Arrival

Arrival: Getting to Know San José, Costa Rica, By Anna Hedrick

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Arrival: Getting to Know San José

Anna

Tues. Jan. 9, 2024 — Today was my second day of class and my fourth day of being in Costa Rica! Everything is very new and I’m liking San José so far. My favorite aspects about San José are the historical sites, the weather, and the food options.

There are many sites to visit, including El Teatro Nacional (The National Theater – see photo below), which is an elegant, revered building that hosts plays, classical concerts, dance, and other major events. It was built in 1897, and architecturally reflects the lavish, neoclassical style of the 19th century. On my tour, we didn’t stay for long and saw only the lobby (see photo of statue below). I hope to return!

Also, the weather has been wonderful, since Costa Rica is located near the equator and is experiencing summer. It’s been a relief to escape the wind, rain and cold of Bellingham, and soak up the sun in Costa Rica. The humidity isn’t too bad either, as I originally thought. Temperatures and humidity may increase in coming months, though. I’m excited to develop my tan and break out my shorts! Some locals wear shorts, but it’s more common to see pants and nicer attire.

In addition, I’ve been enjoying the home cooked meals from my host mom (Mamá Tica) for breakfast and dinner. Lately, she’s made refried-bean stuffed empanadas, spinach omelettes wrapped in warm tortillas, yuca, and gallo pinto – a traditional Costa Rican dish of beans and rice. Mamá Tica is so sweet! I can’t wait to try some of the local restaurants too, and probably avoid the U.S. chains like KFC and McDonald’s. There’s a surprising amount of U.S. consumerism everywhere that I want to escape.

Everyday, I have a Spanish class from 9am-12noon at the University Veritas. This first week is just for international (study abroad) students, and next week, the local students officially start their semester with us. My Spanish class has only 7 people, and we’re squished into a tiny room on the second floor. The university is like a labyrinth with its confusing room numbers. Take this number for example: “225”. Unlike in the U.S. and other places, “225” does not mean the room is located on the second floor. The first number denotes the “zone”, the second number indicates the floor level, and the third number is the specific classroom number. On the first day of school, it took me a long time to find the classroom 229, because it was in an entirely different area than I thought. I went to the second floor and saw only classrooms in the 100-level, and had to ask someone for directions (in Spanish). Luckily, someone pointed me to a separate wing of the university, where zone 2 is situated. I’ll get the hang of it!

In terms of student life, I look forward to joining the tropical dance classes and cooking classes! They start next week. Also, University Veritas is an art and design school. Unfortunately, I cannot take more classes due to the structure of my program, but maybe there is a club I partake in. I’ve made several friends from different host universities across the U.S., so I’m building a community. I’m excited to meet local students in the coming months.

As mentioned earlier, one culture shock is how difficult it is to navigate the city. In Costa Rica, the streets are not labeled well and small signs that say “Avenue 32” for example, are plastered to the exterior walls of houses. Google Maps and Apple Maps are not very accurate, either. There have been multiple times when I’ve turned down the wrong street and headed in the wrong direction. Locals usually give directions using landmarks and the distance of how long it will take to commute from one reference point to another. My homestay is located in a neighborhood close to the university, and it took me a few days to learn the route, simply by memorizing the turns and reference points, and learning to cross the street (see earlier post for that explanation).

I did as much research as I could about the transportation in Costa Rica, and I knew before arriving that navigation might be a struggle. One can prepare and research for a trip, but first-hand experience is the best teacher. I’m trying to be patient with myself, because I’m in a new city and doing my best to adjust to these changes. It’s comforting to know that I’m well-supported by my program’s staff, as well and other students who are going through the same things. I’m lucky and grateful to be here! Tomorrow is a new day!

Personal Goals for Study Abroad in South Korea, By Natalie Dacey

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Posted By Daceyn, March 4th, 2024

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?

When I initially thought about studying abroad in terms of what I wanted to gain from it, my mind was solely on academics. I thought about how I would meet my major and minor requirements, how I would need to choose the right number of classes to meet the minimum number of credits, things like that. Later on, however, as the departure date got closer, I thought about how I would be able to experience a completely different culture firsthand and how that would change everything. I would need to learn a new language and new customs that were unfamiliar to me in order to get around and do things.

For research, I had been interested in going to South Korea for a time now, and had watched many videos and read different articles about what it was like to study and live there as a foreigner. I wanted to be informed about differences in how classes worked to how much more fast paced certain things would be.

What are you most excited about? What are you most scared or nervous about?

What I was most excited about was the same thing I was most nervous about: visiting a new country. I had never been outside of the US. before this, and now I was going to be on the other side of the world without any family or longtime friends. I was excited to explore and experience a new culture and language and everything that comes with that, but was also nervous because that those same things could pose challenges for me.

What strategies have you implemented that will allow you to overcome these challenges and take full advantage of your opportunities?

Self-care and indulging in my hobbies. Finding ways to relax and recenter myself after exploring or trying new things has been key overcoming my nervousness about going to and being in a new country. Making friends has also been a good way find new opportunities of going out and visiting places or traveling that I likely would have never done on my own.

Japan: Arrival – by Ethan McConkey

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October 10th, 2023

Arrival

This post is coming a little bit late, about a month and a half after arrival, due in part to me being pretty busy lately. I feel as though I have never stopped moving, and simultaneously I do feel that time is slipping away from me at an alarming rate. There’s so much more I want to do, and that’s one thing I want to focus on more throughout the rest of my time here.

Akita

Honestly, I didn’t really know this prior to coming here, but Akita is an incredibly interesting place, even by the standards of Japan. For those who aren’t aware, Japan is currently suffering through an aging population and a declining population crisis at the same time. As is to be expected, rural communities are affected by this more than, say, Tokyo.

Akita is one of the–if not the absolute–most highly affected prefecture out of all 47. The thing that makes this especially tragic is that Akita has many unique cultural items and customs that are being threatened by these losses.

These unique cultural aspects are one of my favorite things about Akita. I’ve already had chances to experience some of these things first hand and I am incredibly grateful for that.

Classes, Clubs and Activities

Right now, I am taking 4 classes, along with an extra practice course for Japanese language. The courses are as follows:

  • Upper Elementary Japanese 2 + Practice (Language)
  • Eurasia Foundation Endowed Chair: A Series of Discussions on the Possibility of “Asian Community” in Akita (Discussions based on guest presenters’ lectures about rural Japan’s connections with the rest of Asia)
  • Personhood and the Self: Anthropological Perspectives (Personhood in relation to our current world, in which many people exist in two different cultures)
  • Japan’s Constitution and Law (This one is pretty self explanatory)

I am in two clubs, Kyudo which is a kind of archery, and 日本語ハウス or “Japanese Language House”, which holds regular events and meetings to encourage the education of the Japanese language for domestic students, and practicing Japanese language for foreign students.

I also do volunteering for the Foreign Language Conversation Partner (FLCP) Program, in which people who want to practice their English sign up for half hour slots for me. Early next month I will also be going to a local school to do a presentation in English about the US to some local high schoolers who are interesting in improving their English as well.

Culture Shock

This might be a little bit of a boring answer, but I don’t feel like I experienced much culture shock upon arrival. I do think that I may experience some reverse culture shock on my return to the US in March, but frankly when I arrived I didn’t feel particularly blindsided by anything.

I have been very fortunate that things have worked out well so far, even if there have been some small hiccups.

I think I did plenty of research to the point that I have never felt overwhelmed or out of my depth.

Conclusion

So far, I am really enjoying my time here. My classes are fun and interesting, I’ve met some really cool people from all over the world, and my Japanese is improving very fast. In just a few days (as of writing this) I will be going on a solo weekend trip to nearby Sendai city, and I am very excited to do my first bit of solo traveling.

England Arrival: Host Country and Cultural Immersion by Luke Griffin

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The university is one of the UK’s most international, which creates an interesting atmosphere. There are many different languages spoken and campus, and a myriad of cultures represented. Many of the other students I’ve met are international.

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Italy: Arrival “Host Country & Cultural Immersion” by Kaylee Hersch

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“We strolled through the beautiful Venetian streets capturing great photos and memories of our time there. My dreams coming true right before my eyes, seeing the spectacular city. I was so giddy that I didn’t care about only having four hours of sleep on the sixteen-hour plane ride it took to get over here.”

We strolled through the beautiful Venetian streets capturing great photos and memories of our time there. My dreams coming true right before my eyes, seeing the spectacular city. I was so giddy that I didn’t care about only having four hours of sleep on the sixteen hour plane ride it took to get over here.   My first flight was great! I was right behind first class, aisle seat next to two gentlemen who were very kind. That plane ride was only about five hours so I decided to stay awake so that I could sleep on my next flight that would be nine and a half hours. My layover was in Philadelphia and that airport is HUGE! I had to walk from one side to the other and it was about fifteen minutes (I’m guessing) and that whole walk was through a MALL! Serious! There was a GAP , Victoria Secret, Nike store, and more! That was crazy fun to walk through, but I didn’t want to stop to buy things, knowing I was going to Italy. My layover was two and a half hours, so I enjoyed a glass of wine while I waited. There was this big commotion going on where the planes got mixed up on us. We ended up getting a smaller plane than was planned. So they kept announcing over the airport intercom that there weren’t enough seats for everyone on the plane and that they were willing to give airfare credit and accommodations to a hotel and food in order to catch the next flight out the next morning. They needed five people to give up their seats and no one seemed to be taking the offer. The amount they were offering jumped from $500 to $1,000 for airfare credits. I almost took the offer, except I had plans to keep.

 

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Senegal: Arrival: “Host Culture & Cultural Immersion” by Sage Romey

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“A huge part of this study abroad is focused on reflection on my place in the world and specifically in a world where I am the one with privilege to come somewhere where everyday I am confronted with things that make me uncomfortable. I have expressed before and I will express again how grateful I am for that, and I will do my best not to take my privilege for granted. With all this in mind, here’s my first few days in Senegal.”

 

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Czech Republic: Arrival: “Time Flies When…You Move Across the World” by Laurel Messenger

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“When coming to Prague I really didn’t have too many expectations. I hadn’t traveled before so I didn’t know what to expect. I just went into it with an open mind with the idea that anything and everything is possible. The good and the bad.”

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Ireland: “Arrival” by Brittany Mureno

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My favorite thing about the program is just how immersive it is with the language learning. Besides my conversations with the other students, nearly all of my day is conducted in Irish. I live with an Irish speaking family with five other girls. The Bean an Ti (woman of the house) and the Fear an Ti (man of the house) insist we speak Irish to them. They help us with our homework and with any questions we have. I am learning a lot, and improving my Irish skills immensely.

 

 

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Czech Republic: “Arrival” by: Sarah Zinda

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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.

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France: Arrival: “Settling In” by Brenna Roach

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Settling In

Today marks my third day officially living in Lyon, and my fourth day since leaving the United States; and let me tell you, it has been a rocky first few days. I’ve gotten lost, had to walk through dark places alone, had issues communicating, and gotten locked out. However, there’s also been many more good times to overshadow these troubles, so you could say it’s been a roller coaster journey thus far.

Fresh off the plane, (after 16 hours of travel) I received an email from my advisers with instructions for getting to La Statue de Saint Exupéry à Place Bellecour, where I was supposed to meet my host family for the first time in a few hours. With four hours on my hands I decided to give public transit a shot. The instructions seemed fairly clear to me, so having navigated the Portland public transit a lot I thought I could handle it. Of course I was wrong.

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Spain: Arrival: “La Llegada a Madrid” by Alexis Mathews

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La Llegada a Madrid

I have been in Madrid for a little over three weeks by now. I still haven’t quite adjusted to the heat yet and the fast pace of life but I am finding a sense of rhythm and routine. One of my favorite things thus far is the architecture of the city. It seems like around every corner there is a new and interesting building to stop and admire. Even down a simple alley way, you can find a colorful pink building with Juliet balconies lined with flowers. In the busier parts of the city the grand and ornate buildings of the Plaza Mayor or the Palacio Real are easy to encounter.

I take classes at a local university that is located just outside the city and easily accessible by the Metro. Tucked into a quite area of Madrid is Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. I attend classes there most of the week unless I am having class in one of the various museums in the center of the city. I am taking two classes while I am here, a class about European art and another about travel writing. Since it is the summer and many students are away on vacations it seems the only students on campus are the ones in my program. There aren’t many activities or clubs since it is summer holidays but on the flip side, the spare time allows me to explore the city more.

My experience with the locals is at times brief, I spend much of my time with the locals on the Metro (the underground subway of Madrid), ordering at restaurants and conversing with my host mom. But overall despite the busyness that there is in Madrid, the locals are kind and willing to help, despite the lack of Spanish vocabulary in some instances which can make conversing difficult at times but worth it since it can be used as a learning opportunity to learn new words.

My university in the U.S. had prepared me for what was to come: culture shock. I thought I wasn’t going to have a problem with culture shock because I knew the language and I felt like I had studied the culture and history my entire student career. But was I wrong. In my mind Madrid wasn’t a big city and it was going to be one of the small Spanish towns that you see on postcards. I had an idealize version of the city and when I first arrived I was struck with the sheer size and multitude. I should have expected it to be as large as it is because it is the capital of Spain. Upon arrival I quickly realized that I would have to use the Metro system to get about everywhere in the city. The web of lines, trains and stops was intimidating at first but once I understood how it worked, it became much easier to navigate my way to the various parts of the city.

In hindsight, I wish had researched more about the city and how it functioned. Much of my research has been on the job training as I have been going about my days here in Madrid. I feel that more research of the city would have lessened the shock I received when I first arrived. But on the other hand, having to figure things out on the ground has helped me grow as a person and as a traveler.

~ Alexis