23, 2011 1:38 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Hello Followers of the GeoBlog, I have been unable to load up the blog from my May trip to Turkey, so while everything is dated for today, it is all from roughly a month ago. Thanks for reading!!!!The site of Prianea is an entirely Hellenistic city located on the Emicale hill. It had a view of the Latmos Bay in ancient times with 2 harbors, outer and inner.The Boliterian is an entirely governmental theatre, and this one was rectangular with 4 entrances and a U-shaped pit, with a roof and columns covering the 600 people inside. Pine and Olive... (read more)

Es Cultura!

By KELSEY MARGARET ROGALEWICZ on June 22, 2011 7:35 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

That saying above (translated: It's culture!) has pretty much been our group's mantra the entire time we've been here. Even though Mexico is right below the U.S., there are so many differences. It's been really interesting to learn and adjust to them, so prepare for a long entry! Transportation. Let's just say that all Mexican drivers are city drivers at their worst. It's pretty much lanes/ turn signals optional, with no visible speed limits. My Mexican mother is a pretty safe driver, but some taxi rides have been terrifying. The public buses are really convenient and cheap, but there are... (read more)

Arrival in Shanghai

By ZACHARY ARTHYR WINSTON on June 22, 2011 4:12 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Hello my name is Zach Winston. I am a senior (really super-senior) at PSU and I major in economics. This is my second time abroad (I also did the University of Westminster CIEE Program in London), but Shanghai is on another level. I arrived last Friday the 17th of June, two days prior to the beginning of my program. For anyone studying abroad in Shanghai who does not speak Chinese I would not recommend this at all. I flew from Philadelphia to Pudong Airport in Shanghai via Toronto and my flights were fine. However, upon arrival, after travelling for nearly... (read more)

Viaje a Veracruz!

By KELSEY MARGARET ROGALEWICZ on June 20, 2011 9:36 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

This past weekend was technically our second and final "free" weekend, but all 13 of us students decided to take a trip to the nearest beach state, Veracruz! One of the program coordinators hooked us up with a nice hotel at decent rates, so it was as easy as a bus ride to get there. To be honest, most of the weekend was spent just relaxing on the various beaches, but that was just fine. After having to wake up early and follow semi-strict schedules, it was relaxing to just take our time, not having to be anywhere in particular.... (read more)

Amalfi - Sorrento, Capri, Positano, Pompei, Mt. Vesuvius!

By BRIANNA EDVIGE PATERNIANI on June 20, 2011 5:35 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I guess I forgot to add the Amalfi Coast trip onto my last post so here it is! The weekend I spent in the Amalfi Coast has probably been my favorite. I found that both physical and emotional beauty are found in Sorrento, Capri, and Positano. On Friday, our adventure started by taking a ferry from Sorrento, to the Island of Capri. We got off the ferry, boarded onto smaller boats, and took a tour of the island by sea. Here are some pictures, including the different grottos found surrounding the island. The most famous, the blue grottos, were... (read more)

Venice

By BRIANNA EDVIGE PATERNIANI on June 20, 2011 4:20 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I know I'm slacking on the posts but I'm hoping to get caught up this week! Let's start with my day trip to Venice. The bus ride was long and started way too early but it was well worth it! The day started with us taking a water taxi down the Grand Canal and I quickly became enticed by this amazing city. From the Grand Canal, you could see houses, the bridges, churches, and more. They each had their own pathway right down to the canal with the water lapping on the steps of each entrance. The buildings each... (read more)

Maastricht: The adventure begins

By BRENDEN H DOOLEY on June 20, 2011 12:32 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

So I am finally here! Hello to everyone my name is Brenden Dooley and I am currently a soon-to-be sophomore double majoring in Political Science and Economics. It's been a long arduous road to get here but in all honesty it is worth it. I've met everyone, who are all very extroverted and gregarious, and I think we have all gelled quite well. Tonight is our first night in the city and we are all going out to celebrate our arrivals and new found friendships-should be an interesting time. I do not have any photos to offer at this time... (read more)

And So It Begins.

By MICHAEL FRIEBER on June 19, 2011 4:09 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Well here I am at Newark International Airport and this is not the way I thought I'd feel at all. If someone sat me down and said, Mike, we're gonna put you in a giant metal cylinder that weighs multiple tons and hurl it a couple hundred miles-per-hour across that Atlantic, I'd probably be pretty anxious. And for the past few weeks I thought that I'd feel that anxious as I sat in the terminal waiting. But I don't feel that way at all right now. Talk to me in a couple of hours and I'm sure you'll hear a... (read more)

Mexico City Sojourn

By KELSEY MARGARET ROGALEWICZ on June 14, 2011 1:03 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

From last Wednesday until Sunday, our group took a nice little sojourn to Mexico City, or, as they call it around here, "D.F." or just plain "Mexico." To me, D.F. was kind of like a New York mixed with Washington D.C. It had all the important government buildings and all the masses of people, buildings, and boroughs. Of course, it also had amazing archaeological sites and other places that you only would be able to find in Mexico. Our first stop was at Teotihuacan, a place that was built and deserted long before the Aztecs found it and claimed it... (read more)

Engaging in Family Activities

By JOANNE ASHLEY AUGUSTIN on June 13, 2011 9:24 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

One of the best things about living with a host family is learning their culture. If you really want to experience a culture, you must participate in their daily activities. Don't be afraid to try something new, and if you don't like it, well, you will always have the experience. It's cherry season, here in France. My host family and I went to my host mom's brother's house to pick cherries. The main desserts that they make with their cherries are cherry tarts ( tartes de cerise) and cherry cakes (gâteaux de cerise). My host mom told me that they... (read more)

Getting ready for Quebec!

By NOELLE ELIZABETH MATEER on June 7, 2011 11:17 AM | 5 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Sometimes my friends would laugh when I said I was studying abroad in Canada this summer. "That's not abroad!" joked one of them. And, sure-- I see his point. Canada's not that far or exotic. It's probably one of the few study abroad locations that can be reached by car. But despite this, Canada is home to millions of French speakers, European-style cities, and a Francophone culture vastly different from my Pennsylvanian one here. So take that, friend!My name's Noelle and I'm a French and Journalism double-major. I'll be spending five weeks in Quebec City this summer for an intensive... (read more)

A Very Poblano Weekend

By KELSEY MARGARET ROGALEWICZ on June 6, 2011 12:43 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

This past weekend was the one "free" weekend out of the trip where we wouldn't be traveling as a group. That being said, we still manage to pack it with lots of exciting things here in/around Puebla! This was good, because I needed a lot of diversions to take my mind off of Friday's mini ash-eruption of nearby volcano Popocatepetl. (It hasn't had a major eruption in years, and I feel safe at this distance, but I have an irrational loathing/fear of volcanoes--how super.) Thankfully, one of the best and biggest zoos/safari parks in all of Mexico is only 25... (read more)

Todi Lovin'

By DANIELLE ELIZABETH CALLEN on June 5, 2011 8:54 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

As I sit in my host families house, trying to stay out of the rain, I figured it'd be a great time for an update on Todi. We started our classes this week, and I must admit that getting back into the schedule of waking up early for class after a month break was not an easy task. Our classes seem to be fun though. We have Italian in the morning, form 8:30am - 10:30, a 45 minute break to get coffee, shop, or whatever you like, then Art History from 11:15 - 12:45pm. All of us go back to... (read more)

CLA (Centre de Linguistique Appliquée): my school for the next 2 months

By JOANNE ASHLEY AUGUSTIN on June 4, 2011 1:21 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I have to take two buses from my host family's house to the CLA. The CLA is in such a great location. It is just past "au centre ville" ( the downtown area). For our two hour lunch break, the students go downtown to eat or shop, etc. Depending on your level in the CLA, classes start at either 8:30 a.m and finish at 3:30p.m or start at 9:30a.m and finish at 4:30p.m (including our two hour lunch break). I start class at 8:30a.m. I have three classes a day and three different professors. At the CLA, you have... (read more)

Oh Hey There, Oaxaca; Or, How I Ate a Cricket

By KELSEY MARGARET ROGALEWICZ on June 2, 2011 10:32 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

So this past weekend, we traveled as a group to the State/City of Oaxaca (that's Oh-Hah-Kuh to help you guys out). Let me just say: it was incredible. We visited archaeological sites, like Monte Alban and Mitla, where the Zapotec tribes thrived way back in the day. I may just be a total nerd, but to walk through places where entire civilizations once reigned was just an amazing experience. Seeing the amazing buildings they constructed, the carvings, and just the views was lovely . El Arbol del Tule was another of our stops. It is a tree that is over... (read more)

Exploring Italy by Train and Foot

By BRIANNA EDVIGE PATERNIANI on June 1, 2011 11:35 AM | 7 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

This weekend was interesting to say the least. I was able to explore Italy by train and by foot! I had my first experience with the Italian train system on my way to Rome. I woke up bright and early on Friday morning and ventured to the train station. We printed our tickets and almost forgot to get them stamped. It's very important to get them stamped before you get on and to do this you simply find the little yellow boxes near the platforms. Since it was so early I tried to nap on the train but I... (read more)

Group Tour of Paris and meeting my host family

By JOANNE ASHLEY AUGUSTIN on June 1, 2011 11:23 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

The day is finally here! The day I get to meet my host family and see a glimpse of Besançon . Today I got on a train from Orléans to Paris with my uncle, sister, and his wife. The train ride was only an hour.We headed to Gare de Lyon to meet up with the rest of the students who were also going to Besançon . We all met in the "consigne", which is where the train station stores people's luggage until their train train arrives, at 9:30a.m. The group toured Paris until 16:30 (4:30p.m). On our tour of... (read more)

Arriving in France

By JOANNE ASHLEY AUGUSTIN on June 1, 2011 10:44 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I arrived in France a little over a week before the program started, (May 20th). My uncle lives in Orléans, France. It is an hour by train from Paris and an hour and a half by car. I flew British Airways, so I didn't have to use French until the airport. But, there was a woman on the plane that only spoke French and one of the flight attendants needed a translator and I assisted her. After being able to be of help, I kind of began to feel like I was going to be okay speaking another language... (read more)

Arrivederci Roma, Ciao Todi!

By DANIELLE ELIZABETH CALLEN on May 29, 2011 4:56 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

To say that the past week has been a whirlwind would be the biggest understatement ever. Although I have only been in Italy for a week, I feel like I have been here for a month. Having spent the first week in Rome, we were constantly been on the go, seeing something new and amazing everyday. Now that we have finally settled into Todi with our respective host families however, I have much more time to write a proper entry about our first week in Italy!I arrived in Rome last Friday afternoon, and after settling in a bit and taking... (read more)

Classes started already!

By BRIANNA EDVIGE PATERNIANI on May 24, 2011 5:12 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Hey everyone! I'm really excited for my classes this semester so I wanted to share them with everyone already. I'll also be traveling to Rome and Cinque Terre this weekend so I won't have a chance to update. I am studying Architecture: Villas and Gardens, and Cross-cultural Psychology at Palazzo Rucellai. The school is amazing! This is one of my classrooms.In my architecture class we have on-site lessons every day! Most sight visits are within Florence and walking distance from the school such as to Palazzo Medici, Palazzo Davanzati, and more. We also have trips taht we have to take... (read more)

Welcome to Mexico!

By KELSEY MARGARET ROGALEWICZ on May 24, 2011 12:32 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Wow. So, my first weekend+ has come and gone in Puebla, and I feel like I've been here forever! Thursday's travels went smoothly, but to get from Bethlehem to Puebla seemed to take ages. At this point, I don't even know where to begin, so I'm just going to roll with a quick overview of a few of the most notable/ my favorite things so far. The city itself. Yeah. I'm a bit of a history nerd, so, while I don't know too much about the history of Puebla yet (and my Spanish and memory capacity aren't too grand either),... (read more)

Benvenuto in Italia!

By BRIANNA EDVIGE PATERNIANI on May 22, 2011 4:43 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Ciao! My name is Brianna Paterniani and I am studying in Florence, Italy for the summer. After just finishing my sophomore year as a Neuropsychology major, and Biology minor, at University Park, I quickly became nervous about my trip this summer. Now, I am currently sitting in my apartment on Via Ricasoli in Florence getting nervous about starting my classes tomorrow. As I sit here and realize that this is only the fourth day of my stay in Italy, it has not hit me that I'll be here for six whole weeks. During these six weeks, I hope to gain... (read more)

The Precipice of the Next Great Adventure

By MICHAEL FRIEBER on May 20, 2011 10:14 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Hallo everyone! My name is Michael Frieber, I'm an International Politics major, a rising Junior and a fantastic American. And, in just under one month's time, I'm gonna be on my way to study abroad at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.As someone incredibly interested in exploring the world outside of what I know, I jumped at the opportunity to go on an adventure in a distant country before my junior year of college. I had no idea, however, that I would discover a program so reflective of my goals as a student, and of my interests as an individual.There are... (read more)

To Mexico Tomorrow!

By KELSEY MARGARET ROGALEWICZ on May 18, 2011 8:59 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Oh my! Tomorrow morning, I will be waking up bright and early at 3:30 AM to start my day and journey to Puebla! I cannot believe that it is finally here. I suppose it didn't help that I put off packing until today, either. I can just hear John Denver singing in the background... So, I have successfully managed to fill my suitcase and carry-on to zip-able levels, but I leave behind in my wake a masterful disaster of clothes, books, and other belongings that sadly did not make the cut. I would be lying if I wrote that I... (read more)

Ciao!

By DANIELLE ELIZABETH CALLEN on May 18, 2011 7:44 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Hi! My name is Danielle, and I will be a Junior in the fall, studying Sociology and Crime, Law and Justice with a minor in History. I will be studying in Todi, Italy this summer, and cannot be more excited. Todi seem like an idyllic, smaller Italian town, which I think will be perfect to be spending my summer in. I have never been to Italy, but have wanted to go for as long as I can remember, so I think this will definitely be a fantastic experience.Through studying abroad, I really want to not only improve my Italian language... (read more)

Day 6 -- Ephesus

By COURTNEY ANN MUNDT on May 15, 2011 9:24 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Today in Ephesus we traveled to the House of the Virgin Mary, The ancient city of Ephesus and its Museum, a weaving center for rugs, a leather store, a traditional Turkish delicacies store, the Tiles store, and the Temple of Artemis. The House of the Virgin Mary (Mereymana) holds a special place in my heart because it was my research topic for this trip. Though I do not identify as a Christian, I do believe that Mary was a very important figure in this religion and that she deserves more praise than she gets. The birth of her son... (read more)

Day 5 -- Pergamum

By COURTNEY ANN MUNDT on May 15, 2011 8:43 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

The day was filled with good and bad. The good was that we got to see a ton of ancient sites filled with great history and architecture. The bad was that my battery charger blew and did not work, so I had no batteries until we got to our last sight, where I bought 2 batteries for 10 lira (~$7) from a tourist trap area. We went there again after the Asklepion, and I also bought a beautiful purple scarf, my second purchase of the trip. My first purchase was at the site where a couple was selling flower... (read more)

Day 4 -- Assos

By COURTNEY ANN MUNDT on May 14, 2011 7:51 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

We are staying for 2 days in this beautiful village that is near the harbor of the ancient city of Assos. We stayed in a hotel by the sea and were surrounded by little shops and restaurants that I hope to explore tomorrow. On the mountain above the harbor was the ancient city of Assos, and we explored this city and the surrounding area today. Our first stop of the day was at the Sminthian Apollo Temple near Assos. It was built around the 1st Century BCE, and is connected to Chrseis, the daughter of a priest of Apollo... (read more)

Day 3 in Turkey -- Troy

By COURTNEY ANN MUNDT on May 13, 2011 11:39 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Before heading over to the Asian part of Turkey, we visited the Gallipoli National Park. Here, in 1915, the British tried to seize this land so that the Ottoman Empire could be captured through the Dardanelles that lead up in the Marmara Sea and into the rest of Turkey. They sent an Austalian and New Zealand company onto land to capture the point. For 8 months the Ottomans and British Empire troops fought each other for the highest point on the plain, Chunuk Bair, killing over 50,000 British Empire troops and 20,000 Ottoman troops. The summit was briefly taken... (read more)

First Time Abroad

By COURTNEY ANN MUNDT on May 12, 2011 5:03 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Hello Everyone!!!! My name is Courtney, and I am studying abroad this summer in Turkey for two weeks. The classes I am taking are ANTH/CAMS/HIST 499A and 499B with Dr. Ann Killebrew as well as two grad students, Kristin and Shane, and 11 other undergrads, 2 of whom are from Pitt and Yale. A little bit about myself ---- I am an Archaeological Science major with minors in Classics and Mediterranean Studies (CAMS) and History. My 2 classes here in Turkey cover my major and minors, and this is one of the reasons I chose to study abroad with this... (read more)

Day 2 in Turkey -- Istanbul ( NOT Constantinople ;) )

By COURTNEY ANN MUNDT on May 12, 2011 1:05 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Please listen to this song as you read my blog:Istanbul Not Constantinople by The Four LadsThe first thing Nazim discussed on the bus was the prophecy of a "fortune teller" to the future king of what is now Istanbul, Byzas. The Oracle of Delphi told him to build a city where there were "blind people," and Byzas thought it meant a physical condition until he saw where the Marmara Sea meets the Golden Horn as well as the Bosphorus and realized that the people there did not see the potential of the land they had settled on for power... (read more)

Me Encanta Sevilla

By JULIA AMANDA RAMIREZ on April 10, 2011 8:21 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Well, it's been a while since I last wrote a blog entry. I have been so busy here and traveling almost every weekend. The weather is beautiful in Sevilla now- 80 degrees and sunny almost everyday. My friends and I are all taking advantage of the beautiful weather and sit by the river after class everyday. There's always a lot of young people by the river in the park- it's a great place to meet up with friends and make new spanish friends. It's really easy to pick out who the Americans are now because we are all wearing shorts... (read more)

Down by the River

By SAMUEL AUSTIN SCHWARTZ on February 26, 2011 8:53 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Since I last wrote, a lot has happened: most notably, I've been on trips to Venice, Verona and Brussels, Belgium. Venice was unbelievably gorgeous. I'm a gawker by nature, so my friends basically had to drag me around while my head lagged behind, limp tongue protruding from my drooly maw. Verona was cool: the girls wanted to see Romeo and Juliet stuff, and the guys didn't see much else to do, so it was decided. There was a visit to a coliseum that got the testosterone pumping, though, and that made the visit worthwhile. Brussels was the city I've... (read more)

My First Three Weeks in Sevilla

By JULIA AMANDA RAMIREZ on February 6, 2011 12:52 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

My name is Julia Ramirez and I am a Junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Spanish at Penn State. Currently, I am studying abroad in Seville, Spain (Sevilla in Spanish) for the semester. There are a lot of study abroad programs in Sevilla, but I chose to do the CIEE Liberal Arts Program. I can't believe that I have already been here for three weeks! I arrived in Sevilla on January 17 and was greeted by a group of CIEE guides at the airport. I was surrounded by other students from all over the U.S. who were also in... (read more)

The Conversation

By SAMUEL AUSTIN SCHWARTZ on January 31, 2011 9:11 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I had a meeting with my professor a week ago and in all the excitement of being abroad and lack of sleep I lost my mental thread and couldn't find time or energy for a blog post. I'm still adrift to a certain extent, but I've decided that it's now or never; If I can't pull it together enough to write a blog post after a recovery day when I slept until 3, then I'll never do it. I'll do my best to remember what went on in that hazy memory from so long ago... I had a great... (read more)

Hide the women and children; it's an American jogger!

By SAMUEL AUSTIN SCHWARTZ on January 17, 2011 6:55 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Running along the Arno River, I couldn't help but notice the grimaces on the faces of many onlookers. Some women seemed amused, as if I were loping by in a pink tutu, but the men seemed to take my public exercise routine as a personal affront. Some bristled at the sight of me, twisting their faces in disgust. Others walking with partners pulled them closer and parents called out to their children to keep close. It seems that running in public is bad form beyond simply breaking the no-shorts-in-public rule. It was strange to find that people could react... (read more)

Lost in Florence: how not to start a semester abroad

By SAMUEL AUSTIN SCHWARTZ on January 15, 2011 8:16 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I woke up around 6:00 my first morning in Florence because I had gone to sleep so early (around 8), and decided that this would be a great time to go for a run before mandatory orientation at 9:45. So I went online and looked over some routes people run ran in Florence, found one I liked, drew it on my hand, changed into shorts and a teeshirt, and went out. I figured I had enough time to get lost and still make it back. I now know that the main reason I got lost is because I started... (read more)

A Post-Abroad Post

By Charlee Redman on December 29, 2010 1:05 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px} I've been home for about a week now. It's strange being back in the United States. I'm already afraid of losing all of the language skills I gained while in Paris. Living here again will be a challenge and a compromise, a constant search to find the balance between this American life and the one I left in Paris. Another part of returning is being a sort of cultural ambassador for France. While abroad, Penn State and IES would... (read more)

The Post-Abroad Post

By Charlee Redman on December 22, 2010 8:15 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px} Being home is comforting and strange. I constantly catch myself saying "pardon" (pronounced with a very nasal French accent) instead of "excuse me" in public places. Hearing English everywhere is confusing. I was walking around the King of Prussia mall with a few friends yesterday, and they laughed when I stopped and spun around when I heard two people behind us speaking French. It's difficult to respond to the question "How was France?" I don't know how I could... (read more)

Stranded

By Charlee Redman on December 20, 2010 10:09 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

I could use a little global warming right now. My flight back to Newark from Paris, via London, was canceled yesterday because Heathrow was closed due to a snowstorm. As I waited in line for eleven and a half hours to get a new flight, the snow moved south to Paris. British Airways gave me another flight this afternoon from Orly airport, on the other side of the city. With no money, no access to my bank card, and no telephone or Internet access, I felt pretty lost.After trudging through the snow and dragging all my luggage through several metro... (read more)

Amsterdam

By MONIQUE ASHLY WILLIAMS on December 17, 2010 7:09 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

So I'm a bit behind again but I feel like I should write about my last two trips at took at Kent Uni. I took a four day school trip to Amsterdam during my first writing week. We left at midnight on a thursday and headed by bus to Holland. They said we would be taking the ferry but to my dismay we got stuck taking the Chunnel yet again. This time it was absolutely freezing--guess you can't win. After 7 or so hours on the bus we hiked it to our hostel but we couldnt check in yet so... (read more)

A Moveable Feast

By Charlee Redman on December 15, 2010 6:25 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px} "J'ai deux amours, mon pays et Paris." - Josephine Baker Paris has long been a home to expats. In the 1900s, people like Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Pablo Picasso left their homes for the City of Lights. Some fled the disillusionment of war and the Great Depression. Others tried to escape for different reasons. But by leaving their original countries and living in France, the Lost Generation entered an in-between space, a kind of terrain... (read more)

Six jours avant le départ

By Charlee Redman on December 12, 2010 8:27 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px} It's hard to believe I'll be leaving Paris in six days. I fell into the rhythm of this city, into the swaying of the metro and the cobble-stoned streets, the smell of the boulangeries in the morning, the music of the French language. I'll miss Paris terribly as soon as I leave, and I'll miss speaking French. Each language has its own reality, its own manner of looking at and interacting with the world. I think that's one of... (read more)

Becoming French: The Immigration Office Edition

By Charlee Redman on December 2, 2010 9:53 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px} France is pretty serious about its immigration laws and paperwork. After my first experience with French bureaucracy at the Consulate in Washington last summer, I wasn't looking forward to dealing with the rest of the process to become a "bonne immigrée". Luckily IES helped out a lot. I would have had no idea how to get the necessary papers, like the proof of housing (l'attestation domicile), or how to schedule the mandatory medical examination. The government wants to assure... (read more)

Roma!

By Charlee Redman on November 24, 2010 5:39 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Visiting Rome almost made me want to change my major to Archaeology and move to the Eternal City. Ruins almost three thousand years old simply pop up around corners, their pitted stones reflecting the sunlight, still warm at the end of November. They stand, silent in their ancient grandeur, above the shops and restaurants. I could imagine the Romans in their togas and sandals walking along the paths, up the hills to the Forum and down to the Pantheon. I know this description glorifies Rome and glosses over the less digestible eras of its history. But the simple scope of... (read more)

Learning French

By MONIQUE ASHLY WILLIAMS on November 19, 2010 9:28 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Mike and I caught a midnight, overnight bus to Paris on Friday. Word of advice... get there early. Mike and I showed up 10 minutes before our bus left and couldn't sit together. The bus was completely packed and totally uncomfortable. We took the Channel Tunnel across to France. It would have been cool had it not caused the temperature of the bus to rise and make it impossible to sleep. We arrived in Paris at 7 something Paris time and luckily the metro stopped at this bus station. The bus station was a shady place at that time of... (read more)

Czechin' Out Prague

By Charlee Redman on November 13, 2010 8:33 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px} Studying abroad constantly shows me how little I know, how limited my knowledge of the world's history and cultures is. In American schools, we learn about our own country's history over and over, year after year, without ever expanding our understanding of what was going on elsewhere. This week I spent three days in Prague, in the Czech Republic. Prague is a beautiful city with a rich past: it's been the home of Germanic and Slavic tribes, the Holy... (read more)

T-minus 13 days!

By AMELIA KATHRYN HAWBAKER on November 4, 2010 2:40 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

If any of you are wondering, which most of you probably are, t-minus 13 days is in reference to my birthday. Yep, you guessed it, the big one, the one every American college student yearns for...my 21st. One problem...it is rather anti-climatic since I can legally drink here. But still exciting, nevertheless! I will also begin by saying that I am terrible at updating my blog. I kept with the "at least once per week" GeoBlog request, for about a month...and now it has been almost two months! Where has the time gone? Is it really November? What did I... (read more)

A Lack of Preconceptions

By Charlee Redman on November 3, 2010 7:52 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px} I'd never really thought about going to Germany until I found myself in front of a computer, booking a flight to Berlin a few weeks ago. Although I can think of a vast amount of historical associations with Germany, I had no preconceptions as to what it's like today. And I think that's why I loved Berlin. The tempo of Berlin is much calmer than the (occasionally) frenetic atmosphere of Paris. It didn't feel like everyone on the road... (read more)

Chantilly

By Charlee Redman on October 25, 2010 2:11 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

On Saturday IES hosted an excursion to the Château de Chantilly, a castle in the Picardie region outside of Paris. Although some parts of the original buildings are no longer standing, the castle was constructed in 1560 for the princes of Condé. Today the castle is more of an art museum, hosting the Musée Condé and its collection of paintings that's said to rival the Louvre. And of course, Chantilly is home to the famous Chantilly cream, lace, and racecourse.... (read more)

A Night at the Opera

By Charlee Redman on October 19, 2010 10:29 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

A couple months ago, I was looking through my grandparents' old house. While shuffling through dusty piles of letters, papers, and family photographs, I came across an envelope full of little pictures. They were photographs my grandfather took during World War II when he was stationed as a soldier in France and sent home to my grandmother. On the back of each, he wrote dates, names of people and locations, and often a comment. He wrote on the back of a picture of the Palais Garnier, where the Opéra National de Paris shares its home with the legendary Phantom,... (read more)

INFO SESSION NEXT WEEK: STUDY ABROAD IN NON-TRADITIONAL LOCATIONS

By JENNIFER ANN WAGNER LAWLOR on October 18, 2010 9:28 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Most study abroad students from the United States go to just a handful of places--Western Europe, and Australia. Period. But it's a much bigger world out there!!! There are Penn-State approved study abroad programs in Latin America, Africa, India, China, Japan, Eastern Europe. Come learn about why you should consider going "off the beaten track" and look into study abroad in a non-traditional location. Hear first-hand the experiences of a couple Liberal Arts students who did so! WHEN: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2010, 5:30-6:30 P.M.WHERE: 158 WILLARD BUILDING... (read more)

a not so brief update...

By MONIQUE ASHLY WILLIAMS on October 15, 2010 8:40 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Well it's been a while since I've last written on here. I guess I feel like there isn't much to say. I haven't been traveling, just enjoying school (minus 2 hr long seminars) and hanging out with friends. It's been really cloudy here with a few days of sunshine. It reminds me of the joke my friends I always talk about when we see high school students walking around state college on a really beautiful day.... the beautiful days are numbered and they make you forget about the rainy, cloudy, crappy, snowy days that usually fill your time at PSU.... (read more)

a not so brief update...

By MONIQUE ASHLY WILLIAMS on October 15, 2010 8:40 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Well it's been a while since I've last written on here. I guess I feel like there isn't much to say. I haven't been traveling, just enjoying school (minus 2 hr long seminars) and hanging out with friends. It's been really cloudy here with a few days of sunshine. It reminds me of the joke my friends I always talk about when we see high school students walking around state college on a really beautiful day.... the beautiful days are numbered and they make you forget about the rainy, cloudy, crappy, snowy days that usually fill your time at PSU.... (read more)

I think I should be English...

By AMELIA KATHRYN HAWBAKER on October 14, 2010 1:10 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I have to say it, I LOVE London. I know that doesn't exactly mean that I was born into the wrong nationality, but regardless - it is incredible! I think this post will focus mainly on that trip and my other planning - there is just too much to include since the last time I've posted (my fault, for not posting sooner). I will try to keep it brief-ish, but that's always a challenge, so bear with me dear readers. Not too much happened since my last post, other than my trip to London. That trip was another first for... (read more)

I think I should be English...

By AMELIA KATHRYN HAWBAKER on October 14, 2010 1:10 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I have to say it, I LOVE London. I know that doesn't exactly mean that I was born into the wrong nationality, but regardless - it is incredible! I think this post will focus mainly on that trip and my other planning - there is just too much to include since the last time I've posted (my fault, for not posting sooner). I will try to keep it brief-ish, but that's always a challenge, so bear with me dear readers. Not too much happened since my last post, other than my trip to London. That trip was another first for... (read more)

Podcast featuring study abroad student is ready--have a listen!

By JENNIFER ANN WAGNER LAWLOR on October 13, 2010 3:17 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Liberal Arts student Nicole Zinni studied abroad in Istanbul, Turkey last spring. Listen to our conversation with her about that on Liberal Arts Voices: http://www.psu.edu/dept/laus/, or http://www.psu.edu/dept/laus/LA%20Voices%2010-07-2010%20Episode%2015.mp3... (read more)

Amsterdam!

By Charlee Redman on October 11, 2010 4:14 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

On a whim, I went to Amsterdam this weekend. I had never really imagined going to Holland, but I'm glad I did. Traveling in Europe is so easy - there are trains, planes, and buses that leave at least once a day with reasonably priced tickets, and hostels in every major city. We opted for the train, so we had three hours to see the countryside of northern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands (it looked pretty similar to central Pennsylvania, but maybe a little greener, a little older). Amsterdam is a beautiful city. Meandering over the canals, dodging the... (read more)

Plans, plans, plans...

By AMELIA KATHRYN HAWBAKER on October 7, 2010 1:19 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have a couple of trips in mind that I would like to take while I'm here. The most immediate is to London (tomorrow) and then Dublin the weekend after. Actually, this is going to sound kind of crazy, but the next four weekends are booked (or planned anyway, not booked just yet...). The plan is: London, Dublin, Paris (longer trip - that is my Reading Week, more on that later), and Scotland. Dublin will be for a couple of days, Paris for four days, and Scotland for two days and one night.... (read more)

Did you get to the Ed Abroad Fair?

By JENNIFER ANN WAGNER LAWLOR on October 6, 2010 8:58 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

We had a lot of visitors at the Liberal Arts tables yesterday at the Ed Abroad Fair! Hope you were one of them! You can get all the information that was distributed there on our webpage, http://laus.la.psu.edu/current-students/education-abroad. If you were there and have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch!... (read more)

Comparative Education

By Charlee Redman on October 4, 2010 12:37 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Today, the fall semester at the Université Paris IV (La Sorbonne) began. It seems strange to be starting so late, but that's just another of the many differences in the French education system as compared to its American counterpart. I'm excited (but extremely intimidated) to be taking a literature class there. The Sorbonne is one of the oldest universities around - prestigious, old, and terribly confusing. Classes and locations often aren't announced until the day the classes begin, professors may just not show up, and announcements are posted on a bulletin board (no convenient e-mail notifications). Professors are government... (read more)

Week One: Complete

By AMELIA KATHRYN HAWBAKER on September 29, 2010 1:26 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Surviving orientation week at a foreign university: check. Where do I even begin? I cannot believe that I've only been here for a week and a half, it seems like so much longer (in a good way). I feel that I'm acclimating to the University and English life pretty quickly, and I am definitely starting to feel like I really belong here - vs. merely being a visitor or tourist. Having said this, I think I'm still in the 'Intercultural Understanding' bit of my journey. There is a lot that I still have to learn/get used to, but I'm excited... (read more)

Continue reading Week One: Complete.

Solidarity

By Charlee Redman on September 26, 2010 1:34 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Paris was hyperactive this week. September is when la rentrée takes place, the time when everyone returns from their (month-long!) vacations and students begin the fall semester, called la rentrée scolaire. There's also la rentrée littéraire, for writers and publishers.But the nuclei of activity this week were a little different. On Thursday, the third or fourth strike (la grève) in the last few weeks took place. Demonstrators wore bright orange and carried flags and banners, sporting stickers and patches that bore the acronym CFDT or the phrase "Je lutte des classes." The labor unions for public transport were the principal... (read more)

Fresher's Week

By MONIQUE ASHLY WILLIAMS on September 24, 2010 11:30 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Traveling through London and Dublin with a backpack was quite entertaining but I'm glad to be settled in Canterbury now. It felt funny moving back into the dorms; it's every graduating senior's dream "to go back to freshman year and do it all over again." Well guys, I get to. Fresher's Week, as they call it, is a completely genius idea. One week where there is no class but just orientations for your major and the student union plans different drinking events every night (18 is legal drinking age). I have a bar in my halls and the store that... (read more)

Privileges

By Charlee Redman on September 22, 2010 3:05 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

It still seems unreal to me that I am living in Paris. Each morning I am struck anew with this revelation, usually at about the same time I see the sunlight illuminating the treetops and the buildings on the avenues of Montparnasse.The leaves in the Jardin du Luxembourg (where the Senate is located) are beginning to turn gold and red. The morning air is cool, although it will be warm in the afternoon. This makes me wonder what the thousands of sans-abri, the homeless, will do in the winter. Every day the problems of poverty and homelessness confront Paris. On... (read more)

Day...Three? That's It?

By AMELIA KATHRYN HAWBAKER on September 21, 2010 6:16 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Where do I even begin? With packing I suppose. Try though I might, I could not manage to make myself pack prior to the night before my flight. Even with no one left in Corning, I still managed to successfully procrastinate until the last minute. In spite of this, I am proud of myself for one reason: I did NOT over pack. Which, for those who know me, is quite a feat. This would be much more of a triumph if I had managed not to UNDER pack. Unfortunately this is not the case, and I have had to run... (read more)

Literary Heritage

By Charlee Redman on September 17, 2010 4:36 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Earlier this week I went to the Cimetière Montparnasse to visit the graves of a few famous writers. Below are pictures of Charles Baudelaire's grave, with notes and poems that people leave for him. It was nice to see the connection that people still have with a poet who lived about a century and a half ago. Poetry matters.... (read more)

All the little things.

By Charlee Redman on September 16, 2010 1:28 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Superficially, France the and United States don't seem all that different. Both countries are strong economic and political forces in the Western world, with advanced technology, similar religious and ethnic backgrounds, and so on. The languages are rather disparate, but they share a wide range of words and cognates. But this idea is a faux ami (a false friend, or a word that looks the same in both languages but has a different meaning). Just because France is a Western European country and the majority of the population could pass for American does not mean that the vast cultural... (read more)

Getting to, Arriving at, and Surviving the first day in the UK

By MONIQUE ASHLY WILLIAMS on September 12, 2010 11:53 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Packing: I may have overpacked. I tried not to, I swear. I discarded pairs of heels, and tank tops, and I only brought one towel. But It's hard not to when you look at the conversion rates. Did I really want to spend 40 pounds on my conditioner instead of $28 (don't check my math), or 70 pounds on school supplies when over the last 3 years of college I've accumulated enough junk that I can take for free. So, all you gals thinking you're going to show up in fall with one suitcase, you're wrong. Once you pack... (read more)

Thinking about Australia?

By JENNIFER ANN WAGNER LAWLOR on September 10, 2010 2:05 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

JWL on the coastline Originally uploaded by LAUSatPSU Hi everyone, If you're interested in studying abroad in Australia -- and I know some of you are because it's one of Penn State's top destinations, have a look at these pictures. I was recently in Melbourne, Australia for a week at a conference where most of the faculty were Australian--including faculty from the 3 major universities right in Melbourne itself: RMIT, Monash, and U of Melbourne. I was able to visit the international programs office at the University of Melbourne as well, and got a nice tour of the campus... (read more)

Explorations

By Charlee Redman on September 9, 2010 12:46 AM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

After a week of running around Paris and trying to cram every last hour of my vacation with new sights, I'm ready to start the school year. It feels strange to have registered for spring classes at Penn State before I've even started my fall program, but so it goes (also, midnight scheduling in State College means its now 6am here). I moved into my apartment in Montparnasse yesterday. It's much larger than I expected, with cute courtyards, two desks, a sizable bathroom, and a cute little kitchen. I've posted a few pictures, along with photos from last week,... (read more)

Biking Through the Netherlands

By KATHLEEN R SCHULBERG on September 2, 2010 11:19 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

View of a lake on my route to school in the Netherlands Originally uploaded by LAUSatPSU Before heading overseas to the Netherlands this summer, I was extremely nervous because I had never done anything like this before. My fears grew when I learned that while in the Netherlands, we would be biking to and from class three days a week. As embarrassing as this is to admit, I had never learned to ride a bike growing up. So I immediately became fearful of this aspect of the trip and strongly considered pulling out. But I practiced a few times... (read more)

Arrival

By Jake the Snake on September 1, 2010 6:58 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I arrived at Narita Airport yesterday. This whole week is supposed to be dedicated to orientation--which is necessary--but like every other orientation I usually drift off and get frustrated that before I begin my actual education abroad experience that I must wait a week listening to the dribbling of rules but...whatever. One thing I will make note of before I end this pathetic entry is the weather. The weather near Tokyo longitude is bloody hot! The worst part is that I have no shorts. Well I'm bored now and will go back to chipping away at my fog of war.... (read more)

Côte d'Azur

By Charlee Redman on September 1, 2010 6:13 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

The south of France, along the Riviera, is the most beautiful place I have ever been. The Côte d'Azur (the Azure Coast) is a mashup of cultures and traditions, perched on high cliffs above the Mediterranean, where the Provençal meets the Italian, the North African, and the thousand languages of its tourists. I've been staying in Nice for a few days. It's the fifth largest city in France, with about 350,000 inhabitants. Nice is about 45 kilometers from Cannes, and a short drive from Monaco and Italy. It's composed of la Vieille Ville, the Old City from the medieval era,... (read more)

Physical Activity in China

By EDWARD GORSUCH KIMBLE on August 28, 2010 2:02 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I thought it might be interesting to touch on an aspect of my experience in Beijing that was very near and dear to me: movement. I engaged in physical activity of all sorts in China: tai chi quan, biking, hiking, walking/exploring the city, yoga, weight lifting at the University gym, basketball, bad-mitten, just to name a few, and all of this dynamic movement proved to be a vital part of my experience. As a Psychology major, I've become well aware of the fundamental link between mind and body, and what's more, as a very busy (and occasionally stressed-out) college student,... (read more)

WELCOME BACK!! Is Study abroad in your future??

By JENNIFER ANN WAGNER LAWLOR on August 23, 2010 8:47 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year at the College of the Liberal Arts! Lots of things on your mind, I know - but if you're thinking about applying this year for study abroad next year, it's not too soon to get info! I am Dr. Jennifer Wagner-Lawlor, director of CLA Study Abroad Programs, and I will be offering information sessions for LA majors throughout this semester--so keep your eye on this blog, and on announcements from the Undergraduate Studies office!THIS WEEK, you can start thinking about study abroad by attending: Welcome Week 'Study Abroad 101' When: Wednesday, August 25th,... (read more)

Departures

By Charlee Redman on August 20, 2010 7:23 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

In less than a week I leave for France. For five days my mom and I will be in Nice, on the Riviera, before taking the TGV (high speed train) north to Paris. In the capital we'll be staying at l'Hotel du Pantheon, right across the street from the Pantheon, for a week before my program starts. As I attempt to stuff all my clothes and things into a small suitcase, I'm realizing that there's not much left to do before leaving. Packing has actually been pretty easy, although this is probably because I'm forgetting some essential items. Studying... (read more)

The European Union

By TORILYNN MARIE BELL on July 29, 2010 3:10 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

The past three weeks in class we have been discussing the politics of European Integration. The starting block for each institution is founded in the aftermath of World War II as the underlying goal of the European Union is to prevent a third world war. One of the founding fathers of the EU was Altiero Spinelli, an Italian politician. In June 1941, while in prison, Spinelli and a fellow prisoner, Ernesto Rossi, wrote the Ventotene Manifesto, entitled "Towards a Free and United Europe." The Manifesto declared that if the fight against fascist powers were successful, it would be futile... (read more)

i carry your heart

By EDWARD GORSUCH KIMBLE on July 26, 2010 1:48 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Recently one of my friends discovered that I carry a little silver heart in my wallet. I explained to her that every member of my family is carrying a heart. Here's why: i carry your heart with me(i carry it inmy heart)i am never without it(anywherei go you go,my dear; and whatever is doneby only me is your doing,my darling)i fearno fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i wantno world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)and it's you are whatever a moon has always meantand whatever a sun will always sing is youhere is the deepest secret nobody knows(here is the... (read more)

Getting Sick in China

By EDWARD GORSUCH KIMBLE on July 26, 2010 1:16 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Well, I ended up having a little bit of an extended stay in the PRC (details on why that is the case coming in later blogs) but for now I'd like to talk about a recent experience I had getting to know the Chinese medical system in an intimate fashion. Unfortunately (and this is something study-abroad students should definitely be aware of) my HTH Worldwide insurance, securely protecting me during my semester at IES, ended after the semester wrapped-up May 31st. That said, June 15th, I discovered that I had my first serious health issue, even more severe than my... (read more)

Life post-Turkey

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on June 30, 2010 5:20 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

In some ways I feel like Istanbul was months ago, or that it was all a dream. But I remember so vividly my first cab ride from the Ataturk airport to my university, and it's as if it happened yesterday. I've been back in the States for two weeks now and am in the process of completing that study abroad cycle where I must re-adjust to American society and fight reverse culture shock. I have to say, it was harder than I thought! Of course there are a lot of things that made me so happy to be home... like... (read more)

Strolling Through Barcelona

By ARIANNA HAILEY SIMPSON on June 29, 2010 11:56 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

A word of advice for those studying abroad, traveling to an unfamiliar place, or just trying to get to work in your own city: walk. Just a couple blocks, and suddenly it's like you're in another world, one that you've never really noticed before. Today I finally took the time to poke my head outside the metro and make the trip home from the IES center by foot, and it was my favorite part of the day, despite a few small issues I'll get into later. It's so easy to get caught up in getting to school, work or wherever... (read more)

Summer Abroad in Maastricht Blog 1

By TORILYNN MARIE BELL on June 20, 2010 1:32 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

"In order to write about life, you must first live it." - Ernest Hemmingway I started my summer journey through Europe one week ago and this past week has given me more opportunities than ever before to truly live life. I am studying abroad in Maastricht which is located at the southern tip of The Netherlands close to the borders of both Belgium and Germany. While here I will be studying the history and politics behind the creation of the European Union, but I believe more importantly I will be emerged in a new and very different part of... (read more)

First Post From Barcelona...Isn't About Barcelona

By ARIANNA HAILEY SIMPSON on June 18, 2010 6:00 AM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

It's taken me quite a while to get around to posting, but I hope the fact that I've been quite busy getting accustomed to my surroundings and soaking in the essence of Barcelona can be considered an extenuating circumstance. IES has also been keeping our schedules pretty packed, especially with our fieldtrip to the Costa Brava the other weekend. It's rather odd that my first post from Barcelona is actually about our field trip somewhere else, but I feel our trip was definitely worth writing about. The study journey organized by IES provided a great mix of cultural learning... (read more)

1st Month in Germany

By STEFAN WILLIAM NAGY on June 13, 2010 5:44 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

So it's now been one month since I arrived in Germany. At first when I got here, everything was exciting and new. It didn't bother me too much that I couldn't speak the language because alot of people here speak english. After about a week though, I began to get frustrated with my lack of communication skills. Although I could communicate basic ideas to most people, and everyone speaks at least a little bit of German, I would occasionally have trouble with simple tasks. Ordering food was where I have had the most trouble, because although most people will be... (read more)

Görüşürüz, İstanbul.

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on June 11, 2010 1:35 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I am within my last few days in Istanbul, and I can't stop thinking about all the things I'll miss about this place. Of course the people I've met and the friends I've made will be at the top of my list. Then there's the food, the city lights dotting the shores of the Bosphorus, and the history and architecture of this ancient city. But there are so many little everyday occurrences that I think I'll miss even more, and I know I won't even realize most of them until I'm back in the States. Here are some of the... (read more)

Still want to go abroad in Spring 2011? There's still time to apply!

By JENNIFER ANN WAGNER LAWLOR on June 10, 2010 10:55 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

According to the Global Programs website, there are still some Spring 2011 programs open, even thought the main deadline has long passed.The site doesn't list them -- but if you're interested here's the link to GP. It says "Stay tuned for an announcement in August" regarding a limited number of Spring '11 opportunities. I'll let you know what I hear before then if anything!... (read more)

Hair Clips in Harran

By JILL CHRISTINE ARMINGTON on June 7, 2010 5:48 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

During our "On the Road" experience in Turkey, we recently stopped in the town of Harran to see a few archaeological sites there. As our bus rolled into town, children and adults alike would stare at the crew of obvious tourists, the children with looks of awe and excitement. When we finally arrived at the Harran Fortress, and the bus doors opened, we were immediately swarmed by a group of young girls. Initially I was excited to interact with the young, adorable townspeople. My excitement rapidly turned to dismay, however, when we realized that these youngsters were trying desperately... (read more)

Around the Country in 13 Days

By JILL CHRISTINE ARMINGTON on June 7, 2010 4:45 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

We're only about three days into our thirteen-day road trip around central and eastern Turkey, and already I feel like I've seen more of this country than I have of my own. We have a pretty packed itinerary with various stops at archaeological sites and museums around the country, all of which have been truly incredible. Yesterday we trekked over to Zeugma - a bridge constructed by Alexander the Great in 300 BC that once spanned the Euphrates River. Due to recent damming of the river, the site is no longer visible (and the ridiculously remarkable mosaics found there... (read more)

Convents, Birthdays... and Murder

By JILL CHRISTINE ARMINGTON on June 5, 2010 10:47 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

After our stay in Istanbul, we spent a week in Iskenderun, a city situated on the Mediterranean Sea coast. During this week, we hunkered down and *gasp* attended class. We stayed in a convent, where we were served three incredible meals each day, played a great deal of volleyball out in the courtyard, and were only a block from the most delicious ice cream shop I've ever encountered. We frequented this lovely shop - Mado - so often that even when we'd simply walk by it on the street, all the waiters would wave to us from the windows... (read more)

More Financial Aid Tips

By EDWARD GORSUCH KIMBLE on June 1, 2010 11:09 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

In this entry I'd like again to talk about some ways to finance your study abroad experience. If you have not discovered this already, the University Office of Global Programs at Penn State is an extraordinary resource, with a very informative website http://www.global.psu.edu/ detailing everything you need to know for your study abroad preparations. They have links to a myriad of scholarship resources, along with many tips for finding ways to make ends meet. Here's some ideas about engaging your local community in helping you finance your study abroad: Make a list of potential organizations, clubs, and businesses you could... (read more)

Huiling NGO

By EDWARD GORSUCH KIMBLE on June 1, 2010 10:28 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Hey everyone, sorry it's been a whiile since I've been able to write. To be perfectly honest, I've been so incredibly busy this semester that's it's been hard to even write in my journal, or send emails back home (which is probably my biggest regret). During the semester, I'd be up till midnight everyday doing work and reading, so blogging became very difficult (especially when I was away from the internet during my trip to Yunnan). Yet, now I know that it is of crucial importance to set aside time, make time, to be able to do your blog and... (read more)

Untitled

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on June 1, 2010 2:47 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

As many of you know, yesterday the state of Israel attacked a humanitarian aid flotilla in international waters carrying supplies and volunteers to Gaza. 400 of the 581 passengers on the ship were Turkish, and several of Turkey's citizens were killed in the attack. Turkish newspapers have declared this event the final nail on the coffin of Turkish ties with Israel, and the response here in Istanbul has taken the form of civilians storming the Israeli consulate and over ten thousand protesting in the streets. Students were warned not to go into the city yesterday due to the mass demonstrations,... (read more)

Two Turkish Runways

By JILL CHRISTINE ARMINGTON on May 28, 2010 8:50 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

After having spent five days in Istanbul, I am well aware that it is a vibrant city with so much to offer (after all, those days have been filled to the brim with a wide range of non-stop activities). Two days ago we took a cruise down the Bosphorus River, which divides Istanbul into its European side and its Asian side. Istanbul is the only city in the world that straddles two continents, so I can say with total seriousness that for the past five days, I've been traipsing from Asia to Europe, from Europe to Asia. Sweet. The... (read more)

"You don't get a carpet to just cover the floor."

By JILL CHRISTINE ARMINGTON on May 26, 2010 10:24 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Or at least that's what one Turkish carpet store owner believes. Disagree? I sure did, until now. Do you often find yourself checking price tags at Ikea to snag the cheapest rug you can get your hands on? If yes, then be prepared to change your mind about the real job of a quality carpet. Turkey is famous for its carpets, and - fun fact - is where the oldest carpet in the world was woven. Carpets are art, and as I learned today, carpets (especially those made in Turkey) should be appreciated for their beauty, their history, and... (read more)

First Week in Germany

By STEFAN WILLIAM NAGY on May 23, 2010 6:19 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

We have just finished our first week in Pforzheim, and I have to say that Germany is amazing so far. Class has been a little rough, since we were jetlagged pretty much all week and still had to wake up for morning clases wich lasted 3 hours. Aside from being tired though, class has been pretty intersting. We're taking a German class and a class on the EU and German culture. I'm starting to pick up a little bit of German, and can now recognize a few words here and there when I hear other people speak. Almost everyone here... (read more)

Turkish HospitaliTEA

By JILL CHRISTINE ARMINGTON on May 23, 2010 11:03 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Thank you, Turkish Air, for delivering me in one well-fed yet not-so-well-rested piece to Turkey. Even when you're aboard a nine hour flight, finding a comfy sleeping position proves difficult when you're the middle seat. (I was lucky though, in that I was sandwiched between two very pleasant people who were interesting to talk to. I wasn't planning on using either of them as a pillow though....) So here I am, comfortably reclined on my bed, with my pillows, in the lovely Grand Hotel Halic in Istanbul. I must say, all this traveling and time changing has been ultra... (read more)

Fans, futbol, and fury

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on May 22, 2010 7:18 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

So there are 3 major futbol teams in Istanbul - Beşiktaş J.K., Fenerbahçe S.K., and Galatasaray S.K.. One of the things I learned very fast here is you have to pick one to cheer for, and pick wisely because you will be judged and loved and hated based off that one decision alone. We have sports rivalries in the States, sure, but I've never seen anything like this before... Sure, our favorite teams can make our day or break them, help us bond with each other or temporarily sour relationships, but here, oh no, it's much worse. This team will... (read more)

Baking Baklava

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on May 16, 2010 5:42 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Turkish desserts are addicting. And unfortunately they are small, so you don't realize how much you've eaten until the plate is empty, and they are often available in the dozens, so you can never just go for one, but two, then three, then four.... until there's nothing left but sugar grains and crumbs and pants that feel a little bit tighter than they did when you woke up that morning. There's locum (Turkish delight), pastries, cookies, candied chestnuts, and baklava. The most addictive one of all. And the other night my roommate's mother taught me how to make it.I'm doomed.... (read more)

Be safe on your trips this summer!

By JENNIFER ANN WAGNER LAWLOR on May 5, 2010 9:42 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

You may be traveling abroad for study or for fun -- Hope you have a great, safe trip! The US govt has a few suggestions about the safety part: check out Safe Traveling!... (read more)

The Veil.

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on May 3, 2010 5:56 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Although Europe's struggle with burqas and minarets revolves around matters of security and culture, I still don't fully understand the veil issue in Turkey. Wearing one can be interpreted as a cultural, religious or political statement, and it seems like the biggest problem is that you can't know which statement a woman is trying to make just by looking at her. Despite its 99% Muslim population, much of Turkey is adamantly secular. For many, the veil is a symbol of Political Islam, and having a president whose wife wears a headscarf is a source of embarrassment and contention. After all,... (read more)

A Nation in Mourning

By JOSHUA GREGG BELL on April 21, 2010 5:31 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

At 08:56 AM on April 10, 2010, the nation of Poland would be thrown in to a state of shock after one of the most tragic events in the country's history would take place. I was spending my last full day of Spring Break in Rome when I received a text message from my friend who I had just visited for Easter in The Netherlands asking me if I had heard about the Polish plane crash. My first thought was that he had to be joking because while I was at his home in Holland there was a National... (read more)

This Side of the Pond

By AMELIA KATHRYN HAWBAKER on April 20, 2010 5:28 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Hello all, my name is Amelia Hawbaker and I'm currently a sophomore at Penn State University. I will be traveling to the University of Kent, Canterbury (UK) next fall. I will be there for the entire semester, and I'm really hoping to get in some good travel-time before I begin orientation at Kent. With any luck, my lovely sister (Olivia) will be jet-setting around Europe with me during August (and by jet-setting I mean backpacking), and will be able to deposit me in Kent prior to orientation. I have traveled through some parts of Europe already, but I am absolutely... (read more)

Small World

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on April 19, 2010 4:15 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I knew Penn State was big, but I had no idea just how big it was until I came here.Penn State is everywhere. There is no escaping it. Here are just a few examples of how small our world is, and how big Penn State is... - I let a stranger borrow my pen while studying for an exam in the student center. Conversation leads me to find out he has a cousin at Penn State. - I sit around a campfire on the southern shores of Turkey and meet a Canadian. He tells me about how much he loves... (read more)

Hangzhou

By EDWARD GORSUCH KIMBLE on April 17, 2010 8:18 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Even though I've been lacking access to the internet lately, I still have been able to record several blog entries. Here's one about an expeditionary learning trip to the gorgeous coastal city of Hangzhou, far south of Beijing. We took a train from Beijing to Hangzou, leaving Beijing at around 6 pm and arriving in Hangzou around 7 am. The train station in Beijing was a literal sea of humanity, and I learned a cool Chinese saying to describe it, "Ren shan, ren hai" (A mountain and sea of people). The train was so cool, we slept in what was... (read more)

Home is where the heart is

By EDWARD GORSUCH KIMBLE on April 17, 2010 7:48 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Hey everyone, sorry there's been a gap between these blog posts, it's been a combination of lacking internet at my homestay for a while (oh Communist Party of China, why do you desire to control everything? Just relax buddy), traveling, and being absolutely swamped by work. In finding time for your blog, the key is to make time, or as Thomas Jefferson would say (if he had a blog): "Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much can be done if we... (read more)

Aid for summer study abroad

By JENNIFER ANN WAGNER LAWLOR on April 14, 2010 3:49 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Hello fellow LA travelers,You may be confirming your summer study abroad acceptances right now! And then you may be thinking, okay, do I really have enough money?? There are many resources here at Penn State to help you out, starting with two web pages from Student Financial Aid. One of them is this one, which gives you general information about applying for grants, loans and fellowships for any kind of summer study. The second website addresses summer study abroad specifically: click here. Between the two of these, as well as the Global Programs "Affording Study Abroad" webpage you should be... (read more)

Lg learning and cultural comprehension--is the classroom enough?

By JENNIFER ANN WAGNER LAWLOR on April 14, 2010 2:01 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

According to the Chronicle of Higher Ed, "More Students Taking Arabic May Not Translate Into More Cultural Comprehension" -- there needs to be a real world connection!! Just one more reason to study abroad!!See the full article here.... (read more)

Of Backpackers and Dervishes

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on April 12, 2010 2:54 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Although my sunburn has faded my skin has finally started to peel - a small price to pay for spending nine days on the western Mediterranean shore of southern Turkey, if you ask me! This past week I was on Spring Break, throughout which I had the luxury of spending my days on mountain tops and beaches, in the company of people from New Zealand to Canada, drinking banana tea and eating the four-foot-long etli ekmek, and falling up (yes, up) escalators and being rescued from a capsizing canoe. My original plan was to hike the world famous Lycian Way-... (read more)

Here, There, and Everywhere!

By JOSHUA GREGG BELL on April 11, 2010 6:35 PM | 5 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Sorry for the delay in entries, but my sister came to visit me for 10 days and then I was on Easter/Spring Break for another 10 days, but I will be sure to fill you in on the last 20 days of my life in this one huge blog entry. Before I begin, I just wanted to mention about the loss Poland has endured this weekend of their president and other high standing officials in a plane crash in Western Russia. What is even more tragic is that they were on their way to remember the 70th anniversary, where 22,000... (read more)

Toto....

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on April 1, 2010 4:01 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

This morning Richard Haass, current president of the Council on Foreign Relations, came to my university to give a lecture about globalization and foreign policy in the 21st century. Kind of a big deal, I think. He gave a good lecture, definitely worth skipping Turkish class for, but speech aside, there were other parts of this event that reminded me again just how far I am from home. First, the man arrived in a helicopter. Yes, my school has a helicopter pad. I heard him arrive on campus long before I saw him, and seeing that chopper touch base was... (read more)

Where are you from? Let me help you!

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on March 26, 2010 1:35 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Note to self: return to Trabzon.Last weekend I traveled 1,000 km east along the Black Sea to the cities of Trabzon and Rize. Nestled between the sea and the Kaçkar Mountains, both of these coastal towns had some of the best views and friendliest people I've ever encountered.The Eastern Black Sea region is known by most tourist books for its fishy cuisine, especially hamsi ( anchovies), the aboriginal Laz people, the ancient Sumela Monestary and Ataturk's own private villa. However, I will fondly remember it as the place where my blue eyes for once did not stand out, where locals... (read more)

Back from the University of Cape Town! Perfect Study Abroad Site!

By JENNIFER ANN WAGNER LAWLOR on March 24, 2010 12:23 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Hello Travelers--or hopeful travelers! If you're looking for a wonderful place to go that's not on the beaten track, Cape Town should be at the top of your list of possibilities! After a good week there, checking out the university and the city, I can guarantee you that it's a place you would never regret going to. It's a beautiful, amazing city - with a top-flight research university that's perched half way up a mountain. Spectacular views from the campus, over the city, to the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and toward False Bay and the Indian Ocean on the other. Check out some of the photos I took on my trip:

Through the CIEE program there, which is Penn State approved, you can enroll in just about anything in the Liberal Arts disciplines, and all classes are in English. CIEE can put you up in either residential houses with other American students; or in the dorms--a little more basic but you are much more likely to feel integrated with South Africans themselves.

I talked to four Penn State students there, who were loving every minute of their time - and I filmed them! So don't believe me, believe them:

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Polish Past to Present...

By JOSHUA GREGG BELL on March 22, 2010 5:56 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Czesc! (Hello in Polish from Eastern Europe) It has been just over a week since I last posted an entry, but wanted to wait till after this weekend as well so that I could write about my two past weekend excursions within the country of Poland, one to the town of Torun and the other to the Baltic Sea shore city of Gdansk. On a side note, a really great thing about the Program here in Warsaw is that all personal travel within the country can be reimbursed as well as entries to museums, concerts, etc. However, the trip to... (read more)

A Taste of Heaven and Home

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on March 17, 2010 2:20 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Today I saw what I never expected to see on the campus of my little university on top of its little hill in Turkey.A Penn State hoodie! And it wasn't mine, although it was the exact same one I own at home, or either of the other Penn Staters studying here. And it wasn't in a picture. It was on a real live Turkish girl walking the halls of the social sciences building. In fact I didn't even realize she was wearing it when I walked past her, the person I was with pointed out to me after were a... (read more)

Ephesus and Izmir

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on March 15, 2010 5:38 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

If I were to try to describe Ephesus I wouldn't be able to do the place justice... so here are some pictures that could hopefully sway the minds of anyone considering going. Enjoy :) Since we went to Ephesus in early March there were very few tourists, which was quite fantastic, really. As fun as it was to hear people speaking languages other than Turkish, it was even more fun to be able to take pictures without photo-bombers and walk freely without stepping on other people's feet. We arrived in the early afternoon, but a looming thunderstorm created an cloud... (read more)

To the Baltic Sea and Beyond...

By JOSHUA GREGG BELL on March 9, 2010 5:01 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Hey all, It's just me again wanting to give you all another update on my amazing experience that I'm having abroad! This entry will focus, in particular, on my weekend excursion to Scandinavia. That's right! I have now been to Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, a place very few people ever get the opportunity to go to in their lifetime, but I have been there and back at the young age of only 21 years old all thanks to having chosen to study abroad in Eastern Europe with cheap, convenient, and direct access to this amazing snow covered paradise.... (read more)

My Soapbox

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on March 8, 2010 1:08 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

This past weekend I went to Ephesus and Izmir. Excuse me, İzmir. If you can't catch the difference, good luck using a Turkish keyboard. It will absolutely drive you mad.Instead of recapping the entire trip, I'll try to highlight some areas that might be helpful for current or future travelers...--To get to Izmir, or any place in or out of Turkey really, from Istanbul by bus, you will often be directed to use the main bus terminal: the Büyük Otogar - literally, the Big Bus Station (remember Büyükada? Same word...). This terminal has dozens upon dozens of bus lines going... (read more)

Helpful Scholarships for Study Abroad

By EDWARD GORSUCH KIMBLE on March 7, 2010 12:24 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Hey everyone, in this post, I'd like to talk about some of the resources that potential study-abroad students could use for financing their experience. There is a diverse array of resources out there to help you, and one that has really meant so much to me has been the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. This is a fabulous resource, and it was created with the purpose of divesifying "the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go" (Gilman). The program is funded through the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, and is affiliated... (read more)

Where the Streets Have No Cars

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on March 1, 2010 4:19 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Istanbul is a fantastic, beautiful, exciting city. But for girls like me who aren't used to the fast paced city life with all the bustling traffic and flashing lights, it can be nice to get away every once in a while.So that's what I did this weekend. A group of students and I spent two days away from the honking horns and the shoving elbows and went back to the basics.On Saturday we took a ferry to the island of Büyükada, the biggest of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara. These islands got their name from the princes,... (read more)

One down, three to go...

By JOSHUA GREGG BELL on February 28, 2010 6:27 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

Well here it almost the first of March and it seems just like yesterday that I arrived in the capital of Poland to begin my four month adventure abroad. It certainly doesn't seem like I have already been here for over four weeks, but you know what they say, "Time flies when you are having fun!" And right they are! Studying abroad is not only fun, but is able to teach you so much more about the culture and surroundings than you ever can learn in a classroom! I finalized my course schedule Friday afternoon, and I think the greatest... (read more)

IT'S FUTBOL.

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on February 25, 2010 3:28 PM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

I'm not sure if it's just by coincidence that this happens to me all the time, or if it's typical of any American abroad. But this is what usually goes on almost every time I meet someone who's not from the US. They ask you what your name is and what you're studying. Then they ask you where you're from. America's not exactly exotic, so even those who have never actually been there usually know the layout of the states pretty well. So they then ask where in the States, either because they are generally interested in where you're... (read more)

Phone. Wallet. Toilet Paper.

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on February 22, 2010 10:52 AM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I have finally met my match, and it comes in the shape of a burrito. Sort of.On Saturday I decided to do some exploring by myself and brave the twisted streets of Istanbul. However, I made three big mistakes. First, I got lost. I didn't bring a map because I thought getting lost could make the day more exciting. I figured as long as I could find the water (the Bosphorus) I should be okay. I never found the water. Second, I wore a skirt. Granted, it was knee-length and modest, but between the conservatism in that particular area and... (read more)

Everything and More!

By JOSHUA GREGG BELL on February 18, 2010 4:59 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Well another week has passed and Warszawa continues to amaze me beyond my wildest expectations. The people and culture are more than I could have ever asked for from studying abroad and it's only three weeks into my program. Last Sunday evening we Americans attended the ballet of Romeo and Juliet at the National Opera. It was a really great performance and the first ballet that I have ever seen. This was my second time to the National Opera in a week and I could tell that going there is a huge part of Polish culture and society. Last... (read more)

Day 2 in Cape Town begins...

By JENNIFER ANN WAGNER LAWLOR on February 18, 2010 1:19 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

... after a great day 1. Despite lost luggage (still not here this morning) I got a little oriented, walking 'round the University of Cape Town campus and enjoying its wonderful panoramas! Weather's in the low 80s (enjoying that snow??), really beautiful. It sort of feels like California!... (read more)

This is Turkey

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on February 14, 2010 10:49 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

I'm pretty unfamiliar with the blogging world, but I've looked around a few to get a feel of what they are like so that I can figure out some sort of direction for my own. It seems that people often use them to unwind - unleashing their feelings for what seems to be more for personal therapeutic practice than entertaining an audience. I don't intend on doing this, so these little entries of mine will focus more on observation than emotion, and to help those who are interested in Turkey to better understand the country, customs and culture. Enjoy. Books... (read more)

I'm Heading Abroad Too!

By JENNIFER ANN WAGNER LAWLOR on February 12, 2010 11:36 AM | 1 Comment | 0 TrackBacks

While I may not technically be a student, the great thing about being a faculty member is that you're also always a student. So I'm travelling for the first time to Cape Town, South Africa, this coming Monday, to look at several study abroad programs there, where students like yourself would actually go from Penn State. I'll be on the University of Cape Town campus for a week, and then off to Stellenbosch, not far away, but there's a separate university there where you can also study for a semester or year. So if you have any interest in going... (read more)

Welcome to CLA Education Abroad!

By JENNIFER ANN WAGNER LAWLOR on February 12, 2010 10:25 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Jennifer Wagner-Lawlor, CLA Study Abroad
Coordinator, in Istanbul
Originally uploaded by LAUSatPSU

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my first official blog as Director of Liberal Arts Study Abroad Programs. And a special hello to those students abroad--we've got Liberal Arts students all over the world, from Beijing to Istanbul to Ireland, Germany, Africa, you name it. You can follow the experiences of some of these students on this, our LAUS Education Abroad Blog!

If you have the slightest idea that you might want to study abroad, follow this blog! You'll read first-hand about the pleasures and the challenges of living and studying in another country, and I'm sure hearing their experiences and seeing their pictures will whet your appetite.
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Arrival et al

By EDWARD GORSUCH KIMBLE on February 8, 2010 6:56 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Dajia hao! (Hey everybody!) Well, I've now been in Beijing for about 4 1/2 days, and I gotta say, it's quite a thought-provoking place. I'll dedicate this entry to describing the events concerning my travels to the country, and subsequent adventures and misadventures upon arrival. The plane rides were made quite enjoyable by the presence of a few lovely and engaging conversationalists. I happened to be sitting next to a visiting scholar form China on my not so terribly tedious 12-hour flight who found great pleasure in correcting my Chinese and talking about the must-see/do aspects of Beijing. We spoke... (read more)

London to Warsaw!

By JOSHUA GREGG BELL on February 6, 2010 12:58 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Czesc! (Hello in Polish) I have been in Warsaw now for a week and I must say that my experience thus far has been everything I wanted and more from studying abroad. Going back two weeks ago, I began my semester abroad with a week in London, where I was able to really take in all the sights, sounds, and historical places from visiting Greenwich, and being able to have one foot in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres at the same time on Prime Meridian 0' 0" 0. But that was just the beginning as I visited Shakespeare's Globe Theatre,... (read more)

Gettin' Ready

By EDWARD GORSUCH KIMBLE on February 1, 2010 7:52 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

They say that the best laid plans o' mice and men oft go awry, but it does help to plan for the unexpected. I am currently visiting my sister in San Franciso, CA, enroute to Beijing and one of the greatest adventures of my life. Riding the trolly cars of S.F. has given me ample opportunity to practice my Chinese, since many of the signs are written in English and Chinese. I haven't even visited Chinatown yet, but I've been in and seen at least two dozen Chinese stores, whereupon I'll say "Xiexie" (thank-you) to surprised faces, and told that... (read more)

Pre-Departure Adventures

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on January 30, 2010 6:27 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Çıkmayan candan umit kesilmez."Hope won't be cut from the soul that has not expired.Miles traveled: 1008Minutes spent on hold: 137Number of freak snowstorms: 1Knowing that in one week I will legally be allowed into Turkey: PricelessI didn't have my visa, and I thought I wasn't going to be able to go abroad. I thought I'd be stranded in North Carolina for the next three months, watching my friends enjoy their spring at Penn State, pining at pictures of the lucky students who did go to Istanbul, contemplating what classes I'm going to take over the summer to make up for... (read more)

It begins...

By JOSHUA GREGG BELL on January 21, 2010 3:34 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Hello all, I just thought that I would throw out a quick post before I depart for one of the most amazing opportunities of my entire life. I meant to make a post over the Christmas holiday when I received a present in the mail...my Polish Visa! When I opened up the envelope the reality began to set in that in less than a month I would be embarking on a trip that will forever change my life. Fast forward a few weeks later and here I am...T-Minus 14 hours until departure and my bedroom is a mess with piles... (read more)

Another Culture's Perspective

By JOSHUA GREGG BELL on November 30, 2009 12:49 AM | 7 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

Hello everyone! My name is Joshua Bell. I am currently a fifth semester Junior here at Penn State University Park dual majoring in Finance and Economics. My study abroad experience during the Spring 2010 semester will take place at the Warsaw School of Economics in Poland. Studying abroad for a whole semester will give me the opportunity to live, study, and experience life in a foreign city/culture all at the same time. Classes and books can only teach you so much, but it is the "hands on" learning that really sticks with you, which is why I applied for... (read more)

Merhaba!

By NICOLE CATHERINE ZINNI on November 29, 2009 1:54 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks

A few summers ago I had the opportunity to travel to Turkey. Now, unfortunately, it was only for one day, but the country and the people made such an impression on me that when I left I promised myself that some day I'd return. A little dramatic, I know, but what can I say? I was smitten. Fast forward two years... I'm now trying to memorize as many Turkish phrases as I can and accustom myself to eating tahini and olives in preparation for my semester in Istanbul next spring. Thankfully, I still have a few more weeks to learn... (read more)

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