Europe Semester Programs Spring Semester

Getting Comfortable in Athens, Greece

Submitted by Julia Ewing on the 2018 spring semester program in Athens, Greece sponsored by the College of Education & Human Development…

Week two has come and gone. It was filled with long days at school, long nights of homework and settling into routines. We have been commuting to and from school separately, which I appreciate. I’m glad that we feel the safety and freedom to do so. We also have been cooking our own meals. We each have different tastes in food, so that also works well for us. We all eat lots of fruit and vegetables! Personally, it has been a good week. I am feeling much more comfortable emotionally than I was last week (culture shock is a real thing). However, my body hurts. We walk 4+ miles each day. I can feel myself becoming stronger, but my body is still aching. I am ready for a rest this weekend! Our shower is currently broken, and our WiFi is still a struggle, but those are just reminders of how great we have it in America.

At school, I am beginning to settle into the classroom. I am beginning to build relationships with my teacher and the children in the class. I taught two lessons that I wrote lesson plans for, and am working on writing many more lesson plans for next week. The culture in the classroom is fascinating. Last semester, I student taught at a Title 1 School. However, this semester, I am student teaching at a private international school. I am noticing major differences in families and children’s behavior due to the socio-economic status. The language is also fascinating. Eleven out of the fourteen children in my classroom are bilingual!

I’m thankful that in week two I have felt more comfortable in the classroom and the country. I’m ready for the things week three has in store, but first, I’m ready to rest and explore this weekend!

My New Favorite Place: Portugal

Submitted by Megan Crowley on the 2016 summer session program in Salamanca, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…

This weekend, I traveled over six hours to Lisbon, Portugal. I had no expectations and no idea what the weekend would bring. In just a few hours, I fell in love and I could imagine myself living there. I never want to leave. The city of Lisbon is breathtaking. I couldn’t help, but smile while walking down the streets in the center of the city. We visited the main plaza, a castle and two small beach towns, Cascais and Estoril.

The beaches cannot be described in one word. I felt like I was in a fairytale town with colorful buildings, statues and clear blue water.

My newfound love for Portugal led to other discoveries as well. I met people from all around the world including Africa, Canada, Brazil, France and England. I realized that my small town in New Jersey is nothing compared to the world around us. The amount of amazing people you can meet by traveling is infinite. After being here for days, I hope in the future that can I learn Portuguese, and other languages so I can communicate and meet as many people as possible. I want to learn as much as I can about other cultures and countries because there is so much more in the world that I have never even heard about. My best friend from home is Portuguese and has family in Portugal, and now after my experience, I feel more connected to her and her family. I hope I can meet her relatives one day and travel to different parts of Portugal!

Coffee House Culture in Rome, Italy versus Copenhagen, Denmark

Submitted by Natalie Kaucic on the 2018 spring semester program in Rome, Italy…

I find myself always going to coffee houses everytime that I arrive in a new city. Partly ,for my mild addiction to caffeine, but partly, because for me, it is the best place to feel out a vibe for a new place. For example, in Rome, most coffee drinkers go to their favorite coffee bar in the morning and drink a small coffee within one minute and maybe stay a few seconds longer if they’re eating a pastry. They often know the barista and will exchange a few words and laughter before they are on their way. Also, most bars (this is what Italians call coffee shops) in Rome are not particularly cozy. They have a rushed attitude and if you stand with an empty coffee cup for too long, you’ll start to get irritated looks from the barista. You also get charged more if you want to sit and enjoy your coffee at a table. Some Italians will do this if they want to catch up with friends, read their morning paper or have a little extra time on the weekend.

When I went to Copenhagen, the scene was completely different from both the United States and Italy. To explain why, we have to start with the word “Hygge.” You’ve probably heard this word floating around social media or maybe plastered onto some mug, but the origins start in the Danish language. Hygge (hue-guh) is a Danish feeling of coziness, being content and spending time in a warm atmosphere with people you care about. This concept translates into everything that the Danish people do and is especially seen in the high concentration of coffee shops throughout the city. There are no fast service coffee shops. You are encouraged to sit, read a little while and maybe cozy up with the many blankets usually provided for guests. Coffee shops are a time to be “hygge” with yourself, with family or with friends. Soft music plays, candles are lit and comfy chairs and couches line the large cafe. The staff isn’t aggravated when you spend an hour or two, in fact, it is odd if someone doesn’t stay a little while.

The vibe of a city’s coffee shop often translates how that city lives. Romans during the day are generally rushed, quick-tempered and want their bars familiar, efficient and of amazing quality. They value loyalty, continuity, strong relationships and even stronger coffee. The Danish generally live a slower life. They want to take a moment to enjoy a warm drink or dinner in a cozy atmosphere with friends. Their well-being and the well-being of other is highly valued and they cherish long chats, kindness and generosity.

Not to say that a coffee shop will tell you everything about what a culture has to offer, but it’s a darn good place to start.

Salamanca, Spain: A Blend of Old and New

Submitted by Kelly Wentworth on the 2016 summer session program in Salamanca, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…

My name is Kelly Wentworth and I am studying abroad in Salamanca, Spain. Prior to the study abroad trip, I spent 4 weeks split between Mallorca, Barcelona, and Madrid. Having been in Spain for 5 weeks now, I can say without a doubt that Salamanca is the most beautiful city that I have visited. Salamanca holds a quiet beauty, exemplified by it’s massive cathedrals and ornate structures. Many of the buildings that we have classes in and visit every day are centuries old, and it never ceases to amaze me how much history is wrapped up in a single city. The United States is a relatively young country, and it is very uncommon to encounter anything that dates as far back as the structures in Salamanca. As someone from a suburb in Connecticut, it is completely mesmerizing to see these antique buildings directly across the street from a fast food restaurant. The culture in Salamanca is a strange contrast between antiquity and modernity, creating an unusually calm atmosphere. The two pictures displayed below do a good job of representing this odd mixture. The first is of La Plaza Mayor de Salamanca, which was built in the 1700’s and is the city center of Salamanca. It is incredibly beautiful, and is often host to a wide variety of activities including dining and live music. The next picture is a tray of food that I purchased from a McDonald’s directly outside of La Plaza.

While I still find the contrast of leaving a historical city square and immediately stumbling upon a McDonald’s jarring, I have come to appreciate the unique atmosphere that is created by Salamanca’s blend of cultures old and new. Also, it’s pretty cool that I can say that I ate my first Big Mac sitting right outside of La Plaza Mayor de Salamanca.

First Week in Athens, Greece

Submitted by Julia Ewing on the 2018 spring semester program in Athens, Greece sponsored by the College of Education & Human Development…

I continue saying out loud (and in my head) “This is real life.” It’s crazy. For the next three months, this is my life. I’m crazy blessed to have this experience!

We spent our first day (Sunday), exploring, getting acclimated, eating, and tasting lots of different types of coffee!! It was a good day! The view from our balcony is BEAUTIFUL! It is out of this world!

Monday morning hit, and I found myself commuting 50 minutes one way to school/work, between walking, and riding the metro! Suddenly, I found myself living in a city! It’s busy! It’s fun! It’s intimidating! Culture shock, jet-lag and homesickness have gotten the better of me several times over the last few days. However, I’m settling in, and I know that I can do this! We haven’t explored too much other than our commute since Sunday.

I never imagined that there would be so many hills in Greece! My feet hurt from walking so much, especially because I have been wearing my “teacher shoes” to walk to school. After my feet/blisters bleeding today on the walk to school, I will probably be wearing sneakers, and then switching shoes at school. Another fun thing: you don’t flush toilet paper in Greece… You just put it in the trash can next to the toilet. So that’s great.

The school campus that we are teaching at is great! It is definitely American! When I walked into the classroom, I felt like I was back in the States. Then I tried to talk to a child and realized that I was not in Delaware anymore! There are 14 children in my classroom and almost every one of them is learning English as their second language. Their first languages range from Greek, to Hebrew, Arabic and Chinese. There is so much culture in the classroom! My teacher is fluent in 3 languages and is learning her 4th. She speaks fluent English, but has never been to America. This is an experience that I won’t forget!

Last Experiences in Granada, Spain

Submitted by Michael Kaiteris on the 2016 summer session program in Granada, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…

The last week in Granada came before I knew it. The time in Granada went by so fast that I was shocked when I realized that I only had one week left. The vast majority of the activities and tours for the program were over, so the last week was more laid back as we focused on finals and leaving. On the third, my host mother’s son took my roommate and I to a science center in Granada. This was a very interesting experience, as we learned and explored.

Another memorable experience that we had during our last week was going to a flamenco show. This flamenco show was in a little cave on the top of the Albayzín and shocked me. I had no clue how the flamenco dancers moved their feet so quickly and danced the way they did. Their sense of the rhythm was very impressive and I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I even danced with one of the flamenco dancers!

One of the last excursions that we took on the program was to Granada Alhambra Park. In this park, we were able to get a beautiful view of the city and saw a nice castle looking building on a river. We also saw peacocks and other beautiful views from the top of the city. The last experience on the program was the farewell dinner. I had a great last time bonding and enjoying food with my host family and friends. Even though I knew that my program was over, I was so excited to have captured all of the beautiful and unforgettable moments on my fantastic program.

Córdoba’s Mosque Cathedral

Submitted by Taylor Lopa on the 2016 summer session program in Granada, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…

Last week, our group traveled from Granada to Córdoba for a day trip. Córdoba is a beautiful city with many sites, but the most stunning is without a doubt the Mezquita. The Mezquita is a mosque-cathedral, that is considered one of the three greatest monuments in Spain because of it’s incredible architecture and unique nature as both a mosque and cathedral. The Mezquita, for good reason, is truly the center of the city of Córdoba. The site looks huge from the outside, and wherever I was in Córdoba, I was always able to see the striking towers of the Mezquita. I could see why the Mezquita is so important to the history of Spain, the moment I stepped inside. I, and everyone around me, was blown away by the combination of Christian and Moorish architecture. The arches and pillars inside the Mezquita create the illusion that the building goes on forever. A unique combination of architecture from vastly different time periods is present in the Mezquita, which makes this site so extraordinary.

The Difference Between the Food in Spain and the United States

Submitted by Megan Crowley on the 2016 summer session program in Salamanca, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…

I have been in Salamanca for a little over a week, and I have noticed significant cultural and lifestyles differences between the United States and Spain. I have so much I could have written about, but I think the biggest difference for me was the food. It might sound cliche, but as a picky eater, I struggle to find foods in Spain that I enjoy. What I have noticed is that their lunch (the main meal of the day) consists of all five food groups. Imagine going out to an all you can eat buffet, but really healthy! My host mother gives my roommate and I about three different portions of food. As you finish one, she hands you another, and each consists of a different food group. For example, usually it starts out with grains and vegetables, ranging from a salad, soup, rice, legumes or a small pasta dish. The main course is some type of meat, usually just ham or chicken for me.

Afterwards, my host mother insists we have fruit or yogurt, even just an apple or a slice of watermelon. As a result of eating such a big lunch, people in Spain have very small breakfasts and dinners, basically just bread and coffee. I am still not used to only having coffee in the morning, and I miss my bagels, waffles and chocolate milk. However, I have had a lot less headaches and stomach aches, and I believe it is directly correlated to eating healthier each day and trying new things. Thank you Spain for showing me a healthier lifestyle!

Busy in Ireland

Submitted by Nasir Wilson on the 2018 spring semester program in Limerick, Ireland…

This past week I did not go anywhere, but it has been very busy with so many assignments and projects due. I have had so many assignment, papers, and projects due in the last week with more to come in the weeks following that I will be extremely tired and busy for the next 3-4 weeks until spring break. I am glad that the end of the semester is quickly approaching because all of these assignments will be over and I will be able to relax once again, but I have to get there first. My week was very productive, though the next few weeks have to be even more productive because of spring break and crossing the half-way point of the semester. I will have to buckle down even more and work harder to get these assignments finished and prepare for final exams that will be coming in 6 short weeks. Where did the time go?

Barcelona, Spain: Visiting Berlin

Submitted by Samantha Hoag on the 2018 spring semester program in Barcelona, Spain…

This week I went to Berlin, Germany with two other girls in the program. It was a really unique city with such rich history and culture. It was so fascinating to see the Berlin Wall and learn about the struggles that led to it being built and then eventually torn down. We also saw the Holocaust Memorial there for the Jews of Europe. It was an extremely moving experience that I won’t forget. I hope to go back to Berlin some day and see more of it because it is a huge city and we only had three days to see it all. It was an amazing way to spend the weekend.