Matthew M. - Oxford, England - Fall 2011

Hello future study abroad students.  My name is Matthew and I am a senior studying abroad in Oxford for the autumn semester.  I am studying at Oxford through The Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.  CMRS is affiliated with Keble College, where you will have the chance to meet other current students over dinner. 

I arrived in Oxford three weeks ago.  Before departing, I didn’t expect to experience a substantial amount of culture shock.  I was humbled.  Although there are a lot of similarities, there are also plenty of cultural differences between cultures.  The required international education course did help prepare me for culture shock and I found those resources helpful during the first two weeks.  The first week I was homesick and my sleep schedule was messed up.  If you are feeling homesick just remind yourself that you are only here for about three months and it is a once in a lifetime experience culturally and academically. For your information, Skype Is not allowed because of bandwidth issues so I suggest using Gmail video chat in order to keep in contact with your significant other and family members.  

When you first step off the bus in Oxford, you will be in awe of the medieval architecture, fresh markets and countless coffee shops and eateries.  In addition, when you realize the amount of facilities readily available for research (specifically the fantastic Bodleian library!) you will be anxious to begin studying.    If you are enrolled in the autumn semester you start with a mandatory Integral course (if you are signed up for Spring, I think you finish with the Integral course).  Do not panic when you are given the reading list and schedule.  If you plan wisely you will be able to focus your attention on specific topics that you are interested in.  The group field trips to cathedrals and castle’s are really informative and helpful.  My favorite city in England thus far, besides Oxford, is Winchester. 

Academically speaking, it is more rigorous.  But, so far I have found that it is rewarding if you keep up with the work assigned.  The reading list and lectures give you the opportunity to be very independent with your research and reading.  I do not start my tutorial and seminar courses for a few weeks, but I am excited to start soon!  Also, explore Blackwell’s Bookstore, which has a huge selection of books.  Every time I walk in I end up buying a new book. 

I am gradually becoming accustomed with my surroundings and beginning to feel more comfortable studying in Oxford.  It is amazing here and I am excited for what is to come.  If you have any questions concerning whatever you can email me personally at mattrmur@gmail.com.

Kimberly S. - Salzburg, Austria - Fall 2011

My program started quite a bit later than others, so it's only now that I am really getting a feel for the city of Salzburg. The city is absolutely beautiful. From the mountains that surround the city, one is treated to an absolutely breathtaking view, whether it is day or night. Everywhere I look, I see church steeples and an obvious effort to maintain the architecture and structures of old. Salzburg most definitely is deeply rooted in it's past and takes great pride in its famous sons (most especially Mozart. Every store it seems carries Mozart souvenirs to purchase or some statue or pictures in reference to him) It's funny that Austrians have a reputation for efficiency because they also certainly value taking their sweet time. For an American, going to a restaurant can be an almost infuriating experience at first because of how long it can take to be recognized by the waitstaff, get one's food, and finally pay the bill. Basically, I need to get adjusted to leaving myself more time and taking a moment to breath and enjoy my surrounding. Walking and biking (as well as public transportation) are the ways to get around. Since Salzburg is such an old city, most of the infrastructure is based upon pedestrian zones. Most of the Altstadt (old city) is also not gridded, so it can be easy to get lost. Another somewhat foreign thing to get used to is store and office hours. Most stores are not open on Sunday (so one must plan ahead for groceries) and in general stores close earlier than in America and administrative offices have very limited operating hours as well. If you need something (such as your student ID card) plan on being there at opening hour.

Sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed with speaking German because I didn't review quite enough over the summer. I would like to be speaking more German, but having a large group of Americans for my program and an American roommate can be quite a disadvantage. Hopefully I will be able to start practicing my language skills more now that my classes are actually starting.

Ariel P. - Dunedin, New Zealand - Fall 2011

Hello everyone on the other side of the planet! Hope you all enjoyed the summer weather the past few months, that’s the only thing I miss! I have been in Dunedin, New Zealand for about a month and a half now. So far it’s been an amazing experience, this country is more beautiful than you can even imagine. I’ve met so many great people and already done countless things I wouldn’t have done back in the states. Settling in to living in a different country was easier than I expected, but then again I was well prepared! The most difficult thing has been getting used to the cold (I choose to study in the very south of the country). New Zealand’s winters are nowhere near as harsh as Chicago winters; temperatures typically range between 35-45 degrees with occasional nights that are colder. However, houses here have no central heating! It’s actually been colder inside my flat than outside on a few occasions. I have never loved anything more than my heated mattress pad ;-) But thankfully, the worst of winter has passed and yesterday was a beautiful 65 and sunny! Just in time for spring break next week where my British roommate and I will be travelling around the northern south island before heading to Wellington, the countries capital, to stay with our kiwi host (I live in a Uni flat with 4 other internationals and 1 kiwi student).

A few of the things I have experienced since being here:

• Spelunking-probably one of the most amazing things I have ever done. I had to repel down a waterfall 80 meters underground!
• White water rafting-which included the largest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. A 20-meter drop-off!
• Learned and performed the ‘Haka’ which is traditional Maori dance that is now performed/best known by the New Zealand All Blacks before each rugby game to pump themselves up
• Drove on the LEFT side of the road, it’s actually quite easy to get used to
• Snowboarding in Queenstown-the view of endless mountain ranges from the lift is a nice change from Midwest skiing.
• Eaten the most delicious burger on this planet!! Furgburger…if anyone ever makes it to Queenstown, you will know what I’m talking about!
• Tramped a mountain in the Southern Alps
• Had a streaker run through my lecture hall, I thought that only happened in the movies!
• Went to a royal wedding themed Ball
• Experienced my first ever Snow Day in the month of August!

The academic system in New Zealand is much different from what I’m used to. Since I’m at a large Uni my papers (what they call courses) are in lectures halls along side a couple hundred kiwi students with smaller tutorial classes once or every other week. That way of learning was difficult to get used to especially with being an international student and having to get used to the accent/different words and writing style they use here. But I’d say the hardest thing getting used to is the assessment system. There are only a few assignments per semester for each paper with a large exam at the end, so everything is worth a lot more and it’s your responsibility to keep up with the lectures and readings. One of my papers only has one group assignment worth 40% and the final exam is worth 60%!!! Yikes! I have definitely spent a lot of time studying, which is sometimes difficult having international friends taking pass/fail classes. But hey, at least I’m learning something!

My time here has been even more wonderful than I could ever imagine, It’s sad to think that in just three weeks it’s half over! I have so many plans and there’s so much to look forward to in the next few months. In case your not rugby fans, the Rugby World Cup 2011 is being held in New Zealand this year and It starts in just 2 weeks! You can literally feel the excitement building. Dunedin just put the finishing touches on a brand new $200mil stadium for the event. New Zealand’s main sport is rugby and this country is OBSESSED with their All Blacks. I can only imagine how big of a party it’s going to be if they win!

Well I better wrap this up so I’m not late for class. Cheers from New Zealand!! I hope everyone has a great semester!J

Feel free to email me, or comment on this blog entry if anyone is considering studying in New Zealand and want the low down about the University of Otago or the country in general. (parksa@net.elmhurst.edu)

John B. - Salzburg, Austria - Fall 2011

Servus und Grüß Gott from Salzburg!

I have been in Germany/ Austria for one week now. My initial reactions are very positive. I definitely made the right choice and the BGSU Salzburg program that is affiliated with Elmhurst College is a great program and I highly recommend it to any future german students.

When I arrived in Salzburg, I soon was taken to Freilassing, DE, right over the boarder. I was luckily enough to stay with family of another EC student here and it was a great way to get used to a new area. I bought lederhosen and the next day, made my way to Munich's Oktoberfest. It was a fun time, but smaller and less eventful than I expected.

I met up with my Bavarian friend at Oktoberfest and she invited me and fellow EC student, Kim, to her home after the fest. We ended up in a very small village an hour north of Munich, Alfershausen. It was gorgeous. We went to castle ruins, fed horses, and looked at more stars in the sky than I have ever seen.

Upon arriving in my dorm in Salzburg, I explored the city for 8 hours by foot and soon realized I should have taken it easy because I ended up having to walk and walk everyday. Oh well, lesson learned. I just started classes yesterday, October 3, and they seem very good so far. My classes are all in German and count towards gen eds and towards my German minor, which worked out perfectly. My German professor back at EC really prepared me for this environment by only speaking to us in German, so I felt like I was in class back home. The only problem here in Salzburg is understanding the natives. The southern dialect can be quite frustrating because I will only understand a third of what they are saying as opposed to more if they were speaking standard 'high' german.

All in all, I made the right choice here. The program is great and I have made a few new buddies as well as making the acquaintance of a few local like-minded musicians. Feel free to ask me any questions.

Tschüss,

John B

Jessica T. - Galway, Ireland - Fall 2011

It’s hard to believe that today is my one month anniversary…..one full month that I’ve been in beautiful Ireland! I gotta tell you, it truly is amazing! In just one month, I already feel like I’ve gotten to do so much, see great sights, and meet so many new people. So far I’ve been to Dublin, the Dingle Peninsula, Connemara, the Cliffs of Moher, and of course Galway, where I’m studying.

            Before coming abroad it’s impossible to really know what to expect. Sure, you read up on the culture, try to prepare yourself for things to come, and speak to other people who have visited that country. Although all these are very helpful and definitely recommended, you really never know what’s coming until you’re finally there. My advice, approach it with a “roll with the punches” kind of attitude.

            In Ireland, I knew it would rain, I knew there’d be a lot of walking, and I knew the school system would be different from what I’m used to in the U.S.  However, even though I was prepared for that, it still can take a toll on your mood if you don’t come with the right mindset. I’m usually a laid back person anyway, but I decided that when I came here, I was going to take whatever was thrown at me and enjoy it for what it is. I’ve accepted the fact that it rains literally everyday and that to get anywhere I need to expect at least a 15-minute walk. I’ve accepted that the school system in Galway is totally unorganized and I’ve learned to laugh at it and embrace these new experiences. Plans won’t always go as planned and spontaneity is key. Live each moment as much as you can because the time really does fly by, just like everyone is telling you that it will!

            As for the people in Ireland, they sure are friendly and usually welcoming. I have met a couple people who just plain dislike Americans, but the majority is grand (throwin’ a little Irish lingo in there).  People on the streets, in the shops, and at the school are all very helpful. It’s interesting, say you call a shop and ask a question, if they don’t know the answer they’ll take your phone number down, find out the answer, and call you back. Never really see that kind of thing in America.  The whole culture is just a lot more laid back and very trusting. Another thing I noticed about the Irish culture is how resourceful they are. They are very adamant about their recycling program and conserving water and electricity. Downfall to this is that hot showers are very hard to come by, but I’ve really learned a lot about getting by with less and protecting our environment.

            My number one suggestion when you go abroad is to get involved, engage in new experiences, and make the best of everything. I’ve joined the volleyball club at NUIG, am taking a service learning class in which I get to go to a local elementary school homework club once a week and help the children, and plan to volunteer with the disabled community. On top of this, I’ve still made time to see and do a great deal of things and get my schoolwork done too. Here’s a picture of me at the Cliffs of Moher – a must see if you’re planning to travel to Ireland! Take the time to venture out and see these kinds of sights! You won’t regret it!