Category: Winter Session

A Recap of Rome

Submitted by Gabriella Dunay on the 2024 Winter HLTH program in Rome…

When somebody says they’re traveling to Rome,  most people have a picture in their head of the  Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain, but  there’s so much more to Rome than these  beautiful landmarks. First of all, Rome is a large  city with several parts. My accommodations  were located in Laurentina, and when I first got  off the metro stop I thought I was in Florida!  There were normal residential areas and  surprisingly, palm trees everywhere! Other metro  stops also had residential areas but also larger  downtown areas with local shops and  restaurants. Off the Colosseo metro stop, you  are met with a beautiful view of the Colosseum,  closely followed by large crowds of people  everywhere taking pictures of the landmarks and  locals trying to sell phone chargers and flowers.  After experiencing Rome for 3 weeks, I now  have a much more well-rounded picture in my  head about the drastically different areas within  Rome, and not just the major landmarks and city  culture that everybody always thinks of. (Submitted February 1, 2024)

Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb: A Luminescent Journey with Study Abroad Companions

Submitted by Harry Anderson on the 2024 Winter BUAD/FINC program in Australia…

Embarking on the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb at night is an adventure that transcends the ordinary, and when shared with a study abroad group, it transforms into a collective memory etched in the heart forever. The excitement is palpable as we gather, slipping into our jumpsuits and securing our harnesses, anticipation bubbling within the group like a shared secret. 

Dressed in the iconic jumpsuits, we become a united front, ready to conquer the heights of the Harbor Bridge under the cloak of night. As the harnesses click into place, a sense of camaraderie builds—an unspoken understanding that this experience is not just about the breathtaking views but also about the bonds formed with fellow adventurers. 

As we ascend the bridge’s arches, the city beneath us transforms into a mosaic of twinkling lights. The Opera House and skyline stand as beacons, welcoming us to this nocturnal spectacle. The shared gasps of awe and whispered conversations add a symphony to the whooshes of cars hundreds of feet below us. 

The Sydney Harbor Bridge Night Walk with our study abroad group is not just a visual feast but a shared journey of exploration and connection. The luminescent cityscape becomes the backdrop to our conversations, laughter, and the forging of friendships that will endure long after the night sky fades away and our trip comes to an end. (Submitted January 31, 2024)

A Day of Discovery: Exploring Indigenous Wonders at a Walkabout Park near Sydney

Submitted by Harry Anderson on the 2024 Winter BUAD/FINC program in Thailand and Australia…

Nestled just outside the vibrant city of Sydney, Australia, lies a unique haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike – a walkabout park that not only showcases the incredible biodiversity of the region but also pays homage to its Indigenous roots. As visitors step into this sanctuary, they are greeted by the iconic silhouettes of kangaroos and wallabies against the backdrop of eucalyptus trees, setting the stage for an unforgettable day of connection with Australia’s remarkable fauna. 

The park, situated on Aboriginal land, carries profound cultural significance. Before embarking on any adventure, guests are encouraged to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and appreciate the rich history that predates the arrival of European settlers. This serves as a reminder of the deep connection the Indigenous people have with the land and its inhabitants, fostering a sense of respect and understanding. 

As visitors stroll along naturally-maintained trails, they encounter enclosures featuring a plethora of indigenous Australian animals, each with its own unique story. The kangaroos and wallabies roam freely and offer an up-close experience, allowing guests to observe their graceful movements and learn about their role in Aboriginal folklore. 

In addition to kangaroos and wallabies, the park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including emus, echidnas, vibrant bird species, and of course, Arnold the Koala. Educational displays provide insight into the intricate ecosystems of the region, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts to protect these precious species. 

The walkabout park’s commitment to conservation extends beyond its borders, as it actively participates in programs aimed at preserving natural habitats and supporting Indigenous communities. Visitors can leave not only with cherished memories but also with a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between wildlife, culture, and the environment. 

In conclusion, a day at this walkabout park near Sydney is a celebration of Australia’s natural wonders and a respectful acknowledgment of its Indigenous heritage. It offers a unique opportunity to connect with the land, its native inhabitants, and the rich cultural tapestry that has shaped this incredible corner of the world. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or simply someone seeking a tranquil escape, this walkabout park promises an enriching and enlightening experience. (Submitted January 31, 2024)

A Day in Sitges

Submitted by Erin Ritchie on the 2024 Winter Elementary Education program in Barcelona, Spain…

On January 27th, my study abroad group and I traveled to Sitges. Sitges is a coastal town in the Catalonia region backed by the Parc Natural del Garraf mountains. This is a beautiful town about an hour away by train from Barcelona. After our arrival, we walked to the church of St. Bartholomew and St. Thecla and got a group picture with the UD flag. The church sits on a hill and overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. The weather was beautiful, and the sun shone brightly across the water. On top of the hill, we were overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The water was a beautiful sky blue color and clear along the shore. We headed down towards the beach and walked across the sand. The beach was filled with locals and tourists enjoying the sunny weather. The beach was also dog-friendly, so there were a few dogs running around. 

After enjoying our time on the beach, we explored the town. Just behind the beach were many restaurants with gorgeous views of the water. The town itself was filled with cute little boutiques and other beachy shops. While walking around, we noticed many famous architecture, such as the La Casa del Rellotge (The Clock House) and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Vinyet. I would describe Sitges as a very artistic town. While there are modern elements, the town feels timeless and classic. (Submitted January 31, 2024)

The Climb

Submitted by Nicholas Davis on the 2024 Winter English and Finance program in Italy…

Me with the snow-capped mountains in the background.

Coming up on my last night in Italy, I remember all the great memories I made, the delicious foods I tasted, and the beautiful sights I saw. Out of all these things, the memory most engraved in my mind is making it to the top of Monte Grappa in Paderno. Just 15 minutes outside of my campus and an hour and a half bus ride up the mountain with sharp cutbacks and breathtaking views, this piece of land stands tall at 6000 feet elevation. It was a perfect trip to take with only 3 days left in the program. Getting to the top, none of us were sure what to expect, but it became clearer as soon as we snowcapped tips and valleys sunken further than I could’ve ever imagined. For anyone who fears heights, this is the last thing you’d ever want to do. Many people on the bus fell asleep because they were too nauseous to look down. Meanwhile, I was taking it all in with everything Italy had to offer me in the total of those 3 hours on the bus. Once we reached the top, everything was a sheet of ice. A good amount of us slipped and fell, and as embarrassed as I am to admit, I did too. Looking down at all the sights afar, I reflect on this entire trip and how sad I am that it’s over, but how appreciative I am that it happened. What better place to have these thoughts, am I right? I feel like this climb signified all of the obstacles in my life I’ve had to overcome and how they’ve shaped me as a person. Just like getting to the top of the mountain, my outlook on life has changed forever. I struggle with saying goodbyes, but this one is so much sweeter after getting the most memorable experience. Italy will forever have my heart, especially Monte Grappa. Arrivederci!

(Submitted January 31, 2024)

A scenic view of the mountains below.

Exploring Oxford & Othello Performance

Submitted by Emma Davis on the 2024 Winter English program in London, England…

During our second week of studying in London, my class and I took a day trip to Oxford! This day trip to Oxford was one of the highlights of this program thus far because I was able to experience a different area of London. Oxford is a lot more quaint compared to the bustling city of London. During our tour of Oxford, we learned some key differences between the college system in America and the university system in England. One difference I learned was that it typically takes four years to earn a bachelor’s degree in the United States, whereas, in the United Kingdom, a bachelor’s degree can be obtained in three years. It was interesting to learn that the many colleges located throughout Oxford are independent of one another but make up the larger University of Oxford.

Highlighting the different buildings of the University of Oxford.

For our third week, my class and I took a trip to east London for a tour of the Globe Theatre and an Othello performance! We have been learning about Shakespeare in class and have read key scenes from Othello together. We could sit inside the Shakespearean-styled theatre for the performance of Othello. Watching this performance with my classmates was fun and interesting because we could see the scenes we read in class together come to life with a modern twist! (Submitted on January 31, 2024)

My class and I touring Globe Theatre.

Journey in Leipzig

Submitted by Josiah Taylor on the 2024 Winter LLCU program in Germany …

Redunitz-Thornberg

For the second week in Leipzig we started out by going to the BMW plant, which showed us the ins and outs of how the plant works. The plant had a lot of robotic elements and many people working inside of it. Overall the plant was absolutely massive, I wish I was able to take pictures but inside we weren’t allowed too. For the next day we went to a cooking course and we learned how to make potato pancakes and duck. It was a lot of prep and lots of cooking time, the bartender was super nice and he really made the whole experience and process the best. After the cooking class and into the next day we were assigned groups and were tasked to go around the city and check out some regions of the city, I was assigned with Tom, Catalina, Ethan, and Noah, we were given the region of Reudnitz which is the southern part of Leipzig, when we went we saw many parks and many graffiti covered buildings. We were also assigned to make a presentation for the region scouting and we included a video of a guy in the park skateboarding as well as some pictures of the buildings, we got some food and then we left. We also were able to visit Dresden which is a city near Leipzig, where we saw many important landmarks such as Der Zwinger, Frauenkirche and August the Strong statues. Dresden was fantastic, lots of really important history is associated with the city and it was fantastic to explore Dresden and have fun with others in the group. 

Visit to Rammstein Store

For the third week, at the end of this week, I traveled to Berlin on the free weekend. I left on Saturday to meet with a friend in Berlin to hang out with for a little while and also visit the Rammstein Store. When I first got to Berlin the City was a little iffy for me but it was because we had gone to the northern part of Berlin where it’s a little bit less museum-ish. Just like in Leipzig there were Doner places and other international food to get. I definitely think that Leipzig is better but it may just be because I know the area of Leipzig better and I have been all around Leipzig. After hanging out with my friend and getting some food and just traveling around the city I went to the Rammstein store, the store was only open one day a month and it just happened to be the day that I had free so I had to go, I took a train to Berlin and it was a very pleasant experience, I talked to a couple of people on the train in german and it was a very good use for practicing and learning more German. At the Rammstein store I spent a lot of money, I got a jacket, a sweatshirt, some cologne and some drinks for my Mom. Overall being in Berlin for the short time I was there, it was nice and a super good experience to start in the city. 

(Submitted on January 31, 2024)

L’Arc de Triomphe

Submitted by Ella Sutliff on the 2024 Winter BISC program in Paris …

My history final paper was on a French object of my choice. For this I chose the arc de triomphe. I chose this because it was something that truly interests me, as it is a beautiful creation that is filled with history. At the time of writing this, I hadn’t even been to the Arc de Triomphe yet. Paris is such a large city that is so filled with beauty and history that it almost felt impossible to do everything. 

I finalized my paper on the second to last day of my trip, and was satisfied with not only my work, but also with the amount of knowledge that I had learned since the beginning of my writing. The following day was my last day in Paris, and the one thing that I had ironically not done yet is seen the Arc de Triomphe up close. I had seen it from afar many times, but I had never actually seen it up close. It was my last day in Paris that I finally saw it up close. 

On my trip, I met so many amazing people, but there were five in particular that I met that I can call some of my best friends now. I spent my final day in Paris with those friends, and that is who I went to the Arc de Triomphe with. While walking down the champs elysee that day, the Arc got more and more beautiful the closer that I got, as I was able to see more detail that I could imagine. Once I was close, I was mesmerized by its beauty. The giant architectural feat was even larger than I could ever have imagined, with every statue bigger and more complex that I thought also. 

I stared at the Arc for a long time, noticing all of its details. I am so glad that I wrote my final essay on the Arc de Triomphe before going to see it up close, because since I had so much knowledge on the subject, I knew exactly what I was looking at. I was able to understand the meaning behind the statues, shape, and architecture. I was also able to notice things that my friends were not, such as the names of soldiers engraved l throughout the stone. 

I found viewing the Arc de Triomphe to be a perfect end to my Paris study abroad experience. I was able to end the trip with some of the most amazing friends that I have ever made in one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen. With this, I was lucky enough to be able to understand the history behind what I was looking at and the cultural changes that came because of it. Seeing this on my final day felt like the completion of my understanding of French culture. (Submitted on January 31, 2024)

Sydney Week 2

Me and my friend Hannah before we snorkel the Great Barrier Reef!

Submitted by Allie Dolce on the 2024 Winter NURS program in Sydney …

During my last week (and a few days) in Sydney, I did so many amazing things. Over the weekend, a group of us traveled to Cairns on the northern coast of Queensland, Australia. This was a great trip as we were able to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef! It was truly the best day ever and seeing the reef in person was a once in a lifetime experience. We also did many hikes in the rainforests throughout Cairns. After the weekend, we went to a wildlife sanctuary to see koalas and Kangaroos up close! It was amazing to hear about the wildlife throughout Australia. We even learned how to properly pet a kangaroo and how to approach them. The following day, we headed over to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital to tour the Florence Nightingale museum. It was so interesting to see what nursing was like so long ago and comparing it to nursing in today’s world. There is an entire collection of preserved artifacts from the 1900s in the hospital, such as work uniforms, medical equipment, and even human body parts. The next group activity consisted of walking around Watson’s Bay, which was beautiful and very peaceful. The following day was Australia Day! It was so exciting to be in Australia to celebrate their national holiday. We got to see fireworks and the show was performed live at the opera house! We eventually did also see a show at the opera house later in the week, which was incredible. It was so fascinating to see such a beautiful performing arts center being used. I am extremely sad to leave Australia, and I feel like I have learned so much about the culture and have made so many wonderful memories and friends here. (Submitted on January 31, 2024)

A group of us hiking in the rain forest at Cairns!

Indigenous Acknowledgement in Sydney

Submitted by Josiah Taylor on the 2024 Winter BUAD program in Thailand/Australia…

Growing up in American public school systems, we read lots of histories and accounts about the mistreatment of Native Americans. They were forcefully removed from their land and zoned into special reservation areas. Though many of Native descent now live across the US, assimilated into American society, original land ownership is rarely recognized. When it is, in township names or University statements, it’s a “nice to have,” rather than an expectation.

In Sydney, during my two weeks here, it has seemed quite different. Though our countries share similar histories of British colonization, it seems the expectation that native land is remembered and acknowledged. Tour guides and company representatives preface tours with an acknowledgement of the local tribe. The Aboriginal flag has also flown alongside the Australian flag above the Sydney harbor bridge since last year. This may be a more recent movement and, for all I know, it could be contained to the nearby area of Sydney, but it’s shocking and fascinating to see how wholly a country can embrace and recognize their troublesome past in order to move towards better relations with indigenous people. 

This is not to say the Australian people have it perfect. Australia Day, much like our Columbus Day, has been met with floods of protests and controversy in recent years, some are even calling it “Invasion Day.” However, it is fascinating to see how quickly they’re progressing in this movement as compared to the US.
I do believe America is headed in a similar direction as it grows increasingly more important to recognize and uplift marginalized groups, but it will be interesting to see how, due to cultural differences, we will approach it differently. (Submitted on January 30, 2024)