I have always had a passion for markets. Fresh produce straight coming from the farmers, cheeses, condiments, clothes, shoes, accessories, shoes, but also home objects. Strictly fresh, honest, low-price, and practical.
In Part One, I highlighted societal views, cost of living, language barriers, culture, and human rights as the fundamental components to examine when selecting a study abroad program. While these are all extremely important factors to consider, the factors I have listed below are those I erroneously failed to take into account when choosing my program, and now two-thirds complete with my first semester, I definitely should have. At any rate, please consider the following before confirming a placement in an abroad program:
Studying abroad is a life enhancing opportunity every student should experience, but choosing the right location/program is not as easy as it seems. When I first decided to study abroad, I considered several factors: climate, cultural/societal views, cost of living, cuisine, and potential language barrier. At that time, I knew that I wanted to study in a region I had not yet visited, but I also wanted to be in a country that offered my essential U.S. comforts: efficient public transit, solid city infrastructure, and of course, Wi-Fi.
During our first week of orientation, each individual was asked to state their name, school, major, and reason for coming to China. Unlike my peers, who were more so looking to gain something tangible/external from the experience, ability to speak Chinese more fluently or expertise in Chinese economics, I was seeking to grow more intrinsically. Coming to China for me meant putting myself in an uncomfortable environment to drive self-growth and to visit a new part of the world I had never been.
Lesson learned this week: Always. Carry. Cash. In. Europe.
Unfortunately this key lesson was learned the hard, and very French, way. Let me explain.
02 November 2015
This past week, IES Abroad Tokyo sponsored a trip to Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture. We traveled by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kanazawa Station and started our sightseeing and relaxation voyage.
If you start at St. Stephen’s Green and go down Grafton Street, past the Decent Cigar Emporium and T.G.I. Friday’s, past the street performers and Carroll’s Irish Gifts, you’ll end up at the front gates of Trinity College. There’s lot of construction around there at the moment, so much of the sidewalk around the entrance is blocked off, but nonetheless, all along the pedestrian walkway, there are signs pointing toward what is probably the school’s most precious possession: the Book of Kells.
Let's face it: Life is never 100% peaches and cream fantastic. With every situation, there is bound to be an off day, or a bad situation, something you wish you didn't have to deal with. And most of the time, it's something you have no control over. Don't get me wrong, my time in Cape Town has been one of the happiest times in my life. If I could move every single person I love from Long Island and put them here, I'd be all set for the rest of my life.
I've grown to appreciate solitude over the years. Solitude, mind you, is not synonymous with loneliness. In fact, I'm never lonely, but I'm often in solitude. Solitude is an intentional state of being by oneself, whereas loneliness is a state of having no one around or there for support. Anyways, solitude is definitely something I have grown into. Much like the taste of natto or the texture of sashimi, solitude can be an acquired taste. I, however, much like most other things, have grown to like it with eagerness.