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Dubai Week 3, Week 4 and Week 5

Submitted by John Kaminski on the 2024 Winter CIEG program in Dubai …

Week 3

After an exciting last two weeks, my 3rd week in Dubai continued to impress. We began this week with a group desert safari excursion, where we traveled deep into the Dubai sand dunes. During this excursion we got the opportunity to ride ATV’s and Camels around the desert as well as watch a traditional Middle Eastern belly dance and fire breathing performance. This excursion was especially cool for me due to the fact it was my first time in an actual desert. Our next excursion of the week took us to Dubai Green Planet, which is a massive indoor rainforest where the animals walk around right next to you. Another excursion that we went on this week was a boat trip in the Oman Fjords, which was by far my favorite excursion of the trip so far. The views that we experienced on the boat trip were absolutely breathtaking, plus we also got the opportunity to snorkel and see some of the local aquatic life, which was also extremely fun. The final group excursion that we took this week was another trip to the Burj Khalifa, but this time we actually got the opportunity to go up to the 124th floor observation deck. This experience really put into perspective how impressive the height of the Burj Khalifa actually is, absolutely towering over all of the buildings around us. This week was especially amazing, and I am looking forward to my next 2 weeks in Dubai. (Submitted on January 24, 2024)

Week 4

Finally home! It feels like it’s been a year since I’ve seen my friends and family back here, even though it’s only been a month. To be honest, at first I was nervous about going on this study abroad trip. I had never been away from my family for that long, and I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to handle it. But after seeing the things I saw, going to the places I went, and doing the things I did, I can safely say that registering for this program has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve had more “firsts” on this trip than any other. I made new friends, ate amazing local foods, and had the opportunity to experience different cultures in their purest forms.

As part of the trip, we overnighted in not just Porto, but also Lisbon, Geneva, Paris, Barcelona, and Milan. And while we didn’t stay overnight there, while we were in Italy, we also went to Como and even Venice. If someone were to ask me my favorite city we went to, I would probably say Barcelona; the city was drop-dead gorgeous and I had so much fun while I was there. That’s not to say that those places like Paris and Venice weren’t amazing; I also had a lot of fun while I was in those cities, going to places like the Eiffel Tower and St. Mark’s Square in Venice. Unfortunately, however, both Paris and Venice were foggy when we went there, so we were unable to see them in their full beauty. That being said, I still had a lot of fun.

Not to mention the personal growth I went through while I was over there; before the trip, I was shy, and unsure about how to make new friends. But after the trip, I can say that my social skills have noticeably improved, to the point that I have walked away with a few new friends.

I would highly recommend this study abroad program to anyone in a heartbeat, not just engineering and physics majors; through the program I was able to visit places and do things that I might have never been able to otherwise. Depending on what’s available, I would definitely be open to doing another study abroad in the future. (Submitted on February 2, 2024)

Week 5

With our flight scheduled to depart at 8am Thursday morning, I used this week to finish up my final class assignments and accomplish any last objectives. One of the final things that I wanted to accomplish was a trip to Expo 2020, which was the site where Dubai hosted the 2020 World Expo. This site featured some beautiful architecture showcased from different countries around the world, and also displayed a massive lightshow at night. My final trip in Dubai was an adventure to Kite Beach. This beach was especially beautiful due to its crystal clear water, and amazing views of the downtown Dubai skyline. To close out our trip to Dubai, we had our group farewell dinner at an Iranian restaurant. This meal was an absolute feast, and by far one of my favorite meals of the trip, featuring some of the most delicious fish, lamb and chicken that I’ve ever had. While I am very sad that the trip is coming to an end, this trip to Dubai was by far one of the best months of my life. I would like to thank Dr. Siddiqui and UD study abroad for making this trip possible. (Submitted on February 5, 2024)

Final Week Studying Abroad in Budapest

Submitted by Logan Elkins on the 2024 Winter UAPP program in Budapest …

For the third and final week of our study abroad program, we decided to use the  last free day of our trip to visit another neighboring country, this time Austria. While in  Austria, we visited an amazing art museum, laying our eyes on various impressive  pieces of art in the forms of paintings and sculptures. We also visited the enormous St.  Stephen’s Cathedral, which is probably one of the most impressive-looking buildings I  have ever seen in person. Back in Budapest the next day, we had an amazing  nighttime river cruise seeing various national monuments lit up as we floated by.  Following this, we went to the Sziklakórház Atombunker Múzeum, also known as the  Hospital in the Rock. This museum was a hospital in the rocks, as the name suggests,  used in preparation and during World War 2. The museum is full of wax figures,  reenacting various activities and services that occurred in this hospital all of those  decades ago.  

For one of our last excursion days, we visited St. Stephen’s Basilica and toured  the upper balcony to see an amazing view of the city. We passed this building every  day going to and from our school, so it was great finally being able to go inside. That  same day we also went on a local Farris wheel to get a great view of the sunset. A  great way to close out our study abroad trip. This trip was an amazing experience for a  first-time traveler such as myself, and I can’t wait to go on more in the future.  (Submitted on January 24, 2024)

Australia Study Abroad Week 1 Blog

Submitted by Allison Dolce on the 2024 Winter NURS program in Sydney, Australia…

My first week in Australia has been incredible. I have learned so much about the culture of Australia, and I have met some wonderful people on my program. We started off our week by learning about the history of Australia as a prior British colony. We took a tour of the historic Rocks District, which is a lovely area with lots of character. The next day we took a tour of the New South Wales Office of Health and Medical Research, learning all about the Australian healthcare system. As our program is all nursing majors, it was fascinating to learn about the free healthcare system throughout Australia. It is quite different from the U.S., with higher salaries in the nursing profession and much smaller medical bills in all parts of Australia. Later in the week, we toured the famous Sydney Opera House, learning about the fascinating architecture and history of the building. My personal favorite activity was our Aboriginal history tour in the Rocks District. Australian citizens have a great found respect for Aboriginal people, but it was insightful to hear perspectives from the other side. British settlers controlled Aboriginal land without permission, and up until the 1970s the Australian government had permission to remove Aboriginal children from their families. As Australia became more industrialized, more Aboriginal communities were at risk of being destroyed. I learned that even the infamous Sydney Opera House was built on a former Aboriginal community landsite. Learning about the Aboriginal people really gives insights into the history of Australian culture and the traditional landowners that we must pay respect to. I also learned about the social lives, food preferences, and typical daily activities of Australians, especially during the summertime. I even had the opportunity to try kangaroo at a restaurant! I look forward to spending another week in Sydney and immersing myself even more in the Australian lifestyle. (Submitted on January 24, 2024)

Fun day with the elephants and Day at the Walkabout Park

Submitted by Aliyah Figueroa on the 2024 Winter BUAD/FINC program in Thailand/Australia…

My day at the elephant sanctuary was not just an outing but an amazing experience. Witnessing these majestic creatures thriving in a safe and caring environment left me with a deep sense of gratitude. It helped me understand the importance of supporting ethical wildlife tourism and inspired me to be a more conscious traveler. We walked around with them, fed them, played with them, and bathed them. If you ever get the chance, visiting an elephant sanctuary is a must. Not just for the joy it brings but for the opportunity to be a part of a sustainable future for these incredible beings. The sanctuary offered a unique chance to get up close and personal with the elephants. 

Spending the day with kangaroos, emus, and koalas was a great experience. We learned about the wonders of Australia’s unique animals including meerkats, dingoes, and Tasmanian devils.  Hanging out with each animal brought a sense of appreciation for the diversity of wildlife thriving in this part of the world. During this excursion we also learned how to throw a boomerang. If you ever find yourself Down Under, make sure to visit the Walkabout Park and hangout with these animals. It’s a chance to connect with nature in a way only Australia can offer. (Submitted on January 24, 2024)

Week 1 Down Under!

Submitted by Megan Gewert on the 2024 Winter NURS program in Sydney, Australia…

I’m not going to lie, the thought of being 20 hours from home is scary. I had my fair share of nerves when on my final leg of travel to Sydney, Australia for the winter 2024 semester. There are 15 people on this trip and all of us are a part of the NURS Sydney, Australia program. With such a small group, it was easy to get to know everyone. With about 3 weeks in Australia, we had a jam packed schedule ahead of us. 

Week 1 gave me so much insight into the healthcare system here in Australia. As a group we visited the Sydney Eye Hospital, the MINT, and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. We were able to meet with various individuals in the healthcare system who were able to show us what they do each day. A huge emphasis of this abroad experience is comparing and contrasting the Australian healthcare system to the United States. A significant difference that I noticed was how healthcare isn’t completely privatized; rather it is a combination of both public and private services. As nurses, it is eye opening to see how other countries work in terms of their health services. 

Not only did we get to see Australia’s healthcare system but we were also able to gain insight on Australian culture. On the first night, the group had a welcome dinner where we were given the chance to try kangaroo (a delicacy in Australia!). Over the course of the week we learned about the British settlement in Australia through guided tours. On the other hand, we also heard the aboriginal perspective of British settlement in Australia. Both stories were completely different and served as a unique contrast. One of my favorite days during the first week was visiting the Walkabout Wildlife Park. The group was introduced to various species of animals and got to directly interact with kangaroos and emus! During our trip here we also took a walk through the bush and viewed original aboriginal art.

While week 1 in Sydney comes to a close, I am eager to see what week 2 has to offer! Being in Australia has taught me about a culture that is so diverse and that has so much to offer. I have learned so much in just a few days and cannot wait to see what comes next! (Submitted on January 24, 2024)

Islamic Styles of the Alhambra

Submitted by Thomas Elia on the 2024 Winter LLCU program in Morocco…

In the third week a majority of our time was spent in Granada. From Thursday to Sunday of the third week we were visiting and exploring the Andalusian city. I‘m very glad that we were able to make this trip because although it is not in North Africa, Granada contains one of the best examples of well preserved Islamic art in architecture in the world, the Alhambra. The Alhambra is a palace and fortress of which building first began in the year 1238 by the first Nasrid emir. Construction campaigns continued by successive muslim emperors for the next 3 centuries. After the Christian Reconquista, more renaissance style palaces were added as well. The rooms and courtyards of the Alhambra exemplify the epitome of islamic craftsmanship in the form of intricately carved stucco, colorful mosaic tiling called zelije, as well as colored and carved wood ceilings, and numerous types of imagery found in islamic texts. Touring the inside of the compound is a moving experience as you are surrounded by beautiful works of craftsmanship and color while being able to look out of the many windows to view the entirety of the city of Granada from atop of the mountain on which the Alhambra is located. The courtyards within the palaces are mesmerizing with their unique symmetry and powerful symbolism, some resembling the trees in a forest or the rivers and flora found in ideal vision of paradise. The juxtaposition of different architectural styles between the palaces built over the centuries is also amazing as it’s so clear how the styles change. Visiting Spain was an amazing and unique experience that I am so glad that I got to have. I hope that future versions of this Morocco study abroad will continue to incorporate this excursion, as I feel it helps to see such an amazing example of exactly what is being learned about in our lessons! (Submitted on January 23, 2024)

Life in Kruger

Submitted by Meg Deming on the 2024 Winter SOCI program in South Africa…

The only word I can use to describe our visit to Kruger Park is surreal. Luckily for us, we had two incredibly knowledgeable guides who took us on our game drives during the four days we were in Kruger. Almost immediately upon arrival we were taken on one such drive were we saw groups of elephants and an amazing view of the surrounding mountain ranges. The diverse collection of trees in the area was also a sight to behold, with each species seeming to have their own unique story and purpose. 

Our first drive was only a preview of what we were about to see in the coming days. On day two we saw elephants, water buffalo, and a duo of lions blocking one of the many dirt roads. These animals make up three of the park’s Big Five, and I look forward to seeing the remaining two, leopard and rhino, during future visit. Still, seeing any of the Big Five was an absolutely incredible experience and being so close to such big animals almost felt too good to be true.

Later that same afternoon, we were able to ride some ATVs down a section of the dirt paths. While on one of the larger roads, we drove through a group of about twenty giraffe, some zebra, and countless impala. Seeing so many beautiful animals up close was indescribable. Despite the loud roar of a dozen ATVs, the animals continued to graze as we drove past them as if we were not even there. I can confidently say that I have never felt so immersed in nature and would highly recommend the experience to anyone who gets the opportunity. 

On our third day, our guide Sidney followed lion tracks for very many miles hoping to see some in the dirt path. Being in the front row of that particular excursion, I got the privilege of asking him many questions. I learned that lions typically stay in their den during the day, but emerge into the dirt paths later in the afternoon before going on the hunt. Our search for the lions during the first half of our drive was unsuccessful, but during the second half a radio message came in saying that the pride of thirteen lions had emerged and was traveling one of the dirt paths. We were able to quickly locate the lions, and just in time. We watched on as three adult lions and ten cubs walked down the dirt path and headed into the bush for their late afternoon meal. 

As interesting as it is to read and write about the South African bush, it is nothing compared to experiencing it for yourself. It is difficult to convey the sense of freedom and connection with nature that one feels while they are in Kruger National Park. There were many instances during our game drives that the group was too stunned to speak. I fully intend on making my way back to Kruger in my lifetime to relive the experience I had during this portion of our study abroad trip. (Submitted on January 23, 2024)

A Week In Cape Town

Although the entirety of my trip to South Africa was amazing, our final week in Cape Town truly blew me away with its scenery and atmosphere. As soon as we arrived we could see an absolutely stunning view of Table Mountain, one of Cape Town’s most famous landmarks. It was so refreshing to see the ocean from where we were staying, and nightly walks to watch the sunset became our norm.

There are so many different sights to see in and around Cape Town, but my favorites would have to be the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and the Clifton Beaches. The penguins we saw were absolutely adorable and there were so many in such a small area! Unfortunately, we couldn’t have a beach day with the penguins, but Clifton Beach more than made up for it. Behind us, there was a view of Lions Head, a neighbor to Table Mountain, and in front of us was an ocean filled with boats and large rocks that you could swim out to. There were also paddleboards to rent, and while chatting on a paddleboard my friend and I had a school of dolphins swim under us. That felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it really sums up the incredible experiences that are to be had in Cape Town. 

On one of our free mornings, a friend and I decided we wanted to hike Lions Head because how hard can it be? It’s much smaller than Table Mountain. The answer is very hard. About 45 minutes in it started to feel like less of a hike and more like scaling a mountain. The view at the end made all of that hard work worth it though, and next time I’m in Cape Town I’m willing to try and climb Table Mountain, but I may need to get some practice in first. 

The best activity I did while there had to have been paragliding over Cape Town. The views are incredible on the ground, but they’re even better from up above. I was able to see everything South of Table Mountain. Off in the distance, you could see Robben Island, an island once used as a prison. Nelson Mandela was held there as a political prisoner for much of his life. Below me, I could see the waterfront and the port as well as buildings that spanned for miles. Behind me, I could see an incredible view of Table Mountain just behind the hill we had used for takeoff. 

Cape Town is an absolutely gorgeous beachside city with sightseeing and adventure that appeals to all. I have traveled to some pretty incredible places, but Cape Town definitely takes the cake. It is so hard to articulate just how beautiful of a city it is, so I would highly recommend that people go and see it for themselves. It truly was the trip of a lifetime. (Submitted on February 5, 2024)

Third week in Brazil

Submitted by Ben Sekowski on the 2024 Winter PLSC program in Brazil …

After being in Rio for a week I started knowing all the ins and outs of the area, from restaurants, laundry, banks, and pharmacy. On Wednesday we woke up early to have breakfast at our hotel and then we headed over to our third and final watercolor lesson. Throughout our watercolor lessons I learned to be patient and you can still fix your mistakes, for they are not permanent. At the end of the day everyone went to a Brazilian Steakhouse, which was really fun and plenty of good food came around. I got to try new foods like chicken hearts, which were pretty tasty. 

      The next day we took a van ride to Petropolis to visit an Imperial Palace, which was cool to see. We also saw the Santos Dumont House Museum, which was an inventor’s house. I learned that Santos Dumont invented the first plane to fly by self propulsion. We then rode about six more hours to Brumadinho to stay at a hotel. The next morning we visited Inhotim, an art museum. There were many cool art pieces and displays to see at Inhotim. After Inhotim we headed back to Rio. 

       On Saturday we had a free day so I went to Copacabana beach with a few friends. We then had dinner at a poke place. Then on Sunday the class went on a bike ride around Rio towards Flamengo Park. Flamengo park was a cool area for it had recreational activities, a beach, and plenty of shaded spaces to sit. Unfortunately we didn’t get to stay there long. The bike ride to Flamengo park was fun, however the ride back was against the wind and the streets started to get crowded, which made it not so fun. On Monday though we had a fun hike on a mountain. Overall, this week in Brazil was full of good weather and great times with friends. (Submitted on January 23, 2024)

The Last Few Days

The last few days have been such fun, but as the days flew by the more it was hard to let go. On the 23rd we took the metro to the city and then a tram to Santa Teresa. It was a very rainy day. On the 24th, another rainy day, we went to the Museum of Tomorrow, which had some cool exhibits. Then we took a ferry to an art museum, which I think was cooler than the first museum that we went to that day. There were some cool art displays and for one of our sketching assignments we had to draw a display. 

   On the 25th I woke up with a cold, so I stayed in for the day. The next few days we did some last minute shopping and worked on our final projects. We also went out to some fancy lunches and dinners to celebrate our amazing trip. On the last day we went to the Hippie Fair for the last time and hung around the hotel’s rooftop pool until our flight home at midnight. This study abroad trip was truly an amazing experience. (Submitted on January 31, 2024)

Turtle Boat Adventure

Submitted by Eddie Sollazzo on the 2024 Winter CIEG program in Barbados …

This week we had the opportunity to ride on a glass bottom boat captained by a man named  Kenrick. Before meeting Kenrick and the boat, we met Marvin on the beach, and he was the person in contact with our captain Kenrick. Marvin was wearing a Minnesota Vikings jersey and a vibrant bathing suit. Marvin led us on a short walk down the beach to an area where our boat could pull up right to shore to board. It was time to go! 

While on the way to our first destination, Kenrick had told us that he has been living in Barbados and driving his turtle boat for 50 years. The boat was a medium-small watercraft with an upper deck, it fit our group of 18 just fine. What was special about the boat was the see through glass bottom panels. There were two plexy-glass panels that we could see through and sure enough just as we got to our first stop we spotted a turtle through the boat. Kenrick told us that many of the other glass bottom boat tours did not know of this spot and that it was a special secret. 

Kenrick fixed us all some snorkel gear and encouraged us to swim with the sea turtles. It was an amazing experience. I couldn’t help but think about the fun sea turtles in Finding Nemo, a favorite movie of mine.  

The group had a lot of fun taking pictures and jumping off the top deck. My second favorite part of this adventure aside from swimming with the turtles was learning facts about the estates located on the water. Kenrick told us stories of where Rihanna used to live and currently stays when she comes. It was crazy to imagine that the nearby town that we are staying in is where some of the rich and famous come to vacation.

Community day and East Coast!

This Friday was community day, and we got the opportunity to meet the children of the local St.  James Primary School. We were accompanying the kids for a tsunami drill where we marched up a hill and got to a higher elevation in the case of a tsunami. It is wild to imagine the threat of a tsunami while living on an island but of course it is important to be prepared. After the trip up the hill, we embarked on a 5-mile hike with the children of the school around the town and then back to the beach located near where we are staying. The children were so fun to hang out with. Some people in our group hit it off with the kids and ended the hike carrying their backpacks and holding their hands. It was adorable.  

I hung out with a boy named Sheldon Thomas who had me cracking up. Some of the kids told me that I looked like a YouTuber they watch, but I couldn’t make out the exact name. I am very grateful to have the experience of spending time with the kids and making some new friends. 

Saturday, we had a bus tour planned to explore some of the beaches on the east coast. The water was very interesting to see as the courses we are taking are related to coastal engineering. The east coast of Barbados is facing the Atlantic Ocean, and the waters are much more rough and violent in comparison to the west side which faces the Caribbean Sea. The views were amazing, and we got to take some great pictures. Descriptions would never do the landscape justice, so I’ve included some of my favorite pictures! (Submitted on January 23, 2024)

Service Learning Experience Abroad

Submitted by Olivia Sheetz on the 2024 Winter Nursing program in British Virgin Islands…

My third week in Tortola has been full of new experiences and fulfilling opportunities. My highlight of this week was when we visited the local elementary school where we presented the Purple Hands Pledge to the students. The Purple Hands Pledge is used to encourage conversations about using your hands and words for good, not to hurt others. I loved being able to spend time with the students and see how much they enjoyed having us visit their classrooms. We helped the children create their owns hands with the pledge inside of them so that they would hang them up as a reminder each day to be kind to others. This was an amazing experience that I will definitely remember! (Submitted on January 23, 2024)

Final Thoughts

This past week was my last week in the BVI. As I reflect on my time abroad, I am filled with so many emotions. I am extremely grateful for my time spent in Tortola as I met many new friends, experienced other cultures, and learned so much about myself and the world around me. One thing in particular that stood out to me while I was abroad was the sincerity of people in the BVI. Everyone was extremely welcoming and quickly embarrassed us into their everyday lives. We got to know many of the locals and spent countless hours together each day. Our taxi driver, Buckle, became like family to me and the rest of the group. Our relationships with so many others were just like this as well. It was very nice to be accepted so easily by everyone, especially being so far from home. I am going to miss the warm and inclusive personalities of those I met throughout my trip! (Submitted on January 31, 2024)