Month: June 2017

Italy: Pre-Departure: “Ciao Firenze” by Beka Carr

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https://helloflorenceitsbeka.tumblr.com/

 

The time leading up to this trip has been stressful, exciting, scary, and overwhelming. But I would not trade it for the world. This is my first time out of the country (other than Canada and Mexico) and off of this continent. I am not excited for the plane ride(s) I am about to embark on, but the destination will be worth every second in the air.

I cannot wait to see where I will be staying, the sunsets in the morning and the amazing food after a long day of classes. To wake up there and believe I am actually there and not still dreaming. I plan on learning as much Italian as I can. The classes I am taking I hope will change my outlook on life and culture. I get to learn about the great artists of the past and the current ones in the cellars. I am lucky that my family has traveled and can give me much needed advice, tips, and tricks on how to travel well and travel smart. I am still nervous since I will be alone in the beginning but that’s a part of life right? New beginnings, and experiences that will hopefully lead to more adventures in the future. The resources Western and CEA offers have also helped prepare me for this trip, with setting up STEP and making sure I will be as safe as possible.

More pictures and stories to come!

Ciao Bella <3

 

South Africa: “What has Two Thumbs and Stomach Flu in the Airport?” by Daria Gausman

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https://darigoestoafrica.wordpress.com/2017/06/15/what-has-two-thumbs-and-stomach-flu-in-the-airport/

What has two thumbs and stomach flu in the airport?


That’s right. Me. Welcome to international traveling?? TMI warning for this post – it’s going to get gross and I’m going to question why I’m even putting this on the internet. If you don’t want to read about my sick day then read the next paragraph about my little excursion in Germany, then stop and know that I am alive, I am ok, and the worst seems to be over. For the rest of you who like gross stories, are secretly upset with me and want to read about my misery, or are simply too curious to turn back now, here goes. (Sorry in advance for typos and such. I get comma happy sometimes and I didn’t have much time for editing this one)

 

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Costa Rica: Pre-Departure: “Departure Anticipation” by Savannah Daniels

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https://wp.wwu.edu/puravidadaniels/

Departure Anticipation!

Here are some things I’ve been thinking about:

  • What do you hope to gain and how much research have you done on your host country and culture that will better prepare you for this experience?
    • I hope to gain many things, mostly knowledge of Costa Rican historical impacts, the social dynamics of the Costa Rican people and a deep appreciation for Costa Rican Culture! I have done an immense amount of research in several areas surrounding Costa Rican life, food, historical context and current legislation. I know that this research is not the entirety of the country, as well as surrounding countries.
  • What are you most excited about? What are you most scared or nervous about?
    • I’m most excited about the food, language, and people. Specifically, I am very excited about Afro-Latinx communities in Costa Rica. I know that within Costa Rican culture there are different segments of the culture that vary between populations, and I intend on learning about this differences. I’m also nervous about the entire experience! An excited, joyful nervousness, but nervousness none-the-less.
  • What strategies have you implemented that will allow you to overcome these challenges and take full advantage of your opportunities?
    • Since I have completed so much research on Costa Rica, I have a better basis of comfort for myself. Things like gestures, cultural norms, slang, and social disparities are all things in the back of my head to the coming experience. These researched areas will not overshadow my interactions but they will give me a little more confidence with social interactions.

Denmark: Arrival: “Summer in Copenhagen” by Megan Dale

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I have now been in Copenhagen for about 2 ½ days now and I have never felt so comfortable in a new place so fast. The Danes have been so welcoming (in there own, uniquely Danish way, but I’ll get to that later). I have been so astounded by everything around me. I have never even been to Europe so this is all so new. I’ve already done so much and eaten so much good food (like the hotdog from a street cart pictured here that I was told was a MUST and it definitely was).

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France: Pre-Departure: “The Start of Something Great” by Sebastian Zgirski

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https://sebiontheworld.wordpress.com/2017/05/30/the-start-of-something-great/

 

Hello!!! Thank you so much for deciding to read this blog, it means the world to me! As I finish up my spring quarter here at Western Washington University, I find myself extremely excited for the journey I’m about to undertake. This summer I will finally be fulfilling one of my childhood dreams of going to France. I will be studying abroad in Lyon, France, for 4 and a half weeks earning credit for my French minor and traveling as much as possible. After the end of my program, I intend to travel for a bit and make my way to Poland where I will visit family and an old childhood friend for a few weeks, and then finally head back to the States. This will leave me with about 2 months in Europe.

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Denmark: Pre-Departure: “June in Copenhagen” by Megan Dale

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https://juneincopenhagen.tumblr.com/

One week from tomorrow I am driving up to Vancouver, BC to catch a flight early the next morning to Copenhagen, Denmark. WOW! To see this all come together has been so surreal to me. It still doesn’t feel real. I’m pretty sure it won’t feel real until I am sitting on that plane. Maybe not even until I touchdown in Copenhagen (honestly though, maybe not even then).

 

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