Category: Spring Semester

Submitted by Alexandra Hall on the 2023 spring semester program in Athens, Greece…

Traveling outside of the country for the first time has been one of my life’s best experiences. I did not know a single person and have since made a group of friends to explore the city and town of Agia Paraskevi, Greece with. In the photo above, you will see the Holy Church of Saint Paraskevi – Mesogion. The Greek Orthodox church was open to the public to walk through when there wasn’t a service, and everyone inside was very respectful and quiet. What surprised me the most was the difference in architecture compared to the United States churches. There were paintings on almost every wall and a massive chandelier that had tangerines hanging from it. I’m not sure exactly why there were tangerines on the chandelier, but I am guessing it’s because of the many tangerine trees scattered around the town. Do not eat the tangerines because they are not sweet whatsoever and taste like lemons. Overall, the first couple of days I experienced in the town of Agia Paraskevi, Greece have been astonishing. (Submitted on January 12, 2023)

After being in Athens, Greece for almost two weeks, I have noticed the Greek’s love for coffee. Unlike Americans, a vast majority of the Greeks I have met drink their coffee with no sugar. Usually, half the students in my classes have a coffee with them, even during my night classes. My new friend Elina, who is Greek, told me that most Greeks drink up to six coffees a day, whether it’s espresso, cappuccino, or traditional Greek coffee. I even got to try the traditional Greek coffee, and I will tell you I made a big mistake when drinking it. Once I reached the last couple sips of my Greek coffee, I mixed the grounds that had settled at the bottom, not knowing they were the coffee grounds. It was bitter and unpleasant, but the rest of the coffee was very strong, which I enjoyed. There are cafes on almost every block in Agia Paraskevi, and the baristas are always very welcoming. While my friends and I were enjoying some coffee and chatting between our classes, a man walked in with his dog. We asked to pet the dog and then he handed us the leash as he went to sit outside. This surprised me because in America that would have never happened to me. The Greeks are trusting and extremely intelligent, especially in my classes. Day by day I am learning more about Greek culture and it has been very eye-opening in a positive way for me. (Submitted on January 20, 2023)

The Acropolis is Greece’s most popular tourist attraction, yet I didn’t visit it until my third week in Athens. I had been yearning to visit the Acropolis since I arrived, and when I finally did I was astonished by the city’s beauty. The ability of this ancient citadel to withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters for centuries amazed me, but with the help of construction, it will last even longer. My friends and I arrived close to closing time, so we had to rush to the top. It took around 15 minutes to make it to the top, and it was all uphill, so if you ever plan on visiting the Acropolis, wear sneakers. The Acropolis stands at one of the highest points in the city, so you can imagine the view is even more amazing in person. Once we had to leave, we saw many people sitting by a nearby rock that overlooked the city, so we decided to sit and enjoy the view for a while. There are still so many more historical buildings and landmarks I have yet to visit, but starting off with the Acropolis was a great choice. (Submitted on January 29, 2023)

After being in Athens for over a month, I felt the need to venture out and go out of the city. I found a mineral lake about thirty minutes from my college campus, so my friends and I decided to take a bus there. When we arrived, we could see the clear blue sea on our right, and the lake on our left. Walking to the entrance of the lake felt surreal because of the beautiful pink flowers and mountains that surrounded the lake. It was 45 degrees out and definitely too cold to be swimming, but after seeing the locals get in the water, I knew I had to jump in. The lake felt cold at first, but I got used to it once I was under. Another fact about the lake that intrigued me was that the water has healing properties and it stays relatively warm all year round because of the underwater currents that spread through the multiple underground caves. While swimming in the lake, an older lady who was a local recommended a restaurant nearby that grows all their produce surrounding the restaurant. My friends and I decided to go to the restaurant and the food was so fresh. We got a salad that contained broccoli and cauliflower grown right outside. Getting recommendations from locals has been rewarding every time because they are the ones who know the hidden gems. (Submitted on February 12, 2023)

Submitted by Leopold Pullella on the 2023 spring semester program in London, England…

Above is a photo of me walking to the store at night near my flat. This photo depicts the simple and peaceful life around my home. Not only that, it also points out that I feel that London, at least the area I live in, is much safer than some parts of my hometown in America. It’s especially blissful to be out in London at night because there aren’t usually a lot of people around, offering a unique nightly experience to anyone who visits London. (Submitted during Week 11)

Today, I went to the Natural History Museum in London with Simone and Cassy. The museum was surprisingly small but offered a lot of interesting content, as you can see from the numerous people that were there with us. I was particularly impressed by this large skeleton of a dinosaur. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the name of this enormous creature, but I do know that I was fascinated by the size comparison to myself. I plan on exploring more museums during my time here in London. (Submitted during Week 12)

Once again, I was with Cassy and Simone and we went to Chinatown to eat at a place called “Beijing Dumplings” which my orchestra maestro Dr. Allen Anderson suggested we go to. I am so thankful for Dr. Anderson’s recommendation because the food was delicious! They gave us the most savory meat dishes, the tastiest fried rice, and some of the best dumplings I have ever had. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who visits London! (Submitted during Week 13)

I tried churros for the first time in the Greenwich market! Cassy, Simone, and I had been planning to go to this market as we started to approach the end of the semester. As I mentioned before, I love to try new foods and this market was a great opportunity for that. My favorite food was from the Greek stand. The people there were so friendly and the makers of all of the jewelry and other products were so talented. I want to try to find a market like this one back in America! (Submitted during Week 14)

Our time at CAPA is drawing to a close and this will be my last blog post. As many people know, this is the famous Elizabeth Clock that houses the beautiful tones of Big Ben. On this day, Cassy, Simone, and I decided to explore more areas of London in Westminster. While there, we decided to get some lunch at half past 1 pm as a final get-together before we go back to our home towns. Cassy and Simone were kind enough to let me stay until 2 pm to hear the iconic sound of Big Ben. I was so excited to be quite literally hearing history. My time at CAPA has helped me build friendships I expect to last a lifetime as well as ignite my interest in exploring other cultures in many different areas of the world. I am extremely thankful for this opportunity to study abroad in London. (Submitted during Week 15)

Submitted by Sierra Crisp on the 2023 spring semester program in Limerick, Ireland…

Week 8 was amazing. I went to Amsterdam and had a blast. It’s so nice to be so close to such a awesome areas. Amsterdam is truly an amazing city and I wouldn’t have been able to see it without this opportunity. I went on a canal ride, toured the city, and even went to a cheese museum. I’m so psyched to visit more areas in Europe and expand my world view. (Submitted on March 15, 2023)

This week was Saint Patrick’s Day!!! It was great fun. We went to the parade in Cork and went to a St Patrick’s Day festival with acrobatics and sweets. It was an amazing time. Full of Craic. I went with new friends I made from Ireland and people from UDEL. (Submitted during March 20, 2023)

Week 10 was a really great one! It was my girlfriends birthday and we had a great time celebrating. We went to Dublin and went roller skating with friends. It was truly a great time and we had loads of fun. Ireland has been amazing!! (Submitted during Week 10)

Week 11 has been amazing. On Tuesday we went on the beginning of a weeklong trip to Greece and Ireland. Studying abroad in Ireland gives us the opportunity to see new sites and explore countries we never thought possible. Greece has been utterly amazing. We went to an Island called Corfu and are currently in Athens. Athens is an amazing city with loads of culture and Beauty. (Submitted during Week 11)

Week 12 has been awesome! We’ve left Greece and are now in Italy. Our plan is to go from Rome to Venice to Milan and then fly out back to Ireland. Rome is amazing! We’ve seen the Colosseum and Hadrians temple. Such an amazing time in an amazing city. (Submitted on April 5, 2023)

Sadly this week has probably been one of the most stressful weeks at UL. There’s so much assignments coming up, and it’s getting to a point where I really just want to be done. I’m afraid of grades, as I don’t understand UL’s grading system. And more then anything I want to just relax on a beach and enjoy the rest of my time here. But this is school, not a vacation so I’ll tough it out and hopefully everything will be okay. (Submitted on April 22, 2023)

Submitted by Sierra Crisp on the 2023 spring semester program in Limerick, Ireland…

This marks week 1 of my study abroad journey. So far I’m really loving Ireland. There is so much to see and do. The campus is incredibly beautiful and is full of natural beauty. It is surrounded by nature and the buildings are a true work of architecture. My favorite place so far has been the grass pasture right beside my dorm. It’s a place that holds many activities and there is always a nice face lounging about. (Submitted on January 20, 2023)

Week 2 of my study abroad experience was even better than the first. I’m getting more comfortable at the University of Limerick. I’ve made more friends and now know my way around campus. Classes are hard, however the teachers are extremely talented and I feel like I’m learning a ton. This week I went on a trip to Blarney Castle and visited a beautiful cathedral in Cork. It was loads of fun, and I can’t wait to go back!! (Submitted on January 31, 2023)

I’m really enjoying Ireland! We went on our first weekend trip and that really was a stunner. Dublin was really a place to be. We did so many things from go on a bus tour to checking out museums and markets. I went with a great group of friends that I’ve met who all live across the globe! It’s nice to meet so many people of different paths. (Submitted during Week 3)

This week may have been the best yet. I got to try out a whole new sport that I’ve never even heard of called Wind Surfing. Which is basically a fusion of many types of water sports. It was challenging and quite scary at first but soon I conquered my fear. Through this I learned how to persevere. It was loads of fun and I can’t wait to go on the water sometime again. (Submitted on February 12, 2023)

This week was a pretty uneventful week. It’s been a great time, but I’m starting to feel a bit homesick. Despite this, I realize that there are so many more exciting things to come. Me and my friend are planning a trip to Greece during spring break! It’s amazing to get a time to travel and explore Europe. I’ve never been outside the country until now, and now I’m going across the globe! (Submitted on February 28, 2023)

Submitted by Audrey Berry on the 2023 spring semester program in Limerick, Ireland…

Not much happened this week in particular. Although, the school was certainly very busy! This week was something known as RAG week – this is a week where students participate in a selfless activity that helps the community. However, it also means you skip your classes and go out and party! It was definitely a new experience for me. A lot of the clubs in the city had a theme each night to entice students to attend. Personally,  I chose to relax more this week although I did participate on Tuesday. I also went to the little market in town on Saturday. The daffodils are in bloom and they had a wonderful bouquet! I also got a nice coffee and some kebabs- I would’ve never guessed kebabs would be so popular in Ireland! Next week we are going to Amsterdam! I am so excited and cannot wait to update. (Submitted during Week 7)

This last week was absolutely fantastic! My girlfriend and I took a trip to Amsterdam over the weekend! Oh my goodness, it was one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to – the architecture is a mixture of modern and royal and the people are consistently kind despite the high number of tourists. We also got to experience the range of weather (sun, rain, and snow), which is expected in early March. We stayed in a little hotel room in the center of the city, and it surprised me how inexpensive it was for it being so close. We experienced many things; a boat ride, an interactive light show, the cheese museum, etc. But the most shocking part was definitely the red light district – I see why it’s internationally known, definitely…. unusual. Overall, this was a lovely trip and I sincerely hope to visit again. (Submitted during Week 8)

This week was Saint Patrick’s day, and being in Ireland it was certainly a big deal. On the day itself me and my friends went to cork city. We saw a parade and went to a festival! I was surprised at how many things didn’t occur on the day itself but rather the next day, which unfortunately we did not realize until we got to Cork. That was okay though because the next day we went to Limerick City and had a ball! We went to a festival, rode on a ferris wheel, and then went out that night. I was speaking to an Irish person and apparently, this holiday is far more important for foreigners than for the Irish themselves! Who would’ve guessed? (Submitted during Week 9)

Submitted by Alison Giffen on the 2023 DIS spring semester program in Stockholm, Sweden …

This week classes are back to normal! I figured I would use this week’s blog post to talk about the unique opportunity DIS gives us each Wednesday. Every Wednesday we don’t have standard classes, instead we go on field studies to foster learning outside the classroom. The main principle behind this idea is applying what we are learning in the classroom to real life scenarios. This Wednesday, my neurodegenerative diseases class went on our first field study to a neurology clinic. At the clinic we got to meet a patient with Parkinson’s Disease. Additionally, we got to watch a full clinical examination of both the patient’s symptoms and mental health status. It was really cool to see what we have been learning about in class done in real life. Not only did we learn more about Parkinson’s but the patient we met with also asked us questions. It was a really unique opportunity for both parties to learn more about a currently incurable disease. Unfortunately we could not take pictures in the clinic for confidentiality, so I included pictures from a field study I went on a few weeks ago with my Swedish Language and Culture class. We visited the Royal Seaport which is a suburb community that has a focus on sustainability and building affordable housing without sacrificing the environment. (Submitted during Week 5)

This past week consisted of one of the biggest Swedish traditions: Semla day! This year it was on February 21st, but that can change each year as the day, Fat Tuesday, is more important than the date. Semla day, or Semmeldagen as they say in Swedish, is when you eat as many semlas throughout the day as you can and then you “give them up for lent.” Semla is a bun that has cream and almond paste in the middle. For my Semmeldagen, I went to a cafe called Vette Katten with two of my friends from my floor, Skylar and Carter. I found out that I do not share the same love for semlas as most here in Sweden do, but I was still really proud to take part in this Swedish tradition. Later that night, my floor did a group potluck where we all brought different foods to share for dinner. I, of course, made pasta. It was really nice to be able to sit down with everyone and catch up, as it feels like everyone is always super busy. And you guessed it, the desserts brought were semlas! Overally, my first Semmeldagen was one to remember. (Submitted during Week 6)

Week 07 came with a very rare surprise in Stockholm: the Northern Lights! Normally in order to see the Northern Lights you have to travel to Swedish Lappland, which is much farther North than Stockholm. However, when the weather is just right, the lights can be seen from Stockholm! This past Monday the sky was super clear and so I went with some friends to one of the highest points in Stockholm, Skinnarviksberget, which also only happens to be a 10 minute walk from my building! We all got bundled up and headed out around 10 because the weather report said they should be visible from 10 to 11 o’clock. We brought towels to sit on and we all watched and waited to see if we could see the lights. The Northern Lights decided to come and show off in Stockholm and it was super cool to see. They definitely weren’t as good as the lights you see in pictures from Iceland or anywhere else in the Arctic Circle but they were enough to be able to see the green hinge in the sky. We all stayed a while and watched the lights dance across the sky. It was definitely the highlight of my week. (Submitted during Week 7)

Submitted by Audrey Berry on the 2023 spring semester program in Limerick, Ireland…

This past week, me and my friends coordinated a trip to Dublin. All 8 of us stayed in a hotel that really was more of a hostel – they crammed 8 beds in one room! The city itself was absolutely beautiful. Irish cities in general seem to be much more clean and pedestrian friendly than most American cities. And the history is breathtaking – old buildings mixed with new give a very interesting look to each street. We went to a market and on a bus tour (my idea haha, my friends weren’t quite as fond). The next day, me and my girlfriend broke off – we went to the national botanical gardens, the museum, and the zoo! I also had some of the best Indian food of my life. Overall, the folks were nice and most things were fairly affordable – the hotel was only 35 euro a person! I was surprised to find that the garden and museum were free as well – I had no idea how many flowers grow in the winter nor how many Irish painters there were. It was a beautiful trip and I can’t wait to return. The rest of the week was more mundane; the usual, classes and lunch or the occasional outing. I did go to the movies with some of my psychology friends though – cheaper than the US! Overall, it was a good week and I look forward to the next one. (Submitted during Week 4)

This past week has been rather relaxed. I have mostly been hanging out with friends and doing schoolwork. Me and my girlfriend (who is also here) are planning our spring break trip! We are planning on going to Italy and Greece – I am surprised by how easy and cheap it is to get around Europe! I also officially had my immigration appointment – the only issue I have found is how inconsistent the buses are. It makes me miss my car haha! Looking forward to another beautiful week in Ireland. (Submitted during Week 5)

This week was absolutely wonderful! My girlfriend and I took a delayed valentines day trip to the coastal town of Dingle. The entire town was beautiful – covered in flowers, perfectly clean streets, and the most colorful buildings lining each street. We stayed in the most darling hotel (with a fantastic shower – I have missed the shower pressure) and ate out way too much. What was really the most (positive) shocking thing I realized is the pure kindness that is ingrained in Irish culture , especially in the smaller towns. The best example of this is when my girlfriend planned a horseback riding trek down by the coast (breathtaking, by the way) but we couldn’t find any way to get there. We asked our hotel receptionist for help finding a taxi, but instead this sweet woman offered to drive us there herself! Then, after accepting our fate of walking back from the horseback riding location, a different woman offered to drive us back again! Such genuine displays of kindness, even to foreign people. I had a lovely, relaxing weekend and have continued to fall more in love with this country. (Submitted during Week 6)

Submitted by Elliana Olivo on the 2023 spring semester program in Rome, Italy…

Preparing for study abroad was definitely stressful but in more ways than one it is just like packing for a normal semester. With some exceptions of course, with weather and what you plan to do during your travels. For me, I would recommend bringing basic clothes that you can layer, so you will have different items for each season you will be away. You can always purchase more abroad and for less most of the time! As for clothing I would say to bring one pair of good walking shoes, interchangeable pants for any occasion as well as a winter coat/winter accessories. A portable charger, international plug converter, filtered water bottle and your favorite toiletries are a must bring. The European items are different from those in the United States and it is difficult to find the translation of items while in store. Unfortunately, Amazon Prime doesn’t exist here as well which was a huge culture shock to me! I definitely overpacked and recommend to anyone going abroad to leave room in their suitcase because you will at least buy a few things you want to bring home! (Submitted during Week 4)

This past weekend has been such a whirlwind of events traveling from Rome to Venice for the celebration of Carnevale. Carnevale is the last celebration before Lent with the freedom of masks, dance, food and drinks. My friends and I all purchased masks from street vendors, participated in the cultural dance and were able to learn about the historical events from tour guides, gondoliers and local Italians. In St. Lucia where we stayed, people were dressed in full masquerade costumes, masks and participated in shows on the street for the tourists. It was so refreshing to see so many people enjoy themselves and not care what they wore or how they acted in celebration. What was really interesting was the culture in Venice was completely different to that in Rome. Venice was really relaxed, flexible and celebratory compared to the typical city atmosphere of the Roman lifestyle. We embraced this feeling by going on a gondola ride, sunset boat ride to Burano and having no itinerary for the weekend just figuring it out as we went! (Submitted on February 13, 2023)

As I start packing for spring break, I have realized that as an American, I do not have the correct clothes to live in Europe without getting stares that I do not fit in. European culture is much more formal in regards to how they dress from day to day. Unlike in the US, Europeans do not wear sweatshirts, sweatpants or athletic clothing outside of the gym. That being said, we have been accommodating to the new culture shock wearing our “nicer” clothes everyday to class that we usually wouldn’t wear back home until a nicer occasion was brought up. In my opinion, I actually like this new way of living because I can actually wear the nice clothes that I have more often and I feel more put together throughout the day. I hope that I make a habit out of it and continue to dress similarly when I come back to the States. (Submitted on March 4, 2023)

Everyone says traveling around Europe is cheap, unfortunately that is not the case. Yes it is “cheaper” because you are already in Europe rather than going from the United States, however the flights are not twenty euro as you see on Instagram and TikTok. Travel and housing alone for each weekend trip I have been on are all well over two hundred dollars at least. European airlines also differ from those in America; the bag sizes are tremendously smaller and for a fee. A unique aspect about Europe though are the fast trains, they are around the same prices as a flight but easier to manage and cut the travel time from a regular train in half! A recommendation I have for traveling abroad for the semester is picking a country you want to travel the most in since international flights are more expensive as well as, when booking flights on Google use the map icon to show all flights from your country to see the cheapest destination for that weekend. Fortunately in most European countries hostels are available for a lower cost and the food cost is nothing compared to major cities in the United States. (Submitted on March 12, 2023)

Europe differs from the States, in not only the architecture but the streets themselves. The street signs are on the buildings making them less noticeable and most of them in Italy are faded, being ancient Rome and all. The streets are also cobblestone therefore you always need to watch your step and surroundings. In contrast, the style is elevated in Europe for everyday wear making heels on the cobblestone streets impractical but most women wear boots and heels daily. The United States is always improving and knocking down the old bringing in the new. Europe has kept similar styles throughout the centuries especially Rome is known for restoring and preserving what they can of Ancient Rome. Each new “Rome” is clearly shown by the elevation in which the buildings are on, the more recent the buildings higher above the water level they are. (Submitted on March 21, 2023)

Submitted by Marlena Awitan on the 2023 spring semester program in Paris, France…

This week, I had the opportunity to travel to Brussels, Belgium on a CEA excursion. We took the train, which was only an hour and a half ride. I spent the day exploring the city with my friends, taking pictures for my photography class, going to lunch with my program, visiting a chocolate museum and trying iconic foods. It was the most incredible day and I am so happy this excursion was included in the program. It made me feel even more comfortable using the train, so now I can travel to other places on my own! Brussels and Paris definitely had their similarities but it was very interesting to see the differences within the city. The lifestyle felt different and the area we were in was filled with young and cool people. It’s amazing to see cultural differences after traveling a little over an hour from the city you’re living in. I absolutely would recommend taking a trip there. (Submitted on February 6, 2023)

This week was definitely not as eventful as the past couple weeks but I honestly really enjoyed some more quiet time. I spent my week in class, as well as, exploring Paris with my friends. I had the opportunity to visit Galeries Lafayette and Passage Jouffroy with my fashion class. It was really interesting to learn the history behind these incredibly famous landmarks. My favorite part of the week was when I decided to visit the Sacre-Coeur with my friend and spend the afternoon walking through the surrounding neighborhoods, around Montmartre. It was absolutely beautiful. I brought my camera and took a million pictures for myself and my photography class. We stopped to get a coffee at one of the millions of cafes that we passed on our walk. It was a little warmer in Paris that day so I finally wasn’t freezing as I was walking around outside. It was really fun to explore a new area. One of my personal favorite things to do is go on the metro and get off at a random stop and get “lost”. I find that this is the best way to learn your way around the city and it’s a really fun thing to do with a friend. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable week. (Submitted on February 12, 2023)

This week I will be traveling to Switzerland for the weekend! I am incredibly excited. My friends and I planned the trip, booking our flights and hotel together. One thing that I absolutely love about France is how easy it is to travel to other countries. It is not that expensive or difficult to plan. My friends and I are making an itinerary so we have a detailed plan of what we will do when we go so we don’t waste any time, for we are only there for two nights and three days. I had a normal week of classes. There is another strike planned for tomorrow. It definitely took some getting used to being so close to huge protests and adjusting to the parts of the city being shut down. Most of the time when there is a strike, school is online because many of the metro lines are affected by the protesters. I have never seen any violence during the strikes that I have witnessed. There are usually just a lot of people marching down the street with signs. It hasn’t affected me in many ways. The most exciting part of my week so far was going out for Valentine’s Day. The fact that I was able to celebrate this Valentine’s Day in Paris was so much fun! I took the metro towards Opera and went to an incredible restaurant with a set menu. The food was amazing. There were so many people out and about in the city that night and it was so much fun to see everyone celebrating the holiday. I definitely experienced the “city of love” seeing everyone out yesterday, walking around with flowers, going on dates, and showing acts of kindness. I also visited a beautiful church near my school for my photography class and took some pictures. I love seeing all of the historical buildings and architecture.All in all, it was a great week. Now, I am looking forward to leaving for Switzerland on Friday. (Submitted on February 15, 2023)

I had the most incredible weekend in Switzerland. This was my first time flying to another country while being abroad and I was incredibly nervous at first, for I didn’t know what to expect or what the process was going to be like. My friends and I reserved an Uber to the airport the morning of our flight because we had to be there very early. Once we arrived at the airport, the process itself was quite simple. The Orly airport was smaller than I expected and easy to maneuver. We quickly made it through security, found our gate and boarded our flight! Once we got to Switzerland, we took a bus to get us downtown and easily found our hotel. Our hotel was in the middle of the downtown area and was the perfect location for exploring! I found it helpful that we made a small itinerary and a list of things that we wanted to see prior to arrival so we could make the most of our time there and already have an idea of what we want to do. It was absolutely beautiful in Switzerland. The air felt so clear and the weather was perfect. We spent most of our days walking around exploring, taking pictures, visiting famous sites, eating incredible food, taking boat rides, enjoying the beautiful weather and spending time on Lake Geneva. The trip itself was everything I could’ve asked for. I was lucky to be around friends who also did everything they could to make the most of our time! On our trip home is where we ran into some trouble. Getting to the airport was incredibly easy, however, our flight was delayed twice and then cancelled. I was stressed to make it back in time for class on Monday. We all received vouchers and were put in a hotel by the airport for our rescheduled flight the next morning. Although it was incredibly stressful at the time, looking back, I think we all handled it very well and everything went as smoothly as it could. It definitely felt great to arrive back in Paris though, I was very thankful to make it home safe. This trip definitely taught me a lot and made me feel a lot more confident traveling to other countries while abroad! (Submitted on February 26, 2023)

Submitted by Alison Giffen on the 2023 DIS spring semester program in Stockholm, Sweden…

What a week! Thanks to DIS, from the moment I landed in Sweden I was assisted in moving in. DIS helped me arrange transportation to my housing site where I was then met by more staff to help me move into my room. The following few days before classes started were given as time to grocery shop and attend orientation ceremonies and practice using our main source of transportation: the metro! Classes began on Thursday so we haven’t learned a lot yet but every teacher seems engaged and excited to be teaching their course. The hardest thing about the first week here in Stockholm was the adjustment to the darkness. This week the average time of sunrise is 8:10 am and sunset 3:45 pm which is around only 7.5 hours of sunlight. I highly recommend starting by taking a vitamin D supplement a few days before you arrive and continuing it to help adjust to the decreased amount of sunlight you will get in the winter months. (Submitted during Week 1)

These past two weeks have been super busy between school and trying to see more of Stockholm. Through exploring the city and meeting my visiting host family I have learned a lot more about Swedish culture. To start, in my Swedish class we had an assignment that required us to go to different locations around Stockholm. My group visited Gamla Stan which is known as Old Town. Seeing the different style of buildings and streets really showed us how far Stockholm has come. While in Gamla Stan, my group sat down to have fika. Fika is a big part of Swedish daily life. Fika is the idea of having a break throughout your day and getting coffee or, in my case, hot chocolate and a biscuit. Some workplaces even have a fika break scheduled in their workday. Fika can take 15 minutes or it can take hours if you are catching up with a friend on a weekend. This past Saturday I also had fika with my visiting host family. DIS has a program where if you are not a homestay student you can sign up for a visiting host family where you can meet with a Swedish family a few times a month. The idea of the program is that students not staying in a homestay can still be fully immersed in Swedish culture. My host family is ironically very similar to my home family, both have three kids around the same age. The mother of the host family, Sarah, was so friendly and taught me a lot about Swedish culture in just the few hours I was with her and one of her daughters, Emma. We ended up getting traditional Swedish meatballs and potatoes with Lingonberry jam. As a picky eater I was a little nervous, but keeping an open mind is very important when traveling to another country. I have made a rule to at least try everything once or twice and boy am I glad I tried one of the most traditional Swedish meals. They were delicious and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Sweden. After eating lunch, the three of us sat and had fika where I was able to try two different Swedish pastries. One was a vanilla cookie with raspberry jam in the middle. The other was a more minty and chocolate pastry, which in English, is called “a vacuum cleaner”. The name comes from the idea that the pastry is made of leftover ingredients from cooking other meals. The vacuum cleaner was not my personal favorite but I am still glad I tried it. After fika, my visiting host family and I walked around downtown Stockholm. While walking around, they told me about Melodifestivalen, a Swedish talent competition, where the winner goes on to EuroVision to represent Sweden. Overall, the past two weeks have been full of learning and sightseeing around Stockholm. This upcoming week is my core course week where we spend 3 days in Gothenburg! (Submitted during Week 2/3)

It’s crazy that I have been here at DIS Stockholm for a month now! This week is core course week. DIS academics are based off of one, 3 credit, core course that is your main area of study. To fill up the rest of your schedule, you take electives. This week is core course week which means that you spend 3 days of the week on a short study tour somewhere in Sweden and the other 2 days in Stockholm. My core course, Forensic Psychology, spent Monday through Wednesday in Gothenburg. Each day consisted of academic visits and free time. We visited a halfway house, CLIP (Criminal, Legal, and Investigative Psychology) Research Group, and ATSUB (a support group for family members of children who have been sexually abused). Learning about how the Swedish legal system approaches reintegration of prisoners, victims that are children, etc. was so eye opening to the ways the US differs from Sweden on a legal level. Outside academics, some of my classmates and I explored the Gothenburg Museum of Art and Slottsskogen, which is a zoo in a park. We got to see different deers, moose, sheep, seals, penguins and more! On Wednesday night, we returned to Stockholm. Thursday we visited Mansjouren, an organization focused on helping men who are in crisis. As we learned in this field study, there are countless women shelters in Sweden, but only one for men. Mansjouren helps support the men throughout Stockholm who need it the most. The organization is trying to expand nationally, but is finding it challenging due to the lack of funding the government is providing. While debriefing on Friday, we all agreed how eye opening this past week has been to some of the main legal issues facing Swedish society. (Submitted during Week 4)