Internship Possibility for TCNJ Students in London
Note from the US-UK Fulbright Commission for students studying abroad in Summer 2011 and Fall 2011:
The US-UK Fulbright Commission in London is seeking applicants for our
internship programme for summer 2011 and autumn 2011. Our advisors serve as the
UK’s official source of information on US study. We promote these opportunities
to thousands of UK students each year through advising services, major events,
seminars, attendance at fairs around the UK and more!
Internships are a great fit for study abroad students seeking to maximize their time in London or
for recent graduates able to come to the UK on BUNAC’s Intern in Britain
programme. Please note applicants must demonstrate the legal right to work in
the UK, most commonly via a Tier 4 Student Visa or Tier 5 for BUNAC. For more
information, see: http://www.bunac.org/usa/interninbritain/eligibility.aspx
In previous years, interns have come from international education, student affairs,
politics/IR, communications or marketing backgrounds. However, we welcome
applicants from all fields and are looking for students with a keen interest in
our work.
Internships are unpaid and may be offered on a part-time basis around students’ class schedules. Internships may vary from one to six months in length.
To apply, students may email a CV and covering letter advising@fulbright.co.uk
Travelling with Dietary restrictions: How to Have a Fun (and Filling!) Time Abroad
By Bess Myers ’10, Center for Global Engagement Staff
The thought of studying abroad is an exhilarating one, but for millions of Americans it is also an anxiety-inducing prospect because of food allergies, food sensitivities, or cultural, religious, and personal restrictions on food. Whether you have Celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, have an allergy to shellfish or nuts, or maintain a kosher diet, there are options. Here are some nifty tips and tricks for keeping yourself healthy and nourished while studying abroad. Bon voyage, and bon appétit!
Before You Leave: An Ounce of Prevention
Educate Yourself: Sometimes we take it for granted that our parents, relatives, friends, and even our schools cater to our dietary needs, so our concerns are not always in the forefront of our minds. First, make a list of all the foods you cannot eat. Write down the primary foods you must avoid (milk, for example), and then the secondary foods that are derived from the primary food (casein, lactose, and so on). It may be a long list depending upon your dietary needs, but it’s an important step toward exploring the possible foods you can eat. You may even learn something new about your diet!
Research: Make sure you investigate the country where you’ll be staying. The Internet is a wonderful place for the gastrointestinally challenged, and there are often support group websites for people with your nutritional needs in a given country or region. It’s going to be easier to find kosher food in Israel than it will be to find soy-free foods, for example, but don’t let an uphill climb discourage you: if you want to stay healthy while abroad, you have to be willing to do some dietary digging. These sites often have lists of restaurants, markets, and region-specific brands that fit your needs.
Translate: No matter how proficient you are in a given language (even English!), you MUST look up how to say diet-specific words in the language(s) your host country speaks. How do you say “spelt” in Mandarin? Is there a French word for “egg albumin”? How do you explain “cyclodextrin” to a Spaniard? Keep a card with you at all times with translations of some basic words and phrases that you can use at restaurants and markets to explain what you can and cannot eat. If you’re planning on travelling to different countries during your stay, prepare a few cards just in case.
Inform: Let your program provider and/or host school know about your dietary restrictions. They may have resources for you that you cannot obtain on your own, and they can’t help you unless you ask them to. Do not assume that everyone knows how to deal with a macrobiotic diet, however: although in an ideal world everyone would know everything about everyone’s dietary restrictions, it is your responsibility to explain, educate, and ask for what you need.
In Transit
Be a human supermarket: Keep safe foods with you at all times. I speak from experience as a young vegetarian girl with Celiac disease (but not yet a soy allergy, that came later) who ventured to Israel with only a box of gluten-free cereal bars to keep me company. In the airport I got so hungry that I noshed on M&M’s while my companions found more nutritious fare for their gluten-ingesting selves. Travelling is stressful enough; add to that an empty stomach and you have yourself a recipe for disaster. There may not always be an airport kiosk that screams “vegan delights!” so keep nutrient-rich and tummy-filling handy snacks with you. Just remember to check with the customs office of the country to which you’re travelling to ensure you’re not detained for any food-related reason.
Medication: This goes without saying, but if you have medication that you keep with you to prevent or aid in the event of an allergic reaction, like epinephrine or Benadryl, carry it on your person when travelling. If you have a truly serious food allergy, think about getting a medical ID bracelet so that if something happens when you’re out alone foreign medical services will be able to treat you.
During Your Stay
Make Friends Fast: If you’re living with others in a dorm, apartment, or homestay, let them know about your restrictions as soon as you move in politely, but firmly. Clarify what is cross-contamination and explain why it is a serious issue for you (“Please don’t cook your pepperoni pizza on my kosher Parve pan”). Telling people right away about your needs may seem forward to you, but it’s a necessary step for keeping you safe, happy, and well-fed during your stay. If you set a precedent as soon as you arrive, then people will be more likely to adhere to those requests rather than if you mention them a week or two into your stay.
Be Persistent: If you’re at a local café and have a question about how the food or drinks are prepared, don’t be shy about asking someone and waiting (patiently!) for an answer. That way, the next time you go to the café you already have some safe foods at your disposal. It’s OK to accept “I don’t know” as an answer, as long as you’re willing a) not to eat at said café, or b) to eat in ignorance.
Know Your Territory: In some cultures, asking about the ingredients in food or refusing to eat certain offerings is considered offensive and rude. Although you want to protect yourself, you also don’t want to upset people, especially those with whom you’re living. Be aware of the cultural climate you’re entering and ask around about how to deal with certain dicey situations. If you’re going to a dinner party, offer to make something you know is safe for you, or explain your situation in the most polite terms possible in order to avoid insulting anyone’s cooking.
Put Yourself First: No matter what, it is your personal responsibility to maintain your health while studying in a foreign country. There are always options, but it is your responsibility to research them, educate yourself, and practice safe eating habits while abroad. Studying abroad with dietary restrictions is not impossible; it simply leads to speed bumps that may actually enrich your time by educating you about food practices and daily life in a foreign country
Useful Links:
http://www.abroadco.com/Blogs/Ann/archive/2008/05/16/Study-Abroad-with-Food-Allergies-or-other-Dietary-Issues.aspx : A primer for students with dietary restrictions from someone who knows
http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/oie/sab/before/travelResources/index.html : Page with a ton of resources about studying abroad from various perspectives, including vegetarians/vegans
http://www.smith.edu/studyabroad/diversity_food.php : Another page with links to travel guides for vegetarians, people with diabetes, those with Crohn’s disease, and more
http://www.celiactravel.com/ : Great website concerning all aspects of travelling with Celiac disease, including free dietary cards
Off the Beaten Path: Out of the Ordinary Study Abroad Destinations
Off the Beaten Path: Out of the Ordinary Study Abroad Destinations
By Bess Myers ’10, Center for Global Engagement Staff
After much deliberation, you’ve decided that studying abroad is the right choice for you. You’re ready to experience another culture, meet new people, and open yourself to new ideas and new ways of life. There’s nothing wrong with travelling to Spain or Italy, two of our most popular study abroad options—plenty of people have a fantastic time in these countries—but what if you’re looking for something a little less mainstream? Here are some ideas for the explorer in all of us:
India: Take a yoga class, learn Hindi, familiarize yourself with Indian philosophy or study the sociopolitical climate of modern India. The Arts & Sciences program at the University of Hyderabad is a great choice for upper-level, highly motivated students looking for an immersive study abroad experience unlike any other. For more information check out the CIEE website: http://ciee.org/study/programOverview.aspx?pID=49#1rightForYou
Kenya and Tanzania: The School for Field Studies offers a Wildlife Management program in Kimana, Kenya and the Manyara area in Tanzania. Students spend part of their time in one location, and halfway through their stay move to the other site to compare and contrast rural management and environmental sustainability in both locations. Hone your field research skills and learn about East African tribal communities in a program fit for Darwin himself. Find out more at the School for Field Studies website: http://www.fieldstudies.org/pages/4256_kenya_semester.cfm
Thailand: So you want to go somewhere different, but you don’t have a ton of money? Say no more! Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand has plenty of academic programs to fit (nearly) your every need, and you’ll live on the Salaya Campus in a Bangkok suburb with other international students. As part of the exchange program you’ll pay room and board to Mahidol University but your tuition to TCNJ, so your TCNJ scholarships and financial aid will apply. Plus, the cost of living in Thailand is relatively low, and you’ll definitely have an experience to write home about. Get more info: http://www.tcnj.edu/~goglobal/undergraduate/MahidolThailand-TCNJExchange.htm
Egypt: The American University in Cairo is located in New Cairo, a suburb of the largest city in Africa and the Arab world. Cairo is brimming with both ancient and modern architecture and cultural diversity. At AUC you’ll find programs in almost every academic discipline, including public policy, women’s studies, and the performing arts. Their Arabic Language Institute brings over one hundred students together each year to study Arabic in an immersive program. On their website you’ll find more information on academic programs for study abroad students, as well as a comprehensive international student handbook: http://www.aucegypt.edu/students/IPO/SA/Pages/Home.aspx
Turkey: At Koç University in Istanbul, Turkey, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the Turkish language with other international students and take classes in a variety of academic disciplines such as business, international relations, engineering, and the liberal arts alongside Turkish students. Istanbul has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years, and while in Turkey you’ll take day trips to fascinating historical and cultural places of interest. There’s more information on the CIEE website: http://www.ciee.org/study/programOverview.aspx?pID=1848#1rightForYou
For more information about these and other study abroad programs – please contact us at the TCNJ Center for Global Engagement, 111 Green Hall, any day from 8:30am to 4: 30pm. Our website has access to peer advisors who have studied in these locations as well as information about procedures to follow to make your study abroad dreams a reality!
TCNJ’s Schools of Business and Culture and Society have collaborated on a successful grant application to the US Department of Education’s Business and International Education program to conduct a two-year project titled “Doing Business in China.” Led by Linghui (Lynn) Tang, Associate Professor of International Education and Qin Shao, Professor of History, TCNJ will be developing several new classes in both schools with a China focus, upgrading its campus resources in Chinese Studies, and supporting the expansion of study abroad opportunities in China – stimulating more interest in learning Mandarin Chinese, taking coursework in China in study abroad programs, and completing internships in China. (Click here for newspaper coverage from TCNJ’s Signal.)
There is substantial scholarship assistance available this year and next for semester-long study abroad students, but there is also scholarship money available to support students who sign up for a Summer 2011 course titled “Doing Business in China.” Students signing up for INB 250 in Summer 2011 will spend two weeks on campus, preparing for a two-week study tour in China, where students will complete course-related projects, visit a variety of sites related to business and culture in China, and have some time to see important heritage sites in Beijing, Shanghai, and several surrounding cities. Students enrolled in the summer class will have a special opportunity to learn more about how NJ businesses can enter the China market and work together with a company to pursue market research to support expansion into China.
Final itinerary details will be completed shortly, and there will be an information session about the program on Wednesday, November 3, at 10am in the TCNJ Business Building, Room 104. For more information, please contact Dr. Tang at tang@tcnj.edu, check out our Summer 2011 China website, look at our semester-long study abroad options in China, or contact the TCNJ Center for Global Engagement in Green Hall 111, goglobal@tcnj.edu.
TCNJ Faculty-Led Programs – Maymester/Summer 2011
Take a leap overseas this summer...with TCNJ faculty guiding you along the way!
Every year TCNJ faculty work together with the TCNJ Center for Global Engagement to offer students memorable study experiences abroad. While some of these experiences focus upon honing skills in another language, many of these programs offer TCNJ students without fluency in another language the opportunity to deepen their appreciation of various cultures and learn more about scholarly life under the tutelage of TCNJ’s esteemed faculty directors. (Many students come back from such programs and sign up for language classes as a response to being exposed to the language!)
There will be an information event on Wednesday, October 13, from 11:30am to 1:30pm in the Brower Student Center atrium about these programs, and faculty and students will be there to share their excitement about the programs and encourage students to take part in the 2011 edition. Here is a snapshot of each program:
Madrid, Spain – July 1 to August 15 - Students in TCNJ’s Madrid program spend five weeks immersing themselves in madrileño culture at the Casa do Brasil. Students take one course from a list of five with a TCNJ Spanish professor (under the direction of TCNJ’s Professor Teresa San Pedro) and participate in a wide-ranging cultural program that includes excursions to Segovia, El Escorial, a variety of sites in the greater Madrid area, and a field trip to Andalucia. This program is a cornerstone of TCNJ’s study abroad programs year in, year out, and it’s a great way to accelerate your acquisition of the Spanish language!
Harlaxton, England - July 23 to August 12 – Spend part of your summer in a real castle! Prof. Michele Lise Tarter leads twenty TCNJ students to the UK every year, with this year’s group starting off in England’s southwest and working their way north to Harlaxton Castle. At the castle students will study the “Literary Landscapes of England” while visiting many of those settings in the course of the program. Each year the program ends with a formal ball, which quickly becomes a highlight of the students’ experience! This program’s testimonials on the website will have you packing your bags and planning your UK adventure! This program fills up FAST, so students should prepare their applications for the program quickly!
Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia – May 15 to June 2 – Dr. Ben Rifkin, Dean of the School of Culture and Society and Professor of Russian, and Dr. Deborah Hutton, Professor of Art History, will introduce students to the two most important cities for the generation of modern Russian culture – the political capital of Moscow and the artistic capital of St. Petersburg. Students will sign up for RUS 171 (taught in English – an overview of Russian civilization and culture) and explore not only the more famous sights of the Kremlin and the Winter Palace, but also topics particular to contemporary Russian society such as human rights and the creation of a new democratic order.
Australia – May 15 to June 8 - This program focuses on the concept of “sustainability” in Australia – the world’s driest continent. Any student interested in learning the basic concepts of sustainability and seeking an experience in applying these concepts to real-world problems will enjoy IDS 470/ENG 470. The director of the program is Dr. Michael Shenoda from the TCNJ School of Engineering, and Dr. Shenoda will lead all students – including engineering students in all of the engineering departments as well as students seeking liberal learning (global and community) or elective credit through a series of site visits in Sydney, Wollongong, Canberra, Melbourne, and Cairns and assign projects appropriate to the student’s major area of study. This is an exciting opportunity to learn more about those “green” topics that often dominate our media!
China – dates TBD after June 15 - TCNJ business majors – and any student with an interest in Chinese language and culture – have a unique experience thanks to the US Department of Education’s grant to TCNJ that focuses on “Doing Business in China.” Professor Linghui (Lynn) Tang from TCNJ’s Department of Finance and International Business and Professor Qin Shao from the Department of History will direct a program the takes students to Shanghai and Beijing – China’s two most important cities for business and culture. Students will spend two weeks on the TCNJ campus preparing for the program overseas, and once in China they will work on projects designed to help small businesses in the Garden State gain greater access to the Chinese market…all the while enjoying some of the major sites of both cities as well as participating in excursions to other cities in the surrounding area.
Rome, Italy - May 18 to June 6 - Two of TCNJ’s favorite leaders of study abroad programs – Professors Lois Fichner-Rathus and Lee Ann Riccardi from the Art Department – are teaming up to offer students a unique program focusing on “Rome of the Caesars, Rome of the Popes.” Students will sign up for an Honors course that feature an exploration of the relationship between different governing ideologies and the art and aesthetic of various eras of Roman history. The professor will lead students through a wide variety of museums and historical sites in Italy’s capital. This program is a great “starter” for those students interested in testing the study abroad waters – many students who return from this type of program sign up for a semester abroad in the following year!
Cornwall, England - July 7 to July 23 - Students interested in learning how to perform archival research and connected this research with their studies will have a wonderful opportunity to gain archives experience at the Museum of Witchcraft in Cornwall, England. Professor Michele Lise Tarter, director of TCNJ’s graduate program in English, will teach LIT 370 – Magic of Archival Research in Cornwall and guide students through the process of engaging primary sources and interpreting their meaning. Both undergraduate and graduate students will find a wealth of options available for them to perform research and publish their findings professionally!
Galapagos – May 19 to May 31 - (Please note – this program is now full, and there is a waiting list maintained by the Center.) Students will study the natural history of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands during the Spring 2011 semester with Professor Donald Lovett, chair of TCNJ’s Department of Biology, and take an additional one-half unit course on the topic in Maymester 2011, traveling to Ecuador and its famed islands.
In addition, Dr. Simona Wright, Professor of Italian and coordinator of TCNJ’s Italian program, will be teaching Italian this summer under the auspices of International Studies Abroad, an important international partner of TCNJ’s Center for Global Engagement. Students interested in continuing their studies of Italian in the perfect setting – Rome! – may sign up for ISA’s Rome program this summer at the American University of Rome. Students looking to complete the Italian minor or even develop a self-designed major in Italian should consider this opportunity to have Professor Wright help guide them through Italy’s capital.
Each program will have information sessions noted on their websites, and students should feel free to ask instructors for additional information. A general website for all TCNJ faculty-led programs may be found at http://www.tcnj.edu/~goglobal/undergraduate/facledabroad.htm. Application materials are online, and students should complete their applications as quickly as possible. A check for $150 (payable to TCNJ) should be submitted along with the application. Applications will be accepted by program directors on a rolling basis, which means – first come, first served! Please contact the Center at goglobal@tcnj.edu should you have any questions about the application process.
We can’t wait to see your pictures next year from your summer adventures!
TCNJ’s Michael Cacoilo ’11 Reflects Upon His Time in Costa Rica
I can’t believe it’s been five months since I left Costa Rica – the beautiful Central American country that I called home for a semester. As my time abroad was coming to an end, it didn’t feel real. I had made such amazing friends – both from Costa Rica and different parts of the US – and my host family had become real family. Looking back on all the experiences I had, all the places I saw, all the people I met, I felt so grateful for this incredible opportunity and everything it had taught me. My time volunteering at the clinic was one of the most valuable parts of my experience, and it helped me to realize that I want to pursue medicine as a career. I have to say that my Spanish has improved tremendously – through interactions with my host family, coworkers at the clinic, Costa Rican students at my university, and people I met at the bus stop.
I’ve had the entire summer to get re-accustomed to life in the US, but not a day goes by that I don’t think about my time in Costa Rica. I keep in touch with the close friends I made there as well as my host family. Every time I hear Latin music, my mind wanders back to the dance floor at Castro’s, the bar the my friends and I loved to go to. I’ve spent hours looking through the pictures I took of my neighborhood, the sunsets, the mountains, and my friends. I find myself constantly telling people stories about my trip, always with a huge smile on my face. I can’t wait to go back and visit. But in the meantime, emails, pictures, stories, and music are a few of the little things keep me connected to the amazing place, experience, and people that changed my life.
(Relatively) Inexpensive Options to Study Abroad While at TCNJ
TCNJ's Mary-Kate hops over the English Channel to London during her year abroad in Paris and Valencia.
[In preparation for the Sept 15 TCNJ Study Abroad Fair, we have put together a list of inexpensive study abroad options for students to consider. Of course we love ALL options available to our students, but this is a special page for students who are trying to maximize their available funds to pay for a study abroad experience. With individual advising and conversations with TCNJ faculty and staff, we are able to connect students with the best study abroad options for their academic and personal development. A visit to the TCNJ Center for Global Engagement is a great "first step" toward an overseas adventure!]
Study abroad does not have to cost a fortune. TCNJ faculty and staff have selected a wide variety of programs that satisfy TCNJ academic requirements, provide our students with opportunities for adventure, and correspond closely to TCNJ tuition/room/board fees. Here is an overview of the different types of programs and special attention to those programs that are priced in the TCNJ tuition/room/board range.
Exchange Programs:
What do students pay TCNJ? In-state tuition plus $400 study abroad application fee
What do students pay to their host institution? Room and board at the host institution’s rates
Where can students go?
- Goethe University Frankfurt – Frankfurt, Germany
- Kansai Gaidai University – Hirakata, Japan
- Mahidol University International College – Bangkok, Thailand
- National Student Exchange – 100+ in the USA/Canada/Puerto Rico/Guam
- Northumbria University – Newcastle, England
- Technological University of Tajikistan – Dushanbe, Tajikistan
- Universidad San Andrés – Victoria (Buenos Aires), Argentina
- Université Blaise Pascal – Clermont-Ferrand, France
- University of Newcastle – Newcastle, Australia
- Victoria University – Melbourne, Australia
- University of Economics, Prague, Czech Republic
(Note: locations in bold do not require a foreign language prior to study abroad and have courses available in English)
Direct Programs
What do students pay TCNJ? $400 study abroad application fee
What do students pay to their host institution? Tuition, room and board at the host institution’s rates
Where can students go and pay less than TCNJ tuition/room/board?
- American Business School, Paris, France
- Genki JACS Language School, Fukuoka, Japan
- KCP Language School, Tokyo, Japan
- Universitá per Stranieri di Siena, Italy
- University of Economics, Prague, Czech Republic
(Note: location in italics are primarily language institutes – they do not offer courses in English or courses other than language courses.)
Third-Party Program Providers
What do students pay TCNJ? $400 study abroad application fee
What do students pay to their host institution? Tuition, room and board at the host institution’s rates
Where can students go and pay less than TCNJ tuition/room/board? Many programs offered by ISA – www.studiesabroad.com – are cheaper than TCNJ t/r/b. Here is a list of the locations:
- Argentina – Buenos Aires
- Brazil – Florianopolis
- Chile – Valparaiso
- China – Shanghai
- Costa Rica – Heredia
- Costa Rica – San José
- Dominican Republic – Santiago
- Korea – Seoul
- Morocco – Meknes
- Perú – Lima
- Spain – Bilbao
- Spain – Granada
- Spain – Madrid (Complutense)
- Spain – Málaga
- Spain – Santander
- Spain – Sevilla
- Spain – Valencia (FSU Study Center)
If a program is about the same, or more expensive, than TCNJ tuition/room/board, you should still look into it and see if it is the best fit for your academic and personal needs. Our partners often offer scholarship assistance. There are a number of competitive scholarship programs that might assist you in funding your study abroad experience:
- Gilman Scholarship Program (only for students who receive Pell grants from the gov’t)
- Boren Awards (for Summer 2011/Fall 2011/Spring 2012 study abroad students – students need to be learning a critical language – Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Persian, Russian)
- Check out our non-TCNJ scholarship page at http://www.tcnj.edu/~goglobal/undergraduate/StudyAbroadScholarships.htm and the IIE Passport funding page at http://www.studyabroadfunding.org/ for more scholarship competitions.
Our office has study abroad advising available Monday through Friday, from 8:30am-4:30pm, and students may reserve an appointment time by writing us at goglobal@tcnj.edu or dropping in at Green Hall 111. (We might be able to help you right away!) There is also a weekly information session on Wednesdays at 2pm. (Location for Fall 2010 to be determined – check http://www.tcnj.edu/~goglobal, then click “Center for Global Engagement” for the location.)
REMEMBER: STUDY ABROAD FAIR – WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 10AM TO 3PM, SUNDIAL LAWN
TCNJ’s Carolina Chica comes home from Egypt!
[One of TCNJ's Gilman Scholars from Spring 2010, Carolina Chica '12, has returned home from her semester abroad at the American University of Cairo. Here is her final blog, which features her reflections as well as a look into the future!]
It seems like just yesterday my plane landed in Egypt. After five incredible and unique months, I am nowhere near ready to go home. I never expected for this place to captivate my heart the way it has. I will truly miss the streets of Cairo. After a while I began to think of Egypt as my home. I have gotten accustomed to life in the Middle East. Many will find that statement hard to believe because of everything we hear on the news, but I believe that people will not understand this statement until they experience it. Of course Egypt has its flaws, but at the end of the day, it is my home. I’ve shared so many great memories with some of the most amazing people I have met, which included two other Gilman Scholars.
As strange as it sounds, some of the things that I will miss the most is listening to people talk in Arabic all the time, the calls for prayer at 5am, being able to go hang out by the Giza pyramids and cruising down the Nile at 3 am in the morning (Cairo really is a city that NEVER sleeps). Without a doubt I will not miss the traffic of Downtown Cairo or the heat. (The past week’s temperatures have reached 115 degrees).
One of the biggest fears I have about going home is that I will want to get on a plane back to Egypt. I feel that people might not understand everything I have experienced. But something that definitely worries me but excites me at the same time is how I will react to statements that people will say, or the stereotypes people have about the Middle East. At the same time I am excited because I will get to educate people about some misconceptions of Egypt, especially when it comes to women’s rights.
Christina Mirisis '11 with her brothers on a Spring Break trip to Rome's Colosseum
Wow, four months really did pass in the blink of an eye. It’s hard to believe I only have one week left in Torino. I remember at orientation, during our first days here, the staff telling us to enjoy every day because the time will pass very quickly and before we know it, it will be time to say goodbye and return home. For anyone who is considering studying abroad or has already decided to, I can’t stress how important it is to enjoy every day and explore everything your host city and country have to offer because before you know it, you will be packing your suitcases once again for your journey home. At first a semester may seem like a long time away from the comfort and security of home, but in reality it’s not.
I find this an opportune time to update my blog because after spending all morning (6 hours to be exact!) last Wednesday at the police station to pick up my permit of stay I was able to reflect on my experience here in Torino. If there is one thing Italy will teach you, it is certainly patience! As I was listening to Italian music that I downloaded this semester I thought about what my study abroad experience means to me now that the journey is almost over. Last Wednesday at the police station and this past week I have often found myself thinking back to my first experience in Torino comparing the stages of my journey this semester to my program last summer. Interestingly enough, this time last year I was preparing to leave home for the experience of a lifetime and now I am preparing to leave the city that has become a second home to me. Although Torino is not the most well known city in Italy or a major tourist destination, it will always have a special place in my heart because it was my introduction to il Bel Paese.
San Gimignano on Christina's 21st Birthday!
Now, with just one week left in Torino I have many mixed emotions. Although I am excited to return home to see my family and friends, at the same time I am sad to be leaving the city that has become an important part of my life and was instrumental in my Italian studies. I am very excited for my parents to arrive in Torino next Thursday for our vacation. I am thrilled to be the tour guide and show my parents the city that I have grown to know so well as well as some of my favorite places in Italy from the Tuscan countryside to Rome, the cradle of civilization to the serene Amalfi Coast.
After living in Italy this semester, there are some aspects of the culture and the experience that I will miss. I will surely miss strolling through a piazza downtown or Parco Valentino with my favorite gelato on a sunny day. I will miss going for an aperitivo and our nightly dinners that typically last at least two hours. I will certainly miss going to my favorite café, Pane e Amore, across the street from my apartment where I am on a first name basis with many of the employees. One of the most enjoyable aspects of living in Italy is the slower pace of life here and this undoubtedly one of the things I’ll miss the most (especially next semester). There are also some aspects of the experience that I will not miss such as spending half a day in the police station to pick up a document or apply for a permit of stay, hanging my clothes out to dry and public transportation.
My semester in Italy was everything I had hoped for and these have undoubtedly been four of the best months of my life. After a semester in Torino, I’ve filled my head with culture and new Italian vocabulary, my stomach with gianduiotto and gelato, discovered new music and learned even more about myself.
Spring Break in the Middle East with Carolina Chica ’12!
[Carolina Chica, TCNJ '12, sent this report to us during her recent spring break at the American University of Cairo.]
I am half way through my experience at The American University in Cairo and I still wake up every morning and cannot believe I am here. Spring break was without a doubt one of the best experiences yet. I was blessed enough to embark on a road trip to Dahab, Nuweiba, Aqaba, Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Amman and Jerash. It felt like we were always on the move but it was definitely worth it. I must say I probably got no more than 20 hours of sleep in 10 days. I did not want to miss a moment of my trip. 
Petra, considered to be one of the Wonders of the World, was a very unique experience. One would never believe that this settlement was built way before the time of Christ. It was amazing how the Nabateans conserved and controlled water in Petra, which was one of the reasons the city was so successful.
Another highlight of the trip was The Dead Sea. I had heard about the buoyancy of the sea but one cannot believe it until they experience it. No matter what one does, there is no way of drowning. I was literally standing up without touching the floor. Even more amazing was how Israel and the West Bank were no further than a swim away.
The people who had joined us on our trip were mutual friends, some Egyptians, others Americans. The whole trip consisted of everyone sharing stories about growing up in places such as Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Jordan, and America. We started the trip as strangers and returned as if we had known each other for years. It is amazing how many commonalities people from completely different walks of life have. At the end of out journey, I did not want to return to Egypt. Although I love it here, Jordan really grew on me. It reminded me of a home away from home with a Middle East twist. The people were extremely generous, the environment was so relaxing and it seemed that everyone was whiling to lend a hand.
A story that I must share is that of one night at a local café in Amman. We had just returned from the Dead Sea and had decided to check out the downtown area. We stumbled across an unnamed café. We entered and took our seats. A group of Americans is bound to cause attention anywhere, so the owner came out to greet us. He asked us where we were from and it turned out that he had lived in the US for a while. Afterwards, he served us our food and we continued talking. He had lived in Texas but soon returned to Jordan because he believed that once he got an education in the US, he had to return to his home and help out his people. His kindness was unlike anything I had ever experienced. What was even more interesting was that our conversation was all in Spanish and before we knew it, the owner had prepared a dance party for us. After I taught him how to dance, he taught me how to dance to Arabic music. His waiters even performed a traditional Arabic dance. At the end of the night, we had to force him to take our money for the meal. That night taught me a lesson, some people are truly warm hearted and if more people were like him, this world might just be a tad bit better. Ever since that, I can say I have been a better kinder person.
