Y Draig Goch

Croeso!!! Shwmae? [Welsh: Welcome!!! How are you?] Floyd here… the Lloyd International Honors College dragon visiting in Wales. My human, Bess, has been very busy but I am thrilled to announce that she has finally decided to let me update you on my fantastic adventures in Wales.  To begin let me introduce to you my very first known relative… This is the Welsh flag. It has been such an honor to end up in the very place where my ancestors began! Apparently, my first famous ancestor was in a wild battle fighting a white English dragon, and the historical figure Merlin, spelled Myrddin in Welsh, who was King Arthur’s advisor, convinced the king to spare my kind and thus became a forever friend to the Dragons.

Floyd and his human Bess

 This is my human and our hometown named Carmarthen [Welsh: Caerfyrdden].  Carmarthenshire is home to the highest population of Welsh speakers in the country. The land is so green and the people are incredibly considerate. The countryside takes my breath every time! I am just loving this area.

Floyd basks in the sun

Llansteffan Castle. One of Wales 642 castles/ruins. Wales possesses the highest number of castles of ANY European country and it is also one of the smallest countries. Pretty cool hey? Llansteffan is only about a 15 minute drive from my human’s campus. She seems to think that’s pretty awesome, but I mean when you can fly anywhere in the country within two minutes, something like that seems minimal. 

Floyd contemplates taking a dip!

The last thing I will share with you is a view of my ocean.  Because the UK is an island we have AMAZING beaches.  I have loved taking a few days to just enjoy the few sunny and warm days that Wales oceans have had to offer thus far.  Hope all my siblings across the world are holding down the fort.  What a pleasure to share only a small piece of this adventure with you all!

Bess Hopkins

University of Trinity St. David

Wales

Our fascinating journey in England began at the start of the New Year. Lloyd and I traveled by plane and landed in Heathrow Airport on January 2^nd. Yes, I understand that Lloyd has wings and could have flown here by himself (he was being lazy at the time and preferred to go by plane). Once we arrived, we took a train from the airport to Paddington Station where we took another train to bring us to Plymouth.

Lloyd at the Plymouth Lighthouse

Although we speak the same language, we still felt a massive culture shock within the first several weeks. We were exposed to new words, different social norms, and different ways of living. Lloyd and I learned to call things differently here, such as “lift” for “elevator” and “rubbish” for “trash” (it took me some time to say “crisps” for “chips” and then “chips” for “French fries”). Not only did we learn more things about England, but many other countries as well. We’ve met tons of other international people from places like Germany, Spain, France, China, and much more! Lloyd and I learned some new languages, which is pretty neat.

We traveled around a lot. Because I had a light class schedule (or here they call it “time table”) I had plenty of time to travel around with some friends. We explored the open fields of Mount Edgcumbe and the fort on Mount Batten. We traveled to Bristol for the weekend and explored the city. Of course, Lloyd and I had to go to London. It felt unreal seeing places like Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and Trafalgar Square. Those are places I’ve seen in pictures and movies, so it was truly fascinating to see them in person. 

Hello from Bristol Cathedral!

 As a bonus, we then went to Paris, France for several days. The Eiffel Tower was amazing at night, and like I said before, it felt unreal. To be honest, my French is terrible. Luckily, I knew two helpful French sentences that helped me survive: “Je ne parle pas francais” (I don’t speak French) and “Parlez vous anglais?” (Do you speak English?).

This month, Lloyd and I have two trips planned: a trip to Dublin and then a road trip through Wales. I know they’re both going to be great. Study abroad in England has been an amazing experience for me and Lloyd so far. Also, during this semester, I’ve discovered my fascination for traveling. Even when I finish my study abroad in England, Lloyd and I would look for more opportunities to travel around. We’ve got a whole world to explore. Thanks for reading.

Cheers!

Louis Sulit

Plymouth University, UK

Sarah and her little dragon in a hostel

I knew British culture would be different from American, but I didn't realize how much so. Sometimes I feel as if the Brits are speaking a different language. I have a really cool British cultural studies class where we sit around for two hours and talk about what it means to be British. It's wonderful! 

I've been traveling a lot and this past weekend I went to Dublin for St. Patties Day! The weekend before I went to London and visited the studio where they filmed Harry Potter and we got to see all the sets a find out a lot about how the movies were made. I totally geeked out! Here the highlights! 

Sarah Hyde

Keele University

England

At the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin

Hogwarts?!

Maybe Hagrid will stop by!

This is my dragon Hans. Hans has been a very busy dragon and is making the most of his time in Germany!

A stein just big enough for a dragon!

Hans got an early start and landed in Frankfurt, Germany on December 19, 2013. From there he  wanted to go visit one of the many famous German “Christkindlesmarkt” (Christmas market.) He visited one of the biggest markets, which is located in the German city of Nuremberg. The Nuremberg  Christkindlesmarkt is the only place you can buy Zwetschgenmännla (prune men). Hans made some new friends while at the market!

Hans blending in with the Nuremberger Zwetschgenmännla

After the holdiays, Hans went exploring as many places as he could in Germany! He went to Bamberg, Seligenstadt, Würzburg (where he visited his good friend Ann-Kathrin, who he met at UNCG while she was on exchange from Germany last semester!,) Erlangen, and Köln! Hans was especially amazed by the Köln Cathedral which is an architectural marvel!

Even a dragon looks tiny in relation to the Cathedral

Hans then stayed in the city of Herzogenaurach (which is quite a mouthful to say) for two months where he worked at as an intern. Right before he went off to the University, he went to Amsterdam! He was amazed at the way the city was structured and loved taking a boat tour through all the canals. After his trip to the Netherlands he headed to Konstanz, Germany for school.

Hans taking a canal tour in Amsterdam and getting a little to close to the camera

Hans loves Konstanz! He says that Konstanz in beautiful and the fact the it is right on the Bodensee (Lake Constance) makes it only that much better! One of his favorite things is that the Mensa (cafeteria) looks right over the lake, and it makes a stunning view, just like dinner and a show!

Hans always wanted to live on the beach!

He can't wait to go on more adventures with all the new friends he made at orientation! This weekend he is looking forward to exploring Meersburg and then a little later going to the famous islands of the Bodensee! And he cannot wait for summer: sun, sea, and fun!

Hans pretending to breathe fire!

Mit freundliche Grüβe!

From Dragon Hans and his human friend Nicole Schachter

University of Kontanz, Germany

Follow Nicole at nicoleisingermany.blogspot.de (linked on the right)

 

I came into this semester with few expectations. I knew I had fun classes about Korean history and the intensive Korean class from hell. But other than that I didn’t now how I was going make over the mountain(the hill that is between my dorm and the main campus) every day, multiple times. I also didn’t know how I was going to make friends, Korean and exchange students alike.

Camille dressed in hanbok

g-dragon learns Korean

All you can eat barbeque

 

But this week has proven to be better than I expected. The mountain is conquerable! And I will have wonderful legs by the end of the semester. The communal lounge is full of life here. At lunch ajummas, older Korean ladies, sit with me. We may not be able to talk but it’s fun to just sit with someone and exchange Ahnnyeonghasyeos. 

 

 

 

 

 

Around campus

Going into Sinchon is fun! It is so different than back home in Creedmoor. I have rarely seen so many people at once! The sounds of stores calling out specials and pounding Kpop are not so strange now. I have managed to try lots of street food and eat more Korean food that I thought possible. Spicy food has no effect on me now, or even less than before. I plan on exploring other districts soon. I will conquer the subway, eventually.

 

Camille Knudsen

Yonsei University

South Korea

Oliver enjoying an ocean view

This is Oliver the dragon. The two of us arrived in Melbourne, Australia a week ago and have been happily on the move ever since. Not even a full day after landing from our 25 hour flight, we were off to participate in our uni’s three day international student orientation on the beautiful beaches of Lorne. As you can see, he has been enjoying the wonderful views and warm sun of the Great Ocean Road. The little guy even caught a wave or two surfing on our first morning! 

Over the past week, he has been adjusting well to Melbourne.  Day one back in the city, we enjoyed Night Market, a cultural gathering at the Victoria Market characterized by live music, delicious foods from all of the world, shops, and dancing. With how huge the city is, the two of us have quickly become masters of navigating trams. Overall, Oliver may not be used to cars driving on the left side of the road or money coming in such bright rainbow colors, but the people have been lovely and food has been to his liking. Oliver and I are now certified chocolate Tim Tam addicts! He also says that though kangaroo burgers are a yes…Vegemite, not so much.

To make this journey even better for our little Oliver, he feels right at home here at Deakin University knowing that their mascot is the dragon! With all of his new mates, he shall soon be flying out with the biggest and best of them. Where will he land next? Sydney? Fiji? The Great Barrier Reef? The dragon homeland of New Zealand? We’ll have to wait and see where the wind takes him. 

Ash Mcleod 

Deakin University

Melbourne, Australia

Froid the dragon makes a snow angel!

Froid the Dragon and I arrived on the campus of Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, on January 5^th, 2014. We immediately knew we would be right at home in the north when we walked into the campus apartment and saw the display of hockey posters and jerseys. The first week was full of excitement, uncertainty, and adventure. I met my professors and teaching assistants, received the syllabi, and was introduced to the multitude of cafeterias. The week concluded with a day trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls, and watching the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Toronto Maple Leafs with my new suitemates. And of course, there has been plenty of snow and ice on the ground.

Froid seeks warmth after playing in the snow all day.

Fast forward a month and a half, and there hasn't been too much of a change. I’ve become more familiar with the university, the courses I am enrolled in, and the bus schedules. The usual is still present. The Hurricanes-Leafs rivalry may be on hold, but it has been replaced by a USA-Canada rivalry, as the Olympics are underway. My suitemates dedicated a wall in the main room to Canada, full of shirts and a Canadian flag. However, this week is Reading Week - think Spring break except it’s too early and too cold to call it that - and my suitemates have left for the week. (I myself am fixing to take a bus to Ohio for the rest of the week to visit my Grandpa.) Thus, their Canada display has been replaced by a USA display. It will be an amusing surprise for when they return.

My adventure to the north has been exciting thus far, and it looks to continue for the rest of the semester. And of course, there is still plenty of snow and ice on the ground.

Andrew Clark, Brock University
Ontario, Canada