This past week I traveled to Spain and France during my fall break. Because of Morocco’s close proximity to Europe, I was able to find affordable flights and hotels. Yet, after spending a week in a culture similar to one in America I experience reversed culture shock. Yes, I diagnosed myself.

Happy belated Eid Mubarak!

I apologize that I haven’t blogged in such a long time. Homework and midterm exams still exist while abroad!

This past month I celebrated Eid Mubarak, the holiday commemorating Abraham sacrificing a ram instead of his son, with my host-family. This four-day celebration is one of the most important religious holidays in the Islamic calendar. During the four days families come together to feast, pray and sacrifice a sheep. Yes, a sheep.

In lieu of Chinese class on Friday all IES students participated in a Traditional Chinese Medicine lesson.  We learned the 6 causes of ailments: wind, fire, cold, dampness, dryness, heat. Students with ailments were then treated by Master Zhong, and this is how that went:

When I first came to Chile, I kept trying to explain to people that the US had the same problems as Chile (“But we also have a system that gives better healthcare and a better education to those who can afford it!”). It took me a while to learn, observe, and admit that inequality here is more profound. It took me even longer to articulate why.

Last Monday evening I finally had the chance to finally bond with my host sister.  Once arriving to Italy I knew I was going to miss coaching and playing volleyball and never thought I would have the chance to play.  Upon arriving I found out my host sisters Francesca and Margherita both play I was beyond thrilled we had something in common. They both play for their school and love playing the sport just as much as I do.

The Dutch are not like the French; there is no really sort of delicacy here. The three things the Dutch are known for when it comes to food are: herring, French fries and pancakes. I have yet to try the herring, but the other two are delicious! I do have a special place in my heart for the Dutch pancake…

Early on, my friends and I found a pancake place online that we wanted to try. We expected it to be good, but we did not expect it to be life-changing.