Hi all!

My semester in Morocco started with the intensive Darija (Moroccan Arabic) course. I arrived in Morocco 10 days before the program start date, and though with no prior exposure to either classical Arabic or other Arabic dialects, I picked up a decent amount of Darija and soon after the program started, moved from a beginner Darija class to an advanced class where everyone else has studied classical Arabic.

Before I left for Amsterdam, I idealistically (and ignorantly) thought of it as a liberal, equality based and essentially perfect city. From stroopwafels, to a city I can easily navigate on bike, to progressive legislation and breathtaking canals, it was love at first sight. Now don’t get me wrong, I am still intensely in love with Amsterdam. So much so, that I’ve already begun exploring my options for attending graduate school here.

Hi! My name is Lexi Kelley and I’m a junior at Lafayette College. I’m pursuing a Bachelors of Arts in International Affairs with a minor in Mandarin Chinese and I’ll be studying in Shanghai this semester through the Shanghai - Economy, Business & Society - Spring 2018 program! I just received my housing assignment and I will be living in an apartment with three other roommates.

“Ambitious” is a positive term in the United States. It means you take what you want, you aren’t afraid, and you welcome new experiences. I think a lot of people strive to be ambitious and courageous, but let’s be honest, it’s kind of terrifying.

Without a doubt, one of the best things about studying abroad is forming new friendships that continue long after the program end date. In my personal experience, I’ve found that making close, meaningful relationships with friends abroad occurs on a seemingly accelerated timeline. Quite possibly this is due to a raw sense of vulnerability that seems to be associated with making connections in a foreign environment.

In primary and secondary school, I learned about the Berlin Wall. I learned about the atrocities of the World Wars, the violation of human rights by various government regimes, and even the internment of Japanese-Americans in my own nation. What I never learned about - even though a violent, devastating period that received international attention - were The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

On my first day of class here at IES Abroad London, I was instructed to go outside and eavesdrop. The class was Playwriting Workshop, and the task was as follows: we had exactly 20 minutes to find some people having a conversation. They could be in a coffee shop, or at a bus stop, or on a park bench—these could be any people having any conversation. All we had to do was identify our targets and, quietly and discretely, write down at least six lines of their dialogue. We would then return to the classroom and read those lines aloud.