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Month: April 2018

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By frenezeder

Greetings from Budapest, Hungary! While I am fortunate enough travel to a different country nearly every weekend, most of the time I find myself drawing a blank at what time my flight is, what currency I am in, and what language everyone is speaking. This is most definitely the best issue to have; however, my weeks are always packed to the brim between traveling, doing independent research, going to class, and finding time to meet with friends. I have not had the opportunity to be homesick as oftentimes I don't even know where I am. But as of the moment, I know for a fact I am in Budapest solely because the inflation here is absolutely insane. Whenever I take a taxi, pay for a meal, or do absolutely anything, the price is always in the thousands ( 1 euro = about 300 forint). Always a joy to do quick math while scrambling to grab some cash.

Anywho, here are my recommendations for Budapest

1. Szechenyi Thermal Bath

This is THE mustard yellow outdoor bath you have seen probably a thousand times while looking at your friend's abroad posts and I must say I was not a fan. I should preface this with bachelor/bachelorette weekends are simply not my thing and this was most definitely the place for them. While the yellow bathhouse looks absolutely precious, the scene is most definitely not relaxing. I would recommend going early in the morning to beat the rush of tourists if you are looking for more relaxation. That being said, I do recommend going because it was fun to see it in person and I happen to adore the color yellow - just be prepared.

2. Gellért Baths

Ok, now the Gellért baths are exactly what I imagine when someone says "relaxing, stunning bathhouse in Budapest". If you are on a budget and can only go to one of the two thermal baths, I would definitely recommend this one. The Gellért baths are both indoor and outdoor baths engulfed in stunningly intricate tile - think Ariel's Grotto from the Little Mermaid. It is much more focused on relaxation and giving your body a break. I went on a Sunday morning and was what appeared the only non-local there. I could have spent the whole day there as they had a Finnish sauna, ice bath, lap pool, and several baths heated at different temperatures. Pictures simply cannot do the tile work justice, so you will simply have to go (or google it in high def preferably) and see for yourself. ...continue reading "The Grand Budapest AirBnB"

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By Nora_Wolcott

After a long exam week, I've had time to be a bit introspective about this whole experience. And, with no wild adventures to report, I thought I'd give a run down of all the things I miss most about living in the States, and all the things I'll miss when I return home.

The things I miss about the States are inevitably food-centred, so bear with me.

  1. Good Mexican Food- NZ is so far from Mexico they seem to have lost any concept of what Mexican food actually is. Appropriations include restaurants like Mexicali, with watery quinoa and borderline offensive drinks like "cartel".
  2. Chairs With Arms- chairs here do not have arms.
  3. Cheap Produce- with almost everything having to be imported from far away, the vast majority of things like fresh produce are prohibitively expensive.
  4. New York Pizza- all pizza here tastes like frozen pizza, and the closest I've come to a decent slice was still far too deep dish for my taste.
  5. Friends and Family- honestly this should be first on the list, because the people back home are what make it home.

...continue reading "What I Miss, and What I Will Miss"

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One of the aspects of my life I value is being able to stay active and participating in sports whenever I can.

When I was choosing my student accommodation, I did not consider how important it would be to me to find a gym where I could work out that was close to my room, but when faced with the challenge of finding one, I was reminded how important it was to me.

The one I ended up choosing belongs to the university, and is frequented by students and staff. It has all of the necessary equipment, and many classes. In London, basketball (which is my main sport) is not very popular, but I was able to pick up other activities such as boxing and soccer, which allowed me to maintain my active lifestyle. At the gym, there are competitions and many students who have similar interest, which ensures that you’ll have people to socialize with.

When you get on the ground in your new country, it’s important to find aspects of these that feel like home to you. It can make the six months go by faster, and help as a form of reflection and comfort as you maneuver your way through your new environment.

For everyone, I think that there is an aspect of their life at home that they attribute major comfort to. Athletics just happens to be mine, but for other people, this can come in the shape of music, or a library, or a comfortable little coffee shop.

Whatever it is, I cannot stress how important it is that you incorporate these aspects into your life abroad, as they will help you feel more centered and balanced, and allow you to interact with people who have similar interests.

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By eevenden

Hello from Germany, everyone!

This past week I officially finished all my classes at the University of Iceland 😀 However, I have two weeks before my first final exam. So, in the meantime, I am spending a week in Germany travelling around. One of my goals while being abroad was to visit another country I have never been to before (considering that in Europe, it is fairly easy). Additionally, I have not seen my godmother, Dagmar (who lives in Germany), in a very long time. So here I am!

On Thursday morning I flew from Reykjavik to Frankfurt where I met my Dagmar, and her husband, Thomas. I have been spending the first few days here, and tomorrow I will take the train from Frankfurt to Munich. Over the last three days, Dagmar and I have done a lot of hiking (without Thomas unfortunately since he broke his arm a few weeks ago) and some exploration of Frankfurt city (with Thomas). Here are some photos and explanations of the sites we’ve seen!

Friday (April, 20th)

On Friday, Dagmar; her friend, Anke; and I hiked in the southern portion of the Rhein Valley. As many people know, the Rhein Valley is famous for its vineyards and its white wine in particular. Because of this, Dagmar chose a three-hour hike through one of the many vineyards in the area. Situated on rolling hills, the Rhein Valley hosts farmland and some forests. All together it is completely the opposite of Iceland - which has nearly no trees and definitely no grapes. This is the first time I have been without a winter jacket for the last four months (even in England it was fairly chilly and rainy while I was there). It has felt really nice to get some sun and wear some sleeveless shirts since the temperature has been about 80 degrees F! Of course, my internal thermometer has been a bit out of sync – I feel like I am a walking furnace after several extra months of winter.

A view of the village Stadecken-Elsheim from the vineyard of Weingut Beck.

 

Another view of the grapevines

 

Checking out the vineyard’s soil profile – sandy and chalky!

 

Weingut Beck, where we went for a tasting afterwards.

Saturday (April 21st)

On Saturday, Dagmar and I continued our tour of the Rhein Valley further north by visiting several churches and monasteries (primarily from the Medieval era). Since Dagmar is religious and I am not, we had some interesting discussions about the role of religion in people’s lives. We also did another hike to the Middle Rhine Valley, which is UNESCO World Heritage Site. During this, we saw the statue of Germania which was built in the 1870s. The statue was erected to commemorate the unification of Germany following the Franco-Prussian War. We also saw several fake medieval ruins which were placed in the German countryside during the early 20th century as romanticism swept the country. Following our hike, Dagmar and I went to a restaurant nearby which had a lovely orchard. Fun fact: It is white asparagus season here so I have been eating significant amounts of asparagus.

A photo of Kloster Eberbach, a medieval-era Catholic monastery. Historically, this monastery has produced and sold wine but now it is exclusively used as a tourist attraction and vineyard.
Abtei St. Hildegard, a Catholic nunnery built in the 20th century in honor of Saint Hildegard, a nun who was well-versed in the healing powers of spices. Today the nunnery is still in use and allows everyday people to retreat there for weeks at a time for spiritual healing.
View from our hike in the Middle Rhein Valley.

Sunday (April 22nd)

Today, Dagmar, Thomas, and I toured the city of Frankfurt. We started by doing a guided boat-tour of the city, and continued by walking through the historic district. Over the course of the day, I learned several interesting facts. Frankfurt was originally established by Charlemagne in the 700s, and literally means “Fort of the Francs”. Later during the Holy Roman Empire, the kings of Germany were crowned in the Catholic cathedral which stands in the city’s historic-district. Traditionally, Frankfurt has been an important trade post and still is today. Home to the European Central Bank, the city has achieved one of the highest densities of job opportunities in the world. Currently, it is experiencing a large population influx due to the high number of jobs as well as a large influx of refugees.

Besides walking and boating around the city, Dagmar and I also visited the Museum of Applied Art where they were hosting an exhibition on Jil Sander, a famous German designer who revolutionized women’s fashion starting in the 1960s by focusing on the cut of clothing – making its more modern and sleek rather than feminine and frilly.

A view of Frankfurt city from the Main River.

 

The Frankfurt town hall with skyscrapers in the background.

 

The historic central plaza of Frankfurt. Much of the city was destroyed during World War II so these historic buildings are actually replicas of the originals.

 

 

As I said before, tomorrow I will be travelling to Munich. So, I will update you all about that next week. Thanks Dagmar and Thomas for hosting me for the last few days!

Until next time!
-Emily

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By Maya Haziza

Classified – located in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island is the perfect place for a Saturday brunch with friends and family. There are tons of healthy options especially if you are vegetarian. I came here a lot when I wanted some good western style food or a quiet place to work with Wifi.

The Cupping Room Roastery – located in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island is an amazing coffee shop with the best food. Similar to Classified but much quieter and less frequented. Great place to work on essays or come for an avocado toast.

Why 50 – located in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island is a smaller coffee shop with amazing coffee. Similar style food to Classified and the Cupping Room, but a smaller space and dimly lit. Excellent Wifi.

Sweet pea – located in Central, Hong Kong Island this was my mom’s favorite café I took her to when she visted me and is also the best cakes in Hong Kong. This café is all gluten free and vegan. No wifi. Cash Only.

Pici – located in Central, Hong Kong great Italian style food when you are simply missing home and want some good pasta!

The Optimist – very hip and cool restaurant in Wan Chai. Try the tunatarte and enjoy the good vibes! Vegetarian friendly restaurant

The Pawn – best macaroni and cheese in Hong Kong! This restaurant is kind of hidden in the upper levels of the building, but is great service and very good food.

Winstons Coffee Bar – I stumbled upon this coffee bar one night after dinner and it is simply some of the best coffee I have had in Hong Kong and the people that work there are ridiculously nice. Located on Queens Road West.

Chom Chom – probably one of my favorite restaurants in Hong Kong. It is a very small place that does not take any reservations so you have to get there right when it opens around 5-6 PM to get a table. I would best describe it as gourmet Vietnamese food – so so good.

Ho Lee Fook – the best Asian fusion style food I have had in Hong Kong. A bit pricey, but well worth it. There were also plenty of vegetarian options here.

Mrs. Pounds – here is a restaurant that is a bit of a secret! From the outside it looks like a locksmith shop, but it is actually the best Asian fusion restaurant with plenty of vegetarian options. Located in Sheung Wan, good luck finding the way inside!

Man Mo Café – a French style restaurant that has brie and spinach dim sum, ratatouie dim sum, and a lot more. Great options for vegetarians or people who are interested in trying dim sum, but French style!

Seoul Bros – located in Central Hong Kong Island, this is the best Korean fast food I’ve had. Definitely worth the try.

Caliente – for when you are craving Mexican Food! This restaurant is located in Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) and has the best nachos ever.

Wooloomooloo – Go to this restaurant rooftop if you want to see the best view of Hong Kong and for the light show, every night at 9 PM! 

Browhaus –  for the ladies: go here to get your eyebrows down or for any other spa services you might need. It’s definitely hard to find a reliable place but I’ve done it for you!

Victoria Peak – it is as touristy as they say, but the view is remarkable. If it is your first time in Hong Kong – you must come here and eat at the café near by as well!

Dragon’s Back Hiking Trail – an intermediate style hiking trail with an incredible view of the ocean and of Hong Kong Island. There are many entrances and start points to this hiking trail so google the ones that are closest to you.

Happy Valley Racecourse – the legendary horse races that happen every Wednesday in Hong Kong. This is an event that is very unique to Hong Kong and is fun because you can go every week!

PMQ – a huge, semi-open building filled with artisan boutiques and cafes. I went here for a Coco Chanel exhibit at the beginning of the semester and it was absolutely amazing. They hold a lot of cool events worth checking out.

Repulse Bay – My favorite beach in Hong Kong, there are many events that go on here throughout the year and during April and May it is the perfect place to go for a quick sun tan.

Enjoy!

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By Nora_Wolcott

When I joined the Auckland Tramping Club, "tramping" being the equivalent of "hiking" back in the states, what I was envisioning as a thorough tramp was an uphill walk through the NZ bush. However, after doing quite a bit of tramping on my South Island trip, I can conclusively say that New Zealand tramping is on a whole different level than US hiking. This is in part simply due to the geography of NZ, a volcanic island riddled with mountains. Even in Auckland, situated in one of the flattest parts of the island, my walk from the grocery store takes me up what feels  like Mt. Everest.

At this point I have completed what I would consider three major tramps, summiting Stony Bay Mountain (Akaroa), Key Summit (Milford Sound) and Roy's Peak (Wanaka), all roughly 8 hour endeavours that left my legs and lungs burning. I found that sometime in the first hour I reach a high point of muscle burn, and if I push through I can attain a plateau of numb soreness. This leaves the biggest physical obstacle for me as my athsma, which gets worse with exercise and cold, two factors that increase dramatically as you work your way to the top of a mountain. However, I've learned that after pushing though the first major altitude jump my lung capacity basically levels out, and along with my numb muscles I generally hit a sort of second wind in the second half of the summit. The real reward, as cliche as it sounds, is the sense of accomplishment gained by reaching the top.

After all this tramping, I feel confident in attempting some of the most notoriously steep summits on the North Island, which I'm sure you'll be hearing more about in the upcoming weeks. By the end of April I hope to have climbed the Tongariro Alpine Crossing as well as The Pinnacle in the Coromandel Peninsula. These are both multi-day tramps that have been ranked at a higher difficulty than any of the climbs I have previously attempted. In anticipation of this, I have been trying to keep myself in shape with lots of uphill cardio (which there is no shortage of in a hilly city like Auckland) as well as more frequent rounds at the gym with my tramping buddies who have acted as my surrogate coaches through this whole ordeal.

...continue reading "Becoming a Mountaineer"

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By sheldonwongg

“Oh, you’re going to Nepal? That’s … different.”

That most common response I receive when I tell people that I’ll be spending four months in Nepal (Other than where it’s located on the globe) is what I would even gain from going halfway around the world to study a subject that doesn’t even directly relate to my major. I’ve always found this question to be a little preemptive and perhaps a little ignorant. Travelling has always been a source of knowledge and inspiration for me. Whether it was a day trip to a neighboring state, or a month long trek across the world, being somewhere new was always welcomed. In fact, it become somewhat of an addiction. I craved the long bus rides and getting lost in a new city, connecting with new people. It was clear to me that anytime we set forth on a journey that is out of our comfort zones and beyond the realm of our perspectives, we give ourselves room to grow as a human being. Experiencing the world through my own eyes, ears, and touch is one of life’s greatest teachers.
Many of my more practical relatives and friends often ask me about why I spend money to travel instead of saving it for long term investments like a house, a car, or retirement. I can barely decide what I want to eat for lunch tomorrow, let alone a mortgage. And saving money for a retirement that I’m not certain to achieve seems like overkill to me. In John Avedon’s, “In Exile From the Land of Snows”, he simply states that, “If in this present atmosphere, in which everything depends on money and power, and there is not much concern about the real value of love, if we human beings now lose the values of justice, of compassion, of honestly, then in the future we will face more difficulty; more suffering will come (411).” The pressures of achieving a conventionally successfully life often arises in my thoughts, yet when I am travelling, I am brought back to compassion and love for the world. Material objects become unimportant as I am reminded of the greater forces in life driving me.
Living in an entirely new country for four months is completely different from any type of travel I’ve ever done. In many ways, I am forced to look at how I currently live my life and reexamine how it will operate in the context of living in Nepal for an extended period of time. Already, I am discovering what it means to take from the Earth and (literally) carry it on my back. In many ways, I have quickly learned the lesson of less is more. Most importantly, this trip is different because it feels like a pause on life. A break from the stresses of everyday life, thoughts about the future, and intrusive internal thoughts. It feels like a lesson in happiness and I’m so excited to learn.

“Even if we do not succeed in this life, that is all right; but at least we have tried to build a better human society on the basis of love.”

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By maxleo43

You will oftentimes hear people talk about the difference between a house and a home. From my experience living in cities, I have found that the turning point occurs once there is a community surrounding your house. It becomes a home when you have people you care about around you, and a physical environment that you appreciate. At GW, I found this very quickly. I made fast friends with my neighbors in my dorm and fell into a rhythm within a few weeks of arriving on campus. Despite living in three different buildings during my year and a half on campus, I found continuity throughout and always felt a sense of attachment to my house. At GW, my house was almost instantly my home. While it took a little longer, I had developed a similar feeling here in Shanghai, until last week when my community changed.

I live in an apartment complex that is slightly down the street from Fudan University’s campus. My building has 12 stories, with no one living on the first floor. The backside of my building faces a two-lane street called Wudong Road. On the backside of the building, there were several businesses including two convenience stores, a western food stall, a cell phone stand, a Korean restaurant with a to-go window, a wonton soup stall, a fried rice stall, another Korean food stall, and a sit-down restaurant. These are the only businesses within a quarter mile of our building, and so they were always popular with all of the international students who lived in the apartment complex. Essentially it would be like living in Potomac Hall and having four or five additional restaurants next to Carvings. It created a community and was just a part of everyone’s lives.

Then it all came to an end this week when the police shut all of the food stalls and restaurants down, with the exception of the final sit-down restaurant listed above. It first started with the police showing up on Sunday night and telling all of the businesses to close up and hanging tarps over their entrances. Then on Monday, the police came and destroyed all of their equipment. Then on Tuesday, several men showed up and piled cinder blocks in front of the stands and completed closed off the restaurants with blocks and mortar. I have heard several rumors as to why the food stalls got shut down but have yet to actually find any solid evidence.

...continue reading "Sense of Community"

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By frenezeder

One of the difficulties with traveling abroad is the lack of self care. Whether it is finding an affordable gym, picking your indulgences, or just maintaining a health lifestyle, it becomes increasingly more difficult when you are living in a society that does not place nearly as much importance on exercise as the US does. Specifically in Freiburg, it is almost impossible to be a temporary student and have a gym membership. Every gym requires at least a years long commitment and is rather expensive considering you are still trying to plan weekend trips. I have found that my mood is heavily dictated by my physical activity and diet and one of the most important things to do abroad is to take care of yourself. You are in an entirely different country most likely the only student from your university in the program, so to begin with internal tension is already high.

From the second I arrived in Freiburg I felt out of my element and was unable to actively solve the predicament because this city does not have a single workout class. Coming from DC and California where there is nearly a workout studio on every corner to Freiburg where there is not a single studio in 10 km distance is different to say the least. I tried to run outside, but people in Freiburg tend to simply not workout and give you incredibly rude and uncomfortable looks when you do try running outside. This was a complete shock to me and certainly did not put me in the best of scenarios. Luckily, I found a used bike shop in the area that sold relatively inexpensive bikes with free repairs and an option to buy back the bike. My bike now serves as my main mode of transportation and exercise. I bike about 2 miles each way to my classes and find that it is the highlight of my day. It severely improves my mood and has helped me stay active without the binding hassle of a gym.

I cannot quite stress how important it is to make yourself and your wellbeing a priority while abroad. I have found that the more I take care of myself, the more I enjoy being abroad. Whether it is making a meal full of green veggies at home or biking into town rather than taking the tram, I feel much better about being away from home when I feel like my regular self. It is so important to take time for yourself and to check in with your body and see how you are coping with such a drastic change. My first month here has been full of extraordinary experiences, but I was not able to fully enjoy them until I felt like myself through regular self care. You are the only person who can actively change your outlook on life, so you might as well help yourself with self care rather than hinder yourself.

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By shellytakessingapore

"Singapore's greatest export is its brain!" joked my '80 year old' professor in my Global Economic Dimensions of Singapore (basically the economic history of Singapore) class. Only 278 square miles in size, Singapore lacks natural resources to fuel its economy. Its main economic asset are its people. The government invests heavily in its people, especially in the education sector in order to produce future leaders in all fields. Upon a simple Google search of countries with the highest academically ranking students, you will find Singapore consistently popping up towards the top of the list. Moreover, Singapore is home to the top universities in Asia and the world including the National University of Singapore. However, the education system itself is not the sole reason for the success of Singapore in ranking highly on international scholastic performance exams such as the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment). If you walk through almost any spot on the NUS campus with tables, you will find students with their nose stuck in a book. Singaporean culture gravitates strongly towards academia; this is not to say that every Singaporean values academic success above all else. Below, I will describe the wide variety of students that can be found at NUS. Many of these characteristics overlap between students and this is certainly not an exhaustive list of the types of students at NUS.

1. Muggers
No, when I say mugger I don't mean in the literal sense of the word. While having a discussion with a local friend, I learned that a mugger in the Singaporean context is a student who you barely see outside of the library. This student is constantly reviewing notes from lectures, doing practice problems, and preparing for exams. A mugger is the stereotypical image that comes to mind when one thinks of a nerdy Singaporean student. It might seem that being called a mugger is offensive, but many Singaporeans find being called a mugger a compliment.

2. International Student
In my residence hall, UTown Residence (UTR), a majority of the residents are international students. These students are not usually undergraduate students but rather master's and Ph.D students. The first few floors of UTR are actually married flats which means that instead of the typical four single bedrooms with a common space format like the other rooms, the room has one single large bedroom separated by a door to a tiny living room with a full kitchen. Not a lot of the masters and Ph.D students occupy the married flats though and they are often assigned to exchange students who wish to transfer out of other residence halls to UTR. Despite being stressed out about their constant projects and presentations, the international students often attend the activities held by the RAs and are friendly and pleasant to talk to.  ...continue reading "Types of Students at NUS"

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