The first weekend we arrived was during a huge regional fiesta to celebrate Extremadura. If you’ve lived in Spain, then you know that loyalty lies in your region and Spaniard identify most with the region than the country. The party began after dinner around 10 pm and there was a DJ hired to perform in the Plaza Mayor until around 3am. There were families and people of all age gathered…
I embarked on the World Odyssey, a 700-person ship in Antwerp, Belgium, bidding farewell to land, service and the familiarity of daily life. Thus began my life at sea school, Semester At Sea. In an unconventional classroom setting, we find ourselves aboard a cruise ship where lounging by the pool between classes is the norm, and running on the treadmills offered breathtaking ocean views instead of Sterling Center walls. Semester…
Hello! My name is Chase Lee, and I am currently a senior at College of Charleston. I have been studying abroad in Rome, Italy fora little over a month now, and I absolutely love it! I am so grateful for this opportunity, this trip has already been something I will remember for the rest of my life. John Cabot University is a little different than College of Charleston. For…
Michelle Taylor Major/Minor: Supply Chain Management, Global Logistics and Transportation Sophomore Host University: Queen’s University Belfast I have wanted to study abroad for years. I actually searched for colleges on the basis of how strong their study abroad programs are. I chose to study at Queen’s because it checked several important boxes for me. First, I wanted to study in an English-speaking country. I don’t have strong foreign language skills.…
Ciao, my name is Chase Lee, and I am currently a senior at the College of Charleston majoring in marketing. I am studying abroad in Rome, Italy at John Cabot University through the affiliate program SAI for the Fall 2023 semester. I chose this program because I’ve always wanted to travel to Italy, and it allows me to enhance my academic goals as a marketing major. John Cabot University is…
My name is Anna Belle Cogbill, and I am going to France! Specifically, I’m going to be studying abroad with the College of Charleston’s La Rochelle program. It’s a terrific way to spend the first half of my junior year, and I’m certain it will be infinitely beneficial in both of my majors, French & Francophone Studies and Communications. It’s the perfect scenario for growth in my fields of study;…
In Spain, I’ve struggled to articulate a cultural difference that distinguishes the nature of animated conversations here from those in the United States—it’s not only about the volume; it’s about the inclusivity of these interactions. Unlike the U.S., where relationships are often restricted or limited by extremely exhausting standards, Spain holds a more communal attitude, more like, “If you’re a Spaniard or here, you’re like family.” This cultural spirit extends…
My academic experience here in Spain differs in regards to my usual experience on campus in Charleston. To start, my classes take place in a charming and mystical converted convent in the heart of the medieval city of Trujillo, Spain. With a wrought-iron gate to enter, expansive arch walkways, and windows with breathtaking views, you can already see how it differs from the halls of the Maybank building. You can…
What advice do I have for future study abroad students? Be in the moment and try your absolute best to stay there. One thing I learned quickly from my study abroad experience is the fact that nothing lasts forever. I currently have less than a month left here in Spain, and I can’t grasp the fact that it wasn’t yesterday that my plane touched down in Madrid. The weather has…
The art of slowing down, it’s something the Spanish have mastered. I was shocked to find out that the concept of “siesta” was truth here in Spain. I thought to myself, “How could you just stop your day after lunch and rest? Don’t you have work?” Well, to my surprise, yes, yes, you can just stop your day. I soon found out that every day like clockwork, after a large lunch…
