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New Country, New Culture, New Adventure!

New Country, New Culture, New Adventure!

Hola!

I boarded the plane with much anticipation to meet my host family, whom had contacted me just days before my arrival date of August 15, 2014. I was heading to a country that I’ve only seen in pictures and videos (I did a lot of research ahead of time, which I recommend!), a country in which I knew no one, a country which spoke its own language and a place I didn’t call home.

On the day of my flight, I had a layover in Dallas, TX, where I have never been before. During my 3 hours layover I couldn’t help but think about all the what ifs; what if my Spanish isn’t sufficient, what if my family doesn’t like me, what if I get lost, what if…. Within the next hour I met a handful of girls from my program, whom I am happy to call friends today.

My host mom and little brother were waiting for me right outside of the airport with a sign with my name on it, just like in the movies! I loved this! I took it all in as we drove to the house. The host family was making small talk with me and when I got home I met my sisters and then got a tour of the house and ate my first Costa Rican meal.

I live in a providence of Costa Rica called Heredia. This is where my school, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (UNA), is located. To be more exact, I live in a little city-town called San Rafael and I take a bus that costs 230 Colones (about 45 cents) to and from school everyday. The buses remind me of school buses back home.

During the first two weeks we did so much! I started class and felt very welcome by the overwhelmingly friendly and supportive professors. I will post more about the classrooms and etiquette later. On our first weekend in Costa Rica, we went on two field trips; one to the capital, San Jose and another to Volcano Poas and La Paz cataratas (Peace waterfalls).

The nature in Costa Rica is abundant and it’s beautiful. Of course both Friday at the volcano and Saturday at the waterfalls included a lot of hiking and a lot of rain! We are in Costa Rica’s “winter” these next few months and although they don’t see snow here, they have tremendous rainstorms! It’s very important to leave the house with an umbrella, or else you will come home drenched, and I learned that the hard way.

That is all for this first blog, but check back often to learn more about hermosa Costa Rica!

Pura Vida!

 

A look down the road nearby the university I attend.
A look down the road nearby the university I attend.
San Jose, Costa Rica
San Jose, Costa Rica
The view on our way to Volcan Poas.
The view on our way to Volcan Poas.
This is Volcan Poas. It was a little misty and foggy, but it was still beautiful.
This is Volcan Poas. It was a little misty and foggy, but it was still beautiful.
La Paz
This is one of the waterfalls we hiked to that day. It was well worth the climb!
Friendship
We decided to climb a rock for this photo! Another waterfall makes way in the background.
The Rock Bottom
This is the last waterfall we saw that day. It was captivating.

 

First Encounters and Adventures in Umbria

First Encounters and Adventures in Umbria

Tomorrow will mark the third week of being in Rome. My time here has been so packed thus far that it seems like I have been here much longer! At last everything is slowing down after a whirlwind of excitement following my arrival.

The strangest thing about my first encounters with the city is how distant and unreal each discover has been. Eager to see everything Rome is known for, my fellow classmates and I took to the town encountering many of the famous sites within the first days. Such encounters were so brief and often sudden (I think I’m better at finding monuments unintentionally than when I’m armed with a map) that I feel I can hardly check those sites off my Roman Bucket list. Now, slowly but surely, I feel myself starting to match the beat of the city, digesting its full brilliance.

The greatest event thus far was our orientation trip to the countryside of Umbria. The beauty of the mountains absolutely surrounded us everywhere we went. The first day was spent exploring the town of Bevagna. Strongly in touch with its medieval roots, Bevagna has many artisan craftsmen and women that practice and preserve the methods used generations before them. Along our way through the twisting and turning streets we stopped at the shops of a paper maker, silk maker, coin minter, and candlestick maker. The amount of time that goes into the old trades is remarkable! Silk especially takes patience, requiring 7 perfect strands to make a single thread!

 

The Roman Bridge in Spoleto
Spoleto is known for 3 beautiful things: La Montagna, La Chiesa, e Il Ponte.

My favorite of the four towns we visited was Spoleto. While still very connected to its ancient and medieval past like Bevagna, what stood out about Spoleto is its prevalent connection to art of all mediums and eras. Each summer Spoleto puts on a two month long festival in their 1st Century B.C. amphitheater, drawing performers and artists from all over the world. While excitement and pride stirred by the event can be felt yearlong, I only hope that I may be back one day to experience the festivities first hand! Art truly comes alive in Spoleto.

Our view of the Vineyard during our wine tasting
Our view of the Vineyard during our wine tasting.

Food was of course a great ordeal though out the weekend. One afternoon was spent wine tasting and exploring the orchards of Il Carapace Winery. The wine was great (red being the specialty of the region) but we were rather rushed and I hope to have a more thorough introduction to wine tasting in the future. We also had the pleasure of dining in an olive orchard! The meal incorporated traditional Umbrian bread (marked by its lack of salt), many types of spreads on toasted bread bruschetta style including an olive pate (must tomatoes be involved to call it bruschetta? I’ll have to find out), pesto (my favorite!), and the best sausage I have ever tasted. Many of the other meals on the trip were similar using traditional Umbrian dishes and seasonal ingredients. It was pork season (something that I never considered having a season but I suppose all things do in some sense of the term) so most meals involved pork. After my third meal of pork and potatoes I may have started to regret my decision not to eat vegetarian while aboard. Nonetheless the food was fantastic! I’m truly enjoying the pastas I have encountered and even more so the antipasti.

This past weekend was my first real weekend in Rome but since nothing terribly remarkable occurred and many other Rome adventures will happen in the near future I’ll wait to tell you more about the city some other time.

La Vie En France

La Vie En France

I really love France. It’s at first glance straight out of a Disney film. Take your pick: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Beauty and the Beast, the streets, buildings, and people of France are practically unchangeable and stand the test of centuries. It’s not at all shocking to see people, places, and things directly out of a Jules Verne novel, a Victor Hugo poem, an Edith Piaf song, or a Charlie Chaplin film. The only change that you will definitely notice at first is the addition of certain more modern advancements: neon flashing signs, expensive cars, iPhones as far as the eye can see.

 

Social life and young culture seems to be pretty healthy here in Nantes. Still, it is an affluent environment with very good security and opportunities for children to attend church services, community get-togethers, picnics, and the perfect weather to play, go to the beach, be active outdoors and safe every day of the year.

 

This city is incredible. I will report more on my beautiful new hometown soon. I hope you will consider joining me on my blogging adventure as I explore a foreign city with only my imagination and curiosity.

 

-R.

 

 

Ah, the sweet nectar of failure

Ah, the sweet nectar of failure

The fact of the matter is that no one likes to fail.

But studying in a foreign country where I barely speak the language means I fail at everyday things. And deep down, that hurts.

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Early morning on Rue Bon Pasteur, Aix-en-Provence

As a writer, I take pride in my language. I know it inside and out, reveling in my ability to mold it into whatever shape I choose. Yet I forget I’m still learning it. I often have to correct myself when using “I” or “me;” “well” and “good” are just as tricky. Don’t get me started on “who” and “whom.” But for every issue I have with English, French presents tenfold. I stutter, lose focus, forget vocabulary – all the usual trappings of a novice.

So when I read this article on Huffington Post, my awkward, hulking French problem came into focus: I know how to speak English so well that making a mistake in French is painful. And that’s ok.

Before I came to Aix, I thought that three weeks would be plenty of time to really immerse myself in the language. With one week left, I see I still have many years of French ahead of me. Rather than dreading them, however, I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’ve always oriented my life around goals, and the cause of learning a second language seems like a worthy one.

Speaking two languages gives you the ability to see the world through two different lens. It opens doors to a world full of new music, films and novels – people too. I can see the progress I’ve made since I came to Aix. In fact, learning and speaking in English seems too easy now. But more importantly, I’ve shaken off that fear of failure. So what if I use the wrong verb tense? It’s better to try (and possibly fail!) to make that connection than to keep the words inside my head.

Voyage A Grand Vitesse

Voyage A Grand Vitesse

These past few days have gone by so fast! Trying to take it all in at the same time is exhausting–combine that with classes, homework, excursions, and jet lag and you’ve got one tired puppy… but–of course–it’s an exhaustion I wouldn’t give up in a million years. Being here in the south of France is not only beautiful but it’s like a breath of fresh air. Everything here really does move at a slower pace, that’s not just some silly exaggeration Americans made up. People move slower, enjoy life more, and it’s so easy to see. There’s just so much to enjoy here, you have to take your time to be able to capture it all–and not on film, but in your memories. That’s what I’ve been trying to do these past couple of days. Breathe, look, and listen. It’s amazing what you see when you do.

And yes, the answer everyone is looking for… The food is incredible ;] The first meal I had was incredible (of course followed by every meal after that as well)–3 full crawdads on a bed of deliciousness. No, I really had no idea how to go about eating them but all concerns went out the window when we arrived…

Honestly, this experience is amazing and and unforgettable and I’m not even half way through! Oh Provence, you have stolen my heart! A bientôt!

Au Revoir, Mes États-Unis…

Au Revoir, Mes États-Unis…

Sky Harbor International  And so the journey begins… With my excitement beginning to mount, demonstrating itself in an anxious nausea (“butterflies” being all too endearing), I headed to the airport. Ticket in hand, I was still tormented with a disbelief that can only stem from such a surreal opportunity… I’M TOO PUMPED. THIS CAN’T BE REAL. Yet, still also unbearably nervous…And it is with this frame of mind that I walked through security, unsure of what this new adventure may have in store.

Now, I have never really been a fan of airports. Forced out of your shoes and your dignity, you are essentially trapped in a large maze of aggravated individuals only concerned with their own agenda. Top that off with squeezing yourself and all you carry into a stall just to pee, and food three times the price any sane person would pay, and you’ve got yourself a socially acceptable form of torture… but this time was so different.

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I decided to bid adieu to America with one of the great delicacies of the age and while sipping my McCafe Mocha Frappe (I should be paid for product placement… My name is McDonald after all…) I started talking to the gentleman waiting beside me at the gate. He introduced himself as a man named Paul-typically a homebody- off to go celebrate his friend’s 50th wedding anniversary. He was so genuinely happy with life. He had children of which he was extremely proud, and grandchildren whom he adored. His perspective on life was almost beautiful at times. With his stories about mining and accounting, dogs and cabins, he was an amateur philosopher, wise even beyond his vast experiences. “People–just people–people can be so fun if you are willing,” he said. Let my experience guide me, he said, meet amazing people and do unforgettable things.

Thank you so much, Paul. I will.

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A bientot, les Etats-Unis

A bientot, les Etats-Unis

Second time around studying abroad is a lot less nerve-racking.

Living out of a suitcase is a piece of cake. Transferring flights? Child’s play. Don’t get me started on handling a new currency. But this time, I’ll be in a country where English isn’t king. Now, I’m facing the terrifying idea that I may or may not be able to communicate successfully.

I’m a communication major – that idea doesn’t sit so well with me.

When I mention I’m working on a French minor, I get a lot of strange looks. I have no desire to teach the language, nor have I harbored a long-standing passion for the French. It comes down to my love of a good challenge. What’s more challenging than learning a new language?

That’s all well and good in a classroom. But the reality of conversing constantly in French for three and a half weeks seems, to say the least, a little daunting. I’m afraid of messing up and dread embarrassing myself. The next few weeks are guaranteed to be full of fresh embarrassment served up with a pair of blushing cheeks.

If I learned one thing from shipping myself off to Ireland for three months, however, it’s that there is surprising strength in being absolutely terrified. I’m a worrier by nature, so I know the best way for me to handle anything is to dive straight in.

I’ll accept all the embarrassment Aix can through at me, and I will try to handle it with has much grace as I can muster. And in three and a half weeks, maybe I’ll be able to say that sentence in French.

Only two days left in the U.S. Round two, here I come.

Summertime at the Summer Palace

Summertime at the Summer Palace

Miami. Chicago. Beijing. I am definitely a girl that enjoys the city life. The hustle and bustle always motivates me to get out and join the pleasantly pushy people party, as I now like to call it. Whenever I am feeling down in a city it is nice to be able to look around and realize how much is going on. It makes it easier to not sulk and worry about the small things. My love for cities will always be strong, but a calming break every once in a while has its advantages. I enjoy jet skiing in Miami, barbecuing on the beach of Lake Michigan, and now relaxing on dragon-shaped boats at the Summer Palace.

Secluded and Serene, the Summer Palace is the ideal escape from the ever so active and populated Beijing. It truly amazes me how it sort of hides in plain sight. It is a little piece of paradise in the middle of the chaos. For lack of a better term, I will admit I was feeling a little “body of water” sick and this haven was definitely what the doctor ordered.

Once I was inside the grounds of the Summer Palace, I immediately thought to myself that the Qing emperors really knew how to enjoy themselves. The place gives off the feeling of actually overflowing with palaces, pavilions, temples, and beautiful landscapes. These gorgeously constructed attributes are perfectly placed around a peaceful lake. Exploring the buildings can be challenging at first, due to the uneven steps and rocks, but it definitely made me feel more adventurous. And of course it made the boat ride on the lake an even bigger reward. The ride across the lake allowed for some really great photos.

I could definitely not complete this post without acknowledging one of the impressive parts of my experience, encountering and admiring a certain group of Chinese women…the heel-wearers. Climbing up and down the steep stairs presented itself as a challenge to me in my Toms. I kept thinking to myself, “Why didn’t you just wear your sneakers? Come on Allison.” But then those once obvious thoughts became a little less obvious and more confused when I started noticing the sheer number of Chinese women in heels exploring the uneven palace. I lost count. There were the occasional ones who were dressed up for some sort of modeling shoot, but that was the minority. Chinese women really do commit to the idea that pain is gain in fashion. Props to them!

Bienvenidos a Madrid

Bienvenidos a Madrid

¡Hola! ¿Qué tal? Greetings from Madrid–Spain’s capital city and the heart and soul of its vibrant culture. My first 10 days here have been filled with incredible sightseeing, countless new encounters and unforgettable experiences, and some less glamorous communication fails as I continue to learn about and adjust to the Madrileña way of life.

My first discovery was that Madrid is truly a city that never sleeps–a lesson made particularly difficult to cope with due to the jet-lag I was battling the first week of my travels.  From the shops and flea markets in the morning to the tapas and discotecas that continue all through the night, the city is literally teeming with life at every hour of the day.  Out of self-preservation, I have learned to fully embrace the traditional Spanish “siesta,” aka taking a much needed afternoon nap!

I’ve also slowly been learning to fit in with the Spanish norms of behavior and experienced my first bit of success just this morning when I was mistaken for a local (I proceeded to give the poor woman false directions in broken and heavily accented Spanish). However, my first few days were full of confusion and social blunders as I might as well have broadcasted to all of Madrid that I was an American tourist.  Here in Spain, blatantly staring at strangers is seen as perfectly acceptable, yet offering them a friendly smile is considered too forward. Needless to say, this took some getting used to, as I spent my first few days awkwardly smiling at everyone who looked my way on the Metro!

Along with making these discoveries, I have been busy familiarizing myself with the city through visiting many of the famous parks, monuments, and museums such as Retiro Park, the Palacio Real, Catedral de la Almudena, museo del Prado, and Reina Sofía in addition to starting classes at La Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, moving in with my host family, and taking daily excursions to various surrounding areas.  This past Saturday, USAC took a day-trip to Toledo, the historic capital city of Spain.  Only an hour away from Madrid by autobús, this trip offered a great opportunity to learn about the rich history of Spain and its mix of religious cultures as well as to take stunning pictures of the ancient city!

With events such as the much anticipated World Cup starting on Thursday as well as the recent abdication of the Spanish King Juan Carlos, I couldn’t have asked for a better time to reside in the hub of Spanish culture. I’m excited for my weeks here to come and can already tell that it will be muy difícil to leave at the end of the month!

Until next time, ¡adiós!

The beautiful city of Toledo!
The beautiful city of Toledo!

 

Two down, Two to go!

Two down, Two to go!

你好! I have officially been living and studying in Beijing for two weeks and have two more weeks to go! I have to admit that I can’t believe it’s already the third week, it really has flown by. I have looked forward to going to China for as long as I can remember and thanks to China Encounter it was made a reality. These weeks have been filled with fun and fascinating trips to popular tourist spots, restaurants, and “real Beijing” locations.

My goal before coming to China was to really dive into Beijing. This is my first time travelling abroad and I really wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone. Whenever I am out and about in Beijing, I always think to myself “People, Places, and Food!”. Yes, this thought may be broad, but whenever I get a little overwhelmed and a feeling of culture shock comes upon me, I remind myself that I want to learn, see, taste, and really enjoy everything relating to the Chinese culture. So far I believe I have succeeded! Although I wish I could spend all day discussing everything, I know that would make for a not so enthralling blog so I have decided to make a few entries with some of my favorite highlights. I will start off with one of my favorite food experiences.

Food checklist: Peking Duck and Hot pot. In preparing for my arrival in Beijing I made a very small food checklist. Of course I knew I would try many different meals that I haven’t heard of, but Peking duck and hotpot were a must do, well actually a must eat. As of now I can check one item off the list: Hot pot! I will admit, I did have high expectations for hot pot, but this experience completely blew me away. Last week, a group of us headed to a hot pot restaurant a few blocks away from campus led by some UIBE Chinese students. I was excited but did not realize what would come next. The host greeted us at the door and took us up the elevator and into the restaurant. There was a room next to the restaurant, where guests were welcome to partake in FREE MANICURES! The service was top notch. We were even given aprons to wear and ziplock baggies to protect our phones.Two boiling pots of broth were placed in front of the twelve of us, and then we dug in. The assortment of food included: shrimp, beef, lamp, potatoes, noodles, tofu, and a few more items that were very tasty, although I am still not sure what they were. I definitely let my adventurous side take over. We all gathered around the pots cooking our food while being entertained by masked dancers and noodles throwers. This was definitely an experience I will never forget.

Hot Pot!
Hot pot!
The Beijing Center
The Beijing Center