Full Letters from Abroad

Marla Kramer
University of Minnesota, Florence, Italy
I'm studying abroad in Florence Italy , with The David, the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and the Uffizi Gallery. My program is through the University of Minnesota primarily, but there are students from Illinois , Indiana , and Wisconsin . We live in apartments all throughout the city and I live with three other girls from my program. The classes are fun and interesting, but not nearly as much fun as the city! It's been great to live in a different culture and I think it's so important for everyone to take a step out of their comfort zone like this. Some of the first things you have to get used to is that "bar" means a coffee shop, there's lots of dog 'presents' on the streets, and lunch comes with lots of courses! I've had the opportunity to travel to Rome , Venice , Pisa , and soon Sorrento and the Amalfi coast area down South. For spring break I went to Berlin , Amsterdam and Paris and after the program ends I will be in Spain for one and a half weeks.

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Carie Reed
Tuebingen University Business School, Germany
I found several interesting courses in the Tuebingen University Business School , and I am most likely going to take International Human Resource Management, or Introduction to Marketing.

It was fairly easy to survive the acclimation phase, because at first I was too overwhelmed to truly miss home. I was very busy getting used to the train and bus systems in Germany , which is something I am not accustomed to using in the United States . When I felt myself experiencing homesickness, I reminded myself that I made this decision to come to Germany and have wanted to visit Europe ever since I was young. So then when it feels like my own conscious decision, I feel like I am living out one of my dreams. I also believe that it is a good experience to truly live on your own without the comforts of the people and places we are used to.

I have learned many lessons so far, and one of the most important lesson is that the way people act in one culture can have a different meaning in another culture. For example, one time I bumped into someone on the street and said "excuse me" and sometimes in German culture, I have noticed that it is not always necessary to apologize for every action. I came to this conclusion, because rather than thinking I was apologizing, the person thought I was trying to ask a question or open a conversation, which "excuse me" can also be used for. I have also learned that sometimes facial expressions can carry different meanings, for example someone who is deeply concentrating can appear to be angry, but in such cases, one can jump to too many conclusions and have too much self-doubt when conversating with native German speakers. Overall, I have met very many nice individuals here and most people were more than happy to offer me help.

When travelling in Germany or staying with a guest family, I would suggest that you be conscious of water usage, garbage disposal, and using formal vs. informal language. Water and electricity are generally used sparingly here, so a 20 minute shower is not the norm.

As for garbage disposal, there are several different containers for different sorts of garbage (i.e. plastic, paper, bio) and overall the Germans are very conscious of caring for the environment. Lastly, it is polite and widely accepted to use the formal 'You' when addressing strangers. It is difficult to get used to, because in English we only have one version of the pronoun 'You,' however in German there exists a formal and informal form, and it is strictly recognized.

From January 21st- April 1st, 10 weeks at the Hermann Hesse Kollege, private German language institute, in Horb (am Neckar) while staying with a guest family in a local dorf, called Talheim. Then from April 1st- August 1st studying at the University of Tuebingen, living in a dorm, taking International Language Courses and one normal course at the University.

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Lauren Maloney Egnatius
University of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
Ding, Dong, Ding…Bong, Bong, Bong! The soothing song of the chapel bell across from my Spanish family's quaint and pure white casa gently drifts in and out of my dreams, immediately sending me a melodious reminder that I am in Spain and can't possibly spend another moment in my bed. Despite the fact that my down pillow clings desperately to my tousled curls and my white comforter is tucked around my body like a second layer of my very own skin, my brain alerts the rest of my body to rise quickly in order to encounter the unknown agenda of the adventures that today await me. With that as my motivation, I swiftly move to my feet, energized by the single ray of sunlight that hints to me that today is going to be another sun drenched day in Sevilla; mi favorita! Unable to wait any longer, I unlock the wooden door that leads to my third floor terrace and encounter un cielo(a sky) that is perfectly azul (blue). I close the door behind me and go to sit at the small table surrounded by cacti. Draped in the kisses of the sun's morning presence, I find myself in complete solitude and serenity. My body is immediately filled with a warmth that can only belong to the oh-so-charming and enchanting ciudad de Sevilla , Spain . Basking in the light, I am slowly brought to consciousness of the day, as I take notice of the bustling streets below me in my neighborhood. Although my Spanish familia resides in an enclosed, more private zona, the lively activity could easily make a passerby believe he or she had encountered one of the city's most elegant barrios. I can hear the waiters that work across the street at my favorite local tapas bar, preparing for today's 2:00 almuerzo rush, the largest meal of the day.

Almuerzo lasts for a good two hours, not merely due to the elaborate meals, but more so as a result of its social nature: it is a time before the afternoon's ritual siesta for family and friends to get together. Promptly, my ears pick up on the friendly chatter of the Spanish Sevillana women lined in the streets, dressed as if they were going to the most important party of the year. At the same time, I breath in the sweet aroma of Sevilla's famous orange trees that line the winding allies and drift their way into my orifices, putting me in a trance with their poignant smell. The familiar cry of glee of my five-year-old Gitano neighbor fills my ears, just in time for me to look up and see his crooked tooth smile, gleaming at me with joy across from his own third floor balcony. I give him my ritual goofy look in return and salute him, shouting “Buenos dias!”, just as my Senora calls up to me in song that it is time to eat. “Al Comer!” These words are music to my ears. My memories automatically associate the two words with the rich flavors of Spanish cuisine that I have come to know in my casa: refreshing gazpacho, fresh salads piled high with dried fruits, aged cheese with homemade olive oils, and my personal favorite and quite the delicacy here: a steaming plate of homemade paella. During our midday almuerzo, not only are our stomachs completely satiated and singing a song of contentment after each meal, but the hour is usually accompanied by endless stories and laughter amongst my foreign brothers and sisters, and my Spanish padres. Each one of us takes a turn, recounting our stories of the day, spent on the bank of the river, throughout the city or in class. We continuously share the distinct experiences of life in our respective countries, yet each of us bonded through the use of one common language, the experience of the Spanish culture, and a rich appreciation for the opportunity to sample a bit of one another's own native culture.

It's been almost three months since I first arrived in Sevilla and now I have the ability to ramble in Spanish to my amigos, almost as rapidly as my thoughts flow in my native language. I soak up every minute of the experience I have here to meet new people; I have identified with people from half way around the world in ways that I could have never imagined were possible. I realize now that it is fear that debilitates people from attempting to speak another language or fully experience another's culture, but it is this same feeling that is immediately replaced with newfound confidence and growth once one steps out of the boundaries of familiarity. My goals, thoughts and mentality have all shifted in a way that brings more balance to my life; more inline with the serenity and peace that I have always sought out. Normally quite persistent about achieving everything on my “To Do” list in the States, here in Sevilla I take the time to discover what it is that I truly feel like doing, soaking up every moment I have, sipping sangria by the sun-drenched river while watching the palm trees dance to the hypnotic beat of the flamenco lullaby playing in the distance. Rather than living my life to accomplish insignificant tasks, I take the time to know people- to really make a social connection with people from a completely distinct culture. This is what the Spanish vida is really about. These people work to live, rather than live to work, and the rest of their time is dedicated to their loved ones, neighbors, friends, good food and most importantly a refreshing drink. This is all they need to find fulfillment.

So why is it that all my life, I have held a completely different ideology of life in the States? Always, I was supposed to desire more; money, power, prestige, recognition, more possessions. Here I have realized that the truth is that these things crumble in the face of love, social connection, and pure enjoyment of the small gifts that life brings us each day. This revelation has been quite the shock to my American bred blood, but at the same time, it is almost an affirmation of all I had ever believed before I arrived in Spain . I worked so vigorously to get here, studying relentlessly in my classes while holding down one or two jobs as a waitress, fantasizing of the day that I would be able to leave everything familiar and knowing in the deepest part of my heart that there was something more to learn about life. I was determined to find it and seek out the balance I wanted. Never, did I actually think I would find a place that fits me as well as Sevilla. With my arrival here, I found contentment, serenity and a calming of my own soul. The only problem is that I know my trip here comes with an expiration date. However, I don't waste a minute worrying about the future, for fear that I will miss all the excitement going on in my present life. All that I can do now is submerge myself in the Spanish culture, and later take back with me the most culturally enriching experience possible. I do this by abandoning my inhibitions to speak with the locals, taking Spanish dance lessons with a group of Spanish elders, and replacing my own drab and quite American clothing with the styles of Sevilla.

Thanks to the fact that I happen to live by the most chic, high fashion streets of Sevilla, Tetuan and Sierpes, I immediately traded in my jeans and plain t-shirts, for vintage, knee length skirts, a pair of cowboy boots, an open, breeze-welcoming Spanish blouse that reveals my bronzed skin, and the most vital piece of every Spanish women's wardrobe, a gold scarf to drape loosely around my neck. I must admit, with my naturally darker skin and long brown curls, one might easily mistaken me for a native Sevillana.

But then again there are parts of my culture that I don't necessarily think I should abandon all together. After all, my goal was not to adopt a new identity, but rather to integrate my own culture into one that offers greater possibility for my own personal development. And so, I continue with some of my own ritual activities of the States; for example, I refuse to stop my daily runs, despite the fact that to a Spanish local, it seems completely absurd that a “ proper dama”(lady) would have the urge to strap on her tennies and gallop through the lively streets, especially knowing fully well the effect of sweat on the perfectly made-up face of the most chic of the Sevillanas. But all the more, I enjoy entirely too much showing the Spanish women a small piece of my own culture. Although I still receive looks of complete amazement and in some cases, disapproval, I still feel as though just maybe I have the ability to inspire a bit of change in the lives of these Sevillana women. Just for an instant, to let them know that it doesn't matter if they are not sexy for an hour during a run, because it is more important that they take time for themselves. But then again, who am I kidding, Bienvenidos a Espana- where the only exercise consists of getting the attention of the waiter to order another round of sangria at five in the afternoon.

I don't know if I can ever go back the States after this journey- of course I have to finish my last year of school, but honestly, I feel as though I'm facing a dilemma of my own consciousness by choosing return to the same life I had in the US- it simply no longer fits me. I would so much rather be living in an environment in which I am constantly learning from every experience, every situation, and every person.

Hell- I think the most important lesson I have learned here was given to me by the Sevillano bums on Tetuan who taught me that even when you live your life everyday, begging on the streets and owning nothing but the clothing on your back, it is important to be honest about every intention in your life. I will never in my life forget the “honest bums” that sit on the street day after day, holding their signs that say, “Por favor, dinero para vino, para comida, y para nuestro perro.” (Please, money for wine, for food and our dog.) In other words, these men simply ask for a few things to find fulfillment and happiness- a little spare change for the bare necessities of life. After all, who needs more than good food, wine and companionship? This is all and more that Spain has to offer.

Lauren Moloney-Egnatios is a currently a student attending the University of Sevilla for the rest of the semester and after the discovery of her intense passion for salsa dancing, cha cha cha and meringue music, plans on dancing her way through the rest of Europe for the summer. Spain is her first time outside of the US and she is madly in love with meeting strange people, trying new things, picking up any and every language around her and eating anything that isn´t considered the brains of an animal (very common in parts of Spain!). Suggestion for everyone: don't be scared of new things! Try everything and drop every single one of your expectations and you will always have an amazing time!

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Jennifer Levine
Drake University, Florence, Italy
I am studying abroad in Florence Italy and love it! I am studying through Drake University at a school here named Lorenzo de Medici. The school is in a great location right in the city of Florence . I am taking one class that goes towards OS which is social psychology and it is a really great class. I am also taking Art History Early Renaissance which is a great class because we are studying art work that we are able to go to the museum and see. It was a very smooth transition here because almost everyone speaks English and is very nice. The culture is very different here but it is nice because it is a lot less fast pace. People relax a lot and spend a lot of time eating and drinking wine with their family and friends. During the weekends I have been travelling a lot as it is very easy and cheap. I have been to Barcelona , Sienna, Rome , Amsterdam , Paris , and right now am on spring break in Marbella , Spain and Lagos , Portugal . Any advice I would give would be to meet new people (natives) and travel as much as possible because it is an experience of a lifetime! I absolutely love Florence because it is a small city that you can walk almost everywhere but at the same time is very big. The art and architecture is beautiful and the food is amazing!

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Ellen Bankert
Paris, France
I am studying abroad through Boston University in the Paris Internship Program. The first half of the semester I took 3 classes (2 french, 1 art history) and the second half I am doing an internship with Plan International, which is a french Non-Government Organization, that is going to transfer to my OS curriculum (keep your fingers crossed). All of my credits were approved to transfer to UofM, although I found the study abroad office very unhelpful in researching non-UofM programs.

But do not let that discourage you from studying abroad through a non-UofM program. Studying in another country has been an amazing experience, especially my art class where we actually saw, in person, the art that we were studying. The internship has been a little difficult to adjust to because even though I am competent to do my job (translating letters, inputting data, stuffing envelopes), I felt very belittled by the language barrier. It is also difficult to not be able to express myself in a different language and culture, and it feels like you lose some of your personality along with it. However, I found it to be extremely importatant for me to initiate conversation with french people, because that is the only way to improve and be more confident in my french. Also, french people are not as open and friendly when it comes to greetings and introductions. It was important for me to grasp this concept and not to feel offended personally. It has been quite a learning process for me, but overall an amazing experience that I recommend for everyone.

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Mary-Claire Olsheskie
University of St. Andrews, Scotland
I am really enjoying studying abroad for the semester at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland . I am taking one class towards my OS concentration, Social Anthropology: Politics, Religion and Ideology. I did not get homesick at all. I absolutely love it here, but I did go through a phase where I a lot of really small things got to me. For example:

1) There are no water fountains
2) The seats are set up so that you can't get up during lecture

But there also some really cool and different things here too: boys wear kilts, traditional Scottish dancing, academic families (each 1st year has a 4th year that looks after them), and people say "ta" instead of thank you.

As far as traveling goes, don't bring your US electrical equipment (aside from computer stuff) because it is really difficult to get adaptors to work. Do your research and figure out what you want to do in different cities and find out in advance how to get there, how much things cost, and what time things close. If possible, travel with someone who knows the city and stay in groups. (I am leaving tomorrow to go to London , Venice , Milan , Madrid , Tenerife and Paris .) So, if anyone has any questions about travel to these cities...let me know!

Classes are set up very differently here. You have one essay and one final. Essays are very formal and graded on a much more difficult standard. (A's are reserved for only about 5 people in a large class.)Also, you are expected to do a lot of independent outside reading and you go to discussion with everyone having read different things. I have done much more research and have grown a lot academically from the way Scottish students run discussion.

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Grace Chen
Université de Provence, Aix-en-Provence, France
Faisant grève, going on strike, seems to be a national sport in France, and the students protesting a new government policy have barricaded our university (and disturbed over half of the nation's universities) and effectively prevented classes from occurring since March 1. It's something else, and a sight that would never be seen in the US . The government is refusing to withdraw the policy as the students are demanding, and this is the first time since 1994 when all the unions have been on the same side of the issue. The press is drawing several comparisons to the revolution of May 1968, but the hundreds of thousands of people demonstrating in the streets is still small compared to 68.

Before the strike started, I was taking three classes at the Université de Provence and two courses through our program, but now our program has started hiring professors to teach two hour classes to keep us working so that we can justify the reception of credit when we go back.

I've been taking a communications class which will count for OS Cluster B, and the professor made up classes at the library during the strike; it was rather interesting to read and hear so many anti-American opinions-- he firmly believes that globalisation or modernisation is really Americanisation, which would be a tragedy if it were true.

It's been fascinating to note how the French love to share their opinions on anything and everything, and frequently cite philosophers or authors to support their views, regardless of their level of education. It's a bit intimidating at first, but then I appreciate how everyone is capable of and willing to slip in and out of serious discourse. The absence of political correctness is also surprising, but people don't seem to be easily offended, and even if they are, are very forgiving.

For the most part though, the French have been very accomodating and welcoming. There are 7 other Michigan students here for the semester (in Aix-en-Provence), and on the weekends or over breaks we've been doing a fair amount of traveling. So far we've gone to Belgium , seen the Olympics in Torino, visited Milan , and spent Carnaval in Venice .

We've also been making our way around Provence , hitting a few beaches on the Riviera and touring local Roman ruins. Aix was founded by the Roman emperor Sextius who loved the hot springs here, but now, 2500ish years later, it's a cute little city very much like Ann Arbor in size and character (also a university town).

Getting used to it hasn't been terribly difficult, although we did have some serious issues with our host mother, who is probably certifiably insane. My roommate and I finally moved out, getting our own apartment, and had a housewarming party last weekend at which American and French students conversed about politics, religion, economics, celebrity gossip, travel, culture, stereotyping, etc in both English and French with relative ease. It was very rewarding, knowing that we could carry on relatively sophisticated conversations in French.

The strike shows no sign of ending, so personal projects aside (for one of the program courses I'm researching why psychoanalysis is still so prevalent in France, which is one of the world's most Freudian countries), we're spending our time basking in the glorious Provencal sunshine and headed to Italy this weekend. Hope all's well at home, and that the semester is wrapping up nicely!

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Lauren Marks and Marissa Greenberg,
Cultural Experiences Abroad, Barcenlona, Spain
Marissa Greenberg and I are here together in Barcelona . We would like to tell you a few things about our experience abroad. We are taking classes at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona. All of these classes besides our Spanish language class count for cluster C credit. WE are enrolled in International Business, International Marketing, Spanish Civilization and Culture. Together, with our Spanish language class, we are receiving twelve credits.

The acclimation phase was much easier than expected for Marissa and myself.

Our program had a two day orientation in which they informed us of many of the differences between Spanish and American culture. With that, we were able to start our study abroad experience.

One thing that we have definitely noticed is how much formal life in Europe is than life in America . For example, the way in which students sit back and put their feet up during class is not acceptable here.

Also, there is no tolerance for getting up during class to use the restroom. While these seem like small things, the European teachers notice these things.

Some traveling tips for future students include booking all of the flights as far in advance as possible. In addition, there are several small European airlines that we did not learn of until we got here. We would be happy to share these with OS students if they are interested.

Barcelona has been a perfect choice for both us. We are really happy with our program, Cultural Experiences Abroad, which is located in several cities throughout Europe . Our program is four months long and some people choose to travel after. We are fortunate that they provide a few weekend trips around Spain and in the south of France . We hope that this information will be helpful for future OS students who would like to study abroad. If you would like any more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Hope all is well at OS in Ann Arbor , Lauren Marks and Marissa Greenberg

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Liz Houghton,
Barcelona, Spain
Sorry this took so long - but I truly did just fall into a routine here despite being in Barcelona for 1 month already!! In response to your questions...

1. 2 of my 5 classes here are counting towards Org. Studies (and in addition to art history) they are my two favorites. I´m taking an International Marketing class that is basically taught by students so it is very interactive and a class about the Media and Politics of Europe. Both count towards cluster C!

2. I actually adjusted very well here in Spain - the only time I was nervous/anxious was on the flight here because it was January 2nd and I wasn´t quite ready to leave yet. Other than that, I´ve been meeting great people and keeping myself VERY busy, so there is no time to be homesick!

3. The culture here is completely different. Not only different in a European sense, but it is completely unlike Spanish culture as a whole.

Barcelona is a very cosmopolitan city and citizens here do not associate themselves with Spain , but consider themselves to be a separate entity - Catalonians. In regards to how it differs from US culture - well everything is pushed back. Meals are much later (dinner around 9pm) and the people are surprisingly a little meaner. People don´t smile at you in the street and if they hear you struggling with your Spanish, they only speak Spanish faster! It definitely took some getting used to, but now that I am, I absolutely love it!

4. Traveling is actually somewhat more difficult than I expected. It takes a LOT of planning and organizing. I currently have been to Sevilla (Southern Spain), Amsterdam and am leaving for the Canary Islands this weekend. In the future, I am going to Paris , Prague , Florence , Madrid and hopefully Greece to end my program! Traveling is an absolute must while being abroad, but it is also important to balance your time in the city you study in because there is a lot to learn there as well. My one big piece of advice: BUDGET YOURSELF!

Traveling across Europe is not as simple or cheap as people say it is - every flight averages $100-200 and that was a lot more than I expected.

5. I am studying through IES in Barcelona for 4 months. My program began Jan. 2 and ends April 28, so it is a typical semester at UM.

There are a lot of students here from Big Ten ( Michigan , Penn State, Indiana ) so we´re all missing football but loving Europe! I hope that was detailed enough - let me know if you need anything else! Hope all is well in Michigan !

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These letters were originally published in an abridged form in the April 2006 OS Newsletter.

Read past Postcards from Abroad.