Eliza in Copenhagen!

   I woke up on March 27th to a text message from a dear friend I have known since middle school, notifying me of the times and dates for her trip to Sweden. This was during a time of immense homesickness for me, and the idea that a loved one would no longer be 4000 miles away was exciting. Even more exciting, though, was the idea that Kiruna, Sweden, is only a day’s train journey away from where I am staying in Copenhagen.

 Lærke visiting Nyhavn (Lærke is a feminine name meaning “lark” in Danish.

I furiously researched train tickets and hostels before calling my friend when I knew she would be awake to hear of my hasty scheme. The plan was that I would come join her to share in the experience of (hopefully) seeing the northern lights. She responded with excitement, so I packed my backpack, got some Swedish Krona, bought my train tickets, and began my long journey. -21 hours later- I arrived in Kiruna to see that the path I needed to take to my hostel had not been cleared of snow; instead, the pavement was piled high with snow that went up to my knees. Fortunately, I love snow; unfortunately, I hate when my socks get damp. I pressed on through the snow, using a compass and a map to get to the hostel; I felt very rugged. This ruggedness continued when I met my friend for dinner in a Lavvu (a traditional tent of the indigenous Laplanders, looks a bit like a teepee) made of reindeer hide and ordered a traditional reindeer dish with some hot lingonberry juice. The reindeer was great. It tasted a bit like steak, and the juice tasted a bit like a cranberry tea my mother will occasionally make for family holidays. 

   On the next day, April 1st, my friend and I ate breakfast while discussing the April Fools pranks we had seen so far before taking a taxi to the world-famous ice hotel. It’s built from the ground up every year using the ice from the nearby river and the talents of artists from all over the world. It was very cool (I do love a pun)!

These Ice blocks each weigh more than a tonne!

   We spent some time at the cafe, which was not made of ice, before catching a bus to go dogsledding. The dogs and their colleagues were really friendly. We put our things in the yurt we would sleep in before having a fish stew for dinner. I don’t care for fish, but it was quite nice. The mushers let each of us harness one of the dogs for the journey. The one I harnessed was named Nellie “the Pirate Dog,” nicknamed such because she is missing an eye. She was so calm and affectionate with me. She looked up at me and leaned against my leg as I scratched her ears with one hand and pulled her legs through the harness with the other. Once attached to the sled, each dog became instantly energetic. They were pulling, barking, and wagging their tails like mad. Luckily, the sled was anchored! The minute the anchor was released, we took off down the trail.

When the dogs get thirsty, they lick at the snow on either side of the trail

My time on that sled was magnificent! The sunset reflected softly over the snow as we slid over small hills and frozen lakes. It’s very difficult to capture what I felt while sledding. If you know me personally, you will know that I don’t cry very often. I cried no fewer than 3 times on that dog sled, overwhelmed by the beauty and strength of the dogs tearing through the snow-covered landscape as the stars emerged overhead. We did end up seeing the aurora, but it wasn’t with the dogs. We drove to a small town called Abisko to scope out a spot in the natural park away from the lights of nearby civilization.  We wandered for a few hours, coming across a stunning frozen waterfall, a tiny cave that I could barely fit into, and a bridge high over a still river, the perfect spot for seeing the aurora. 

The whole world seemed to calm down as we stood in the park.

   When we came back at about 10 pm, the lights were vibrant, streaking across the stars like performance ribbons. 

We watched the aurora for about 4 hours before it faded. 

I truly cannot put into words what this experience means to me. I am thrilled that I got to have this adventure with a beloved friend. Oddly, I am reminded of an epitaph I read in Pennsylvania graveyard, “What we keep in memory is ours forever.” I am honored to share this memory with someone I love.  

Andrew in Costa Rica!

My first day in Costa Rica was one that I will never forget. When I got off the plane, I felt like I was hit with almost immediate culture shock. Almost everything was in Spanish. The airport employees were speaking Spanish, the signs were in Spanish, and the crowds of taxi drivers searching for new customers were yelling in Spanish. Of course, I knew that this would be the case but I did not know it would cause this “new-country” anxiety that I had never experienced. I knew basic Spanish, but I did not believe that I was near the level that was needed to be living in a Spanish-speaking country for a month. My group facilitator could see the worry on my face as we traveled to our first destination. I prayed about it, and I realized that this new feeling was a good thing. It was the start of me stepping out of my comfort zone. One thing that my study abroad experience taught me was that, in order to grow as a human being and educationally was to experience uncomfortable situations such as this. This realization was the starting thought that fueled my educational experience.

Enjoying the waterfalls at Llanos de Cortez.

My name is Andrew Council and I am a junior, studying Media & Communication Studies. I had the opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica for approximately 4 weeks. We lived in three different cities which included Monteverde, Flamingo and Heredia. Our first city was Monteverde, where we began our trip with fun excursions such as zip-lining and horse-back riding. One of my favorite parts about this experience was getting to meet my amazing host-families. They welcomed me into their homes with open arms, and I had the pleasure of being a member of their families. Some had pets, which I truly enjoyed, and the families treated me as if I had been their son for years. At the beginning of my stay with their families, the mother of the home, or my “Mama-Tica” would walk me to the bus stop, and send her good wishes for the day. From there, the students and I would be off to class.

A little hideaway spot our guide, Leslie, found for us!

I took Spanish-immersion classes with Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI). Our classes were four hours a day, which frightened me before I actually stepped foot inside of my first class session. The instructors within the classroom knew little to no English, so they strongly encouraged us to only speak Spanish while in class. This is where I was able to practice my Spanish the most. We listened to music and did activities centered around Costa-Rican culture. We also learned the meaning behind “Pura Vida” and what it meant to the people of the country. Learning a new language was something that had been a wish of mine for a long time. There was an ease that came with being immersed in the foreign language. Learning the language here in Costa Rica came easier than it did with my classes back on campus. I enjoyed meeting and learning about the various professors that I encountered. They were always willing to listen and had a true dedication to teaching their beautiful language.

My dragon Joaquìn enjoying the beach!

We had the opportunity to participate in various service projects while abroad as well. We worked with many organizations and foundations that were created to serve communities and the youth in various areas. Serving these communities was something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I was able to meet so many people who were filled with so much joy. This experience helped me realize that I do not have to be the richest, or “most able” man in the world to be happy or content. As U.S citizens, we have such as ethnocentric view of the world and an “Americanized” view of what defines happiness. This study abroad experience helped me to find peace within myself, and it was definitely an enriching and humbling experience. I am so glad that I have the opportunity to share this experience with other current and future honor students.

My group serving a young man of the community.

Al in Senegal!

My name is Al Rieder. I am a rising senior at UNCG, a History major, and a double minor in Geography and Islamic Studies. I am currently on my 2nd week of classes in my summer session study abroad in Dakar, Senegal at the Dakar Institute of African Studies. Dakar is the capital, largest city, and westernmost city in Senegal, which itself is the westernmost country in the African continent. I am here abroad studying the Wolof language and the intersection of Africa and Islam. 

In Senegal, the two official languages are French and Wolof, and most folks also know conversational levels of their regional ethnic languages (Serer, Mandinka, and Lebe to name a few), as well as basic levels of reading comprehension in Classical Arabic to read the Quran. This means most Senegalese have at least some grasp of anywhere from 3-5 or even 6 languages (some people knowing bits of English or Italian as well). Wolof itself is one of the regional ethnic languages, however, it has become a lingua-Franca in the nation, alongside and mixed often with French. The religious makeup of the country is about 95% Muslim (mostly Sufi variants of Sunnism), 4% Christian (of which the majority being Catholic), and about 1% Buddhist (from Chinese immigrants who have come as sponsors by the Chinese government for investment in sub-Saharan Africa). Most people back home I talk to find that surprising, but most places in West Africa are actually Muslim and have been for many centuries, while the “traditional African religions” are mainly found to the south and in the interior of the continent. Given, the history of Islam here was one of gradual growth, starting in about the 1200s, and slowly building until near complete adoption in West Africa by the 1800s. All of which too was caused by gradual exposure to Islam via trade with Muslim empires in North Africa. 

Of all of the enslaved peoples brought to the Americas, the greater majority of them historically were from West Africa, as the sailing ships could get to the Western Cape of the continent easier within the Triangular Trade with North America and Western Europe than they could any point in the interior or south or on the east of the continent. Because of this, the enslavement economy of Western Africa colonial ports like Dakar (of which was handled by numerous Western European nation-states since the 1400’s until being kept by France until the 20th century), ended up being the most likely point of forced departure from the continent for the majority of the enslaved ancestors of modern Black Americans. 

This trip has been a first hand & on the ground exposure for me to the history of colonialism and enslavement in West Africa. Even though it is only our second week here, already I have been able to see the infamous “House of Slaves” on Gorèe Island (where the “Door of No Return” is located), the French train station & adjacent shipyard that extracted the wealth and prosperity from the interior, the Westernmost Point in Africa, and the African Renaissance Monument. Despite the many hardships that last to even this day surrounding neo-colonialism, Dakar is a sprawling 2nd world city that is leading the charge for economic prosperity in Francophone West Africa. (This is the reason that the massive African Renaissance Monument was built too, as a testament to this.) If the Statue of Liberty is to North America, and the Christ the Redeemer Statue is to South America, then The African Renaissance Monument is the equivalent in Africa. 

My professors here warned me about not painting a neo-colonialist view of Senegal, either that it is somehow a “terrible 3rd world cesspool,” or the “promised motherland of African peoples.” The reality here is the country of Senegal, and even more so the city of Dakar, is especially nuanced. On the one hand, Senegal is a former French colony in which Catholicism (a colonial enforced faith) is present, French (a colonial language) is still spoken, and the French military and private sector to this day still takes advantage of it to this day. But on the other hand, I was made clear to explain that the identity here is not French by any means, but a nuanced and relatively new thing; it is an identity that wholeheartedly admits its colonized past, and embraces its multicultural present. Also, I would be lying if I said that all I do is go to the beach and watch the sunset. There are plenty more bugs than I could ever care for, I’ve had to use a mosquito nest to sleep for the first time in my life, and the smog from car exhaust/kicked up sand/horse poo/and litter is ever-present in the city. But at the same time, there are skyscrapers, boogie boutiques, and artisan restaurants, beach resorts, wonderful saltwater air, and I can’t express this enough and mean it wholeheartedly- friendly welcoming people. (Matter of fact, there is a whole term for it, “teranga,” which is southern hospitality on steroids.) 

In completion, for now, Senegal is a complex country with a rich history and vibrant culture, full of Islam, Mbalax music (which I can only really describe as a much faster Ska), grilled seafood n’ veggies, and a multi-lingual and multicultural people. They don’t want to be seen as an idealized homeland for the African diaspora, and they don’t want to be seen as a poor third world country. Senegal is nuanced and complex, and it is beautiful that way, bugs, skyscrapers, and all in between.  

PS, I 100% forgot to pack my Lloyd International Honors College dragon, I’m so sorry, I hope the pictures without it suffice.

Best regards to all,

-Al Rieder

Leighann in Denmark!

Leighann Brooks (International Honors) – Aarhus University, Denmark 
Check out Leighann's vlog by clicking the link below. 

Leighann explores Denmark!

Enjoy!

Miracle in Costa Rica!

   My first night in Costa Rica was an overwhelming experience. Everything moved so fast and my Tico family spoke even faster. When my host mom was explaining the household operations, all I could do was smile and say “si, si, si.” My ears and mind couldn’t fully comprehend what was being said. I just wanted to go to sleep and try again tomorrow.

  ¡Pura Vida! My name is Miracle Johnson and I am a senior biology major on a pre-medicine track. My study abroad experience was in Costa Rica with The School of Health and Human Sciences (HSS). The program was three weeks of Spanish classes and service-learning opportunities. While in Costa Rica, I attended CPI Spanish Immersion School in three different areas: Heredia, Monteverde, and Flamingo. Each site provided me the opportunity to improve my Spanish speaking skills and learn more about Tico culture. I would like to note some key experiences from my time in Costa Rica.

Baby Pablo y yo at Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Rich land is an understatement when describing the biodiversity of Costa Rica. 

Language

   Spanish language in Costa Rica was taught differently from my experiences in the US. The “tu” form wasn’t taught in the Spanish language classes at CPI. Instead we addressed everyone, young or old, in the formal “usted” form. This was different because throughout all my years of Spanish learning much emphasis was placed upon the different conjugation forms. Nonetheless, learning only four conjugation forms made it easier for me to conjugate verbs. I didn’t have to overthink if I was conjugating a verb correctly to fit who I was referring to.

¡Pura Vida!

    It did take me a while to get comfortable with my first host family; however, I felt more a part of the family as the days went by. I consider living with a host family a plus to studying abroad in Costa Rica. Living with three different Tico families taught me various connotations of Pura Vida. Pura Vida isn’t just a greeting Ticos use; it is a way of living! My time with my host families lead me to experience the simplicity behind “Pura Vida”. I would volunteer, go to classes, and return to enjoy downtime with my host families. The common activities included playing with the kids and watching fútbol or movies.

Pura Vida can have different meanings. My bungee jumping experience taught me, Pura Vida, means combating fears, taking risks, and just living. 

Service in La Carpio

    La Carpio is one of the “slums” in Costa Rica. It is a rural area with a large Nicaraguan population. My study abroad group volunteered with the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation to renovate a mother’s bathroom. My service-learning experience in La Carpio showed me the unpleasant realities of living in Costa Rica. Nevertheless, the people of La Carpio make the best of their living situations. There was a presentation by a group of mothers which expressed their love for their children. There were handcrafts and shops along the street which expressed their creativity, drive, and love for their community. Serving in La Carpio gave me a profound understanding of living in Costa Rica that I would not have grasped from readings.

My study abroad group smiling after a day's work in the sun.

Serving at Life Monteverde

   Volunteering at Life Monteverde was another experience I enjoyed. The people of Life Monteverde were so passionate about protecting and utilizing the land. I always just been one to appreciate those at Farmer’s Markets who take the time to provide communities with natural produce and meats. Volunteering to plant at the farm provided a peaceful feeling. I enjoyed tending to the land for the moment because I felt a part of nature’s process of food production. I love the point the owner made as well. We are not educated on sustainability and it is a challenge to reverse habits of simply going to grocery stores to obtain goods.

Wooden mottos made by students from GLC, NMSU, and MSU on sustainability. 

Although three weeks seems like a short period of time abroad, we experienced a lot throughout Costa Rica. Here is a video made by my tour guide, Marta Rodriguez. The video perfectly encapsulates the study abroad experience with HSS Costa Rica Study Abroad Program. 

Costa Rica Video

Casey in Spain!

   I began my journey to Cádiz, Spain with feelings of doubt, fear, and confusion due to unexpected changes in travel plans. With my brain scattered and plans falling apart, I had to leave everything that was familiar and comfortable behind temporarily, whether I was ready or not. Flying by myself was a terrifying thought but I soon found some comfort by meeting my other classmates who I would soon build great friendships with. 

   Upon reaching Madrid’s airport, navigating to get to my bag and then to the train station was an adventure in its own. Who would have thought it would take me three hours to get from my plane to the train? Definitely not me, keep in mind my Spanish speaking skills were equivalent to a toddlers at this point. I finally board the train with a sense of relief and fatigue, thinking all of my troubles are behind me, I was mistaken. Somewhere in Seville our train lost power completely, and with that goes the A/C. Here I am sitting amongst Spanish strangers in what felt like a toaster oven in the middle of a pass over bridge. All information regarding the status of the train was of course given in Spanish at a rapid pace, therefore I had to just sit back and wait in confusion for three hours until the train finally began to function again. I finally reach the train station in Cádiz where I meet my host family, Manolo and Ani Martinez, some of the sweetest and most loving people I have ever met in my life. 

   Over the course of the program, I would soon feel as if I was a part of their real family. As soon as the program started, each day seemed to have flown by. With my many adventures and fun nights with my classmates, I had experiences that I will never forget. My Spanish skills also improved drastically through the classes I took and by talking with the people of Cádiz. The full immersion experience was definitely the best and most fun way to learn the language. Lastly, La Playa de Caleta was an absolute dream. A short ten-minute walk from my host house and I was at the beautiful shore. To study abroad is a major blessing, but to also have the beach close is a miracle. I absolutely loved my study abroad experience, the good and the bad. No other place matches Cádiz, Spain, a city with unique charm and beauty.

Miranda in France!

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

-          Winnie the Pooh

Hi everyone, my name is Miranda Sherman and I have just returned home from my study abroad with the ESDES Business School at the Université Catholique de Lyon (UCLy). It has been just over two weeks since I returned home, and since then, I have had much time to reflect on all the incredible experiences I was able to take part in.

When I was thinking about preparing to leave my host country, I was met with unease and melancholy. How would I transition back home? Would the reverse culture shock be worse than the culture shock going to France? These were the questions I had been trying to grope for the last few weeks of my study abroad program. When the semester ended, the friends I had made slowly began to make their way back home, leaving me and just a few others in Lyon. Each day, I simply went out to walk around for a few hours and soak in the city before I returned to North Carolina. I just wanted to see and remember as much as possible before I had to leave it all. Even after living there for four months, I felt like I had not explored enough of the place I called home.

Antoine at the Only Lyon sign beside the Musée des Confluences, which also shows off Lyon as one of the European Capitals of Smart Tourism for 2019. 

A fellow Honors student, Lexi, and I outside of Buckingham Palace in London with our dragons Antoine and Rory!

At the time, I genuinely could not imagine saying goodbye. That’s all I did for the last few days of the semester; To my host university, to some of the best friends I have ever made in my life, and soon after, Lyon. I couldn’t imagine not walking through the train station each morning to get to campus, not smelling the fresh baguettes and pain au chocolat at the bakery along the way. I think that is definitely one of the things I miss the most already because it became such a routine that it is weird not to have those sights and smells anymore. A part of me was ready to be home, yet another part of me was torn about leaving. So far, being home has not been too big of an adjustment. One day, I did almost forget where I was and try to give someone euros instead of dollars, but other than that it feels nice to have familiarity.

Some classmates and I after a wine tasting in the Beaujolais region of France.

Some of my favorite travel buddies, Ally, Lisa, and Makayla, and I living our Cheetah Girls fantasy at Park Güell in Barcelona.  

When I sit back and think about it, what I went through was utterly insane. To be entirely transparent, the first few days before orientation were difficult. I flew into France on December 30^th and knowing no one there meant spending New Year’s Eve alone. I struggled to find the courage to even go to a grocery store because I feared sounding stupid when I tried to speak French. After orientation, all of this changed. I instantly made friends, some of which I will probably know for the rest of my life. I became more confident in my speaking abilities and even spoke about the United States to elementary school kids who were just beginning to learn English. I started traveling almost every weekend and saw seven different countries. I tasted some of the best food in the world, much of which was right in my host city (Lyon is the food capital of France). On top of all of this, my dragon, Antoine, whom all of my study abroad friends adored, got to tag right along with me through the whole experience. Now, having been home for some time, I realize how truly lucky I am to have had an experience which made saying goodbye so immensely difficult.

Found Wall-E and Eve in Disneyland Paris

I cannot wait to bring back all the knowledge I have gained and the experiences I have had to UNCG with me in the Spring, but first, I’m off to Walt Disney World to complete the Disney College Program in the Fall! Thank you to everyone at UNCG and the Honors College who has supported and encouraged me as I embark on all these crazy adventures. I would not be half the person I am without all of you. If you want to see all of Antoine and I’s travels, check out the “abroad.” highlight on my Instagram: @_mirandaroselyn_

Any Game of Thrones fans recognize Kings Landing behind us? Dubrovnik, Croatia is not only a beautiful tourist destination but a major filming location for the famous HBO show!

  Au revoir et à bientôt!