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Cynthia Hall
Studying in Budapest, Hungary
Cynthia resides in Tennessee, and is currently a 21-year-old senior at Middle Tennessee State University studying in Budapest, Hungary. Are you ready to read her stories? Because she's ready to tell them:
"I can't wait to take everyone along on my journey through the heart of central Europe! From glorious scenery, fascinating foreign friends, country-hopping adventures, brilliant historical landmarks, or even the frustrating mishaps that come with any worthwhile experience, I am ready to tell all!"
If you want to learn more about Cynthia before you read more about her adventure, read the following question and answer session we had with her:
What is the aspect of your upcoming semester that makes you most excited?
It would be nearly impossible to pinpoint a single aspect that has my heart fluttering about this upcoming semester! Actually, I have been so busy with finals and work the past three weeks that leaving for Hungary seems surreal. However, I must say, I am most excited about all of the interesting people I am going to encounter! This past semester I met the bulk of exchange students at my university. I noticed a pattern as I befriended more and more foreign friends.
Initially, both people are very friendly, almost fake toward each other, then accidentally they offend each other repeatedly because of the ignorance to each other's customs, or language misunderstanding.
Neither person fully understands the other, and then one day something clicks and both are very genuine and real with each other, and despite moments of confusion, truly become friends. I can't wait to be the foreign kid for once!
What are you looking forward to the least in your upcoming semester?
One thing I am dreading about next semester is the language barrier. I do not speak Hungarian. There is nothing more frustrating to me then not understanding people or being out of the loop. I hate relying on someone else to translate everything. There really is so much that is "Lost in Translation," and I dread being the one who is lost!
I have this distinct, future scenario in my head that I just can't shake. Two Hungarians (older women) are speaking loud, abrasive Hungarian to me and making swooping hand gestures to me, as if this will help me understand, and I am facing them with a fake, unsure grin across my face (the type found in all third-grade yearbook photos), one eyebrow slightly raised, and my bugged eyes shift rapidly from one lady to the other. My ridiculous expression is unwavering as if I was a victim of Botox ninjas. Frozen in confusion, all I can do is nod eagerly. After a few minutes, they look at each other baffled, and throw their arms in the air with frustration, turn and walk off discussing my ignorance. If this fear is fortuitous, then, this is what I most dread.
What made you want to study abroad?
In high school I desperately wanted to be a foreign exchange student, yet it never came to pass. I've always been interested in other cultures and traveling. A friend of mine and I made plans to backpack around Europe summer '06, but the previous fall after a year of planning, she said she wouldn't have the resources that summer, but perhaps the next. I am not one to wait and depend on someone else to live my dreams. I refuse to have another dream turn in to a regret that haunts me.
I knew I wasn't comfortable enough to go at it alone, but I wanted to travel. And study abroad seemed the most logical next step. Instead of one month, bouncing from country to country on a dime, I could live in a different country for a semester and travel after it was over! This idea didn't require me to depend on anyone else. Also, I could receive the few remaining hours I needed for my degree. Budapest, Hungary will be my home for the next five months, where I will travel, learn, and live!
Why did you choose this destination/program?
My options were limited because I do not speak any other languages, most unfortunately! In 2000, I actually got the chance to go to Romania for two weeks. I found it so odd how even though I was thousands of miles away from home there was a familiarity to the Transylvanian area. The terrain was very similar to my east Tennessee Appalachian Mountains. In fact, so similar that "Cold Mountain" was later filmed there. Also, the people have a friendly, hospitable way about them just as southerners do.
On the other hand, everything else was so vastly different, such as the soldiers with rifles slung over their shoulders who walked the streets in pairs. Ever since that trip, eastern Europe has interested me.
Initially, I wanted to go to Poland or the Czech Republic. Then, I went to a book signing and a man told a story about his and his Polish wife's experience in Poland, and I begin to reevaluate my decision. I realize petty crime happens everywhere, and one man's experience shouldn't be enough to sway a decision, but I took the irony as a sign. Then, Hungary began to sound even more appealing to me.
In the end, Budapest, Hungary won my heart! Central Europe and eastern Europe is going through a massive transition, since Communism fell less than 20 years ago. I want to experience these cultures before they become completely "westernized."
Another perk, I was not required to know the language, which is a double-edge sword in reality.
What are your hobbies and interests?
One of my biggest passions is soccer! I played growing up and in high school, and I believe I will always regret not attempting to play in college. It might sound foolish, but this past year I had a realization that in all competitive means, my soccer career was long lost, and it was like mourning the loss of a loved one. I don't know why it took me so long to realize how much I regretted my decision of not trying to play. However, I find it fulfilling to watch as much footie as I can, and play for fun with my friends, and I was involved on a few intramural teams, which helps with the soccer longings.
I am also a huge fan of dancing! Not any particular form, I actually enjoy the non-form form! This past semester I took a class called "Social Dance." I learned the basics of Tango, Salsa, Meringue, Swing, Waltz, Cha- Cha, and Disco (which happens to be the most difficult, might I add). I have a new found respect and love for dancers! Other interests of mine are socializing, reading, playing cards, crocheting, and other old lady habits. I am also a big fan of pranks and being deviant in a harmless manner!
What are your favorite books and magazines?
I never subscribe to any magazines, I can't remember the last time I bought one, and I rarely read them. On the rare occasion I do thumb through one I tend to grab some absurd garbage like People or other celebrity magazines. I look through them and say to myself, "These are so stupid! Who even reads this crap!?" Ironically, as I eww and aww at the latest Hollywood break-up or pregnancy.
I enjoy a witty book though! There is something so great about a book that can literally make you laugh out loud. To name a few: Bridget Jones' Diary, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Jemima J, and Pleasure of My Company. I also enjoy travel books and historical portraits.
What type of music do you listen to?
My brother absorbed the true passion for music in the family. However, I do enjoy music very much! The best music is the kind that without conscious effort or intention your body begins to sway and move to, or your foot sneakily begins mimicking the beat. I love good vocals and humorous lyrics. I tend to find something or someone I love and cling. Such as the classics, Queen, Prince, Elton John, Patsy Cline, and Ella Fitzgerald. Foo Fighters, Norah Jones, Keith Urban, Alison Kraus and Union Station and Jet are staples on my iPod.
Secretly, some pop such as Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Outkast, and Britney Spears grace my eardrums, too! I can't get into rap, country, or punk, but generally anything with a good beat.
What are you favorite TV shows and movies?
I wouldn't say I have a favorite show. I bounce between a few channels in hopes of finding something entertaining: Comedy Central, TLC, Style Network, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and occasionally MTV just to be predictable. I make an attempt to watch Little People, Big World and America's Next Top Model for photographic inspiration. I also love when Discovery has Shark Week! Although terrified of sharks, they are also a huge interest of mine.
I do love movies I must say. For two hours, I can transport to another life. A few movies I really adore are the Motorcycle Diaries, Billy Elliott, Shrek 2, When Harry Met Sally, Some Like It Hot, Young Frankenstein, About a Boy and the list could go on.
If you could have dinner with one famous person - alive or dead, historical or celebrity - who would it be and why?
Believe it or believe it, I would love to dine with Ms. Dolly Parton. I realize out of the vast array of people who have shaped our country or made a massive impact on the world, it seems insane to pick Dolly. However, not only is she a Tennessee gal, but she's very intriguing. I recently watched a True Hollywood Story on her and realized there is more to her than silicone and bouffant blonde wigs.
She is a classic rags-to-riches story, and I always find those stories inspiring! "If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one," Dolly was quoted saying, which is truly a great point. However, she has been very benevolent with her wealth for those who couldn't start a new path. Also, she embraces her eccentricities and can make fun of herself, which says a lot about a person. Ultimately, I think she would be a hilarious and interesting dinner date!
Do you find Cynthia fascinating? Then just wait until you read her blog.
Jackie Pateguana
Studying in South Africa
Jackie is a 21-year-old Amherst, Massachusetts resident currently earning a degree in Economics and African Studies as a Junior at Hampshire College. She is studying at the University of KwaZulu Natal in Durban, South African, and is experiencing something wholly different from most study abroad students. As she said in her audition:
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"I believe that my experience abroad will be one that is often ignored in the world of study abroadthat of an international student going back 'home'.
I'm an international student in Massachusetts, and I hold Mozambican citizenship though I only lived in the country until I was eleven years old. For most of my life I have lived in places other than my country, I left Mozambique to become a resident in Pretoria, South Africa in 1995. My adoptive parents worked for UNICEF and so they decided to take me with them to South Africa at eleven. I enrolled at a boarding school and stayed there for a good five years until I transferred to another school in Swaziland. Once I was done with my tenth grade in Swaziland I transferred once again: I moved to a public high school in Urbana, Illinois and I graduated from there in 2004.
Now, as a junior at Hampshire College, I decided that I would like to return to Southern Africa and do a semester at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the only university my school has a formal exchange program with. My hopes are that the semester there will rekindle me with the cultures and customs that I was brought up with (both South African and Mozambican). Since arriving in the United States I have seen a lot of international students begin to forget their heritage, culture and even religion to fit in with the rest of the people here in the U.S. So my experience would serve to encourage those international students thinking of study abroad to return to their countriesespecially to developing countries in need of individuals with higher education. My experience would also serve to non-African students who are afraid to travel to the different countries within Africa because of preconceived notions they have of the continent. There are certainly plenty of safe cities one could spend a semester in within this large continent, and my trip would serve as an example of some of those places safe enough to be visited."
If you want to learn more about Jackie, and the fascinating reason why she is studying abroad in Africa, read her short Q & A below:
What is the aspect of your upcoming semester that makes you most excited?
I'm most excited about working with in the community once I arrive in Durban. I'm currently enrolled in a community based learning course where students are asked to pick one issue in the community and work with community members on ways to solve it. Since I've done extensive research on HIV/AIDS and development strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa I plan on focusing on one of those two issues. I'm hoping that my work during that time will lead to my thesis-like project at Hampshire in my final year (we call it a Division III project).
What are you looking forward to the least in your upcoming semester?
I'm mostly scared about the crime rate in South Africa. It's no secret that South Africa has one of the highest levels of crime in the world and that Johannesburg has become known as the world's crime capital. I'm definitely hoping not to be part of these statistics.
What made you want to study abroad?
When I chose my major(s), I knew I wanted to do something that would allow me to return home (Mozambique) and work with the government on development issues-- and so I picked Economics and African Studies. However, after three semesters of courses in those areas I realized that many of the issues my professors spoke of were of a western perspective. So I decided I wanted to go to Southern Africa and see what people there think are the most urgent issues and their suggestions for fixing them. My school's recently established exchange program at the University of KwaZulu-Natal allowed me to pursue that interest.
Why did you choose this destination/program?
I chose this program in particular because the financial aid package that I get at Hampshire covers the entire cost. My first choice was going to the University of Cape Town but that wasn't possible and so I went with what I could afford to do. The idea of going to school in Mozambique wasn't much of an option either, only because I've been studying in English since I was in fifth grade and I don't think switching to Portuguese will work out too well.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I enjoy reading, sewing, knitting, dancing (Latin dance) and volunteering. I'm particularly interested in working with children from disadvantaged communities. Community development projects are also a big interest of mine, at times because of their positive impact and other times because of the lack thereof.
What are your favorite books and magazines?
Favorite Books
- We Killed Mangy Dog by Luis Honwana;
- Anthills of the Savannah by Chinua Achebe;
- The End of Poverty by Jeffery D. Sachs
- Surviving the SlaughterThe Ordeal of a Rwandan Refugee by Marie Umutesi;
- The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde;
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel;
- Native Son by Richard Wright.
Magazines
- VIBE
- Cosmopolitan
- The Economist
- The New York Times Magazine
What type of music do you listen to?
R&B, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Hip Hop and Pop.
What are you favorite TV shows and movies?
TV shows
- Daily Show with Jon Stewart
- Colbert Report
- CSI: Miami
- Grey's Anatomy
Movies
- Blood Diamond
- The Lion King
- Lord of War
- Love and Basketball
- Elf
If you could have dinner with one famous person - alive or dead, historical or celebrity - who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with one famous person I think I'd pick Jeffery D. Sachs, economics professor at the Earth Institute at Columbia University. Sachs' work as an economic advisor to the United Nations, IMF, World Bank has been inspiring to me. He is very much interested in the well-being of people more than just the economic models that he proposes. As an economist its hard to factor 'the people' into one's decision-making but Sachs has managed to stay grounded and incorporate 'the people's' experiences and recommendation. He is a true genius and his resume is proof of that.
If Jackie's insights peak your interest, check out her blog and ask her what it's like to come back home.
Sahana Sharan
Studying in New York City, from India
Sahana is a 24-year-old graduate student from Karnataka, India taking classes in America at New York University (NYU), Windsor. When asked how she felt about being selected as a BlogAbroad.com blogger, she responded: "I feel that sense of responsibility and accountability to my own self has grown many fold...Guess I will be seeing things in a different light and perspectiveÉI shall make the best use of this opportunity to communicate and convey my experiences in the best possible way with whoever reads it." And then, just to make us feel good, to help us realize our dream of helping others realize their dreams, she added, "I had dreamt of writing articles and people reading them all over the globe one day....Well, well... I see that happening now!
We asked Sahana some personal questions and have pasted them below to help you learn more about the person behind the blog :
What about your time in America are you looking forward to most?
I would describe the feeling to be Exciting and Overwhelming at the same time!! Meeting people who think and feel the same but look and dress different; learning a new subject - Public Administration - that is totally different to my undergraduate major, which was in Medicine; "The Place" - New York; doing the balancing act of managing things A to Z all by myself and at the same time trying to Love what I do...Its all about trying to achieve and stand out of the crowd to represent my country, India.
What made you want to study abroad?
As a girl, initially I can say, the sheer 'glamour quotient' attracted me to the West...Dreaming of becoming like my uncle one day - a doctor rich and famous in the US...With time and maturity, I realized 'exposure in a different land' leads to a whole new process of learning to gain an extra edge over the rest.
Why did you choose this destination/program?
Well, being selected to study as a scholar at a university like NYU makes you do things which are unimaginable and sometimes weird...I had settled for Purdue university for the Health services management course before the scholarship was announced...One fine morning, I woke up to read an e-mail stating, "Congratulations!!! You have been selected for the 'Leadership In Public Service Scholarship' in the Public Administration program at NYU Wagner."
That was a feeling and moment I shall never forget...I even decided to change my major from Health administration to this one!! Convincing myself that it is a much better program with a wider scope and applicability...Tailoring my dreams to suit the present situation!! What a turn around!!
What are your hobbies and interests?
I go 'gaga' over music and love to dance...the best way to unwind. I am learning Classical music (Hindustani) and tapping my foot at weekend classes of Salsa. Both are poles apart (let's see if I can Salsa to the tunes of Hindustani classical...new fusion to be called "Classy meets Sassy."
What are your favorite books and magazines?
'Readers Digest' makes me feel human and makes me feel so connected with the characters in the real life stories...Its a lovely magazine and I recommend it to anybody who can read English.
'Angels and Demons' by Dan Brown is an amazing novel. Treating delicate subjects of Science and Religion, the author leaves us a lot to think about and it finds relevance in the present and ages to come by.
What type of music do you listen to?
Light and romantic numbers in English and Hindi always turns me on.
What are you favorite TV shows and movies?
Discovery's Woman's Hour is a must watch when I am at home on weekdays. I love watching interviews and talk shows, they reveal a lot about the person in the limelight. HBO's Sex and the City, though primarily a great comedy, leaves you a lot to introspect and sometimes I have even identified with the on screen characters!
If you could have dinner with one famous person - alive or dead, historical or celebrity - who would it be and why?
It would have to be Princess Diana...An ageless beauty, a great human being...For the first hour I think I would be awe struck by her beauty simply because she radiates from within. I would then probably gain myself and discuss about her plans for the less fortunate. I am sure I would have struck the right chord with her discussing my plans to help them.
If you are interested in hearing what this fascinating Indian women thinks of America, especially New York city, then jump straight to her blog.
Gabrielle DeNevyn
Studying in India and Fiji
Gabrielle is a 26-year-old senior at Humboldt State University in Northern California, where she says, "they'll have to drag me kicking and screaming to the podium and cut off my funding to get me to graduate--what can I say? I'm a lifer." She lives and attends school in Arcata, California, but is spending the fall semester in India and then Fiji on a School for International Training (SIT) program.
Before leaving, she told us, "It is hard to pick just one aspect of my coming semester that makes me most excitedbut, in this case, I would have to say it is the fact that I will be able to live and study in Indiasomething that I have dreamed about doing since I was a kid."
We had a short question and answer session with Gabrielle to find out a little more about her and her personality. Here is what we learned:
What made you want to study abroad?
I had many reasons for wanting to study abroadbut the main one is that I love to travel and, in the past several years, I've felt the call of the open road (so to speak) more and more strongly. As I am committed to finishing my college career, I looked for options which would allow me to combine these two interests.
Why did you choose this destination/program?
I traveled through India in Dec-Jan of 2004-2005. I loved the country and people so much that I wanted to go back and experience life there, not as a tourist, but on its own terms. I want to actually live within the culture and experience it from the inside. By learning these things, I cannot only understand another culture but I can better understand my own.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Travel! I am also very active on the Internet and blog semi-daily as well as admin work on several websites. I'm fairly active and outdoorsyI love yoga, tai chi, hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, swimming, and anything having to do with the ocean. I love to read, write stories and poems, and all kinds of art and dance. In school, I am currently working on two combined majors. My main interest is to tackle modern social problems on a global level and therefore my first degree will combine the disciplines of International Studies: Globalization, Religious Studies, and Philosophy. My second major relates to the two problems I've picked for myself to work on at this time: environmental ethics and women's studies. In addition, a philosophy component will be added on which the two majors will hinge.
What are your favorite books and magazines?
I don't really read magazinesbut I am a huge bibliophile. I have a weakness for 1940s science fiction like Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, and Robert Heinlein. I also really get into all sorts of textbooks/non-fiction from the social sciences, historical fiction, and other socially/environmentally conscious literature. Some of my favorite books include: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, The Story of B by Daniel Quinn, Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, The Dune series by Frank Herbert, The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman, and many many (many!) others.
What type of music do you listen to, and what are you favorite TV shows and movies?
I have rather eclectic taste and hence listen to everything from World Music to Hip Hop. Right now I am really enjoying Indian pop music, Bollywood remixes and Punjabi rap. However, I also have a penchant for strong female singers and I love classic jazz like Billie Holiday and Cab Calloway.
I also love all types of movies and some television. I enjoy foreign moves, particularly from India or Japan. I enjoy movies that make me think or pose new and interesting possibilities or ideas. There are simply too many favorites here to list.
Though I try to restrain myself from watching too much TV, I do enjoy all kinds of educational shows, especially historical documentaries. I also enjoy crime shows like Law and Order, CSI, The Closer. Etc. Finally, I love science fiction in all formssome of my favorite shows are The X-files, the 4400, Eureka and etc.
If you could have dinner with one famous person - alive or dead, historical or celebrity - who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with one famous person, it would be Gandhi. As Einstein said: "Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such a one as this, ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth." It would be my honor to meet and share a meal with "such a one as this." I would like to ask him, "What can I do to help?" Yes. I am aware that Gandhi is famous for NOT eating--to eat with him would mean that "the maddness has stopped."
Finally, she had one final thing she wanted us to know about her:
I'm smart and fun. I have a great sense of humor and I'm not afraid to say exactly what's on my mind. I am endlessly creative--I seem to do everything "my own way," and I don't just march to a different drummerI have a whole other orchestra! Unique, quirky, and eccentric are three words that describe mebut kind, honest, and loyal are three more. In all things, especially life, I strive to be the best that I can be. This isn't a competitive thing, however, the only one I compete with is myself.
If her semester interests you, check out her blog now.
Joe Barresi
Studying in Jordan
Joe is a 20-year-old from Windsor, Connecticut. A junior political science Major at University of Richmond, he is studying abroad in Jordan on a School for International Training (SIT) program and looks forward to viewing, "the issues of the Middle East from the perspectives of Arabs. No matter how many books and newspapers a person reads, I feel that there is only so much an American can learn about this region unless he travels there."
A quick Q & A session with Jeff on his general interests produced these results:
What made you want to study abroad?
I have always been interested in foreign cultures, and I could not pass up this opportunity to see what living in another country/culture is like.
Why did you choose this destination/program?
The Middle East's being both a geopolitical hotbed and a crossroads of civilizations has made me very interested in this region since my freshman year of high school. Ever since then, I have read many books and articles on this region; however, I felt that I could never gain a true understanding for the Middle East unless I traveled there.
Politically stable and relatively moderate without being too Westernized, Jordan appeared to be the perfect fit for me in this region. All SIT programs include an independent study project over the last month, so I was really attracted by the fact that I will be spending my last month in Jordan primarily outside of the classroom. Also, allowing me to spend time in a country run by a dictatorship, my program's week long excursion into Syria attracted me very much as I will be in a political system that is the antithesis of America's.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I am obsessed with both soccer and politics. I am also a quasi-movie expert, especially when it comes to trivia. My hobbies range widely as I enjoy playing sports, hanging and partying with my friends, reading avidly, and maintaining an extensive DVD collection that also includes many foreign films.
What are your favorite books and magazines?
Books: The Great Gatsby, A Peace to End All Peace, The Grapes of Wrath, What's the Matter with Kansas? As you can see I enjoy either non-fiction books or fiction books that possess a lot of social commentary.
Magazines: The Atlantic Monthly, The Economist, Sports Illustrated, Foreign Policy
What type of music do you listen to, and what are you favorite TV shows and movies?
I like all forms of music, except for country; however, after having gone to school in Richmond for two years now, that music style is starting to grow on me.
My favorite TV shows run the gambit from the very serious to the very funny: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld, Family Guy, The Simpsons, Pardon the Interruption, Charlie Rose, News Hour with Jim Leher, The OC (My guilty pleasure!)
My favorite movies have a wide range of styles and genres. My top pick is Cinema Paradiso, while my favorite American film is The Godfather. Some other favorites are Fargo, No Man's Land, Osama, Syriana, Dr. Strangelove, Rocky, and Silence of the Lambs.
If you could have dinner with one famous person - alive or dead, historical or celebrity - who would it be and why?
I would pick our current president, George W. Bush. First off, I would like to have dinner with somebody who is powerful and with whom I disagree, so that I could debate him and have the chance to change his mind on important issues that affect the world. I would also like to really understand how the world "works" and find out which forces really govern the world's geopolitical realm. In addition, I have heard that Dubya is a very personable man.
If you want to experience the Middle East from "the perspectives of Arabs," check out Joe's blog.
Michal McConville
Studying in France
Michal is a woman; yes a woman. A 20-year-old (almost 21) woman from Mount Vernon, Indiana who attends college at Purdue University in West Lafayette and is studying abroad at Paul Valery in Montpellier, France
She is a senior dual majoring in English literature and French language and literature and who had this to say about studying abroad:
"The aspect that makes me most excited about my upcoming semester is that I am going to be totally immersed in another culture. Every preconceived notion I've ever had is going to be tossed out the window, and everything is going to be a new experience. I am determined to be completely open-minded when I arrive in France, try every new thing I come across, and meet every new person I can. I think it is going to be one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences of my life.
But I am really nervous that I might look stupid in certain situations due to language barriers or lack of knowledge. I was warned that it might be common for French people to ask me my opinion on current US political decisions or governmental policies, so I have been listening to plenty of NPR and reading the news to try and keep myself informed. I realize that there will be many instances in which I will not know certain things about French culture or language, but I would like to know everything about my own culture so I can answer their questions."
We sat down with her to ask her questions about herself, and this is what we learned:
What made you want to study abroad?
I became interested in Study Abroad when I picked up French as my minor. I thought it would be the ultimate experience to learn as much as I can about French and get to meet other students who share my same interests. I have also been approached to teach English in France after I graduate, so I decided that I had better go there to see how much I like it. That way, I will know upon graduation if I would be interested in moving there for a few years to teach.
Why did you choose this destination/program?
I chose the program in Montpellier at the very last minute. Originally I had been looking into a program in Paris, but after meeting with my Foreign Language advisor, my decision became very clear. The Montpellier program will allow me to be in a real French University and take classes with real French professors as opposed to the Paris program which has courses specially designed for American students. It was important for me to choose a program that would allow my language to improve drastically during the course of the semester. With my program, I will live with a French host family and have classes where French will be the only language spoken. Plus, it's in the Riviera near the beach and the mountains...there's really no downside.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I love to read, which I suppose is a good thing since I am a literature major. I also really love to write poetry, although it has not been determined if I am actually any good at doing so. I really like finding new music, so I read a lot of music magazines and check out a lot of concerts. My dad and I are really into the same type of music, and we went to the Siren Music Festival in New York last year. I really love meeting new people, so I try and go to some parties and coffee shops to hang out with different crowds. And also--I hate to admit this--I like to do crossword puzzles. I'm a dork at heart.
What are your favorite books and magazines?
I like a lot of classic literature. My favorites are The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway and The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald. The best book I've read recently is Everything Is Illuminated by Foer. I like books that talk about the meaning of life, and I especially like it when the end is left really open, so I can decide what happens next. I like to read music magazines like Spin, Magnet, and Filter. I think most women's magazines are crap, but I really enjoy Nylon. Last, I like to read Esquire when my dad gets it in the mail. It has really good articles!
What type of music do you listen to, and what are you favorite TV shows and movies?
Oh gosh. I love to listen to music all the time. I listen to mostly Alternative and Indie music. I don't listen to the radio very much (unless I'm listening to NPR.) I like to watch Project Runway every week and make bets with my mom on who will get kicked off next. Obviously Alison is going to win. I also like watching Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives along with the rest of the free world. I like a lot of different movies, but I hate horror movies. I have a nine-year-old brother, so I do end up catching most of the kiddie movies, and they're not so bad. My favorite movie is Amelie, which is fabulously French and very uplifting. I'll watch just about any film.
If you could have dinner with one famous person - alive or dead, historical or celebrity - who would it be and why?
If I could eat with anyone, wow. It is going to become apparent that I am a huge nerd after answering this question, but there's no turning back now. I would eat dinner with Alice Paul. She was a huge women's rights activist who devoted her whole life to making the future better for women. I would love to meet her and ask her about all of the things she put into her campaigns, her personal life that isn't included in much of the history, and also what she thinks of women's rights today. I wonder if she would think that women have come a long way since her time or if she would think that we have ruined some of the things she worked so hard to achieve.
Interested yet? Good, then read her blog.
Judd Hower
Studying in Germany
September 1 marks Judd Hower's 21st birthday. He will spend it in Germany.
Living in South Hampton, NJ, studying German and political science at the University of Delaware, and studying abroad with Rutgers University at University Konstanz in Germany, this college junior is spending a year on the other side of the world.
We spent some time with him before he left to learn more about him:
What is the aspect of your upcoming semester that makes you most excited?
There are probably three things I look forward to most. Meeting new kids is something I very much anticipate. I'll be living in what is called a Europahaus, which is an apartment building that houses exchange students from all over the world. The prospect of meeting kids from so many different places is very exciting. I also look forward to living on my own in Germany. I visited Germany two years ago and fell in love with it. I would like to live and work there once my tenure at the university is over, so living abroad next year is like a dream come true. Finally, I am a huge football "soccer" fan. Unfortunately it is not so popular in the United States, but in Europe it is borderline religious. I plan on attending a couple of matches in Germany and England during my stay.
What are you looking forward to the least in your upcoming semester?
I'll most definitely miss my friends and girlfriend...oh yeah and my family, a little bit. I am really close with all my friends and of course with my girlfriend. Being without them while abroad will be rough. On the bright side, my girlfriend will be studying in Paris in the spring, so right on!
What made you want to study abroad?
It was a culmination of a few things. I've loved learning German since I started taking it in high school. Languages, in general, interest me and I would like to be able to speak many fluently. I've always thought there was something special about a person who can communicate through many different languages. What sparked the fire on the whole study abroad endeavor was my trip to Germany though. I had so much fun and I can't wait to go back.
Why did you choose this destination/program?
In all honesty, I would have liked to study in Munich because of it's outstanding university and the city's environment. Sadly, I couldn't find a program located in Munich that fit what I wanted. Konstanz, where I'll be studying, is a beautiful city and the program, which is run by Rutgers University, allows me to spend a year abroad. It is important to me that I spend the entire year in Germany. Doing so will no doubt improve my German, as well as present me with the opportunity to become more familiar with my hosts. I am studying to become a diplomat and I believe it is most important to get to know the German people as best I can.
What are your hobbies and interests?
As I said before, I love soccer. I am a huge Manchester United supporter. I like to play soccer as well and hopefully I'll have the chance to have some pick-up games or possibly join a recreational team while in Germany. I am also a drummer. I've been playing for ten years, and I have been in several bands since I started. Listening to music is another hobby. I had the ideal job last year while in school. I worked at an indie record shop. It was amazing because it was laid back, fun, and I got to listen to music all day. I just hope I can get my boss to rehire me when I get back.
What are your favorite books and magazines?
I like all types of books, but as of late I've been reading many books by Anthony Burgess, (Clockwork Orange, One Hand Clapping, The Doctor is Sick) and Irvine Welch, (Trainspotting, Filth, and one book aptly named Porno, but it is not as perverted as it sounds.) I also enjoyed the Gunslinger series by Steven King, but the ending was heinous. To end it like he did after seven books was like a kick to the face. Magazine wise, pretty much just Four Four Two and United Magazine. They are, the both of them, having to do with soccer.
What type of music do you listen to, and what are your favorite TV shows and movies?
My musical taste is pretty eclectic. I like everything from Beethoven to Bone Thugs, but I mostly listen to Indie Rock bands like The Shins, Ladytron, I Can Make a Mess..., Camera Obscura, stuff like that. I also have a soft spot in my heart for German Rap, call me crazy. And Daft Punk is probably one of my favorite bands of all time, so my musical tastes are far reaching. TV, to be honest, I don't watch to much, but Daria was good when it was on MTV back in the day. I am in love with movies, comedies mostly. Snatch, Transpotting, Wedding Crashers, Lock Stock, are all very good movies indeed.
If you could have dinner with one famous person - alive or dead, historical or celebrity - who would it be and why?
I'd like to say someone profound like Abe Lincoln or Ghandi, but after five minutes I'm afraid my attention deficit would get the best of me and make playing with my food the highlight of the meal instead of talking with my dinner mate. It would be interesting to have dinner with the guys from Daft Punk because I'm sure they would also play with their utensils and we'd end up making a catchy little tune playing solely on our forks and wine glasses. It really depends on what mood I'm in, and being that it is 12:30 at night and I am tired, just a quiet dinner with my girlfriend would do just fine. I don't know though, ask me again in the morning.
He is more awake now, so have a conversation with him at his Read Judd's Blog.
Sarah Berkowitz
Studying in London, England
Read Sarah's Blog
Sarah, who turned 21-year-old on January, Friday the 13th, is an English major concentrating on theater (or as the British spell it, theatre) with a minor in psychology. She attends Barnard College, Columbia University, but will be studying at King's College while in London. Interesting fact: Kim Gradel, one of the inaugural members of the BlogAbroaod.com team, studied at King's College for a semester, and cites it as one of the greatest times in her life. Read Sarah's blog to find out if she feels the same way.
While very excited to be studying literature in England, before leaving she admitted that, "I'm not wild about having to make all new friends when I get to London. Because I'm going to be at a British university (as opposed to a program comprised entirely of other people who are studying abroad), and because I'm arriving mid year, I realize that everyone will have already made friends and I will be stuck coming into a program where everyone already has friends and I'm made to feel like I'm back in middle-school."
Her Q & A on general interests taught us:
What type of music do you listen to?
Okay, you caught me. I'm a huge dork, and that really shows in my choice of music. I love Broadway show tunes above all else, my favorites being by Stephen Sondheim, who I'm convinced knows how to walk on water. I also love the golden oldies: songs by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and those Gershwin boys. When it comes to vocals, no one beats Ella Fitzgerald. I've actually been moved to tears by her simply because I think her genius is so huge. I listen to Opera as well; my favorites are Mozart and Puccini, though I also like baroque opera, and baroque music in general (Bach being a personal favorite). If forced to pick someone from my own generation I'm really into Ani Difranco though I admire her equally as a poet and musician. And I would have to throw in Joni Mitchell as well, she's another singer who can give me chills just because parts of her songs are so perfect they frighten me.
What are your hobbies?
I sing (hence my attraction to Opera and other vocal music). I'm a coloratura soprano, and I used to study privately but now I do mostly choruses. I hope I can find a chorus to join in England because I've found it's a great way to meet people. I also used to act, but I've been trying to wean myself from the theater by degrees, and recently I've been doing more stage managing, which isn't as glamorous, but is just as fun.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
Gah, this is a tough one. In terms of magazines I tend to read only the New Yorker, and that's because I got a gift subscription. And I don't watch much TV, though when I did I enjoyed West Wing and Gilmore Girls because I love well written banter. But books and movies are tough: I'm omnivorous and insatiable in my appetites for both. I love reading works from the 19th century, I think my favorite books at the moment are Bronte's Jane Eyre and Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway (I know, I'm such a girl) but I love all kinds. The best book I read recently was The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. My favorite movies are North By Northwest, Singin' in the Rain, and A Streetcar Named Desire. I swear I'm not forty, I just have really old taste.
Finally, Sarah would like to leave everyone with this small bit of insight:"I have a tattoo of the Sir John Tenniel illustration of the Mock Turtle from Alice in Wonderland on my right shoulder blade. I tell you this to illustrate that I can be both rebellious and geeky at the same time."
Jeff Samotny
Studying in Prague, Czech Republic
Jeff is a 20-year-old Junior at Emory College in Atlanta, Georgia who lives in Northbrook, Illinois, just 20 miles north of Chicago, but is studying abroad at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic on a CIEE program. He's double majoring in economics and anthropology, to which he says, "Two different ends of the academic spectrum, I know, but it's been a blast to learn two completely unique ideas of thought."
When asked what he was most looking forward to about his semester in Prague, he responded, "You know that feeling when something just clicks in your head? Those moments of insight when a mess of information you've accumulated finally begins to make sense? I think the scientific term for these few seconds of absolute clarity is the 'Ah-ha Moment.' I'm most excited about all the 'Ah-ha' experiences I will have in Prague and throughout all of Europe (and hopefully Russia, too).
"After years and years of textbooks and pictures, movies and lectures, I'm finally going to see central Europe, really see it. Sure there will be the hundreds of students I will meet while studying in Prague and the dozens more while I am traveling throughout Europe on the weekends and after the program, and of course the great beer the Czechs are famous for, but all that, for me, just adds to my 'Ah-ha' moments. You see, from these people I will meet and study with, and from the people I live with in Prague, I will learn the most. Not from the classes or the museum tours, not from the Rick Steve's books I've been going through on this winter break, but from the people is where I will learn about Europe and about myself. There is nothing more important to me than self-discovery, and while I look forward to the 'Ah-ha moment' in a painting or a lecture, I am most excited for the 'Ah-ha moments' in which I learn about myself."
A quick Q & A session with Jeff on his general interests produced these results:
What type of music do you listen to?
I am a huge radio fan. Yes, we still exist. In Atlanta, at Emory, I listen to 99x, the alternative rock station, and if anyone asks my biggest pet peeve, it is that the music I like is called alternative rock. You see, in your head is a picture of a punk rock grunge kid from the 1990s listening to heavy garage band music, and that isn't what it is. So let's call it light alternative rock, but that doesn't sound too good either; I guess I don't like the word 'light' associated with my music. Regardless, it is Franz Ferdinand, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Killers, and whatever is hot at the moment. And my latest odd music trend (because I believe everyone should have one at every moment in their lives, at least when in college) is Matisyahu, an Orthodox Jewish reggae and rap artist. Don't laugh, check him out. He is awesome and I was able to see him live in Atlanta and write a report on him for an American Studies class I was in. It was a great privilege.
What are your hobbies?
I started swimming in college for fun because the workout room was always too crowded and the treadmill started to bore me. Then I got serious and took a swimming class and now I'm a regular fish. At least when the weather is nice. I've been spending a lot of time in the pool because it is a great workout and a great place to meet people, especially fun collegiates hanging out poolside in Atlanta where it is only cold for about 3 months of the year. Besides the pool though, I love being outside hiking, trail running, and on the water in a canoe. I've had some great opportunities to do all three living in Georgia and have become a huge hiker, spending a lot of weekend afternoons on quick day hikes.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
Books - Move over Roald Dahl, Tom Wolfe has replaced you. Seriously, on both accounts. The first is that Tom Wolfe is my current favorite author and the second truth is that Dahl was my favorite author even in my third year of college. Matilda, come on, greatest book of all time. The girl could move her eyes and nose and send the principal into paranoia.
TV - L O S T is the greatest television show of the moment and the only one I have to sit down and watch, or rather Tivo and watch sometime late at night before I fall asleep.
Movies - I like American documentaries. No, not weird ones about sharks and airplanes, but things like Devil's Playground about the Amish and their heading out into the 'real world.' I also like Super Size Me and Spellbound. To me, these are the original and true reality shows and show the world in a different light and let me see parts of the United States I wouldn't otherwise see.
If you want to know any more about Jeff (or hear him go into a rant about the last three books he's read, all of which were by Tom Wolfe), ask him in his blog and he'll be more than happy to begin a discussion with you.
Tammy Newcomer
Studying in Costa Rica
Tammy is a 21-year-old junior environmental science major at University of Maryland, Baltimore Country. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland but studying in Costa Rica for a home-stay with School for Field Studies (accredited by Boston University) and then Nicaragua, Tammy is participating in two very different aspects of studying abroad. She is spending one portion as a typical college student on a campus overlooking San Jose, and the second half immersed in a new culture, living with a foreign family.
When asked what she was most looking forward to about her time abroad, she answered like one would expect from a political and environmental activist:
"For me, the rainforest has always been a distant fantasy. Something mysterious filled with wonderful endangered species, vast canopies with insects that have yet to be classified, and plants that can be used to cure disease. I am a little bit afraid that I was born too late and it will already be like a mini United States; my study abroad advisor told me he was very disappointed to see a Taco Bell the last time he went to Costa Rica. But maybe through being kind and humble, I will have the chance to learn about Costa Rican customs so that I can share them with others via BlogAbroad.
"Globalization is a powerful agent of spreading knowledge, ideas, medicine, and technology. However, it can also wipe out indigenous cultures and customs when they are exposed to the western way of life. Without globalization I would not have this opportunity to study with Boston University's School for Field Studies. Yet without it, deforestation and other pressures would not be threatening the Costa Rican rainforests.
"It's one thing to theorize about a place and another to know, understand, and love it. It would be easy to say that I am looking forward to photographing the beauty of Morpho butterflies, poison dart frogs, and cascading waterfalls. It sounds strange but I am most looking forward to the unknown. What is it going to be like to use a cold, outdoor shower everyday, hike and camp in Costa Rican National Parks, confront issues like the illegal extraction of heart of palm, and connect with people who may only see an American as a dollar sign and hopefully let them see that we are real people too? I'm somewhat overwhelmed by the opportunity and the unknown of the months ahead in Costa Rica."
We asked Tammy for a few insights into her general interests in this Q & A:
What type of music do you listen to?
A truthful answer would be whatever my friends pick. As a result, I now enjoy Queen, Bob Marley, the Beatles, Incubus, Jeff Buckley, OutKast, the Beach Boys, Shania Twain, Alanis Morrisette, and oh yeah, Celtic Bagpipes. Weird, huh? Generally, I like to listen to music that makes me happy and is fun to dance to. (I'm a lefty so I'm not exceptionally coordinated, but I have a lot of fun and smile a lot so most people don't seem to care). I'll admit to knowing the lyrics to practically every Disney song, and I adore musicals. My favorites are Chicago, Rent, and anything by Andrew Lloyd Webber. As far as specific songs go, my favorite is Pachelbel's Canon. I love it performed either with a full classical orchestra or when a group of my high school friends play it with electric guitars.
What are your hobbies?I believe that to live well one must nurture a healthy mind, body, and soul. To develop a sharp intellect I study hard, read a variety of books, and try to keep up to date on current events so that I can debate with my friends. I also enjoy the occasional logic problem or old school Nintendo video game.
To maintain a strong body I used to row for UMBC's crew team but now I enjoy taking studio yoga, kickboxing, and core-ab classes. I'm antsy and I don't sleep as well if I don't exercise so I also like to lift weights, swim laps, run outside, take dance classes, and boulder. And I'm really excited about going Scuba Diving in Costa Rica as I haven't dove anywhere besides dark, cold quarries in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Another less intense physical activity that I love is gardening! At home during the summer I grow an awesome garden full of tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, peppers, zucchini, and other yummy veggies (I can whip up one mean zucchini bread and a really tasty spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes). I'm looking forward to working in the School for Field Studies on-site organic garden.
To fulfill my soul I enjoy volunteering with a plethora of organizations. My favorite charity would have to be Habitat for Humanity. I really like that they require their homeowners complete sweat equitya required number of hours spent renovating the houses. This gets the community involved and helps them develop a sense of ownership. I'm a committed advocate of urban renovation. If cities are strong and attractive then people will want to live in them instead of contributing to suburban sprawl and paving over more paradise. Other organizations I volunteer with are the Baltimore Believe campaign, Parks and People, the Timberland Community Builders Tour, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
Books: My three favorites would have to be Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front, James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small, and Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. Goodies that I have read in the past six months include Aldo Leopold's absolutely beautiful Sand County Almanac, Greg Critser's Fatland, Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, Rachel Carson's classic Silent Spring, Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire, Ann Brashares' Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, John Grisham's The Street Lawyer, Pete Fromm's Indian Creek Chronicles, Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, and Dr. Ben Carson's inspiring autobiography, Gifted Hands. Next up on my list are Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha, Vaitheeswaran's Power to the People, and Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel. Let me know if you have any other good recommendations. One of my favorite things about school breaks is being able to read whatever I want. I love disappearing into a good book and being able to travel vicariously to other times and places. I am so excited to be actually going to Costa Rica instead of just reading about it in a book!
Magazines: I like Time Magazine, Newsweek, Vegetarian Times, and I occasionally read CosmoIt's junk food for the brain.
Movies/TV: If you haven't guessed yet, I'm a big geek so I love Whedon's Firefly Series and movie Serenity. Other movies I like are Supersize Me, Office Space, Erin Brockovich, and anything that isn't too scary or gory.
And, just to prove that she wasn't lying about all of her charity work, we'd like to point out that the picture on her blog is part of a larger photo from, "when I organized the club I lead, Students for Environmental Awareness, to teach paper making to the kids at College Gardens. College Gardens is an after school program for underprivileged children from Baltimore City Public Schools. I was extremely impressed with the enthusiasm and creativity that the 5-12 year-olds displayed. To make paper to give to their parents as holiday gifts, they experimented with using different colors and adding leaves, herbs, and glitter. They were very well behaved; when I taught the lesson at the beginning, they did not speak unless I called on them when they raised their hands. The purpose of my lesson plan was to share with them their impact on the planet and how they can help limit pollution by following the 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. My favorite response was when I asked them how they could minimize waste, a shy, little guy with short, curly hair answered, You should always clean your plate because when you eat meat animals give their lives to make you strong and healthy and it's not very nice to throw part of them away.'
"Why do some adults lack the simple logic that children pick up so easily? Anyone who believes that Baltimore City and its public schools are hopeless would change their mind if given the opportunity to work with these bright, inquisitive pupils."
See this good-natured humanist in action at her blog
.
Taylor Benjamin-Britton
Studying in Tokyo, Japan
Taylor was already on her Temple program in Tokyo, Japan when we chose our BlogAbroad.com bloggers, so we had to let her know she was one of the four via e-mail. In just a matter of minutes she sent us this:
"I'm sitting in my hotel room window at 4 a.m., waiting for the sun to rise over Tokyo Tower and the other skyscrapers because I can't sleep - and I must impress the delight of a change of scenery, having become accustomed to Philadelphia - and I receive this letter. How excellent. Now I can show the world, and especially my fellow coddled Americans, what the view is like from out here. This is only the first step. Changing the world is on the horizon."
A bold goal to be sure, but not at all impossible to accomplish for from this 20-year-old West Chester, PA resident dual majoring in political science and Asian studies at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.
A quick Q & A session with Taylor before she left garnered us the following on her general interests:
What type of music do you listen to?
Everything but Hip-hop/Rap is fair game. I really like rock, both American and foreign, but I'm also into a number of Japanese pop groups right now and hope to hit up some concerts over the next few months.
What are your hobbies?
Drawing, singing, writing (I'm working on a novel right now), traveling and getting souvenirs from each place I visit, going to concerts, and taking pictures!
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
God, that's tough. Let's just say The Daily Show sums up my sense of humor, and leave it at that. America the Book, anything by Al Franken... I spend a lot of time on Comedy Central's streaming broadband site and can repeat a lot of what's been played on Friday Night Standup at will. I also watch Adult Swim, my favorites being Harvey Birdman and Family Guy.
I don't care much for magazines, but I have been known to pick up anything from National Geographic to Vanity Fair if it's been left out and flip through the pages. As for movies, I like a lot of indy films, such as I Heart Huckabees, Garden State, Mirrormask, and Millions. I adore British films, comedies especially, like Snatch. But I also fall for the big sellers like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. I'll watch anything I've heard is decent. I like to go see all the movies that are playing and be able to recommend what's good to anyone who asks, aka "movie maven". I'm still in the process of catching up on the classics, though.
And finally, perhaps filed into the category of "too much information," Taylor adds, "I'm a big nerd. I went in costume to the last Harry Potter movie premier. Take it or leave it. I hear cute girls can get away with being nerds."
If you agree with her, check out her fascinating blog now.
Jonathan Jackson
Studying in Dunedin, New Zealand
Jon is a 20-year-old Junior at Rice University who lives in Ben Wheeler, Texas but is studying abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand. His major is Cognitive Sciences, with an emphasis on psychology or neuroscience, and while abroad, he will be taking two cognition courses, one on Maori Society, and another on New Zealand Literature.
Before he left, he said, he is most excited about, "The complete uncertainty that awaits, the number of unforeseen challenges and triumphs that will undoubtedly arise. Whether it's something small like figuring out how to mail something, or a challenge to my worldview, positive or negative, it will all give me goosebumps." He was most anxious about, among all things, the cold weather. "I have difficulty dealing with the cold. It's a psychological thing; most homes don't have central heating, so it's kind of hard on a guy from Texas walking around in his flat wearing three layers of clothing."
A quick Q & A session with Jonathan on his general interests garnered us the following:
What type of music do you listen to?
Ah, music. I love all kinds of music, with the possible exception, ironically enough, of country and western. At the moment, I have an obsession with hip-hop and alternative, though that will undoubtedly change before the end of the semester.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies include reading, hiking (while in New Zealand, at least), sports (especially basketball), socializing with old friends and making new ones, cuisine (both cooking and eating), and the occasional introspection.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
Books--The Harry Potter series, anything by Douglas Adams, Ayn Rand, Roald Dahl, Mark Twain, and Robert Jordan.
TV--New fan of House, M.D. and Gray's Anatomy, as well as most cartoons.
Movies--Five of my favorites, in no particular order: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Blues Brothers, The Princess Bride, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
If you want to know any more about dear Jonathan, ask him in his blog and he'll be more than happy to begin a discussion with you.
Vanessa Ruiz
Studying in ten countries on Semester at Sea
Vanessa is a 22-year-old photography major and artist at the Rhode Island School of Design, although she hails from Miami, Florida. She is studying abroad with Semester at Sea, a unique program in which students live and take classes on a cruise ship while visiting La Guaira, Venezuela; Salvador, Brazil; Cape Town, South Africa; Mombasa, Kenya; Chennai (Madras), India; Yangon, Myanmar; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Hong Kong; Kobe, Japan; Honolulu, Hawaii; and San Diego, California. Amidst all the sight seeing and soul searching she will also manage to take classes in Global Studies, Abnormal Psychology, Small Business Management, and Women in Religion, all courses she says, "I am very interested in and which will be enhanced by my travel."
When asked what she was most excited about, her answer was:
"I guess I am most excited about meeting people from around the world, learning about their culture and how they interact with their world and other cultures. You can learn a lot about cultures from a classroom in the US but meeting people and experiencing their culture in person gives you a new understanding and appreciation for the world and its diversity. I'm especially interested in meeting the children in the countries I am traveling to... and of course photographing everything."
When asked what she was most anxious about, she had two very serious, very pressing issues she wanted to discuss. She is most anxious of:
"Getting bitten by a piranha while in the Amazon. Or maybe the credit card bill."
Her Q & A on general interests produced these results:
What type of music do you listen to?
I love all kinds of music, from Rap like Missy Elliot to more
classical music like Sarah Brightman, but my absolute favorites are
Shakira and Dolly Parton. Dolly above all, who has influenced my life
in more ways than I can count. I have the Dollywood butterfly tattooed
on my shoulder...long long story.
What are your hobbies?
Photography is my passion. I'm also a poet and
a closet science geek. I would say my life has been led by a desire to
help others and I hope to always travel and do some service to
children living in difficult situations. I've found great joy in
traveling to orphanages in other countries and teaching there. I find
that photographing my experiences has help bring awareness to the
people at home and I've also been able to collect donations because of
my images.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
One of my favorite books, which I
think was a great lesson for me as a child is Alexander and the
Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. It taught me that
difficult situations are a part of life and that we must all face them
and work through them. My favorite fiction book is The Count of Monte
Cristo for its elaborate, clever and suspenseful plot. However, I
find that I am more drawn to geeky science books such as The Elegant
Universe which is about string theory and quantum physics. I can't
resist books or movies on quantum mechanics, astronomy, or other
wondrous sciences. I highly recommend the movie What the $%&@ do we
know? which deals with how quantum physics is believed to work in our
lives. All very geeky stuff! But wondrous! Needless to say, you can
probably guess I'm a trekky. Yes, Star Trek is my favorite TV show of
all time. And my second love is comedy which I feel is just as
important to life as any knowledge in any textbook.
Finally, Vanessa would like to leave everyone with this small bit of insight:
"My friends call me Nessie, like the Loch Ness Monster. I'm a big nerd and a horrible speller. Sometimes I write very sophisticated and sometimes I sound like a teenager. In my blog my entries will vary in personality depending on the content. I'm sure that with a trip like this one, my blog entries will range in emotion and tone as I encounter the joys and difficulties of life I'll see in the people I'll meet on my journey."
Amy White
Studying in Cairo, Egypt
Amy is a 24-year-old grad student at the University of Colorado studying Post-colonial North African history. She is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but is traveling to Cairo, Egypt to study Arabic. She has a very altruist goal in studying abroad that she explains as, "There has been steadily increasing contact with the Arab world by ordinary Americans who are trying to understand America's situation in the world context. I am most excited to be an intermediary between these ordinary Americans and the Arab world. I hope to ease confusion among my peers and others over what is presumed about Arab/Muslim culture and what is factual."
In terms of her general interests, she shared these thoughts with us:
A quick Q & A session with Amy on her general interests garnered us the following:
What type of music do you listen to?
Reggae, jazz (especially Afro-Latin jazz), and blues. (Billie Holiday, Ella
Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Oscar Brown, Jr., Alpha Blondy, Aretha Franklin, Buena
Vista Social Club, Gipsy Kings, Israel Vibration, Medeski Martin and Wood, etc.)
What are your hobbies?
Hiking, biking (I don't own a car) and reading.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
My favorite news show is Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman. I just finished reading a fantastic book to prepare me for my year abroad in Egypt - 9 Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks. My favorite magazine since I was a child is National Geographic and I also read the New York Review of Books. I don't own a TV.
When asked about her thoughts on blogging, Amy said, "It's a means of communication that is important, utilizing current technologies to spread knowledge of the world outside of America."
If you agree with her, check out her fascinating blog now.
Keri James
Studying in New York, United States
Keri is a 20-year-old from Wellington, New Zealand, although she was originally born in England. She is completing her degree abroad at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, majoring in sociology and management. In terms of her general interests, she shared these thoughts with us:
We asked Keri for a few insights into her general interests in this Q & A:
What type of music do you listen to?
Rock and some old school.
What are your hobbies?
Most Sports and hanging out with friends.
Favorite books/magazines/TV/movies?
The O.C.
When asked what she thought of being chosen as a BlogAbroad.com blogger, Keri said, "I was very surprised to find I had been selected as a BlogAbroad.com blogger. But at the same time I am very excited about being able to share some of the great experiences with others in hope to inspire other young adults to get out and travel so they too can experience the great things that I do."
Check out her blog now for an international student's perspective on studying in the United States.
Phil Assetto
Studying in Rome, Italy
How old are you?
I am 21.
What type of music do you listen to?
My musical tastes are extremely varied. I like hip-hop, alternative, rock, classic rock, even some country. Just to give you a better idea: Albums in my CD player right now...Good News For People Who Love Bad News from Modest Mouse and Collision Course from Jay-Z and Linkin Park. Recent downloads...Somewhere Only We Know from Keane and The Blowers Daughter from Damien Rice
What are your likes/dislikes?
My strongest likes are spending time with friends and family, travel, art, and history. My greatest dislikes are closed mindedness, superficiality, and routine.
Favorite books/magazines/tv/movies?
My favorite books are Slaughterhouse-five by Kurt Vonnegut and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. My favorite magazine is National Geographic. I also read RollingStone, Time, and The Economist. I don't watch many television shows regularly but I do like Family Guy and the Simpsons. I am a big movie buff. My favorites are The Shawshank Redemption, Scent of a Woman, Forest Gump, and the Godfather II.
Emma Clippinger
Studying in Senegal Africa
Three things that scare me:
-Blood. Actually, not so much blood as veins. Damien Hirst installations with the severed cows and subsequent flies-no fun.
-Willful ignorance.
-Extremism.
Three people who make me laugh:
-My friends.
-Jon Stewart.
-David Sedaris.
Three things I love:
-My family-which includes my old man kitty, Boots.
-Jefferson, NH.
-Chocolate.
Three things I hate:
Without getting all radical and political, I can't really think of anything that I unilaterally hate. Except getting blood drawn. And injustice. There are two.
Three things I don't understand:
-Calculus and all pertinent fields of study.
-What happened in Ohio. And Florida.
-Chess.
Three things on my desk:
-A teetering tower of postcards that have accumulated over the years, a result of both friends' adventures and my own.
-A gargantuan Art History textbook.
-Some Christmas cards I never mailed.
Three things I'm doing right now:
-Boiling water for tea.
-Listening to the Youssou N'Dour CD I just purchased.
-Considering my dinner prospects.
Three things I want to do before I die:
-Save the world or, at the very least, travel as much of the world as possible.
-Make the perfect soufflé.
-Gain proficiency in some language other than English.
Three ways to describe my personality:
-An outspoken critic of the mass media who could not live without US Weekly, People, Star, The National Enquirer and other such fine publications.
-A night at The It Club with Hollywood's A-list or dinner with a Times journalist covering Iraq? Dinner with the journalist.
-As I typically carry on three simultaneous conversations in my head at any given moment, I have been known to both talk to myself and blurt out non-sequiturs when engaged in actual conversations with actual physical beings. Astrology savvy friends say it's a Libra thing.
Three things I can't do:
-Play chess.
-Consciously make eye contact without blushing.
-Read music.
Jackie Kliest
Studying in Santiago, Chile
Three things that scare me:
- Waking up and not knowing where I am
- Being stuck in the same place/job for more than 10 years
- Eating live things (though I've done it)
Three people who make me laugh:
- My best friend
- My 17 year old brother
- Dave Barry (I'm addicted to his columns)
Three things I love:
- Being spontaneous
- Carbs (ie Cheetos and Mint choc chip ice cream)
- Traveling
Three things I hate:
- Fake conversations
- Text messaging-too tedious
- Driving in snow
Three things I don't understand:
- Spanish grammar
- How to whistle
- How to lie convincingly
Three things on my desk:
- Far too many pictures (of friends, family, Mexico, etc.)
- Ticket stubs from concerts (John Mayer, Disturbed, and Rascal
Flatts.)
- My SPAM shot glass from the Spam Museum in Minnesota
Three things I'm doing right now:
- Filling out stacks of forms for my Chilean VISA
- Helping my little sister plan her 50's Bday party
- Wondering how I will speak nothing but Spanish for five months!
Three things I want to do before I die:
- See as many countries/landmarks as possible
- Read all the books English majors are supposed to have read
- Learn how to drive cars with manual transmission
Three ways to describe my personality:
- Annoyingly enthusiastic
- Observant
Patient (as anyone who has ever worked with kids has to be!)
Three things I can't do:
- Crack my knuckles
- Handle confrontation
- Make grilled cheese without burning it
