It’s been yet another eventful week in Spain, full of endless discoveries and adventures. I just got home from a three-day weekend trip to the beautiful southern cities of Córdoba and Seville, two places filled with interesting history and charm. I could talk about all the enchanting things I saw, recommend places to go, etc., but I actually want to discuss something on a deeper level that I have discovered about myself this week.
Month: August 2016
Pisa and Parma and Lucca, Oh My!
As midterms are rapidly approaching and I make plans with friends and family to travel during my fall semester break, I still made sure to continue to check off my Italian bucket list and visit the cities of Parma, Pisa, and Lucca this weekend.
As of now I have been in Italy for approximately six weeks and although my Italian literature and history courses have been extremely interesting, like any other college semester, its often nice to a break from studying and enjoy some sightseeing with friends. I find it has been the best way to improve my fluency in Italian and even become informed on the rich cultural histories of certain areas of Italy. As I learned in Pisa from my tour guide, during the Renaissance era, Italy was divided into city-states therefore most citizens simply took pride in the their specific city-state and region as opposed to evoking more of a national pride that we see prominent in Italian culture today.
Where is the u with the two little dots in Microsoft Word?
By jkichton
I am typing away at this blog post currently on a train coming home from Zurich, Switzerland. I was there because I had an interview in a nearby city, Baden, and decided, why not? The train ride is three hours long so I figured I should make the most of it. Earlier in the week I had another interview but this one was in Bern, Switzerland. Bern is only 2 hours away, and, if you were wondering, is the capital of Switzerland! Not Geneva. So this week I have finally visited the three main go-to cities in sweet lil’ Switz. The best thing was that I saw them alone and without any real plans. An important distinction, this blog post will be dedicated to the concept of traveling alone.
...continue reading "Where is the u with the two little dots in Microsoft Word?"
Let’s Talk about Middle Eastern Politics!
By allisonray94
Haha jk, that sounds awful. But I do want to take this opportunity to talk about talking politics, particularly since I am studying in a place where politics is essentially inevitable. Almost everyone in my study abroad program is majoring in Political Science or International Affairs. For those of us majoring in Arabic, our textbook teaches us how to talk about politics before we learn colors or foods. This week, an afternoon study session devolved quickly into a debate on Unites States intervention in the Middle East; it was by far not the first political discussion and will not be the last.
...continue reading "Let’s Talk about Middle Eastern Politics!"
Le Début des Observations Culturelles – The Beginning of Cultural Observations
By lacymyrman
I have officially been out of the United States for one whole month. In fact, I was talking with my host mom’s sister today about how long ago I arrived and all of the progress I have made with French. I remember when I first arrived how difficult it was to say anything and now I’m finding myself making jokes and really engaging in conversation much more.
...continue reading "Le Début des Observations Culturelles – The Beginning of Cultural Observations"
Getting Sidetracked in Vietnam
Greetings from Vietnam!
I just wrapped up a week-long comparative study trip where we compared health care systems and village life in Vietnam with what we’ve already learned and experienced in Thailand. Although I’m currently enjoying a much needed vacation on the beautiful Cat Ba Island, I’ll be headed back to Khon Kaen soon enough! After a few days of personal travel, we’ll be jumping back into classes and preparing for our second community visit – this time in a rural community – on October 12th.
The Language Pledge (and Other Things)
By allisonray94
So the first thing we need to talk about this week is the Language Pledge, which has been haunting my thoughts since I knew I would be signing it. All Middlebury Schools Abroad require this pledge, a literal contract in which each student promises to speak only the target language (in this case, Arabic) for the duration of the program. That's right, this past Wednesday was my last day speaking English. Of course there are exceptions: emergencies, Skyping our families, this blog, etc. But I can't stress how difficult it's been over the last three days -- everything from ordering coffee to chatting up other students is a task. Still, it's actually really fun. And I can hear myself getting better already. It just goes to show that three years of Arabic hasn't been a complete waste. Yay!
...continue reading "The Language Pledge (and Other Things)"
Breadth verses Depth
By jkichton
I write this post perched on my bed in Commugny, Switzerland with my host mom’s cat, Ronja, purring away by my side. I just returned from Paris three hours ago, and am completely and utterly exhausted. The “study trip” was the perfect length: one week. Just enough time to run around haphazardly doing most of the touristy things but it also allowed for some rest and relaxation. However, that said, I am still tired and wanting to hole up in my room for the next three days straight instead of go anywhere or talk to anyone. Traveling is hard! This post will be dedicated to my very confused and bewildered perception (and reflection) of Paris.
كل عام وانت بخير (Eid al-Adha in Jordan)
By allisonray94
Even if you're in the United States, you are probably aware that this past week the Muslim community celebrated Eid al-Adha. The holiday reminds me a lot of Christmas -- only instead of an old man in a red suit there are lambs everywhere. The lamb is a representation of the story of Abraham's sacrifice to God. In case you are unfamiliar, God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only son. Abraham was not a fan of this idea, but he trusted in God and prepared to kill his son. At the last minute, God tells Abraham to stop, and that he may sacrifice a lamb instead of his son. Eid al-Adha celebrates Abraham's faith in God and willingness to sacrifice his son. Traditionally, Muslim families who can afford it sacrifice their own lamb for Eid, keeping one third, giving another third to friends and family, and donating the rest to the poor.
...continue reading "كل عام وانت بخير (Eid al-Adha in Jordan)"
Luck.
I write this blog post on a high speed train headed from Paris to Brussels. The seats are completely pink or red velvet (with no discerning pattern) and I happen to be sitting in a four-seater which includes a table! I am also lucky because no one is sitting across from me and I can monopolize the available leg room. Muwhaha! However, literally 20 minutes ago while waiting for this train in Paris Nord Station, a bird pooped on my suitcase. I was inside too! Of all of the times I have been in huge train/bus stations where pigeons take safe haven during the winter and go to find a tasty snack, here, today, I was finally pooped on.