Europe
Finland: Pre-Departure: “Ready for Finland” by Matthew Papaly
France: Mid Program: “A Day in the life – Summer Abroad in Lyon” by Grace Peyerwold
France: Arrival: “Summer in Lyon” by Grace Peyerwold
Italy: Pre Departure: “Prepping for International Adventure” by Kaylee R Hersch
Prepping for International Adventure!
Ireland: “Post Program Reflection” by Brittany Mureno
Ireland: End of Program: “Preparing for Re-Entry” by Brittany Mureno
Ireland: Mid Program: “A Day in the Life” by Brittany Mureno
Ireland: “Arrival” by Brittany Mureno
Ireland: “Pre-Departure to Galway” by Brittany Mureno
Germany: Post Program Reflection: “IUSP Marburg” by Elizabeth Moorhead
Spain: Post Program Reflection: “Heading Back to Western” by Olivia Esparza
France: Post Program Reflection: “Looking Back & Looking Forward” by Libby Babb
Looking Back & Looking Forward
Hello again! It’s been awhile, but I think it’s about time that I sit down and really reflect on the time I was able to spend studying abroad in Grenoble, France. I arrived back here in the states at the end of December, and there hasn’t been a day that’s passed without me thinking about those four months in which I was able to fully immerse myself in a new culture, a new experience, and a new way of life. Looking back now, I can really appreciate my time abroad, and reflect on everything that I gained.
France: Pre-Departure: “Before Arriving in Lyon” by Grace Peyerwold
Spain: End of Program: “Hasta luego, Sevilla” by Olivia Esparza
End of Program: Hasta luego, Sevilla
Spain has many great things but what I’ve missed the most from home is the ease of communicating in a language that is comfortable to me. Although my Spanish has improved immensely it is still not nearly as comfortable as English. Nine months without being surrounded by my native language reminded me how fortunate I am to live in an environment that I find comfortable. Spain is a beautiful country and I’ve loved living here, what I will miss the most are the friends I’ve made while abroad and the beautiful places in Seville. Becoming friends with local students was one of the highlights of my semester, because of it I got to know Spain and its culture better. When I return home I don’t think I will experience any culture shock. While home for Christmas break I adjusted back to culture and had time to reflect on my first semester before going back to Spain. Now at the end of my second semester I am already familiar with the feeling of returning home after being gone for a long time. Now at the end of my nine months I’m ready to go back to the states and reengage with life at Western. Studying abroad provided me with many wonderful experiences that I would love to keep in my life. Speaking Spanish with native speakers is one experience that I plan on maintaining while I’m back in the states, Spanish friends and I have planned to keep speaking by Skype to practice. My nine months abroad have changed my appreciation for other cultures and have inspired me to travel more of the world.
Spain: Mid Program: “A day in the life” by Olivia Esparza
Mid Program: A Walk Around Seville
Czech Republic: “Pre-Departure” by Sarah Zinda
Pre-Departure
From my previous posts you may have noticed that research is something I have been struggling with. I’ve done some broad reading on the history of the Czech Republic through Nazi occupation, the Soviet era, and the separation of Czechoslovakia. I still have a lot to learn about the Czech Republic’s past, but for now I at least have a little bit of background. I stumbled upon someone’s personal blog who seems to have married into a Czech family and offers a lot of practical advice about the dos and don’ts in Czech culture.
France: Post Program Reflection: “After France… Now What?” by Brenna Roach
After France… Now What?
Winter quarter has officially started at Western, and it has been 17 days since I said goodbye to Lyon.
France: End of Program: “Until Next Time, Grenoble” by Libby Babb
At this time, three days from now, my plane will be landing in Seattle, and I’ll be home. In all honesty, it doesn’t even seem real yet. It’s hard to imagine not waking up in my cozy little bedroom, hearing my host mom and dad talking in the living room, and constantly being surrounded by French. It’s crazy to me how quickly a whole new way of life can become the norm, and I’d be lying if I were to say I wasn’t at least a little bit sad to leave it all behind.
Germany: End of Program: “Preparing for Re-Entry” by Elizabeth Moorhead
End of Program: Preparing for Re-Entry & Maintaining your International Connections
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”
-Winnie the Pooh
It’s almost time for me to leave Germany now. It’s Saturday today, and we’ll be leaving early on Thursday. I’ll miss this for sure. Here are some reflective question my school gave me that I think give some valuable incites into this experience: