Europe

Logistical tips for studying abroad in Prague, by McKenzie Harris

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By: Mckenzie Harris – Prague

This post had to come eventually! It will be fairly boring to anyone who isn’t planning an upcoming study abroad trip, so please don’t feel obligated to read this if you’re just following along with my pictures and updates about my trip. The following post will include various practical things I’ve learned about traveling to a new country, including language learning, cell service/technology, packing, and shopping. My very first post (“The calm before the storm”) shares some of my pre-departure tasks and how I prepared for my trip; I will repeat some things from that post but I still recommend reading it.

Packing

I decided to bring one large suitcase, one small suitcase, and a backpack to Prague. I tend to overpack, so it took a lot of deliberating and precise folding to finagle everything I wanted to bring into that luggage. I had to be very picky about what I brought, but that being said, I also think it’s important to bring sentimental and comforting things with you. After all, when you study abroad, your host location will be your home for several months, so it’s important to make it feel like a home, not a hotel. For reference, I brought some framed pictures for my desk, some non-framed pictures to tape on my wall, a small Wonder Woman plastic figure from my mom, and my boyfriend’s oversized puffer coat.

Despite being very strict about what clothes I brought, I still have clothing items that I rarely wear. So one tip is: if you’re trying to lighten your packing load, pay special attention to your clothes, because that’s usually the category where you can remove the most things without causing problems. I know a favored solution to the packing problem is buying things at your host location, but I wanted to avoid that as much as possible. I didn’t want to spend money on redundant things and then have to throw them out or bring them home in extra luggage. I decided to only buy toiletries here (shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc), and packed everything else I needed.

The things I’m most grateful to have brought are:

  • my nice camera
  • an extra folded-up duffel bag (for the trip home)
  • extra bags for shopping
  • my pictures
  • a portable charger
  • a small padlock
  • winter gear
  • small first aid kit
  • my kindle
^my pile of things that I packed^

Technology

For international cell service, I decided to leave my family’s Verizon plan because its international charges were too high. I got Google Fi instead, and used its “flexible” plan so I paid monthly based on how much data I used. I recommend this option if you’ll only be away for 2-3 months, but not longer, because after around 2 months, Google Fi told me it was canceling my international coverage since I wasn’t using it in the US. Apparently, that little stipulation was in the fine print that I didn’t read carefully enough. As an alternative, I recommend trying an e-sim card, because they’re digital and they usually allow you to keep your existing phone number. Another option is to buy a physical sim card once you get to your location. A group of friends of mine did this and got a big family plan at a local T-Mobile in Prague, so they got to split the cost of the plan. They call themselves “sim siblings.”

Other technology tips:

  • Bring multiple outlet adaptors, or a single adapter with multiple charging ports, because I only brought one and had to buy another when I realized I couldn’t charge my phone and laptop at the same time.
  • A portable charger comes in very handy!
  • I recommend bringing any kind of camera that you have, to take higher quality pictures and avoid using up your phone battery while traveling.

Language learning:

I tried to learn some Czech over the summer to prepare for my semester in Prague. Here are the main tools I used:

  • On Spotify: Czech music playlists, and the One Minute Czech podcast
  • I kept a notebook where I wrote down everything I learned, and brought that notebook with me everywhere
  • Duolingo
  • Quizlet (after writing what I learned in my notebook, I made a ton of flashcards so I could test myself)
  • Czech With Katerina (youtube channel): this was the most important tool I used, because Katerina has almost 30 episodes of Czech language instruction, along with free worksheets that you can print and fill out every episode. She even has little quizzes!

I learned quite a few words/phrases over the summer, but interestingly, I’ve hardly learned any more since I got here. For one thing, since I’m at an English-speaking school, I’m not surrounded by Czech-speaking people. In addition, after I learned basic greetings and etiquette over the summer, the sheer volume of vocabulary and grammar rules beyond that was so overwhelming that I haven’t really made any progress since I arrived. I have gotten to use the Czech that I do know, however, which has been fun. One thing I like is that the Czech locals will usually begin a conversation in Czech, not English, even if they can tell I’m a foreigner. I appreciate that they let me initiate a conversation in Czech, even if I then follow it with an embarrassing display of my ignorance of the language 🙂

^my czech notebook^

Some miscellaneous tips

  • Public transport may seem overwhelming at first, but google maps and apple maps have a transit feature that will tell you exactly how to get where you need to go. Follow them, and pay attention to which side of the street you need to be on depending on the direction you’re traveling.
  • If you’re coming to Europe from the USA, you may need to get used to shopping more frequently and in smaller “batches” than in America. Since I’m sharing a small food storage space with 5 roommates, I can’t buy very much food at one time, so I shop more frequently than I do at home.
  • Seeing everything labeled in a different language can be confusing, but google translate has a photo option that translates the words in your picture. I use this almost every day for shopping, cooking, etc.
  • do some research on your host area ahead of time, so you can prepare for the climate, understand the locals, and start a list of things you want to do (especially things that will require planning).

If there are any students reading this who have further questions about preparing to study abroad, feel free to reach out to me!

Winter in Prague, A Story told through Photos, by McKenzie Harris

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McKenzie Harris

December 9th, 2023

From snow-covered statues, to foggy mornings, to Christmas markets, Prague in the winter feels like a fantasy land. Equal parts cozy and formidable, the city captures the duality of the season. Sometimes I feel like a child, looking at Christmas lights and catching snow on my mittens, but sometimes I feel like a traveler wandering through a forbidding and ancient realm of eternal winter.

In this post, I’ll be showing off Prague with pictures from the winter season so far.

^ Kicking off the holidays, the Náměstí Míru Christmas market in my neighborhood opened last month while my parents were visiting. Above are pictures from its first night! ^

^Above are scenes from the Vltava river bank on a chilly November afternoon^

^ Prague being its “dark academia” self ^

^ winter-themed people-shaped cute things ^

^ Friendsgiving potluck ^

^ The grand opening and tree lighting at the main Christmas market in Old Town Square ^

Below are more miscellaneous snowy pictures!

^from the walk to school^

^my apartment^

^ Prague castle ^

^ entrance to Charles Bridge ^

^ my friends at Václavské Náměstí ^

Czech Republic: A day trip to Kutná Hora: featuring gothic beauty, human bones, and many cats, by McKenzie Harris

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McKenzie Harris

September 30th, 2023

On Sunday, we woke to the first fall chill of the season. It was as if the wind knew we were going to the perfect autumn destination: Kutná Hora, a town perched on a hill, crowned by an imposing gothic cathedral, and best known for an ossuary decorated with bones.

Kutná Hora is a town of around 20,000 people located an hour’s train ride east of Prague. It originally rose to prosperity in the 1300s, because it was home to a silver mine. Its most famous historical sites also date back to the medieval time period, including St. Barbara’s Cathedral and Sedlec Ossuary. I could tell, during the long walks through the town, that the architectural feats were more than just beautiful; they were rooted in a history much deeper than my own.

We arrived in Kutná Hora around 11 am, with 10 hours to spend as we wished. Our abundance of time allowed us to move slowly—to wander in any direction we felt pulled—and as a result, the whole day had a relaxing and explorative feeling that made the trip so enjoyable. Because of the perfect weather (sunny with some stormy clouds rolling over, and warm with a chill), we walked almost everywhere. In fact, my friend’s apple watch clocked us at 8 miles total!

For the rest of this entry, I’ll let the pictures tell the story of our trip:

^spot the 3 west coast license plates on the wall of the coffee shop we went to for breakfast!^

^we started with the statue-guarded walkway to St. Barbara’s Cathedral^

^Megan, Cierra, and Grace^

^the view of the terraced hillside from the statue walkway^

^St. Barbara’s Cathedral looks good from any angle^

^This was taken moments after I took the picture above this one^

foreshadowing for our later trip to the Bone Church^

^somehow this tree in front of the cathedral reminds me of something out of Lord of the Rings^

^the garden in front of St. Barbara’s^

^the top of the hill was covered in lawns and flowerbeds, with some sculptures^

^and some other cool buildings^

pictures from our walk to the next cathedral^

^Church of the Assumption at Sedlec^

The next stop was the Bone Church (Sedlec Ossuary), but pictures were not allowed.

^a graveyard wrapped around the outside of the bone church, and just beyond the walls was a playground–we all thought it was an interesting contrast^

^a combination of buses and walking got us back to the main town center^

Having previously seen an overgrown cobblestone path leading down the hill from St Barbara’s, we decided to follow it. The following pictures are what we found…

^cat #1!^

^As the night got darker and clouds rolled in, St. Barbara’s Cathedral took on an imposing and dark fantasy-esque appearance^

^left to right: Todd, Cierra, Grace, Megan, me (pc: Cindy)^

^these are the terraces we could see from the cathedral!^

^cat #3!^

We ended the night with dinner at an Italian restaurant, took the train home, and slept very soundly.

Settling in: host location, classes, and immersion – Prague, by McKenzie Harris

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McKenzie Harris: September 28th, 2023

After being here for almost four weeks, it sometimes feels like I have my neighborhood figured out. But I still feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of Prague and its mazes of streets. I’m excited to get to know the layout of the city and its activities better as the months go on. From what I’ve seen and explored so far, Prague never disappoints. From underground karaoke in an Irish pub, to the Mucha Museum, to Charles Bridge, every new experience sits glowing in my memories. And there’s always something more to do—to the point where the number of options and plans can actually be sort of stressful (more on that later). I’ve never lived in a big city, so the vibrant and constant energy here is new and fun for me to experience. To be fair, I think the frenetic pace of studying-abroad university students is probably not an accurate representation of all city life. For example, in my neighborhood, I’ll see parents bringing their kids to school or people walking their dogs and it reminds me that most of the people here are just living quiet lives with their families, just like anywhere else.

Since this is technically one of my official “arrival” posts for the travel writing program, I’ll summarize my experience so far with academics, students, extracurriculars, and getting settled into my life here.

^The view from my perch on the upper floor of the Prague Municipal Library^

Academics:

So far, my classes have been quite a lot of work. Home at Western, I’m used to having several classes made up of lectures, readings, and/or discussions, with an occasional exam or essay. Maybe once or less per quarter, I’d have a project or presentation. Here, however, all of my classes are largely project and presentation-based. Since projects are more work than writing for me, and I find presentations stressful, these classes will be a bigger burden than I’m used to in college. Before coming here, I promised myself that I would not let academics control my time here, because for once I’m in a position where I have more important things to do (experience a new city and culture, etc). I realized a few days ago, after a few weeks of diligently doing all of my optional readings and assignments, that I’ve neglected that goal. So I’ve decided to start doing the absolute bare minimum for my classes while still completing all of my graded assignments. (Sorry for any teachers or academic advisors at WWU who might be reading this). I don’t view this as me being careless or lazy; it’s just me straightening out my priorities a bit.

Another subject related to my academics here is that I like University of New York in Prague, but I should have done more research on the school before deciding on this program. One of the main reasons for me to study abroad was to experience my chosen subjects of study in a globally-minded way—to get a new perspective on psychology and environmental studies outside of the American education system. Unfortunately, UNYP is (as you can guess from the name) an American-style school, and I feel like I’m lacking the chance to learn from a European point of view. So for any prospective WWU EdAbroad students reading these blogs to help plan your trip, I highly recommend that you pay attention to the programs’ host schools in addition to the host city.

^From a recent daytrip to Kutna Hora–the St. Barbara’s Cathedral^

Activities outside of school:

In addition to socializing and exploring the city on my own time, I’ve been able to join a few extracurriculars which have added to my experiences here. My music psychology professor recently invited me to join a choir that he directs at a local school. We’ll be learning some Christmas carols to perform at a Christmas concert in December! This was so exciting for me because I’ve been missing music since I’ve been here.

UNYP also has an international friends club, which organizes events where study abroad students can meet locals and do fun things around town. My flatmates and I joined this club and have enjoyed their outings so far.

How I’ve been managing my time:

I’ve been trying to balance my priorities but it’s been a little difficult. One reason is that there’s a very tricky balance between making my experience here as full as possible, and making time for my mental health and rest. When in a city full of options (as I mentioned earlier), it can make me feel guilty to spend time resting at my apartment or doing homework. But I know that I need a lot of rest and quiet time as a person, and if I fill my days too intensely at the beginning of my trip, I might burn out and make myself stressed and sad later. So I’m trying to know when I should make extra plans and when I should take time to stay home. I haven’t really figured it out yet.

The other reason it’s difficult to decide on my plans is that I often find myself choosing between doing something I don’t feel like doing or alienating myself from my friends here. There’s a lot of social politics involved with missing group outings! So I’m working on knowing when to independently do what I want vs. when to do something I hadn’t planned to do for the sake of socializing. It’s hard to explain, but it’s been bothering me lately and I hope to resolve the issue eventually.

Overall, I’ve been really enjoying my time here, and I’ve made so many memories already that I can only look forward to all the ones I’ll make in the coming weeks.

^also from Kutna Hora–the statue walkway on top of the hill^

A weekend in Budapest: featuring a million pictures of the Danube, poignant history, and too many clubs for my liking, by McKenzie Harris

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McKenzie Harris: October 11th, 2023

My five roommates and I, plus four other friends from UNYP, joined a student tour to Hungary this weekend. Since Budapest was one of my most highly anticipated trips out of Prague, I was excited to see it, but knew so little about the city that I had almost no expectations. I think that’s a lucky combination of attitudes because I went into the trip ready to be pleased but unable to be disappointed! And sure enough; I got a very positive impression of the city. I still prefer Prague, but I’d like to return to Budapest someday.

For anyone looking into education abroad, I can say that it’s definitely reasonable to do multi-day trips like this while you’re studying abroad. I’ve had a lot of homework lately, but I just did a little extra right before the trip and I was able to go all three days without thinking about school at all. In my opinion, it’s definitely worth it to see some extra sights in your host region, as long as the travel isn’t too stressful, expensive, or distracting from your host city.

^the Parliament Building lit up at night^

Our trip consisted of two walking tours (one on the Buda side and one on the Pest side of the river), a nighttime boat party on the Danube, a street market for local vendors, and some excellent restaurants. The student group also did several very late excursions to clubs. I would have preferred to stay home and sleep, but what can you do? (leave early in my case, haha). I’ll have pictures from all of these activities and more at the end of the post!

Since this was my first trip outside of the Czech Republic since I’ve been here, I wanted to learn a bit about Hungarian culture and history. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to make it to the national museum and I learned less than I would have liked. Nevertheless, we learned some history from our tour guides and I also found a little online to share:

  • Budapest is celebrating its 150th anniversary of being a city this year. Before 1873, apparently the city was split into two parts on either side of the river—Buda, and Pest—so when they unified, they became “Budapest”. I know it sounds like I’m making this up but I swear it’s true.
  • Why I was so excited to see the Danube: This river was apparently very important to many historical empires, including Rome, the Huns, and the Ottoman Empire. I read a historical fiction novel earlier this year that was set in the period of the Ottoman expansion, and the river served as an important border and battle location between the Ottomans and Eastern Europe. Even though Budapest wasn’t where all of this happened, it was still cool to see and touch such an important river in person.
  • The Danube carries many dark legacies in its waters; in addition to the aforementioned wars of the middle ages, the river was used to dispose of the bodies of Jewish people in WWII during Nazi occupation. The picture of the shoes (below) shows a memorial sculpture, for the people who were shot and thrown into the river. The people had to take off their shoes, because they were well made and the Nazis wanted to use them. The third picture below is the Dohány Street Synagogue, the second-largest synagogue in the world. It’s hard to think about the cruelty and violence in the history of this city, but memorials like the shoes and other WWII sculptures (see 2nd below) are good reminders of the sordid past events that shouldn’t be forgotten.

More pictures below!

^the UNYP group!^

^St. Stephen’s Basilica, which we could see from our hostel window!^

^the common room of the hostel^

^me in front of the river^

^another parliament picture, this time in daylight!^

^the tour group, via the Oh My Prague organization^

^this is the ceiling of a cafe! It was the New York Cafe, which marketed itself as “the most beautiful cafe in the world”^

^we had to try the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world too, of course^

^the UNYP group again!^

^me at the Fisherman’s Bastion on the hill, overlooking the city^

^the view over the Danube to the Buda side^

^one of four sculpted lions standing sentry for the Chain Bridge^

^part of the walk up the hill to the castle^

^two sculptures near the castle complex on top of the hill, showing an interesting contrast between the success of the hunters and the woman with a fawn looking at them^

^another picture of the parliament building from the river, but this time it’s from a slightly different angle!^

Thanks for reading!

Two weekends of travel: Dublin and Vienna, by McKenzie Harris

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McKenzie Harris, December 3rd, 2023

I apologize for lumping these two visits together into one post, but I have several other topics I’d like to write about in this blog in the next few weeks, so I didn’t feel like last month’s trips needed two separate posts. In addition, the Dublin and Vienna trips were during two consecutive weekends, so in my head, they’re sort of the same event. (that’s what I’m telling myself).

Dublin

When I was deciding where I wanted to travel outside of the Czech Republic, my main ideas were Budapest and Vienna (both of which I’ve now seen!). In a less realistic sense, I wanted to go somewhere a little farther away, and among those options were the Mediterranean coast and Ireland. In the end, I decided on Ireland because I have a friend studying abroad in Dublin who could show me around. I was also excited about Ireland because I have a delusion that my reddish hair, pale skin, and name somehow connect me to the country. As it turns out, McKenzie is not even an Irish name; my taxi driver told me he knew I was American because he had only ever heard that name in American tv!

I spent two full days in Dublin, and I’m really glad I went, despite the cold and my knee’s issues. It was very comforting to see a familiar friend in an unfamiliar continent. On the first day, I got a tour of downtown and Trinity College from my friend Barbara, visited an art museum, and tried my first Guinness at an authentic Irish pub.

^my “mini” Irish breakfast, accompanied by a chai latte and my current read^

^looking into the courtyard of Trinity College, Barbara’s school^

^St. Stephen’s Green^

^National Gallery of Ireland^

On the morning of day two, I went to the beach and was delighted by the number of intact shells on the shore. Later in the afternoon, I met with Barbara to see an archaeology museum, where we got to see bog bodies! For those who are unfamiliar with said bog bodies, they’re sort of mummified people who were recovered from the peat bogs of northern Europe. The peat bogs are extremely acidic, so the bodies of the dead who were put in the bogs are preserved extremely well, similar to how vegetables can be preserved by pickling. I will put a picture of one of the bog bodies below; it’s not graphic but it’s a bit unsettling, just so you know. After the museum, we watched a movie at the Irish Film Institute before saying goodbye. The movie wasn’t Irish, but we were at an Irish institution so I thought it was still a culturally relevant activity. We watched Past Lives (2023) and we both loved it, so I recommend it if anyone’s looking for new movies to watch. I flew home the next morning and prepared for my next few free days before my parents arrived in Prague.

^Bog body!!^

^Barbara and I on my last night in Dublin^

Vienna

My parents and I spent the weekend in Vienna while they were visiting me in Europe. It was a chilly few days, but definitely worth it to see a city I had looked forward to seeing for so long. On our first and only full day, we visited the Habsburg dynasty’s palace, learned about our favorite Empress Sisi, ate schnitzel at the famous Cafe Central, walked around Vienna’s old town, and saw a classical music concert complete with Mozart, ballet, and operetta songs. We also enjoyed the Christmas decorations all around the most popular streets.

^me in front of Schonbrunn palace^

^one of many statues on the palace grounds^

^christmas lights on Kärntner Straße^

On the second day, we left in the early evening, but before that, we were able to get in some sightseeing. In the morning, we went on a (somewhat disappointing) river tour on the Danube and ate strudel. We walked around a bit, and before leaving, we got to see the State Hall of the Austrian National Library, which was the most beautiful room I’ve ever seen.

Overall, I liked Vienna a lot and would like to go back when it’s warmer. It was different from how I imagined it, mostly because I expected the whole city would look just like it did in the movie Before Sunrise. Instead of being intimate and indie-like, everything seemed giant and important, which isn’t a bad thing. I expect other parts of the city are smaller and less regal. I told one of my friends that Vienna is the light academia to Prague’s dark academia, and I still stand by that characterization.

^part of our river tour^

I’m so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to see these amazing places, and hope to return to them sometime.

The blur of the middle

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By McKenzie Harris

November 3rd, 2023

^sundial painted on a building in Český Krumlov^

I’m now exactly two months into my study-abroad trip. Because I leave in around a month and a half, that means I’m over halfway done with my time in Prague. I was very surprised by this two-month anniversary; after the one-month mark, I’d apparently continued to think I’d been here for “one month” for several weeks after. The rest of this entry will explore how I’ve conceptualized time passing as a study abroad student.

^an old boat by a pond in Český Krumlov^

Sometime after the “I just got here” stage began “the middle,” an amorphous haze of time in which many things have happened, much time has passed, yet the impending “final stretch” still came like a jump scare. Weeks have passed in quick succession, eating up fall, and somehow my mindset has begun to shift to the question of what I will do with my last weekends. So what exactly happened in the blur of the middle? That question was on my mind when I started planning my mid-program blog post, and I decided it deserved a post of its own. Upon reflection, my feeling of empty time passing during October was an illusion caused by the combination of midterm season, health issues, and (paradoxically) my plans and trips. To elaborate:

  • During midterms, students spent a lot of time studying for classes, and less time was given to more memorable pursuits.
  • In the past two weeks, I injured my knee and got a cold, which has kept me apartment-bound. I haven’t been able to do as many adventurous and social things as I could earlier in the semester.
  • Lots of plans made time pass quickly. In addition, it created a mindset where the time in between these trips was allocated for rest and school. With this mindset, a week between trips would zoom by, because I didn’t do anything present-focused. I was just doing homework and chilling, anticipating the next thing.

Despite my surprise at time’s passing, I experienced a lot of fun things in October. Here are some highlights and updates from recently:

^Fisherman’s Bastion^

Budapest! I already wrote a post about this, so check it out if you want to hear more!

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^sundial painted on a building in Český Krumlov^

I’m now exactly two months into my study-abroad trip. Because I leave in around a month and a half, that means I’m over halfway done with my time in Prague. I was very surprised by this two-month anniversary; after the one-month mark, I’d apparently continued to think I’d been here for “one month” for several weeks after. The rest of this entry will explore how I’ve conceptualized time passing as a study abroad student.

^an old boat by a pond in Český Krumlov^

Sometime after the “I just got here” stage began “the middle,” an amorphous haze of time in which many things have happened, much time has passed, yet the impending “final stretch” still came like a jump scare. Weeks have passed in quick succession, eating up fall, and somehow my mindset has begun to shift to the question of what I will do with my last weekends. So what exactly happened in the blur of the middle? That question was on my mind when I started planning my mid-program blog post, and I decided it deserved a post of its own. Upon reflection, my feeling of empty time passing during October was an illusion caused by the combination of midterm season, health issues, and (paradoxically) my plans and trips. To elaborate:

  • During midterms, students spent a lot of time studying for classes, and less time was given to more memorable pursuits.
  • In the past two weeks, I injured my knee and got a cold, which has kept me apartment-bound. I haven’t been able to do as many adventurous and social things as I could earlier in the semester.
  • Lots of plans made time pass quickly. In addition, it created a mindset where the time in between these trips was allocated for rest and school. With this mindset, a week between trips would zoom by, because I didn’t do anything present-focused. I was just doing homework and chilling, anticipating the next thing.

Despite my surprise at time’s passing, I experienced a lot of fun things in October. Here are some highlights and updates from recently:

^Fisherman’s Bastion^

Budapest! I already wrote a post about this, so check it out if you want to hear more!

^An outdoor Signal Festival exhibit on the front of the library where I study (Městská knihovna)^

School: My midterms went well, and without test anxiety! Between now and finals, I’ll focus on a podcast research project for my gender studies class, and prepping for final projects. I have many plans in the works for the next month (trips to Dublin, Vienna, and Dresden, and a Hozier concert!), so school will once again have to be a smaller priority for me. I mentioned this in my mid-program post yesterday, but I’d like to take more opportunities to talk to my classmates and hear about their experiences in different countries before the end of the semester.

Český Krumlov! My flatmate and I took a day trip to this medieval town and fell in love with it. We spent hours by the river, looking at the castle, and walking under autumn leaves. I have many pictures from this trip in my Photos page.

Last week, my flatmates and I celebrated both my 21st birthday and Halloween. My 21st birthday was slightly anticlimactic, being in a place where I could already legally buy alcohol, but it was still a fun day!

Bohemian Switzerland! I went with a group of roommates and friends to hike for a day at the Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the Czech Republic. It was a day filled with stunning views, perfect fall colors, and many mushrooms. Last year, a fire came through the park and left large swathes of destruction, but now, there are carpets of moss and saplings growing from the ashes (you can see this in the left picture above). The park’s main attraction, Pravčická Brána, was unscathed, as was much of the forest. The rock archway of Pravčická Brána (top picture) was beautiful, and we learned that a scene from Narnia was filmed on it! The river was just as beautiful, and our group agreed that the gorge it descended through must be home to fairies.

To conclude this somewhat rambling post, I’ll say that even though “the middle” seems to go by without enough to show for it, all of my time here has been valuable. I look forward to the next two months of new memories!

Mid Program: “A day in the life”

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It’s hard to convey an “average” day in the life of a study abroad student. Every day looks different, since we’re all trying to be tourists and go on adventures amidst the stable schedule of classes. In this post, I will nevertheless try to describe what is closest to average for me. Accordingly, I’ve tried to pick out my most ordinary pictures for this entry (instead of showing off all the most exciting ones). In addition, I’ll give a little update on the goals I made at the beginning of the trip, and share advice to future students about community engagement.

^this sweet statue, “Dívka s holubicí,”or “Girl with a dove” stands next to the tram station that I take to go almost everywhere^

I start most days by waking up and opening my window, which looks out on a neighbor’s plant-filled balcony. The crisp air in the morning may smell like autumn, or cigarettes (it’s a toss up). I’ll get ready for school, and usually have a bit of time to get started on my to-do list before class.

At 11:45, I leave Belgická 2/24 (my apartment) and walk less than five minutes to my school. The walk is short but sweet; the streets of Vinohrady are lined with tall trees, now dripping with orange and green leaves, and I always walk by locals going about their day. Once I arrive at UNYP, I mentally prepare for my three-hour class period (some classes require more mental preparation than others…) before entering the classroom. At three pm, I’m dismissed, and the rest of the day is up to me.

At this point, the day-to-day variety is high, but here are some common ways I spend my evenings:

  • studying! I might take the metro to Old Town and walk to to Městská knihovna, a public library. This is the location of the famous “infinity book tower” which I have pictured in my Photos page (if you can find it in my sea of other pictures, i’m impressed). If I’m feeling slightly more fancy, I’ll go to a cafe. One of my favorites is Cafe Academia in Václavské náměstí, a 20 minute walk from my apartment. There are many closer options, but this is just one I like a lot.

^the outside ofMěstská knihovna^

  • choir practice: on some days, I walk a few blocks away from UNYP to the school where my professor’s choir rehearses.

^from the walk to choir!^

  • some fun social activity in Prague: from pub karaoke, to trying a new restaurant, to live music, to an art exhibit, to clubbing, to park picnics, the list of evening engagements is long! I’m so grateful to be in a place where I have such easy access to a variety of options. Because of all of these things to do around town, I use public transit a lot (see pictures from the metro and tram below).
  • walking: I like to go on long walks to/from destinations around town, so if I have enough time, I’ll walk somewhere instead of taking the tram. Along these walks, I get to enjoy the architecture of Prague’s streets, observe locals (though public transit has been the best for people-watching in my experience), and slow down during a busy day. I can also enjoy the cinnamon smells of the prolific trdelník pastry stands, or, again, cigarette smoke. Some pictures from these everyday walks are below.

Goals from the beginning of my trip:

When I first arrived, I had a few main goals for my visit. These included: getting to know the city, being present and not future-oriented, taking time for mental health and slowness, reducing my priority of academics, and interacting with Czech culture. In general, my goals have been going well. As time has passed, I’ve gotten better at balancing my priorities and knowing when I need to focus on school vs socialization. I’ve realized that getting to know the city is unfortunately beyond my capabilities for a four month stay, but I will explore what I can. I’d like to put more effort into engaging with Czech people, especially peers I’ve met in classes that I’ve neglected chances to talk to. One example of me trying to do this is starting an Eco Club at UNYP with my classmate and friend from my environmental studies class! Thankfully, I still have a month and a half to work on my goals and experience life here 

^My flatmate Megan feeding some ducks on the bank of the Vltava^

In terms of strategies for community engagement as a study abroad student, here are some helpful things I’ve learned since I got here:

  • at your host school, the student life office can connect you with volunteering opportunities nearby
  • join school clubs if you find some you’re interested in! It’s a great way to find like-minded people and experience local culture through club events
  • talk to people (classmates, teachers, locals, etc)! Don’t pass up the simple conversational ways to learn about their lives and cultures. Its also been helpful to engage with people who are very different from me, so I can get a broader sense of the diversity of human experiences. But still pay attention to kindred spirits! People who are similar to you are just as valuable friends to make while abroad.

Na shledanou!

Arrival: Czech Republic: “I speak English like it’s my second language (and other post-arrival realizations)” by McKenzie Harris

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As of today, I’m officially two weeks into my stay here in Prague.

St. Nicholas Church in Hradcany

The last 14 days have been a whirlwind of new people and near-constant activity planning, mixed with hot afternoons where I melt into my bed and cease to exist for a few hours. I just got here, but I’ve also been here forever. Do you know that feeling?

As I’ve been adjusting to living here, I’ve noticed little things here and there about myself and about traveling/living in another country, so I thought I’d write some of them down in this blog. In the coming weeks, I’ll do a more specific description of my life here and how it compares to my plans and expectations, but for now, here are some of my first realizations.

^my phone’s best attempt at a nighttime picture of Charles Bridge and Prague Castle^

I speak English like it’s my second language.

I’ve gotten to talk to many non-native English speakers here, and I find it so interesting to listen to how they talk. While listening, though, I’ve gotten this feeling that I talk exactly like they do most of the time. I feel like it takes me a very long time to search for the right words to say, and I tend to pause a lot before speaking. I have no explanation, being a native English speaker, unlike my peers who are translating many languages in their heads. Maybe translating thoughts/feelings into words is a comparable task sometimes.

There’s something comforting about a warehouse full of unbridled consumerism…

After a week of shopping in cute neighborhood markets with unique and limited supplies, I can’t deny that I felt some relief stepping into a giant, impersonal, and commercialized chain store (Tesco). This was an unsettling realization because up until this trip, I thought myself immune to some of the basic American stereotypes, but here I was in week one wishing for the comfort of Target or Costco! I think I’m very used to only needing to shop in one place, and then not needing to shop for weeks because I could buy things in bulk. It’s a little awkward not knowing where to find things and knowing I’ll run out of things quickly. An unexpected adjustment for me will be learning how to shop in a way that better suits the norms here in Europe.

^St. Nicholas Church in Old Town Square^

If I had done this a year ago, I wouldn’t have been as homesick.

I’m very happy to be here, but I still feel very closely tied to my friends and family and home in America. It’s been a weight that I didn’t actually consider much when I first started planning this trip last year. I could explain it by saying that in the planning stages, I wouldn’t have accounted for homesickness because leaving was so far in the future. But I think another explanation is that I really wouldn’t have been as homesick a year ago. During the past year, I’ve become closer with my best friends and my boyfriend, and spent less time in my hometown than I wanted. I think the unexpected homesickness I feel is a product of having more things to love and miss than I planned. I’m looking forward to building familiarity here in Prague and hopefully loving it enough to miss it a lot when I leave!

The culture here is not just “Czech”.

I noticed this most clearly when I was walking through Vinohrady during a Mexican street market festival, eating a sushi burger (pictured above). I reminded myself that like any big city, Prague is a melting pot of many vibrant cultures and ethnicities. I’m so lucky to get to experience not only Czech culture (like trying svíčková for the first time, pictured above) but many of the subcultures of Prague as well.

^the view of Prague from an arrow slit in the wall of Prague Castle^

I’m not a tourist, but I’m not a resident either.

What am I then? I’m not sure, because it seems like studying abroad is such a specific and unique middle-ground between being a local and a visitor. I don’t have enough time to make this a home, but I’m not rushed for time. I still can’t speak the language, but I belong more than a tourist. I’m personally very excited to explore this transient but long-term experience, and I’m curious to see how I identify myself among tourists and residents as the months go on.

A few days ago, I was on a walk and came across two European tourists who asked me if I could help them with a few questions. They said they had arrived here two hours ago, and were curious about how to say “cheers” in czech, where to go clubbing, and where to find ATMs. I excitedly told them how to say cheers because I shockingly knew the answer (“na zdraví”). I only knew one club by name and didn’t know where the closest ATM was, but I told them there were many options in Old Town and recommended google maps for both.

After wishing them luck and walking away, I felt so proud of my somewhat unhelpful advice, and it reminded me of this one specific scene from The Great Gatsby:

“It was lonely for a day or so until one morning some man, more recently arrived than I, stopped me on the road. “How do you get to West Egg village?” he asked helplessly. I told him. And as I walked on I was lonely no longer. I was a guide, a pathfinder, an original settler. He had casually conferred on me the freedom of the neighborhood.”

I feel like that quote sums up my experience here pretty well, sarcasm and all.

(I’ve added many more pictures to my pictures section of the website, so I’m not putting a bunch at the end of this post like I did for the previous one)

Arrival: Czech Republic “The chronicles of traveling for 24 hours, and my first few jet-lagged days!” by McKenzie Harris

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Prague – Unsplash @ceye2eye

The chronicles of traveling for 24 hours, and my first few jet-lagged days!

At 4 am, bright (not) and early Saturday morning, my parents dropped me off at my hometown’s airport. By 7 am, I had landed in Seattle, where I settled in for a 7-hour layover. During my time haunting the airport, I practiced my Czech flashcards, watched Once Upon a Time, got food, started a new book, and generally wandered. The hours passed surprisingly quickly, probably because I was in a half-asleep fog the entire time.


The near sunrise of my early morning flight to Seattle.

My next flight was the longest leg of the journey, a 9ish hour flight to Paris. I knew it was important to sleep on this flight because I would be up for many hours after, which is probably why I couldn’t sleep a wink the entire time; murphy’s law and all that. Despite not really sleeping, I did spend most of the flight resting. Once I had landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport, I had an extremely tight layover that made the hour between landing and leaving for Prague very stressful. Thankfully, the airport seemed very well-organized and I made no wrong turns on my way to my connecting flight. I rushed through halls, up and down escalators, and bore the unbearable slowness of each line, without time for the bathroom or a single mistake, until finally I reached my gate. At the point I arrived, they had called all groups to board the plane. Once I was finally in my seat, sweaty and gross, my hands sort of shaking, it took basically the whole 2 hr flight to Prague for me to calm down. I was very excited to have made my flight on time, though. Seeing Europe below me, and the first glimpses of Prague (pictured below) also made me feel better.

At 11 am Europe time, which was 2 am to my body, I landed in Prague. This marked hour 23 of traveling (counting from when I woke up the morning before), but I wasn’t really letting myself be tired, because I still had one more leg of the journey to go and I couldn’t afford to stop functioning after I made it so far! I left my plane and stopped by the bathroom, where someone spoke to me in Czech for the first time. A woman told me thank you (“děkuju”) for holding the door, and it happened so fast I couldn’t say “není zač” in return, but it was exciting nonetheless.

Before continuing to the exit, I took a moment to get all of my immigration paperwork together because I assumed the Czech customs would be strict. These documents were my passport/visa, proof of my purpose of stay (acceptance letter), proof of accommodation, plane tickets home, and even proof of financial support. As it turned out, I didn’t need any of them; I walked straight to baggage claim and out of the airport. That was a little hard to wrap my head around, because up until that last checkpoint, I think part of me was still worried that something would go wrong and they wouldn’t let me in. I was met at the exit by a UNYP student shepherding a group of 7 new arrivals like me, who had flown in from the East US coast, South Korea, and more. We were shuttled to our apartments in small groups. I’ve since gotten to know all of these people at orientation and 2 of them coincidentally are also my flatmates! The group of visiting students is quite small (around 100), so it’s been nice to see the same people every day and build familiarity.

For the rest of my first day in Prague, I slooooowly unpacked my suitcases and decorated my side of the room, in between eating, a small shopping trip, and a walk to our school with my flatmates. In general, I was going through the motions in a sleep-deprived fog. It took me until the next morning to feel fully excited about being here.

The front steps of my host school.

Today was day 2 (“dva”) of orientation and day 3 (“tři”) of my trip. In the last 2 days, I’ve met many interesting and friendly fellow visiting students. I’ve also enjoyed some sightseeing with my 5 flatmates and other new friends. One of the most exciting things about this trip so far is that our apartment and school are located within walking distance of Prague’s most famous areas. In our walk to T-mobile to get sim cards, for example, we walked through Wenceslas Square and all the way into Old Town. While we were there, we walked a little further to pop by Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock—as if it was just a normal walk around the neighborhood! I’ve been in such awe over the beauty and architecture of the city, and it feels so fulfilling to see all of these famous things I’ve researched and seen pictures of.

I’ve definitely had moments where I’ve been homesick, felt tired and dizzy, or gotten overwhelmed at the prospect of 4 long months before me. But I brought many little reminders of home with me, and I hope I will eventually develop routines and familiarity that make Prague into a home as well.

Below are some pictures from my neighborhood, Vinohrady, a picture from a walk with my orientation group, and a video from Old Town Square. I have no pictures of the most famous things yet, because so far I’ve only walked through them without my nice camera. I also apologize for the poor picture quality—I don’t know how to upload pictures to WordPress without them turning grainy 🙁

Pre-Departure: Czech Republic “The Calm Before the Storm”- A week before departure – by McKenzie Harris

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Prague – White bridge over river in daytime – Unsplash Photo @leachmar

“The Calm Before the Storm”- A week before departure

Hi everyone!

This first entry in my study abroad record will hopefully orient you to where I am in my preparations for studying abroad, as well as go over the main steps I’ve taken up to now. For those of you who are here for fun pictures and stories about what I’m up to in Prague, you will be sadly disappointed by this post, as it will hopefully be very dry compared to my future ones. This post is also partly to test if I know how to post things on WordPress. As of right now, I don’t really know how to use this website, so fair warning: the formatting of my posts and pictures will be quite lackluster.

My completed pre-departure tasks from earlier this year:
– Visa application
– register for classes
– buy plane tickets
– register with STEP
– paperwork both from my host school and home school’s abroad department
– make a budget estimate with my advisor
– figure out how to switch my cell service provider to get a better international plan

As summer made its way into the year and my abroad trip got closer, I switched my focus to the more exciting things—learning the language, deciding what to bring, and researching the Czech Republic.

The notebook I’ve been using to record what I’ve learned of the Czech language.

An example of an average ill-organized page!

I think part of being a respectful traveler is making an effort to learn some of the country’s language. Since I’ll be in Prague for 4 months, I’m trying to learn as much Czech as I can before I leave. I’m focusing more on learning common words and conversational phrases than grammar, thankfully (I’m not going anywhere near the seven Czech cases any time soon!). My main resources for language learning have been youtube (mainly Czech with Kateřina but there are many good channels!), duolingo, a podcast (One Minute Czech), and quizlet flashcards.

Part of my packing list.

Ideas for the things to do in Prague!

In addition to learning Czech, I’ve also had fun researching Czech history, customs, geography/things to do, and food. For these things, youtube has been my best source (travel vlogs, tour guide videos, etc). As you can see above, I made a list of ideas for things to do and places to go while I’m there, and nearly all of these items came from videos I’ve watched. There are so many places in Prague itself that I want to see, not counting all of the cool places outside it. I’m very excited to try some Czech dishes, like knedlíky (dumplings), svíčková (cream sauce over a roast), bramboráky (potato pancakes), and trdelník (a swirly pastry!).

I leave for Prague on Sept 2, which is a week from tomorrow. As the date looms closer, Prague feels no more real than it did when I applied to this program, but I’ve gotten some nerves about the trip that I didn’t feel until now. I’m nervous about being lonely in a new country, and about the way that every simple task feels complicated in a foreign place. I’m also nervous about things like my safety, transportation, and the immigration process.

But I’ve prepared as best I can, and I hope that will allow me to be flexible while I’m traveling and adapt to the inevitable complications that may arise. During this trip, I hope to lean into the experience of being alone in my dream city, because there’s freedom in being my own company, I think. I also hope to meet interesting people, participate in my interesting psychology classes, take too many pictures, and share them here with all of you.

Na shledanou!

End of Program: Spain “Preparing for Re-Entry & Maintaining your International Connections” -by Anna Sutherland

Anna Sutherland
Granada, Spain

“Study abroad has shaped who I am going forward in life. The knowledge, connections, etc. have opened up so many doors. I can say that the person that left the US is different than the one returning but in so many positive ways. I feel more of a well-rounded individual, more knowledgeable culturally, and confident in who I am.”

– Anna Sutherland, CEA Granada Spain, Fall 2022

What have you missed most about the United States? What will you miss about your host country when your return?

The most ironic part about studying abroad is there will be times when all you can think about is what you miss about your home country. Now that it’s the eve of returning to the US all I can think about is what I will miss about Spain. What I miss most about the US is most definitely my family and animals. Distance from those that I love does make you reflect on how much people and animals mean to you. It gives you a greater appreciation for being in their life in person. Then there are simple things in the US that you take for granted that you don’t realize how much you miss them until you no longer have them at your disposal. Living in the residencia I didn’t cook, and I missed making my own food. WIFI in Spain can be a bit slow at times so I will be happy to return to my speedy WIFI. Now what will I miss about Spain, well this could take a while. I will miss the socializing culture, going out for drinks and tapas with friends. In Granada I walked every day and there are so many shops, stores, and restaurants all close by. I will miss eating lunch and dinner with my friends at the residencia with Antonio’s food. I will miss saying hi to the empanada guy (Claudio). I could go on and on about what I will miss about Spain.

Do you think you’ll experience reverse culture shock when you return? Do you have a plan for how you can immerse back into home campus life and share your experience with family and friends?

I already know I will experience reverse culture shock when I return home. I know it will be worse than coming to Spain if I am being completely honest. Leaving Spain is one of the hardest things I have had to do in my life. Spain isn’t just a country but now my second home, the people, connections, and places I’ve gone will hold a special place in my heart forever. Since living in Spain my perspective of the world, the US, and almost everything in general has been altered. I am eager to share my experience with my friends and family. I think in many ways I am also almost scared at the same time because living abroad is an experience that is near impossible to relate to if you haven’t experienced it. My job as a peer advisor in the study abroad department I think will provide me some structure because I can spend more time reflecting on my experience and help other students study abroad and hopefully come back and be able to tell me it was the best three months or year of their life. Besides my job I plan to focus on my studies.

How do you plan to keep your study abroad experience as a key factor in your life; maintaining friendships, language skills, staying internationally engaged?

Study abroad has shaped who I am going forward in life. The knowledge, connections, etc. have opened up so many doors. I can say that the person that left the US is different than the one returning but in so many positive ways. I feel more of a well-rounded individual, more knowledgeable culturally, and confident in who I am. The friends I have made ranging from other Americans all from different states to Spaniards from every part of Spain and international students from other countries means more perspectives and connections. In the future I would like to work in an embassy or consulate preferably a Spanish speaking country and my time in Spain has been invaluable to improving my language skills.

Post Program: Spain “Study Abroad Takeaways and Post Program Reflections” – By Brandon Beyler

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Barcelona

What were some of your biggest takeaways from your international experience?

“Overall, study abroad taught me a lot and has helped frame my future travel adventures, giving me many lessons, insights, and feelings to chase.”

– Brandon Beyler, API Barcelona Fall 2022
  • First, I found that traveling with friends is the best way to go as opposed to traveling solo. Traveling solo can be fun for smaller trips when I needed a tranquil break, but overall, for me, traveling with friends makes it much more enjoyable and worthwhile for a variety of reasons. In general, having friends makes it more fun because you are with the people you get along with, be yourself with and those that you can share all the experiences you encounter with. Also, I found that traveling with friends is always safer because you have people to look out for you and help you if something happens and groups are generally less vulnerable than solo individuals. I found that I encountered more opportunities with friends, and also have more abilities because we were pooling people’s resources, knowledge, and connections. Lastly, being in a group I found that we were more spontaneous and can engage in more adventures and, in the end, make more memories!
  • I learned that it is important to engage myself in the coursework and classes, because there is great information and new understandings there, not the mention the flat-out fun I had in these courses. I learned how important an international respective in academics is. My colleagues and I only having been taught in the US, for the most part, only get the US perspective and it was very refreshing and informative to hear how other countries felt about the US, to hear about the problems that other countries, like Spain, have that we may not be aware of and how their ideas of things like marriage, globalization, capitalism, welfare and the internet are different than ours. Also, I thought professor-student interactions were much very enjoyable and casual during my causes in Spain and created for a fun and engaging atmosphere.
  • I learned that to stay safe while abroad I just have to not be stupid and also be aware of my surroundings. In my experience, I found that the only time when I was a risk of having something stolen from me was when I was stupid or not aware for whatever reason. So, my takeaway is to always be smart and to not do things that I think could put me in a bad or vulnerable situation and be aware of what going on around me.
  • I learned that people are very nice everywhere and that being a white English-speaking American does not really carry any stigma while other countries, although people often tell you it does. I found that if I just put in effort to be respectful generally and respect their language and culture I was not treated differently.
  • I also learned that it is important to manage my money while abroad. Most importantly in this, I realized I need to better financially plan for my weekend and day trips because the train/plane, hotel, and food can add up and it put me in a tight situation later on during my time abroad, so I takeaway that I need to plan better specifical for my out of city trips.

What advice would you pass along to other interested students considering studying abroad?

  • Foremost, study abroad is a great opportunity to try new things and meet new people, so I would tell people to take initiative, try new things and go with the flow, because there is always something happening in the flow.
  • I would suggest making friends early on because it gives you a base friend group that you can do things with. In study abroad you will naturally meet lots of people at the beginning of the semester through your program so make an effort to hang out with them and find the people you like, because this will give you opportunities to explore a lot of new things around the city with them and have a solid group from the rest of the semester, and for life!
  • Make the most of your time because it flies by. It is important to do everything you can because time will seem to move fast during study abroad, and you don’t want to try to cram too much stuff in at the end. You will be busier than you think we all the classes, homework, hanging out with friends and going out, exploring, and all the other stuff like buying stuff you need, making food and eating, and laundry. I would suggest slating out a couple of things you want to try to do outside of the stuff that you are going to do inevitably, like see a park or go to a coastal city an hour away, so that you stay on top of your bucket and to-do list. This doesn’t however mean that you should be going 24/7, let yourself rest and relax so that you feel good but motivate so you don’t sulk in your resting…. that can be done back in the US.
  • Make an effort to speak the native language, even when people respond to you in English. Like I have said earlier it will often happen that when you try to use your Spanish, the Spanish speaker who can speak English will choose to speak in English because they think it will be easier to communicate, but as long as your Spanish ability is functional, try to continue to use it even if they respond in English, its great practice!
  • I would also say try to get involved in different activities that are offered or not offered to you and engage with your classes. For example, my study abroad soccer league was super fun, and I met a lot of people through that. Early on try to sign up for things that will get you out there doing stuff and meeting new people.


Is there anything you would do or plan differently based on your experience?

  • I would try to better plan trips to other places in Europe because it gets expensive when you plan last minute and the planning itself can be taxing when you are busy during study abroad. I didn’t get to travel out of city as much as I wanted to and had I planned a little bit better I could have gone on one or two more trips.
  • If I did study abroad again, I would choose a homestay again, but I would like to be closer to the action. My homestay being far away from the main student apartment and club area made my commute difficult and it made it harder to go out, so I would try to find a homestay that was closer to my friends and the nightlife.
  • I would have tried to learn more Catalan; even though I was thoroughly prepared with my Spanish I wish I learned a little more Catalan because there were people who spoke it in their daily lives in Barcelona that I couldn’t communicate in their borne tung.


Have you considered going abroad again or researching international internships and careers?

  • I have considered going abroad again, and next time I think I would try a different and colder country like Germany or Sweden. I have also thought about trying to find an internship abroad as I think it would be a great opportunity to get some work experience in a different country, which would further broaden my perspectives, especially in the professional sphere.


How do you plan to “pay it forward” to the greater local community?

  • Since Spain has given me such a great international experience, I feel the need to repay them and let them know I apricated my stay.
  • I plan to tell people how great my experience was in Spain and how wonderful my study abroad experience was in general so that more people visit Spain and also might choose Spain as their study abroad destination. I will suggest to people my favorite restaurants, stores, clubs, and areas in Barcelona so that I can help support the local economy of Barcelona. I will also pay it forward by trying to share some of the language, food, and culture of Spain. One thing I want to do is make some Spanish tapas for my friends like that of Spanish tortillas, bread and Manchego cheese, stuffed peppers, and calamari, along with trying to make the famous patatas bravas. I will continue to speak Spanish with people in my community and while I’m around my friends when if it annoys them. Also, I will try to review some of my favorite places on google so that future travelers can know the best sports. Lastly, I will spread great word of praise for the people of Barcelona, their food and culture, and their nature so that people can know what makes Spain and Barcelona such special places.


In reflection of your experience before, during, and after your program, can you put into words what this experience has meant to you?

  • Overall, study abroad was a dream, I got to explore a new and amazing place with wonderful people while making mistakes, moments, and memories.
  • It has helped me be extra social and meet a ton of new people, both people with very different lives from mine and those from different countries, and it has helped me to make a ton of new friends that I will truly have for the rest of my life.
  • I love knowing that I got to learn about a new culture and actually be able to live in it. I am so fortunate to have been able to live in Spain for 3 fully integrated months rather than something that would equate to more of an extended vacation. Part of this can be attributed to my homestay situation where living in the middle of the city in a very cultural part of Barcelona made me feel like I was living like a Spaniard and also that my homestay mom made me feel like I had a family while in this new and strange place, with her teaching me many things about Barcelona and giving me a taste of Spanish cuisine, activities, and formalities.
  • Study abroad also gave me many wonderful opportunities to learn new things about traveling, making mistakes like missing my train stops, using the wrong metro or train lines, ordering the wrong way, or getting sucked into tourist traps, and it has made me a much better traveler.
  • After I am so grateful that I got to live in Europe because I know not everyone has the ability or opportunity to do this and it has meant so much to be able to explore Europe, including Spain, France, and Italy, and all the history, landscapes, people, foods, arts & culture and feelings it had to offer.
  • Lastly was also super happy that I got to open my wings and fly around, because during study abroad I felt so free, energetic, passionate, and happy to do new things and engage with life which was refreshing!


Describe your experience exploring identity in your host community.

  • My citizenship as an American played a part during my time in Spain and my being white. Being American-looking people spoke English to me even when I spoke Spanish to them. Other than that, my identity seemed to thrive in Spain.

Did you study in a host country where you felt or had more or less freedom as a person of your identity/ies? What has this experience been like?

  • I felt like I has about the same expression of my identity in this country, my identity is quite easy, but it still seemed to thrive in Barcelona, Spain, and Europe more generally. But for people of more persecuted identities that I knew, I felt that they had great freedom, inclusion, and encouragement in Spain.


If you studied in a country where you reconnected with your heritage, what was that like? Is it what you expected? How were you treated by locals in that country? Do you feel like it was a homecoming or did you feel out of place, or perhaps both?

  • In terms of connecting with something similar to heritage, I felt I had allegiance to Don Quixote and Cervantes, and I felt like my love of Don Quixote was received very well by the people of Spain; it felt like I was accepted into a brotherhood of Don Quixote lovers, which is, of course, extensive in Spain. My host mom and teacher were very happy to know that Don Quixote was my favorite book, and even that it was part of the reason I came to Spain. My host mom and I even got to talk about the book a little bit in Spanish, which was very cool. Many people in La Mancha were happy I made it out to The Stain to see the land of Quixote and all its glory.


If you studied abroad and spent time with other US students who were also studying abroad, were you experiencing anything unanticipated related to your identity/ies?

  • Many of us were surprised by how many people spoke English to us initially in conversations in public if we were very white looking, even if we spoke Spanish initially. The study abroad students who were fluent in Spanish, because they grew up around it, found that they were very respected when compared to the non-fluent study abroad students, for good reason.
  • We were pleasantly surprised by the fact that people were always interested to talk to us even though we were Americans typically asking us what state we were from, why we were in Spain, and how we were liking their home country and/or city and always seemed to like that we tried to speak Spanish with them, so that was cool to see.


How did it feel to be “the foreigner”? If you hold US citizenship, did you observe that your citizenship is treated differently than others?

  • Overall, because I believe I dress and look like an American people often knew that I was in fact American, and this is further reinforced by the way I spoke Spanish or English, in that neither was in the Spanish tung. The main thing was that people often spoke English to me either from the beginning of the conversation or during to conversation even if I tried speaking Spanish to them. Other than that, I did feel like I was often a target for tourist scams, including those at restaurants, markets, and street vendors, and even clubs and bars, giving me high prices or lower quality products and such. Lastly, I feel like I was probably judged for not knowing what I was doing in lots of situations in Spain like doing stuff in the grocery stores, using the train, and using school services, but I learned quickly and believe I was more accepted later on. For me being a foreigner was not a problem, it is just part of traveling and often it can get you into some fun and interesting situations as well.

End of Program: Spain “Preparing for Re-Entry & Maintaining your International Connections” – By Brandon Beyler

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Barcelona

” I feel connected to Spain because it gave me one of my greatest and most enjoyable life experiences.”

– Brandon Beyler, API Barcelona Fall 2022

What have you missed most about the United States? What will you miss about your host country when your return?

The main thing I have missed about the United States is the food at the grocery stores; I have been missing my favorite cookies, juices, and protein bars. I have also missed my routine in the US which looks much different from what I had in Spain with the different living situations and daily activities. Other things I miss are my family and friends at home and my tranquil hometown of Sammamish.

For Spain, I will first of all miss the Spanish language, I love speaking and listening to it and I will miss being able to, every day, better my Spanish abilities. I will miss being in the holdings of Don Quixote de La Mancha, the greatest Knight that ever lived. I will miss the city of Barcelona and its culture and just being able to walk around and take in all the art, buildings, socialization, and daily life along with meeting and talking to local Spaniards, the vibrant and bustling nightlife, the huge variety of good food and the wonderful nature in and surrounding Barcelona, especially beaches and mountains. I will even miss some of my classes where I gathered new perspectives and engaged in wonderful class discussions about ethics and the international sphere. Lastly, I will miss Europe as a whole, with its history, culture, and landscapes and I will miss being able to travel to many other destinations in Europe because of the cheap transportation. Another big thing is I will miss the friendships I have cultivated in Barcelona where I engaged in a great many adventures and moments with new people allowing me to create special bonds and friendships.

Do you think you’ll experience reverse culture shock when you return? Do you have a plan for how you can immerse back into home campus life and share your experience with family and friends?

I don’t think I will experience reverse culture shock when I return to the US because I didn’t experience culture shock in Spain, and I appreciate the benefits that each culture brings. I am planning on getting slowly back into my routine, of going to the grocery store, making my own food, going on my hikes, doing on-campus clubs and activities, going to classes, and just engaging with the student body again. And it should be easy because my schedule in Spain was relatively similar. My family has been eagerly awaiting my arrival and will be slamming me with questions as they have been wanting to hear about my favorite study abroad movements and see the pictures that go with them. Reconvening with my friends will be a breeze because I’m very close to them and they will love to hear my study abroad stories.

How do you plan to keep your study abroad experience as a key factor in your life; maintaining friendships, language skills, and staying internationally engaged?

I plan to maintain many of the friendships I cultivated in Spain through messaging, social media, and also hanging with some of the ones that live in my area or will come by my area, which I have planned to do with various people. I also plan to keep in contact with my host mom through text as we got along very well and had great conversations, so I plan on sharing my further travels, my inns with capybaras, or celebration of Argentina possibly winning the world cup, the team which she supports. Also, our study abroad group has planned on doing a reunion at some point later down the line because we had lots of fun together and would like to reconnect at some point. Lots of our program was from a specific area so we are planning on centralizing in that location in a reunion-like fashion. Also, since our API study abroad team won the study abroad soccer league, we are planning on passing around the trophy we won to share the victory so we will never forget the glory we gained in Barcelona!

As for my language skills, I plan to take more Spanish classes as I have continued to love the Spanish language and want to get even better at speaking, grammar, and vocab. I also want to talk to more Spanish speakers to understand the cultural language of which I got a great understanding of in Spain thanks to my classes and conversations with my homestay mom and locals. As for staying internationally engaged I plan to consume Spanish news and current events, keep up to date on popular Spanish songs and artists and keep up on current events in Spain because at this point I feel connected to Spain because it gave me one of my greatest and most enjoyable life experiences.

Mid Program: Spain ” Study Abroad Tips” by Anna Sutherland

Anna Sutherland

Here are a few tips and pieces of advice from my study abroad in Granada, Spain. I hope that this advice is useful and future study abroad students can relate to this from experience.

  1. Slow Down the Money Spending– Once you get abroad it can be easy to find yourself spending money going out to eat, going to bars or clubs, buying souvenirs, and traveling. In my case I spent double what I intended to spend the first month in Spain unintentionally. I recommend if you are studying abroad for longer than three months to take the time once or twice a month to briefly look at where you stand financially. Studying abroad for three months like myself I was less money conscientious because I knew I would be returning in three months but at the end of the second month I wished I had paced my finances a little more. Make sure to have fun and travel though!
  2. Class Absences– My study abroad program CEA had 80% mandatory class policy which meant up to 4 absences were allowed for each class. Five absences or more means that you are unable to take the final exam and will fail the class. This policy meant that I used my absences wisely for future trips and I made sure to leave an absence for a sick day or if for some reason I couldn’t attend class for another reason.
  3. Planning Classes- My class schedule was morning classes 8:30-12:30 with an occasional evening class from 6-8 pm on Monday’s and Wednesday’s. We often didn’t have class on Friday’s unless we had makeup days for holidays in order to meet the mandatory curriculum hours. We had around 4-5 Friday classes throughout the entire semester abroad for the three months. Finishing class at 12:30 on Thursdays was amazing because it meant that I could have essentially a three-and-a-half-day weekend which is perfect for traveling. Flights are often cheaper on Thursdays as well. I recommend early classes on Thursday’s if possible.
  4. Cheap Transportation– In Spain a few popular airlines or sites used by students for cheap flights were Ryanair, Vueling, and Skyscanner. Trying different combinations to get to a destination is often worth the time. Different combinations include direct flights, multiple stops, round trips, booking legs separately on a journey, booking legs as one, or using multiple different airlines. Don’t forget about alternatives like buses or trains. In Spain I used the Omio app for long distance bus trips to other cities and it was often very cheap. Sometimes it’s more economical to take a bus to another city and catch a flight from that city instead of the city you are studying in.
  5. Research the weather- Before I arrived to Granada, I researched the weather, and this was essential in helping me pack for my time abroad. Don’t pack inessential clothing that takes up space and weight. The first month it was extremely hot but instead I found I wore only long pants. The last two months has been bitter cold weather and requires winter clothing. If there was any clothing that I really needed I was able to buy it in Spain.
  6. Record Your Time Abroad- Whether it’s taking pictures, writing in a journal, or blogging take the time to record your time abroad. It’s easy for the days to blend together and to forget certain moments. Looking back, you will be grateful to have written down what happened on a certain day or look at that photo which was one of the best days of your life.
  7. Lack of Contacting Home– This was one piece of advice that I wish I had been given before coming to Spain and that is the lack of contact you will have with people back home in your country. I thought before coming to Spain that I would be facetiming my friends every few weeks, but this wasn’t the case. I didn’t end up facetiming some of my friends until the start of my last month in Spain. The time difference of nine hours for me and being busy with my new life abroad made it extremely difficult. Before going abroad let your friends know that your friendship or relationship will most likely look different while you are abroad. But just remember it’s only for a few months or a year. While you are abroad you will meet so many new people and the people from home will be there when you return.
  8. Making Friends– There are often hundreds of students studying abroad at the same time. This means so many opportunities to meet new people and form connections. It can be easy to get attached to one friend group but don’t forget about the other people that exist and could change your life if you opened up a little more. Invite that person who eats alone to eat with you and your friends or go sit with them, go out for a drink with the classmate that sits next to you every day… if you don’t ask you never know what could happen. Remember studying abroad you are already outside of your comfort zone and so are all the students around you who are probably feeling the same.
  9. Go Outside Your Comfort Zone- Sing Karaoke in an Irish Pub, stay out until 5 am with your friends, Drink tinto de verano and eat carbonara in a plaza by yourself. Do all the things you didn’t dare to do back home because you were scared of being judged by the people you know. This is a unique experience and make the most of it. (Be safe and smart)
  10. Don’t Study Abroad with a Friend from Home- Studying abroad is a time to grow, meet new people, and learn more about yourself. By going abroad with a friend from home you are already putting yourself in a comfort zone and limiting yourself. Maybe there are activities you want to do but the fear of judgment or if you don’t have that same friend at the event with you then you won’t go. Leave your friends at home because they will be there when you return and experience a solo journey for a few months or year.

Study Abroad Tips

Mid Program: Spain – “The Unspoken Conversations: Homesickness, Burnout, and Making Friends” by Anna Sutherland

Anna Sutherland
Rowing on the river in the plaza

“A very common fear students have and I myself had when studying abroad was that I wouldn’t make friends. This fear was dispelled easily when I arrived. I made friends with people in my program and living in the residencia made it even easier to bond with people and form connections. Even if I didn’t live in a residencia but in a host family or in an apartment I would meet people at school and have the opportunity to get to know my classmates. For individuals who are introverts or slightly timid like me often it can be hard to go outside of your comfort zone. But make that first move and ask someone to go grab a coffee or go get tapas because the friendships you could gain will change your life.”

– Anna Sutherland, Granada Spain 2022

2 Months in Granada, Spain

In order to mark my two months in Spain I wanted to talk about some of the harsher realities of studying abroad that I have personally encountered and noticed. Studying abroad is often portrayed as a paradise and only the best aspects are shown and talked about. I know for a fact and strongly feel it is one of the best choices I have ever made and for the most part gone exactly the way I imagined it. I participate in the night life, travel on the weekends to different countries, and it has been the best two months of my life. The connections, memories, and life experience I have gained are invaluable.

However, what people tend to neglect to talk about or show on social media is the homesickness at certain times that eventually does come from being away from family, friends, and animals back in your country. I consider myself an individual who is very independent and I can handle most situations quite well including being away from my loved ones for long periods of time. I had a year being away at college which gave me time to practice being away from my parents for long periods of time. However, being in a different country can add another layer of distance and loneliness that we don’t always anticipate once the excitement of a new country wears off. This is normal though and I wouldn’t change being abroad for anything in the world. I find that being around people or getting outside often helps and brightens up my mood. I did an exchange to Costa Rica in 2018 for a month in the summer and the first day I was feeling very homesick, but I reminded myself that a month would fly by fast, and I would be wishing I could stay and true enough that’s how it went. It’s a similar feeling now in Spain two months later. Thank goodness for facetime and calls. Studying abroad is the time to enjoy life and make the most of my time in a different country

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Mid Program: Spain – “A Day in the Life” – by Brandon Beyler

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Describe the neighborhood where you live, the sights, sounds, and smells and what makes this location unique. Describe a typical day for you or your favorite locations, hot spots, and places for meeting and socializing with new people:


At this point in my time in Barcelona, I can confidently state that I have begun to feel like a true resident of Barcelona. From my participation in the 8 am metro commute, frequent lunches of sandwiches and pastries, and engagement with many of the businesses and people around my apartment I have felt integrated into my city.
My neighborhood is called Garcia and it is in the part of Barcelona that is much older than the common square urban structure of most of Barcelona and boats the beautiful skinny streets that are characteristic of European cities. It sits north of the center of the city/the gothic district but is only a 20-minute metro ride from anywhere you generally would want to go. While walking around these areas you will see many families, couples, teens, and people walking their, often small, dogs. In this area, you can find a number of wonderful bakeries and cafes, each with the staples of Spanish cuisine also adding their own dishes and flare. Also, there are a number of specialty shops like clothing stores, healthy ice cream shops, and also some nicer restaurants scattered about.

This area is generally quieter, but people, including tourists, frequent this area due to the appeal of the skinny streets and general European feel. One of my favorite spots in my neighborhood is the smaller Rambla right next to Garcia, which is lined with trees, markets, and shops and there are not too many people so it’s a nice place to hang out and eat a sandwich or two. Another place I like is the skatepark and surrounding area next to Playa Mar Bella, it is a laid-back atmosphere, and is a great place to skate both in its big flat spaces and because it has a solid skatepark. Parc de Ciutadella is a great spot due to it having that wonderful European feel, ornate statues, cute ponds, great walking, and sitting spaces, and even an extensive zoo with Capybaras! Lastly, I really like the area around the Cathedral of Barcelona in the Gothic quarter, for this is another place with the skinny streets and these are exceptionally beautiful with the cute their planter boxes and intricate architecture and the wonderful little squares with great restaurants, bars, and shops.

From what I have seen some of the main hot spots in Barcelona are the plaza de Catalunya due to its centrality, the club Raz mataz and surrounding area late at night, La Rambla, and Cathedral De Barcelona due to tourists, and of course the foremost playa in Barcelona, Barceloneta, which is also a hub for Spanish seafood cuisine. Right outside my neighborhood are the square streets that make up most of Barcelona and I have found that this area is much louder and busier, cars and motorcycles are loud, many pedestrians walk the street and people fill the cafes with big groups and loud conversation. and this is mostly what I hear when I’m in my room as I am very close to this area. Even though Barcelona is loud it has been nice to not have much sound coming from the other apartment; besides some strong conversation in Spanish sounds, noise is kept to a minimum. As for smells, seeing that Barcelona is a big city, you find that many times the smell of trash, pee and other unpleasantries fill your nose but also at the same time, the smell of pastries, and the Mediterranean air overcome your nose making for a nice balance.

It has been nice to explore the lunch places around my school and home and select the ones that I like best and have become a regular at, which includes a verity of cafes and sandwich shops with wonderful breads and pastries and also a variety of fantastic empanadas, as well as some other types of foods such as Chinese food, Mexican and Indian food. I have found that my linguistic interactions with people at shops, cafes, and restaurants have begun to become increasingly smooth and natural, without my even consciously knowing what I am saying, which is nice! Also, it has been interesting to have longer conversations in Spanish with some of the locals, like at the barber shop and at various restaurants, where you really get to understand someone and the differences of their culture and where you get to share about yourself and your culture back home.


As for my general routine, first, I eat a wonderful fruit-filled breakfast of toast and jam, juice, and a banana, and then get myself ready for the day and then walk to the metro. At the 8:30 am metro every day I see performers in the long metro hall that I have through and then I am met with crowded metro trains of people rushing to school and work. Sometimes I miss the metro but overall, it has still been a reliable and easy mode of transportation. I then go to class in 2-hour sessions and take a break to eat lunch in between classes at one of the cafes, restaurants, or grocery stores and sit in a beautiful nearby park and eat it. Then I go home and after getting coffee and a snack at a cafe, eat dinner with my host mom and hang out then and then typically go out with friends. My friends and I have engaged in a whole matrix of activities. Often, we go to bars to socialize and then later in the night go to one of the many clubs that Barcelona offers, either in the middle of the city or in an area in southeast Barcelona that is notorious for its large clubs. Other nights we might just hang out and talk to people in the program that live near us, we may have a nice dinner at a friend’s apartment, or we might go explore the city or beaches at night.

What has surprised you most about your experience thus far? In looking back at the goals, you set out for yourself at the beginning of your program, tell us how this is going for you?


The most surprising thing for me is how dead the city gets during the afternoon, not only in that there are usually fewer people out but that many shops are closed. The fact that many shops and cafes close during the day was a bummer for me because I tend to have a different eating schedule some days and then I only had a few food options when around 4-6 pm. I was also surprised by how little Catalan I hear here, granted I don’t attempt to speak Catalan to people, but nearly everyone I hear in public is speaking Spanish. A little thing: Lots of younger people smoke cigarettes here and it seems to be less stigmatized than in the US which I find interesting.
Also surprising for me have been some of the classroom dynamics of my classes here. In many of my classes, the students and I have begun to develop a more familiar relationship with the teachers creating a positive and engaging classroom climate. Again, a good amount of the time spent in the classroom has consisted of many debates about certain topics and generally high classroom participation. Teachers definitely encourage and foster this here and they themselves seem to like to engage themselves in these conversations too which makes us accountable for our ideas and encourages us to think before we speak. Being in the middle of the term and the fact that I am taking an extra class, I have been pleasantly surprised by the manageability of the courses and their homework, though frequent group work is very common here.


As for my goals, I believe that I have done well to go out of my comfort zone, engage with the culture and try new things, and I have found a good group of friends to do this stuff with. I have also recently realized that my Spanish-speaking ability has drastically improved. I have begun to notice my Spanish becoming much more automatic, conversations being smoother, and my increasing ability to talk about complex things, which I have been super happy about. I believe I have done a good job at finding out how the people of Barcelona live, both through trying to live it myself, through observation, through events like cooking classes, and through speaking with locals. It has also been wonderful to learn new perspectives on worldly topics like technology, globalization, ethics, and the Spanish language through my classes, and has been very informative considering I am a geography major, so I believe I have already achieved my goal of expanding my academic knowledge as it relates to space and place. And I have been happy that I have been able to travel to Madrid, Tarragona, and La Mancha as one of my goals was to travel outside of Barcelona and experience other cities and regions.

Have you identified strategies or aspects of your program or host culture that provide a better access and insight into community engagement? Do you have advice for others interested in studying abroad?


First and foremost, I think very important for me was to find a good group of friends to experience Barcelona with; I found mine through my study abroad programs. This helps you get out there and be exposed to new things because people you hang out with always want to have fun and do Barcelonan activities and it gives you good people to do it with. One thing that my group and I have done multiple times is go to the FC Barcelona futbol games which gave us access to the exciting culture of Spanish futbol. I have also found that this also makes meeting locals more natural and fun. As for the study abroad programs, I think it is also important to do all the activities that they offer because I found that our trips to Tarragona, Madrid, and our tapas cooking class have been very enjoyable, interesting, and informative of Spanish culture, as they often include lots of information about history and culture.


Other things that have helped me meet a lot of people have been engaging in typical Spanish extracurricular activities, namely for me, playing soccer for my API abroad team. It has been a lot of fun and has exposed me to Spanish soccer and the culture therein, and through this, I have met a bunch of great friends.
I think it is important to do the best you can to try new foods and shops that you would not see or go to in the US. This has helped me to branch out in terms of what restaurants, grocery stores, and general stores I go to, like that of buying weird clothing from strange-looking thrift shops in the gothic district. It is also important to not only try new things but switch it up even if you find something new that you really like because I found myself going to certain cafes too much and then forced myself to try new ones and I believe the diversity has been beneficial.
Other things that have been helpful are just initiating conversation with locals. This is best when it’s in Spanish because it will help you grow your Spanish-speaking skills, but these conversations can also be in English, as many people you will meet will speak English, but good conversation can happen there too. In this vein, one thing I have noticed is that sometimes you will have conversations where you speak Spanish and they will respond in English, and I think this is both due to the fact that they like to practice their English and they know it is harder for you to listen to Spanish and understand it then speak it, so if that happens just go with it.
While I’ve been here it has also been increasingly informative and enjoyable to talk with my host mom about the city and life in general as she has vast cultural and experiential knowledge of activities and celebrations things like la Merced, Halloween, Dia de Los Santos, and bigger worldwide holidays like Christmas, and just general things that are common in Barcelona and the rest of Spain. Also, it has been very beneficial for me to watch Spanish shows, movies, and news programs on the TV, something which my host mom and I do every time we eat together.

Mid Program: Spain – “Barcelona & Andorra Reflection” by Anna Sutherland

Anna Sutherland
La Massana

Fun Fact:

Population of Spain: 47,000,000

Number of Tourists in 2019: 83,000,000

Barcelona! One of the most popular destinations in the world to visit and receives millions of tourists every year. The number of tourists that visited Spain in 2019 is almost double the population of Spain.

I started my journey to Barcelona on Friday October 28th in the morning taking a taxi to the Granada-Jaen airport and then had an hour and a half flight to the Barcelona airport. Then from the airport I took a taxi to my hostel located in center of Barcelona. I stayed at the TOC hostel which is a chain in Spain, and it was a very pleasant experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone staying in a location that has one. After I arrived, I couldn’t check in until three, but they let you keep your luggage there and in a safe spot. Of course, the most logical plan of action afterwards was to start exploring Barcelona. Since I didn’t want to spend money taking a taxi around the city, I did my best to visit the locations within walking distance. I started off my tour of Barcelona walking to the cathedral. In each city of Spain there is generally a main cathedral. My next destination was the Arc de Triompf, there are a few of these arcs located in different cities around the world the most famous one being in France. Then afterwards I headed toward a museum to take a picture of the beautiful exterior and walked back towards the hostel to check in and relax a bit. My last destination was La Sagrada Familia, and I can now happily cross it off of my travel bucket list. I enjoyed Barcelona a lot and I’ve heard that you either prefer Madrid or Barcelona. In this case I prefer Barcelona, however it varies depending on the person. I also felt extremely safe in Barcelona. I have discovered though that I prefer smaller cities as a personal preference.

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Barcelona and Andorra Reflection

Mid-Program: “Advice” by Anna Sutherland

Anna Sutherland

One of the best pieces of advice I was offered before starting my study abroad journey was to explore the country you are studying in and not spend the entirety of it outside of it traveling. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t travel outside of the country but instead to consider getting to know the new country you are living in on a deep level and seeing what it has to offer. There will always be time to travel the world, but will you live in another country again for an extended period?

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Advice

Mid-Program: “A Day in the Life” by Anna Sutherland

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Granada, Spain

I’ve now been abroad for three weeks. In these short three weeks I’ve started making a lifetime of memories and had about a hundred new experiences.

Madrid: My first weekend in Spain I went to Madrid with my new friends. A few memories from this trip include touring the royal palace, the Prado with the famous portrait “Las Meninas,” rooftop views and drinks, and a friendly conversation with a kind French woman. A key moment in Madrid was I had the opportunity to spend time with my Spanish friend Ricardo who I met during Covid on a language exchange app called Hellotalk during the pandemic. A moment we spoke about for three years, and it finally happened. I also was able to meet up with Anna who I also met on Hellotalk a few years ago. She happened to be in Madrid at the same time as me, what a coincidence! Two core memories.

Cordoba: One of my favorite parts about studying in Spain is visiting the places I have read about in class and seeing them for myself. I will say that reading and seeing photos of these places can never compare to the in-person experience. I learned about Cordoba during spring quarter back at Western Washington University and I had the opportunity to visit the city with my program on October 7th. It is a beautiful city full of ancient history and the Islamic influence is very present in the architecture. (A quick history lesson) During the reign of the Muslims in Spain from 711-1492 Cordoba was the capital of what was known as Al-Andaluz. La Mezquita is one of the largest mosques in the world and within it is also a cathedral instilled after the Christians reclaimed Cordoba. One thing I have learned from visiting these historical places is that they are always bigger than photos can show, it is jaw dropping. On the bus ride back home to Granada on my Facebook popped up an article with the 46 most beautiful streets, and the same exact street I had just walked on in Cordoba was on the list.

Granada: I love Granada. It’s as pure and simple as that. It’s one of the few cities in Spain that when you order a drink you get free tapas at most places. My daily routine during the week Monday-Thursday sometimes Friday consists of waking up for 8:30 am class and attending my two morning classes until 12:30 pm. Lunch at the residencia between 1-3 pm then a siesta and homework/work time. Monday’s and Wednesday’s I have class from 6-8 pm so I return to the school and afterwards either eat at the residencia or I go out with my friends for dinner. The nights are open to whatever pops up, music, flamenco shows, karaoke, tapas, etc…

Read more: Mid-Program: “A Day in the Life” by Anna Sutherland
Week 3 in Granada, Spain