Europe & United Kingdom
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Ireland: “Arrival” by Brittany Mureno
Ireland: “Pre-Departure to Galway” by Brittany Mureno
Germany: Post Program Reflection: “IUSP Marburg” by Elizabeth Moorhead
Spain: Post Program Reflection: “Heading Back to Western” by Olivia Esparza
France: Post Program Reflection: “Looking Back & Looking Forward” by Libby Babb
Looking Back & Looking Forward
Hello again! It’s been awhile, but I think it’s about time that I sit down and really reflect on the time I was able to spend studying abroad in Grenoble, France. I arrived back here in the states at the end of December, and there hasn’t been a day that’s passed without me thinking about those four months in which I was able to fully immerse myself in a new culture, a new experience, and a new way of life. Looking back now, I can really appreciate my time abroad, and reflect on everything that I gained.
France: Pre-Departure: “Before Arriving in Lyon” by Grace Peyerwold
Spain: End of Program: “Hasta luego, Sevilla” by Olivia Esparza
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
Mid Program: A Walk Around Seville
2018 Video Contest Winner: Adam Hudak “Archeology on the Edge” Scotland
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
Czech Republic: Student Videos “My Time in Prague” by Kyra Bruce
Czech Republic: Mid Program: “A day in the life” by Sarah Zinda
Spain: “Arrival: Host Country & Cultural Immersion” by Olivia Esparza
Czech Republic: “Arrival” by: Sarah Zinda
Arrival
While packing for Prague, I still didn’t feel like I was actually going to be leaving for a foreign country for nearly 5 months. When I boarded my flight, same feeling. Arriving at my new apartment, nothing. I still don’t think it has hit me that I’m in the Czech Republic with the chance to experience something I never expected to have an opportunity for. I’ve always wanted to travel, but until now I have had school to finish. Although I still have classes while I am here, it’s not quite the same. After finishing my first week of classes I am expecting a somewhat difficult semester academically, but with the help of Prague’s charm I think I will make it through just fine.
Spain: Pre-Departure “Heading Back to Spain” by Olivia Esparza
Pre-Departure: Heading Back to Spain
Since September I have been studying Spanish for my Spanish major in Seville Spain. After finishing the first semester and going home for Christmas break I’m now preparing to return to Seville for my last semester abroad. While I’m studying abroad in Spain I hope to gain fluency in Spanish so that I can be a more culturally educated person competent in communication. Mastering a foreign language is a ubiquitous goal for many students studying abroad, but many underestimate the effort and commitment a full language emersion requires. Last semester I started my year abroad intending to be fluent by the time I finished the school year but after weeks of only being around American classmates I realized that a full language emersion requires much discipline and motivation to accomplish. My experiences last semester have better prepared me to accomplish my goal because I know what to expect and how to avoid being only around Americans. This semester I’m most excited to engage more with the Spanish language and see what opportunities arise from being around locals more. Last semester I spent most of my time adjusting to Spain and traveling with American friends but now I want to be primarily focused on speaking Spanish. I’m nervous about having a hard time finding consistent Spanish contacts to talk with every week but I’m confident that locals are eager to practice English as well. To overcome these obstacles I’m going to find volunteer opportunities that require me to talk to locals so that I can practice Spanish. This semester I optimistic and motivated to accomplish my goals and go back to Western fluent in Spanish.
Czech Republic: “Pre-Departure” by Sarah Zinda
Pre-Departure
From my previous posts you may have noticed that research is something I have been struggling with. I’ve done some broad reading on the history of the Czech Republic through Nazi occupation, the Soviet era, and the separation of Czechoslovakia. I still have a lot to learn about the Czech Republic’s past, but for now I at least have a little bit of background. I stumbled upon someone’s personal blog who seems to have married into a Czech family and offers a lot of practical advice about the dos and don’ts in Czech culture.
France: Post Program Reflection: “After France… Now What?” by Brenna Roach
After France… Now What?
Winter quarter has officially started at Western, and it has been 17 days since I said goodbye to Lyon.
France: End of Program: “Until Next Time, Grenoble” by Libby Babb
At this time, three days from now, my plane will be landing in Seattle, and I’ll be home. In all honesty, it doesn’t even seem real yet. It’s hard to imagine not waking up in my cozy little bedroom, hearing my host mom and dad talking in the living room, and constantly being surrounded by French. It’s crazy to me how quickly a whole new way of life can become the norm, and I’d be lying if I were to say I wasn’t at least a little bit sad to leave it all behind.
Germany: End of Program: “Preparing for Re-Entry” by Elizabeth Moorhead
End of Program: Preparing for Re-Entry & Maintaining your International Connections
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”
-Winnie the Pooh
It’s almost time for me to leave Germany now. It’s Saturday today, and we’ll be leaving early on Thursday. I’ll miss this for sure. Here are some reflective question my school gave me that I think give some valuable incites into this experience:
France: End of Program: “Coming to Terms With the End” by Brenna Roach
Coming to Terms With the End
We are now 12 days away from the end of my semester abroad, and to sum it up into one phrase, it’s been one crazy journey.