Month: May 2018

Spain: End of Program: “Hasta luego, Sevilla” by Olivia Esparza

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End of Program: Hasta luego, Sevilla

 

Spain has many great things but what I’ve missed the most from home is the ease of communicating in a language that is comfortable to me. Although my Spanish has improved immensely it is still not nearly as comfortable as English. Nine months without being surrounded by my native language reminded me how fortunate I am to live in an environment that I find comfortable. Spain is a beautiful country and I’ve loved living here, what I will miss the most are the friends I’ve made while abroad and the beautiful places in Seville. Becoming friends with local students was one of the highlights of my semester, because of it I got to know Spain and its culture better. When I return home I don’t think I will experience any culture shock. While home for Christmas break I adjusted back to culture and had time to reflect on my first semester before going back to Spain. Now at the end of my second semester I am already familiar with the feeling of returning home after being gone for a long time. Now at the end of my nine months I’m ready to go back to the states and reengage with life at Western. Studying abroad provided me with many wonderful experiences that I would love to keep in my life. Speaking Spanish with native speakers is one experience that I plan on maintaining while I’m back in the states, Spanish friends and I have planned to keep speaking by Skype to practice. My nine months abroad have changed my appreciation for other cultures and have inspired me to travel more of the world.

Spain: Mid Program: “A day in the life” by Olivia Esparza

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Mid Program: A Walk Around Seville

 The neighborhood I live in is a residential community full of apartment complexes with parks and cafes on every corner. Every morning I walk out of my building to see the locals starting their day, while walking to university I pass plenty of cafes full of families having breakfast together before hurrying off to school and work. The neighborhood, “Los Remedios” is mostly locals and few tourists, which makes it ideal for experiencing Spanish life. The most Spanish place in Seville is “Plaza de Espana”, an architectural masterpiece designed for the 1928 exposition. The ornate brick towers and medieval architecture of the building easily make it the most beautiful place in the city. Before coming abroad I expected many new experiences traveling with many new people. While that has been true I’ve also had many solo traveling experiences that have made me a more independent person. At the beginning of my program I planned to practice Spanish weekly and be fluent by the time that I left. I have stayed consistent with my practice but am not yet fluent, I expect with more consistent practice I will be. In Seville the best access to community engagement are language exchange partners. Every week I meet with locals to practice speaking. After a couple months of weekly meeting I’ve made great friends with some locals and have had a more immersed Spanish experience. Some students have benefited so much from the English practice that we’ve planned to continue speaking by skype after I have returned to the US. For students who are about to study abroad I recommend that they set goals for their semester and constantly reflect on them to not lose sight of where they want to go.

Scholarships: 8 Tips for Making Your Gilman Scholarship Essays Stronger – By Kyra Bruce

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8 Tips for Making Your Gilman Scholarship Essays Stronger

As part of your Gilman Scholarship application, you will write two essays. The first is a statement of purpose where you have the chance to explain why you need the scholarship and how it will impact you. This is where you get to let your personality shine though so the scholarship committee gets to know you.

 

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Scholarships: Making Study Abroad a Reality: The Gilman Scholarship & Advice – by Kyra Bruce

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Make Studying Abroad a Reality: The Gilman Scholarship and Some Personal Advice

I think I annoyed almost all my friends into reviewing my Gilman Scholarship essays before I finally submitted my application. Like the other 68 percent of Gilman Scholars, I was applying for the scholarship that would make or break my ability to afford studying in the Czech Republic.

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2018 Video Contest Winner: Adam Hudak “Archeology on the Edge” Scotland

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The video was filmed during the archaeological excavation and field school at the endangered site of Swandro-Orkney, Scotland. Working with some of the UK’s top archaeological professionals, the program aids the excavation racing against time and tide to preserve Orkney’s cultural history from rising sea level. In addition to this field school, I completed independent geological survey of coastal processes, geohazards, and erosion. Upon completion, I contributed 3D photogrammetry survey, field sample geochemistry, stratigraphy, and remote sensing spatial analysis.

Apply for this program here: Hunter College CUNY: Orkney Gateway to the Atlantic, Scotland Summer Study Abroad

2018 Video Contest Winner: Isaac Day, “The Great Canadian North” Canada

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This video is a collection of shots I got during my internship with Young Life’s Malibu Club Camp. Located on the Jervis Inlet in British Columbia Canada this camp is completely off the grid, using a waterfall high in the mountains to provide hydro power to the camp and it’s 300-400 highschoolers that come per week during the summer. My time there was an incredible experience for my Outdoor Recreation major at WWU. This short video contains scenes from areas around camp, stating off with an ariel shot of camp followed by a few of the natural waterfalls in the area. Next is the ride into and out of camp through the Jervis inlet. Sometimes in the pre or post season, guests from the Seattle/Vancouver area will rent out the camp and come up in sea planes and yachts. The Malibu club also offers kids the experience of a downhill mt. bike course as well as waterskiing and wake boarding down the smaller Princess Louisa Inlet. There are many canyons and rivers flowing around camp and this is one of those beautiful hard to reach locations. The primary mode of transportation is water taxis to make it into camp, this is a shot of one entering the Malibu rapids before arrival at camp. This video finishes off with higher altitude shots of the approaching sunset in the Jervis. Thanks for watching and providing education abroad! It truly is a one of a kind experience!