Europe Spring Semester Uncategorized

The Alhambra

Submitted by Jaclyn Roman on the 2012 spring semester program in Granada, Spain…

View inside the oldest part of the Alhambra; the Alcanzaba which acted as a protective fort

Sitting down to write my third blog, I feel a greater sense of comfort than I had in completing the two prior ones. In addition to absorbing even more of the culture this past week, Granada is beginning to truly feel like home.

Our group finally ventured to the renowned Alhambra. Aside from offering a work-out (it is required to climb many hills to reach the top), the Alhambra is one of the most incredible places I have ever visited. Originally built by the Arab dynasties, the architecture of the Alhambra is ancient, yet elegant and simple. After the Spanish Reconquista, the Catholic Monarchy took over and thus also influenced the architecture of what we know as the modern day Alhambra.

Unlike a tourist, I did not simply stroll through and gander at the beautiful scenery. After our visit, I was assigned an essay on the history of the Alhambra and its significance. In my opinion, (although at the time I wasn’t exactly excited to sit down and write about the topic), the essay really helped increase my knowledge of the history of the Alhambra, which is extremely important to the culture of Granada.

In addition to going to the Alhambra, we traveled to Ronda, Spain, where I was able to visit the Plaza de Toros, which is the oldest bullfighting ring in all of Spain. The cliffs in Ronda offer amazing views of the countryside, and after our day visit I realized that every day I spend admiring the Spanish culture is better than the last.

It’s important for me to also note that I ate churros con chocolate (churros with chocolate) for the very first time this week. Now I have discovered a new found love for Spanish sweets.

I feel like my adventure in Spain is finally underway, and my experiences just continue to get better and better.

London Calling

Submitted by Brooke Bartolo on the day she prepared to fly to London for the start of the 2012 spring semester program in London, England…

January 10th: TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!!! I’ve been waiting so long for this day to come that it hasn’t hit me that for the next four months I’ll be living in not only a city (I’m a small town Connecticut girl), but also in a city on a different continent. It’s 3:00 am and yes, I’m too excited to sleep. I feel like I’m 5 years old and it’s Christmas morning. The nervousness hasn’t hit me yet; the feeling of excitement is far too overwhelming. I’ve been packed for a solid 2 days and have read nothing but London guide books since winter break began. I can’t wait until the moment when I first see Big Ben. To me, that will make this seem real; that will be the indication that I’m in London and about to embark on the experience of a lifetime. At the moment, I’m in this dream state. Even though I’ve done all the packing, checked my tickets about 10 times, and been preparing for this for months, it still seems like a dream. In 24 hours I will be across the “pond” and living in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. This isn’t just a vacation where I get to live the dream for about a week or two. I get the amazing opportunity to LIVE in another country and truly immerse myself into the culture. I’m hoping to emerge from this with new found appreciation for cities, Europe, and the English culture. (I’m also hoping that the English accent will rub off on me). In 4 months I will transform from small town girl to posh, worldly, English woman! (well, one can hope). Enough of my gushing, it’s time to attempt to sleep so I can fully appreciate London when I get there. Peace out United States…hellllloooooo LONDON!!!

View from the Albaicín

Submitted by Jaclyn Roman after her first week on the 2012 spring semester program in Granada, Spain….

Last week, I discussed time as a variable of constant impact on our lives. While reflecting on this theme I once again realized throughout the past week, maybe to an even greater extent, the significance of time.

Today marks day six of my adventure abroad. In some moments it feels as if I just got here, but in others, it seems like years since I’ve been in the U.S. In these six days alone I’ve already familiarized myself with a completely foreign lifestyle.

Having never experienced jet lag, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that it’s taken almost all of this time to adjust to a new time zone and schedule. It took two days for me to obtain internet access, which only increased the feeling of separation to all I know back home.

Aside from these small adjustments, however, lie the greater blessings that I am grateful for every day. My host mother, Antonia, is one of the most genuine, loving and happiest people I have come to know. She has welcomed me into her home effortlessly and she truly treats me like a daughter. If it weren’t for her, my experience thus far would not compare.

In the time since my flight landed Monday afternoon I have acquainted myself with La Puerta Royal (the heart of Granada). I’ve toured the Cathedral and Royal Chapel and visited the Albaicín neighborhood that exhibits the influence of Islamic culture which is still present in Granada. I see different people of all ages everyday, though I might add; nothing sounds sweeter than the voice of a Spanish “niño” (child).

The other American students in our study abroad group are very cordial and I have no doubt that they will become some of my greatest friends.

Of course I continue to strive for my goal of mastering the language and meeting native Spanish friends, but if I continue to have faith, I know everything will work out in due time. As many say “Viva la vida Granada” (live the Granada life), and this is just what I plan to do.

2012 Spring Semester in Granada Underway!

Submitted by Caitlin Baker on the first day of the 2012 spring semester program in Granada, Spain…

Today our group finally landed in Granada! It was a long day of traveling. I was very anxious going into it but leaving with the group was a great way to start the journey. It is clear that we are all at different places as far as our skill in the language, our experience traveling, and our excitement and nervousness. It is so nice to have UD as the common thread that ties us together, helping us bond and helping to make this not just a trip, but a life-changing experience. Even from day one I think everyone can tell that that’s what our time here will be. So as I adapt to this new environment and process the culture shock that is bound to come with a change this big, it is nice to have that thought highlighted in my mind and even better to have fellow Blue Hens at my side!

Dreaming of Spain

Submitted by Jaclyn Roman, as she prepares for the 2012 spring semester program in Granada, Spain…

Time, as many are aware, is a constant variable that potentially induces both anxiety and excitement, and fleeting instances of stress or joy. As the last hours pass before I board a plane to Spain, I personally feel bits of each of these emotions.

In just one suitcase and a carry-on I have packed away four and half months’ worth of clothing and personal belongings – the only links I will have to the U.S. for quite some time.
My beating heart reminds me of the Royal Chapel and Alhambra in Granada, European architecture and a different lifestyle that I will be accustom to within a short period of time. I am embarking on a journey that most people can never say they have experienced – leaving what I know and am comfortable with to culturally enrich my life.

Of course, as the clock continues to tick, with this excitement inevitably comes nervousness. Will my host mother be warm and accepting like my mom is at my own home? For me, the thought of standing out continues to be on my mind – after all, it is very rare to find a 5’9” redhead in Spain.

Most of all, in this moment, although time continues to march on, I am grateful. I feel gratitude toward my parents who have always supported me in all I do. I realize while writing this blog, that since age twelve, the idea of studying abroad has always been a fantasy. It’s one that has finally come true.

Unfortunately, I am not simply travelling around for months with no schedule or responsibilities. But within my responsibilities lie my studies: Spanish courses, art history and economics, all of which are my greatest interests. My biggest responsibility of all is to myself; to push myself to master a second language and form a connection with a culture totally different from my own.

Life is precious, and time doesn’t stop for anyone. My family will continue daily routines, and in February my friends will head back to UD to begin a new semester.

I, however, am the luckiest of all. I am about to fulfill a dream.

Construction Moroccan Style

Submitted by Rachel Dunscomb on the 2017 winter session program in Morocco sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…

“Why Can’t We Be Friends” quietly plays from the speakers on the bus as we travel from Tangier to Fes in our small van. During long trips across the country like this, we get to see a lot of the Moroccan landscape and a lot of different lifestyles. There are cities, small villages, mountain estates and farm fields for miles with one or two small houses here and there. The variety and difference is enormous.

One thing ,I’ve noticed the whole time we’ve been here and everywhere we’ve been is the number of half built houses. So many buildings have been built up partially and are being lived in, but still show signs of being incomplete. Turns out that Moroccans don’t like to take out loans so they buy their property and build their houses, but only pay for the materials that they can afford at the time. So as time goes on, they get more money and buy more materials and build their houses slowly. Moroccan culture is just so different and I’m so lucky to be here to experience and learn about it.

Spain’s Healthcare System

Submitted by Jessica Bursler on the 2017 winter session program in Spain sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences…

Socialism. Universal healthcare. Lack of insurance. These are just a few of the differences that jump out when discussing Spanish versus American healthcare. This week, I was introduced to the facility that I would be spending most of my time at for the next three weeks: Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet. Living in the shoes of a Spanish medical student, I shadowed in the nationally-renown Obstetrics department of this hospital all week. I not only learned the ins and outs of an ultrasound, but how to ask, “¿Cómo te sientes hoy? (How are you feeling today?)” in a language the patients understand.

I explored the complexity of third trimester high risk pregnancies, including micro-cephalic fetuses to gestational diabetes. My Spanish preceptors helped make sense of how to read an ultrasound and what it tells us. The real excitement hit on Wednesday, though, when my preceptor motioned to me, saying, “Parto, parto!” I came to learn this word meant “delivery,” so I followed her with excitement in my step. I entered the delivery room and experienced the “miracle of life,” finding the phrase to be far from a cliché – it truly is a miracle. I watched anxiously as the mother delivered, tearing up as she held the newborn in her arms for the first time.

Although reading the above does not exaggerate the Spanish culture throughout my day, it was certainly present. Every single Spanish citizen has access to the exact same healthcare for free. Every mother is able to deliver her newborn in a sterile, safe environment, without it costing an arm and a leg. Because of the access, though, patients have fewer choices in their treatments. For example, no mother is able to choose to deliver by C-section; they are performed only when necessary; very different from the United States. While there are downsides to this socialized system, the good seemed to outweigh the bad by far, allowing every Spanish citizen, regardless of status, access to healthcare, opening my eyes to the world of possibilities beyond the United States’ healthcare system. I am thrilled to see what the rest of my time in the hospital and in Zaragoza, Spain will bring!

Italy: First Week in Rome

Submitted by Taylor Mazzarella on the 2017 winter session program in Italy sponsored by the Department of Psychology…

There’s something about being abroad. Something you can’t see or really get the sense of back home in the United States. Of course, there are times when walking through areas with historical preservation, like Washington, D.C. or Fort Worth, that you feel yourself walking back in time, but it’s never constant. When abroad, every step you take and everywhere you turn, a deep history is there.

Rome is a large city filled with history ranging farther back than one can possibly imagine. The entirety of its history isn’t even fully uncovered, as can be seen by the ruins constantly being explored and excavated by archaeologists.

What is truly enjoyable about the city is that you can wander around for hours and constantly run into something new. In one area, you’re by the Roman Forum. If you walk down the road, you finally reach La Vittoriana (a monument symbolizing the unification of the Italian states as one country). If you keep walking past that, you’ll stumble upon the Pantheon. It never ends.

Even when you go back and re-explore something you’ve already seen, there are small details you missed the first time. For example, if you look hard enough, you can find some of the original ceiling tiles of the Colosseum or perhaps you find a smirk playing on the lips of a statue, that you originally thought was a neutral expression.

I must admit, however, this first week in Rome was not as enjoyable as I had hoped it would be. We did explore and appreciate the art and architectural brilliance the city has to offer. I was able to re-experience many things, as I had arrived in the city earlier with a friend and had done much of the tourist attractions beforehand.

Soon after the rest of the group’s arrival, we were greeted with an unexpected visitor: a stomach virus that swiftly made it to each of us. For much of the first week, we were all sick, in our rooms or weakly exploring the city. As a result, I felt I couldn’t enjoy my time as much as I could have.

Although this “plague,” as we have named it, set a dim light on this first experience, in an odd way, it brought us all closer together.

We may have wished for a better beginning, but we would’ve still grown close and familiar with each other. We now have a somewhat amusing story to look back on and joke about in the future.

I look forward to returning to Rome for our last week of the program, to better explore and experience all the city has to offer.

Cruise to the Bahamas

Submitted by Danielle DiGiorgio on the 2018 spring break program in Florida/Bahamas sponsored by the Department of Hospitality Business Management…

My week on the Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Bahamas was one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had in my life so far! I had never been on a cruise nor an island before.

We first got on the ship and did a scavenger hunt to get our bearings and learn about all of the wonderful activities, restaurants and amenities the ship had to offer! It felt very surreal to be on a boat because it just feels like you’re in a very fancy hotel, until you step outside and see the waves crashing around you.

Throughout the program, I was able to participate in many fun activities like karaoke, watching shows, roller-skating and participating in a skydiving simulator. It was crazy to think of everything this ship had to offer. In addition, I got to do some pretty exciting things while we were ported in Florida and the Bahamas. We got to explore where rocket ships used to launch and went on many tours to discover the culture of the island. I was also able to explore the island myself, by going to the beach, trying local cuisine and getting my hair braided.

It was also interesting to hear from those who actually work on the ship. Three days out of the week, many speakers came to talk to my class about their responsibilities and job characteristics on the ship. We heard from people in customer service, chefs, recreation directors, one of the captains and many more! We were also able to go on an all-access tour to see the inner-workings of the ship. It was so cool to see the kind of work that gets put into running a 4,000-person cruise.

This program was amazing not only because of all that I learned, but also because of the amazing people I got to meet. From the other students on this program, to staff members, to the local people, I enjoyed making friends and connections with them all. I’m so glad I got to experience this study abroad adventure!

Making Friends in Munich, Germany

Submitted by Olivia Toth on the 2016 fall semester study abroad program in Paris, France…

This week, my friends and I traveled to Munich, Germany to get a little taste of German culture. We attended Oktoberfest which was a great glimpse into a very important and historic German tradition. While Oktoberfest was an amazing time, we also made a new friend on the way over. His name was Martin, and while he himself wasn’t a native to Munich, we toured the city with a few of his friends that were, and had some amazing food which I would not find in France, or my own country. It was interesting to see the city guided by people that really live there. My favorite place we visited was the English Garden. I’ve never seen a park like this in America. People were swimming in a man made river and surfing in an area with a high current. Martin and his friends jumped into the river and took a swim, something I don’t think I’d ever see in America. It was a beautiful trip and I’m so glad we got to meet Martin and his friends from Germany.