During study abroad your life changes in more ways than just living in another country. I think there are a ton of different ways I didn't think about like budgeting your money for example. When abroad, budgeting for food and hygiene products stays constant but instead of saving money for that sweater you saw online or prepping for a trip this summer everything is so in the moment, you budget for trips, clothes that you forgot at home, and authentic food from the places you travel. It's funny how your life revolves around getting to new places, meeting new people, getting to know a new culture, and doing research on what is best to do or see. Juggling planning with school and keeping in contact with everyone at home is a struggle. ...continue reading "Ode to Abroad"
Tag: Europe
The Passion in Life and Death
By crstein1
One of the most interesting parts of living in Spain is that I’ve had the chance to understand some of the Spanish traditions. Of course, I was aware that Spain was famous for bullfights, but it wasn’t something I ever gave much thought to. From an American perspective, bullfights are cruel and futile. My recent trip to Pamplona, the capital city of Navarre, in Northern Spain, allowed me to view the traditions surrounding bulls from a new perspective. Pamplona is famous throughout the world for the historic and sometimes controversial San Fermín festival, which occurs every year from July 6th-14th. Part of the fame of this festival is due to its presence in Ernest Hemingway’s novel, The Sun Also Rises. San Fermín was the first bishop of Pamplona and spent much of his life spreading the gospel. He was beheaded in a preaching voyage and is considered a saint and a martyr of the Catholic Church. The festival of San Fermín exists as a way to honor the saint and has been a large celebration in Pamplona since medieval times. Although there is a religious component, and there is also fireworks, parades, dancing and music, the most epic and central part of the festival is the running of the bulls. ...continue reading "The Passion in Life and Death"
Spring break!!!!
By jahdaimoriah
Right before I left for spring break, I saw a film on photographer Nan Garcia. Although I am not a fan of her work, I did take away one lesson from her: always take your camera with you. I know that sounds obvious for a photography student but shockingly we don't always like taking our camera with us everyday. I am currently shooting digital with a canon 60D and although I love my camera and refer to it as my child, it is pretty heavy and bulky. It often becomes a burden carrying it on my back or around my neck. However, I made sure to always have my camera with me--the only exception was when I went out to a bar or club, but still I found myself wishing I had brought it along. By being disciplined, I caught so many awesome moments and captured amazing images. ...continue reading "Spring break!!!!"
Hey, uh, how’d you come by all these worldly possessions?
While France is today a fantastically democratic nation with Liberté, Egalité, et Fraternité on every federal building and at least a dozen presidential candidates every five years who hope to guide the country, this was not always the case. The French Revolution remains one of history's most startling examples of what a population will do to create a democracy, and with good reason. In one of the courses with my program - a general explanation of modern French government, social issues, economics, and general culture - we have spent the past five weeks covering French politics from the revolution to today, with an emphasis on the period after WWII. Now in their 5th Republic a little over 200 years after executing the royal family, the French are determinedly committed to the republican democracy they have worked so hard to perfect. However, vestiges of France's monarchical history are everywhere and I can't help but become excited every time I come in contact with a piece of royal history. Living in a country founded to avoid monarchs has left me sadly unexposed to palaces throughout my life, and I was frankly ecstatic to come to Paris and see the chateaux that all classic Disney palaces are based on. While France is much better off as a republic, some oppressive regimes are just too pretty to tear down. ...continue reading "Hey, uh, how’d you come by all these worldly possessions?"
The politics of borders
By crstein1
It took us about 10 seconds to drive through the checkpoint between the Spanish region of La Rioja and the region of El País Vasco (the Basque Country). It’s interesting how borders function; they can seem so arbitrary sometimes. For example, the difference between being on one side of the border between Maryland and Virginia seems practically the same as being on the other side of the border. Yet the barrier between La Rioja and El País Vasco has a completely different feeling. The Basque people are an indigenous group living in areas of Spain and France. Despite the Spanish annexation of Basque territory, the Basque people have managed to hold onto their culture, language and traditions. There is a strong sentiment of Basque nationalism, and the Basque people feverishly fight to maintain their customs. Basque is the main language taught in many schools and many people consider themselves to be of Basque nationality as opposed to Spanish nationality. Basque nationalism has also manifested into a desire for more autonomy from Spain, and the fight for an independent Basque state has at times been demonstrated through acts of terrorism. It’s so interesting- you cross through a seemingly meaningless checkpoint and everything changes. All of a sudden people are speaking in Basque, there’s a different political sentiment and there’s a whole separate culture. ...continue reading "The politics of borders"
Dissecting the Language Barrier
I have touched on the language barrier issues that exist in Belgium; however, I would like to expand on these issues and the extent of obstacles they produces in not only Belgium but in Europe.I work for a company called EuroJobsites. It is a company with different websites posting job ads for specific industries like euroengineers, euroscientist, eurobrussels, etc. All of our job postings are in English. Naturally, this means our job postings attract an audience that speaks English but also companies that speak English It has taken me a couple weeks to process and really understand the extent of this. ...continue reading "Dissecting the Language Barrier"
Preventive Medicine
After only a month of working with Doctora Ana, I have observed 15 surgeries and 100+ consultations, all involving patients ranging in age from 2 months to 16 years old. I am witness to the success of her work, having seen wheel chair bound children walk. Most of the children Ana treats have a rare disease known as "osteogenesis imperfecta." Children with this condition are born with extremely fragile bones that are oftentimes deformed. In most cases these children require surgery, often between 5 and 10 times. Sometimes surgery is done to correct deformities in the bones, and other times it is needed to repair a break or fracture and place a rod in the bone for added support. ...continue reading "Preventive Medicine"
Paris: It’s too real and too beautiful to ever let you forget anything
Every Sunday evening I respond to emails, troll for new music on Spotify, and put together my weekly blog post, all of which is never accomplished before midnight. After weeks of this routine, I have actually come to realize that this habitual update on my life and musings is the most regular part of my week. The French university system enjoys changing classes and taking breaks so frequently that I still arrive early to classes to ensure that the rooms have not been changed last minute. As the elementary schools go on strangely spaced holidays - all of the French are off for the next two weeks on what it simply referred to as "ski holiday" - my tutoring sessions are also irregular. My program keeps us on our toes with day-trips or nighttime spectacles that vary each week, and finally I have yet to identify a predictable schedule for all members of my host family. I adore the varied routine and when you only have about 140 days in a country it seems like a shame to live the same one twice. These posts let me reflect a bit on what I've done and let me share some observations of French culture, but mostly they keep me grounded and serve as a reminder that I have limited time here that I should make the most of. ...continue reading "Paris: It’s too real and too beautiful to ever let you forget anything"
The Easy Life
By crstein1
I’m really looking forward to the spring in Madrid. The weather hasn’t been the best lately, as the last few weeks have been freezing and it even snowed on several occasions (which is very rare in Madrid). Often, my mood reflects the weather- when it’s raining I feel somewhat blue, and when it’s freezing and snowy I have no energy to leave my bed. However, I’ve felt surprisingly happy here despite the less than stellar weather. Madrid is an absolutely amazing city, and dare I say it, perhaps more incredible than my beloved home in New York. I’ve been trying to figure out why this city is so exhilarating, and why everyday life here seems so fantastic. To a certain extent, I think that a lot of my happiness results from my lack of responsibilities here. My only obligation is my classes, which don’t require the endless amount of homework and studying that is typical of classes at home. Here in Madrid, my host mom cooks, cleans and does my laundry. I’m able to spend my free time exploring the city, going to the theater, visiting museums, or hanging out with friends. I wonder, if I had this luxury at school in DC, would I be equally as happy? ...continue reading "The Easy Life"
Farewell Pope Benedict
As most the world knows, the Pope Benedict XVI has retired as the current pope, a retirement that has not happen in 700 years. I first heard about this breaking news story when running on the treadmill at the local gym; CNN international is one of the only channels in English.
I found this news story particularly interesting. Not only because I was raised Catholic, but I think more so because I am in Europe and much closer to action. The catholic church is one of the largest body of people in the world consisting of over 1.1 billion people. In recent history, no ruler of such a mass of people has voluntarily stepped down. I think this is significant for many reasons such as what does this mean for the church, does this change perception of the catholic church and how did the world react?
Apparently, I was the only one curious. The reaction in Europe is completely different than I thought it would be. I was expecting people to be moved by just a ground breaking action. After all, humans are a creature of habit. We like rules and laws to keep law and order in society and nothing could reek havoc more than breaking a tradition that is more than 700 years old. ...continue reading "Farewell Pope Benedict"