My friend Ana and I decided to go to South Kensington for dinner, since it is only two tube stops away from our house. After dinner we were walking around when we spotted Niall Horan from the boy band One Direction. There was no crowd or commotion around him, which is what I would’ve expected,…
Is This Really Happening?
Here it is a day before my arrival in London. This time tomorrow I will have already settled down into my cozy suite on campus and absorbed my fill of orientation information. To say I am excited is to say the least. This is my first time out of the country. (Caribbean cruises don’t count…
Armando Abroad: “But they kill Christians there!”
While I never thought I would face physical danger for not being Muslim, I admit I was unsure about how to identify religiously while on this trip: would it be better to identify as “Catholic” since I was raised as one or frankly express my atheism? Maybe I should just stay as far away from…
change of scenery
I have moved Homestays since my last report. I am much closer to school and have a family more of what I asked for. I have three younger siblings under the age of 12 along with a homestay mom. The setting is a lot more relaxed and I am much happier with the new accommodations….
Stinky Tofu and White Snakes
Fields of rice paddies alongside a dirt road; elderly locals cooking and selling unique food on streets; the smell of tea plants during their peak season; cloudy mountains hovering in the landscape, preserved forests and waterways; tiny boats paddling down a canal lined with close-knit homes; traditional art being protected and displayed; public dancing and martial arts; the Beijing opera, folk stories and pipa…
Just a Mid-Sized City Girl, Living in a Mountain World
She took the 9:15pm Plane, Going to Heathroooooow. Pardon my singing, but it’s been a long trip and I didn’t warm up. Let me start this off by saying I started this blog post on the plane while watching Inside Out. I can’t believe it’s only been ten days since that sleep deprived ride. Living in…
LONDON WE MADE IT
First off, London is AMAZING and I never thought I would love it this much right off the bat! After moving in with my new roomies, from Arizona State, Ole Miss, and Washington State, we started exploring and going on adventures right away. The first night we went to Schordich and had a great time…
10 Days in
France is funny. It’s more foreign than I thought it would be. I spent a month in Rwanda; I knew that would be foreign. I expected it. There was no real surprise or difference in Rwanda. I’ve spent a day in Brussels before, and a week in Madrid when I was 14. Brussels…
Off to London!
In less than one week I will be leaving for Queen Mary University in London. Even though I am so excited for this opportunity to study abroad this semester, I am also a little nervous! I still have a lot to do to get ready for the trip, am a little nervous to study at…
Just China eat some good food
Don’t let anybody tell you anything different. Three weeks into studying abroad definitely feels like I’ve been here forever. Ive adapted to waking up for hours of Chinese class, but making sure I get my bao zi (breakfast dumplings) first. Then finishing off the day with your classes or hanging out and doing homework. If…