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Rhiannon in India: Classes and a New Home in India

July 25, 2013

This has been yet another crazy week in India because I just moved into my new home stay and started classes at the university! This feels like the real start of my study abroad experience — finally living with an Indian family and going to classes at an Indian university. As I mentioned in my last post, I am staying in an apartment with my friend Jennie and our host family, Nivedita and Prerna. Nivedita, the mother, is an art teacher at a school in Hyderabad, and Prerna, her daughter, is 14 years old and goes to the same school. Nivedita and Prerna have been so kind and welcoming to us. They took us to the zoo on Sunday and drove us around the neighborhood so that we could learn how to get to the bus stop.

The view from my homestay

My room in my homestay

In the mornings before school, Nivedita packs us a breakfast-to-go and we start our commute to campus. Getting to and from school is probably the biggest adventure of our day! After taking the car with Nivedita and Prerna to the Manikonda intersection, a rickshaw to the main road, a bus to campus, and a bike to class, the commute takes about an hour and really wakes us up at 8 in the morning. Although it takes a while, traveling this route every day is an exciting way to see the city and integrate into the community. Come along on my morning commute in the video below!

Breakfast-to-go!

Monday was my first real day of classes at the university, and so far the classroom setting has been quite a different experience from classes at Richmond. There is no “master list” of classes at the university, so departments and professors schedule classes whenever they see fit – and sometimes change them. Classes generally run for an hour on the hour, so there is no time to get between classes that are back to back. I was late to a few classes on my first day, but it is more common here for students to walk in and out of the room while class is in session. I have noticed that some things in India (class schedules, traffic rules, etc.) are much more relaxed than in the U.S., while there are other social expectations such as respecting the professor and dressing modestly that are much more strict. Because of this, I am starting to realize that when one of my professors said, “India is a nation of paradoxes,” he wasn’t just talking about its many cultures and languages. I am still processing this paradox and haven’t really made sense of it yet, but it seems that both systems work well despite how differently they are approached.

Now that classes have started, I have been struggling to decide how to balance my time in India among school activities, traveling, and volunteering. University clubs and volunteer groups have a large presence on campus here, and I hope to meet other students by joining something soon. I am also planning to take sitar lessons, which should start within a week or so.

Luckily, I don’t have class on Fridays so I will be able to travel to new places in India on the weekends. There are many cities in South India that have been recommended for weekend trips, such as Hampi, Goa, and Mysore to name a few. But since the majority of India’s vast population is rural, an Indian experience would not be complete without visiting a village or two along the way. Unfortunately, many of the great destinations in India are in the north, which are just too far away to visit during the semester, so I’ll have to wait for a long holiday weekend or until exams are over in November. It is impossible to see everything in such a diverse country in only five months, but I hope that in my short stay I will have a chance to see Darjeeling, the Taj Mahal, Varanasi, and Delhi.

I have also been thinking about volunteering for an NGO in Hyderabad called Sankulp. Sankulp works with victims of sexual violence in Hyderabad and supports them through the court process, therapy, and finding safe housing. As a more preventative measure, the organization also goes into schools to educate young girls and boys about sexual violence issues. The women at Sankulp are documenting the stories of the victims they meet, so I hope that I can get involved by transcribing these stories into English for a book they hope to publish in the future.

Looking back over the past two weeks, I am astounded at how much I have seen and experienced. Now that I am settling in, things such as navigating, haggling, and communicating that used to seem impossible are now getting easier. I know that I will always look like a foreigner here, but I hope that by the end of the semester I will be able to live like a local in Hyderabad.

Mera blog padhane ke liye shukriya! [Thank you for reading my blog!]

1 Comment | Fall 2013, Rhiannon in India | Tagged: Academics, Culture, Host Family, India, Public Transportation, Travel | Permalink
Posted by rhiannoninindia

Alyssa in New Zealand: A New Comfort Zone

July 19, 2013

There is a very broad definition for “home.” It can simply mean where you live. Or where your family resides. Where you’re from. In the end, one is usually very accustomed to the lifestyle, wherever that “home” may be.

It’s definitely not the easiest thing to develop a routine in a brand new environment. The surroundings are unfamiliar. People are unrecognizable. The buildings are foreign. You simply don’t know where to go or what to do just for the sake of not knowing. Living somewhere new takes time to get used to.

However, everything finally seems to be coming together. I’m starting to attain a better understanding of the Dunedin environment day by day. I can navigate myself around campus and town with ease. Time management has become simpler to handle. I’ve finally solidified and mastered my class schedule (no Fridays, which will make it much easier for traveling purposes). Faces are becoming more familiar. Friendships are continuing to grow and expand.

In addition to that, my flatmates and I have become closer and closer, for the dynamic of the flat has turned out to be fairly strong. There is a lot of support that is shared between all of us. We keep each other company, even if we are just sitting in the lounge in silence. The silence is anything but uncomfortable, for it is understood that we are all at ease around each other regardless if there are words exchanged or not. Likewise, we will cook and eat dinner together occasionally throughout the week, keeping the direct interactions between us alive. Even on the weekends, we spend much of our time together keeping each other entertained and happy. Our schedules do not coincide very well throughout the weekdays, for they’re all very different. Yet, when we come back and find each other in the end, not much distance has been generated between us.

Me with my flatmates

Here in Dunedin, I have found that I am actually living. Instead of going to the on campus dining hall, I have to go to the grocery store, buy my own food and do my own cooking. Different responsibilities are shared between everyone in the flat in order to keep our living conditions in good shape. There are bills that have to be taken care of. I have to be aware about the amount of internet and power that I utilize. I even constructed a budget plan so that I can organize my money and keep my spending under control.

As difficult and strange this was to me at first, I have become very comfortable with this type of lifestyle. Being conscious of almost everything I do and plan to do has only helped me build character. It not only prepares me for the semester I return to Richmond (I’ll be living in an off campus apartment spring semester), but it prepares me for the real world as well (as scary as that is to think about). Independence has been taken to a new level.

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to explore even more of Dunedin. My entire flat complex and I ventured out to the Otago Peninsula, where beauty and landscapes were intensified. We specifically went to an area called Lover’s Leap. As we hiked through paths, valleys and plains, we were able to see spectacular views of the coast of Dunedin. Life had a different dynamic out there. Everything seemed carefree, yet full of adventure all at the same time.

At the Otago Peninsula – I told you it was breathtaking!

I felt no fear when walking out to the edge of the cliffs. In fact, there was no feeling that was actually felt at that moment when standing on the edge of a 200 foot fall into the ocean. All I know is that I just wanted to stay there forever, or at least for as long as I could. It’s hard to even think about seeing the remainder of the country, for according to the Kiwis, there are other places and sights that are even more breathtaking than what I saw at that point.

After we were through seeing what was at the top, we decided to make our way to the bottom to the beach, Sandfly Bay. We made our descent from where we were parked after returning from the cliffs for about 20 minutes until we finally reached the ocean. As we explored the land, we ran into several seals sunbathing out on the rocks. We even encountered a sea lion at one point. The hike back up to the top was a little challenging due to the fact that we had to trek through excessive amounts of soft sand. It took about a total of 30-40 minutes for the group as a whole.

My new sea lion friend at Sandfly Bay

Dunedin continues to surprise me more and more, especially when it comes to weather. It could be 55°F and sunny outside, and the next thing we know, the temperature can rapidly drop to 28°F with rain coming down hard within the next hour. Luckily, the weather was ideal when hiking through the peninsula. Despite its unpredictable nature, none of it stops me from enjoying my time here. The quick changing climate has only encouraged me to be prepared for the unexpected.

Now that I have finally settled in, I’ve been able to start planning for even more adventures. As of two days ago, I’m officially going to Australia for my mid-semester break with my flatmates. I’m finally making progress on my bucket list, but there is still much more to cover.

I have encountered a lot of changes just in the past two weeks. Not only am I seeking out new adventures, but I’ve also created a new kind of life in here in New Zealand. It’s ironic to think that the more new experiences that I expose myself to, the more at home I feel.

So “home” is not simply where you live or where you’re from. “Home” is where you feel settled. Where you’re comfortable. Where you’re happy. As a matter of fact, I have found all these elements in my life recently. I haven’t necessarily forgotten or pushed aside my homes back in Massachusetts and Richmond. I’ve just happened to create another one somewhere else.

Leave a Comment » | Alyssa in New Zealand, Fall 2013 | Tagged: Adventure, Friends, Host University, Housing, Nature, New Zealand | Permalink
Posted by gunvillealyssa

Rhiannon in India: Orientation Week

July 17, 2013

After 3 flights, a night in the Mumbai airport, and a harrowing cab ride (traffic here is crazy!), I arrived at my dorm in Hyderabad at 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning. I am staying at the International House on campus with 13 American students in my group and many more from around the world. The dining hall at the house prepares authentic Indian food for us, but thankfully holds back on the spiciness and gives us purified water that our sensitive stomachs can handle. I love the food and all of the unique spices here! A local restaurant owner came to talk to our group and explained that Indian food is unique because of its many spices that must be mixed in a specific order, much like chemistry. He told us that, historically, widows in India were often confined to communal homes (watch Deepa Mehta’s Water to see it in action), so they spent time experimenting with spices and came up with these scientific mixtures. According to the restaurant owner, an Indian meal usually includes between 5 and 50 different spices!

One of the first things I noticed when I arrived in Hyderabad was that the weather is wonderful! May is the hottest month of the year in this part of India, so by now, it has cooled down to a temperate 84 degrees Fahrenheit. To make it better, the monsoon rains don’t hit Hyderabad nearly as badly as they do up north.

Orientation this week has been a whirlwind of lectures and excursions around the city. We have already discussed many interesting topics such as food, transportation, and living as a woman in India. After learning about transportation in Hyderabad, we split into small groups for a hands-on navigation exercise. Lead by our language peer tutors (Indian students who will be helping us with language practice this semester), we spent the afternoon taking auto rickshaws, buses, and direct autos all over the city to get used to navigating and bargaining. This just happened to be an afternoon when the monsoon was in full force here in Hyderabad, but splashing through puddles on the auto rickshaws made the day even more exciting! My friend Jennie and I, with our peer tutor Salomi, took two “sharing autos” to a restaurant for lunch, then a “direct auto” to the mall to shop for some Indian clothing. Both types of autos are open-air rickshaws, but sharing autos are cheaper because the drivers pack as many customers in as possible as they drive along a set route. Direct autos will take you exactly you want to go, but they are more expensive.

Here’s an auto rickshaw

The view inside an auto rickshaw

One of our trips that stood out most this week was to the Old City, which is often considered “downtown” Hyderabad. Because Hyderabad was never fully colonized, there is no trace of urban planning as there is in other Indian cities. The bustling streets of the Old City seem too narrow for traffic, but somehow cars, bikes, motorcycles, and pedestrians seem to pile on top of one another between never-ending rows of shops. Local women say that the Old City is the best place to shop for anything shiny or sparkly, including saris and bangles.

The Old City of Hyderabad

While we were in the Old City, we visited its most prominent landmarks: Chowmahalla Palace, Charminar, and Mecca Masjid. Chowmahalla Palace is an estate with four palaces, which were home to the Nizam monarchy from the late 1800s until Indian independence in 1947. The palaces, now turned into museums, are magnificent and reminiscent of a time much earlier than when they were actually used. The high ceilings are covered in ornate carvings and chandeliers, and in one of the main rooms there is even a large thrown where a prince may have sat less than 70 years ago! As we walked through the gardens of the estate, we could hear the call to worship being played over loud speakers from the Mecca Masjid mosque near by.

Me at Chowmahalla Palace

Chowmahalla Throne

Mecca Masjid

Although I am staying on campus now, I will be moving into a home stay next week! I will be living with my friend Jennie and an Indian mother and daughter in an apartment about 30 minutes from campus. I am anxious to meet the family because my program directors say they are very welcoming and exciting to live with. I was a little nervous about the commute at first, but now that I am getting used to using autos and busses, I’m not so worried. Hopefully Jennie and I will have similar schedules and will be able to ride to and from campus together most of the time.

Tomorrow I will go to my first class at an Indian university! I will be “shopping for classes” at first, so I’ll just go to a few different ones each day until I decide which ones I like and which professors I can understand. I am excited to start classes because it will give me an opportunity to meet Indian students and hopefully engage in some events or clubs on campus.

I can’t believe I have only spent one week in Hyderabad! I have seen and done so many things this week that it is difficult to put it all into words, but hopefully as the semester continues, it will all get easier to process. Despite what a great week I have had, my semester really has yet to begin!

2 Comments | Fall 2013, Rhiannon in India | Tagged: Academics, Culture, Food, Host University, Housing, India, Public Transportation, Sightseeing | Permalink
Posted by rhiannoninindia

Rhiannon in India: Preparing for departure

July 15, 2013

Hello everyone! As a quick introduction, my name is Rhiannon and I am a Philosophy, Politics, Economics & Law (PPEL) major and Journalism minor at the University of Richmond (UR) and I decided to study abroad in India because this multicultural, multilingual country with a mix of rich history and vibrant modernity has always fascinated me.

In a few days, I will be traveling to Hyderabad, a large city in southern India known for its old Nazim palace, its “cyberabad” district (home to Google, Microsoft, and many other multinational corporations), and its Hyderabadi Biryani, one of the spiciest dishes in India. I will be in Hyderabad for five months, studying at a university, taking basic Hindi, and traveling to as many corners of India as I possibly can in my short visit.

People have been asking me for a while now if I am nervous to go to India. I am not really nervous, but I am anxious to get there because preparing and packing is the hard part! I know that most of the things I need will be very accessible in Hyderabad (with the exception of peanut butter, good coffee, and stick deodorant), but I am worried about what to bring nonetheless.

I want to pack lightly, but my study abroad program in India has been sending our group long packing lists and suggestions for the past few months. What’s worse, my doctor and my family have provided me with an entire pharmacy to carry with me, and I am so confused about what to wear that I have drastically overpacked in the clothes department. But I keep telling myself, it’s “better safe than sorry” in my book.

So it looks like I won’t be packing as lightly as I had hoped.

Up until this point, preparation for my five-month trip to India has been dominated by passport and visa applications, immunization shots, vitamin shopping, Bollywood and Tollywood films on YouTube, and scavenging through my clothes for light, cool clothing to wear in the Indian summer.

Most of all, I have been bombarded with a wide range of reactions when I tell people that I am going to India for five months. “It’ll be hot,” “don’t drink the water,” and “BE SAFE” top the list of most common reactions, especially after recent media coverage of the Delhi rape case, the bombing in Hyderabad, and a few others. I am taking these into account as I prepare for my trip, but I am confident that they won’t take away from my experience in India.

I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences this semester with you!

Packing in progress!

Leave a Comment » | Fall 2013, Rhiannon in India | Tagged: India, Preparation | Permalink
Posted by rhiannoninindia

Alyssa in New Zealand: End of Orientation, First Week of Classes

July 11, 2013

No one knows exactly what to expect when exploring. Expectations are usually set, but thoughts and predictions aren’t set in stone. Whether the expectations are exceeded or not met, something new is always discovered.

The countryside outside of Dunedin cannot be imagined. You must see it for yourself in order to understand what New Zealand has to offer. The further the Taieri Gorge train traveled from Dunedin, the more the country began to reveal its true character. Nature completely surrounded us approximately twenty minutes after leaving the Dunedin Railroad station. Throughout this five hour trip, the scenery was flawless.

One cliff melded into another, making it seem like one large panoramic view. The clusters of trees gave off a hue of a vibrant, forest green even though they were currently enduring the winter. Streams were following in and out between almost any nook and cranny that they could find, trying to replenish the dryness of the atmosphere. Regardless of the cold air and season, the sun continued to shine brightly throughout the entire excursion.

Along the route on my train trip

At the final stop, I finally saw the snowy mountains beyond all the hills and greenery, confirming that it was indeed the winter season. We were allowed to get off the train and walk around the area for fifteen minutes, but that almost didn’t even seem like enough to me. As we made our way back home, I did my best to keep mental pictures in my head in addition to the photos I took on my camera, for that was most likely the best way to remember every detail that I had just seen.

The final stop of the train trip

The next day was Saturday, which oddly motivated my Kiwi host, Jenny, to get up early in the morning. However, this wasn’t out of the ordinary, especially for most Kiwis in the vicinity. The reasoning behind their surge of energy is because there is a farmers’ market that takes place near the Dunedin railroad train station every Saturday morning. Here, all kinds of stalls are set up in the area and the freshest kinds of foods from local areas are sold. My flat all pitched in to buy a solid bag of pure, organic apples. We all also got the chance to try our first bacon buttie, a sandwich that consists of bacon, tomato sauce, onions and mustard. Needless to say, it was delicious.

It is definitely a rewarding experience living in the Uni-Flats, for the Kiwi host provides all of the ins and outs. Lucky for me, Jenny knows almost everything there is to know in Dunedin and she has helped me out a great deal thus far. On Sunday, she took my neighbor, Malachi, from New York, and me for a walk around the Botanical Gardens. As we explored, I continued to be more amazed by what Dunedin has to offer. The gardens were quite expanded and full of much attraction. I never would have been able to appreciate it without Jenny’s help, for she showed us all the best views and the most beautiful parts.

At the Botanical Gardens with Jenny and Malachi

View of Dunedin from the Botanical Gardens

Once Monday came around, everyone on campus had to come back to reality and start classes. I ended up dropping my music class and picking up a theatre class instead, for the music class was above my level. I was the only student in the class that had very little musical experience, while everyone else was quite talented at reading and playing music already. I attended my biology classes with ease, for I am used to learning about this kind of material.

Furthermore, the main difference with the classes here is that the class sizes are much bigger than they are at Richmond. I am so accustomed to having classes with 16 students and a professor knowing exactly who I am. Yet, when I went to all my lectures this week, the class sizes were at least 100 students and I am just another face in the crowd. Instead of talking and participating in the class, the professor is talking at the students and it is not as interactive. Even though I think this way of education is very out of the ordinary, I find it very interesting and I will never have the chance to learn this way again. This whole semester is about leaving the comfort zone.

Since this was the first week, most of the classes that were held consisted of just introductions and syllabi. Hence, there was more free time for all the students, which allowed me to make last minute adjustments to my schedule and to finally ease into my home. As easy as the first week was, I am expecting to receive more work in the upcoming weeks. I am preparing myself to not get too caught up in all my free time. Nevertheless, I am not worried about finding a balance between schoolwork and exploring the country.

I feel like I’ve been here for a month already and yet, it’s only been a week. Each day beholds something new. No matter how simple or complicated it may be, I find myself discovering more and more. You really can’t understand another world until you experience it yourself. As I am experiencing this new way of life, I am not only beginning to understand but also appreciate what’s in front of me.

Leave a Comment » | Alyssa in New Zealand, Fall 2013 | Tagged: Academics, Friends, Host University, Nature, New Zealand, Sightseeing | Permalink
Posted by gunvillealyssa

Back Home: End to a Great Adventure and a Million Memories (posted by Indira in South Korea)

July 8, 2013

I honestly can’t believe I’m back home. When the plane touched down in Frankfurt and I was finally in Europe, I felt weird. It is then that it hit me that my South Korean adventure was over. Last four months have been absolutely amazing and I’ve enjoyed every single bit of it: Trips, friendships, food, classes, culture, history, tradition, but also sleepless nights I spent with the people that have made my last semester as great as it possibly gets.

The morning I left Korea I said goodbye to the people I shared so much with over the past four months; people I got to know so well in such a short period; people I hope to stay in touch despite the fact I won’t be seeing them on a daily basis any longer. Choosing South Korea as my study abroad location for the spring semester was a great decision, no doubt about that. In fall 2012 I studied abroad in Sweden and I already had what I thought to be the best semester yet. When I decided to go to Korea in spring instead of staying in Sweden for a year many were surprised especially since they knew how much I came to love Sweden and my experience there. To be honest, I was very anxious to see how my semester in Asia would turn out to be. I choose a country I knew almost nothing about and didn’t speak the language, but also a country that was so different compared to my previous experiences. The beginning was rough: Getting used to the new culture where modernity and tradition meet, making new friends, getting used to the new system of classes and teaching style – it was all a challenge. I was, however, more than happy to embrace that challenge and make the best out of it.

It was the embracing the unknown and enjoying the adventure that made my semester in Korea so amazing. Oftentimes I’m asked whether I liked Sweden more than Korea. To be honest, I like them both equally! The two semesters I had were so much different in so many ways and yet they were both so amazing. Each was the best in its own way. I find it amazing how much I’ve grown over the past year I spent abroad and how this year came to shape my personality in a slightly different way than before. I am more self aware of the world, more patient, more flexible and easy to adapt, but I’m also richer for so many new experiences and amazing memories.

My semester in Korea will always be one of the most amazing experiences in my life. I got to live in a big city of 10.6 million people, try all these different dishes, experience Korean and Asian culture firsthand, and travel. I also find it fascinating how little I knew about Korea before going there and how much I know now: All my classes were focused on Korea and I learned a lot about this country socially, historically, demographically, economically, as well as about the relations between Korea and other countries. The best thing was learning about the country and then seeing it all unfold in front of my eyes: I would learn something about Korean history and a short subway ride would take me to a museum that would add colors to the pictures in my head. I really enjoyed that kind of learning.

Discovering Korea was also amazing: I got to travel all around Seoul, Incheon, Muuido Island, Busan, Jeju Island. All of these places gave me a different perception of Korea that together formed a perfect image about the country I had such a hard time leaving.

A week-long trip to Cambodia was undoubtedly one of the most amazing things I ever have – and possibly ever will – experience. This country in the southeastern Asia with high temperatures and humid air was something I’ve never seen before: Riding elephants, admiring centuries old temples, riding tuk-tuks, and exploring the part of the world I never even thought of visiting. Visit to Cambodia is definitely one of the highlights of my year abroad. Actually, this entire year has been one big highlight and I am so happy I took the chance to spend it abroad.

Possibly the most important part of the semester in Korea are the people I met: My core group of friends, my classmates, my roommate, my Korean friends, my mentor, my language exchange partner, all of them are a reason behind everything great that happened in Korea. Now I know I have friends all over the world, friends I can rely on even if I’ve known them for merely four months. That is the beauty of the study abroad – people bond and create friendships really fast. But that is also the saddest part of it all: Leaving is so much harder when you know that you might never again see some of the amazing people you met. It is all, nonetheless, an important aspect of study abroad.

I can only wholeheartedly recommend Yonsei University and South Korea to any student interested in study abroad. Regardless of your major (Yonsei is a big university and it offers classes in English in a wide range of subjects), weather preference (it can be both hot and cold in Seoul), or size of the city (Seoul is a big city, but you can always find that little street or the part of the city that will just about fit your preferences) Korea won’t disappoint. I promise. I was very skeptical in the beginning and now I can’t wait to visit Korea again. So many great things await students and visitors in this city: Technology is everywhere, cafes too, the food is amazing, it is easy to travel around (just make sure you get a T-Money card and the subway is all yours to explore and use), people are so warm and hospitable, culture and tradition is breathtaking.

I will miss you Korea. Actually, I already do.

Farewell Seoul – Thanks for a great semester!

Leave a Comment » | Indira in South Korea, Spring 2013 | Tagged: Academics, Adventure, Culture, Friends, Host University, South Korea, Travel | Permalink
Posted by indirainsouthkorea

Alyssa in New Zealand: Arriving, Orientation

July 8, 2013

It is important to not let fatigue and uncertainty overwhelm you when you’re trying to figure things out. While being forced to completely revise my entire itinerary due to several flight delays and issues, I reminded myself to not let stress overcome me. Right from the moment I stepped off the plane in Auckland, everything started to happen so quickly. I felt somewhat foolish walking around the airport with all of my luggage, but there were at least fifteen other people that were in the same exact boat as I was. After going through customs, I had to be redirected to another flight, for I had missed my last connection to Dunedin. This put me very behind schedule…to say the least.

Instead of taking a direct flight to Dunedin, I had to fly to Queenstown instead and then take a 3.5 shuttle bus ride to Dunedin. The other option was to take a direct flight to Dunedin nine hours later. At that point, I just wanted to get to my final destination. It seemed as if the first option seemed to be the most efficient one. That being said, I sprinted to the gate and boarded the flight to Queenstown.

In the end, my decision turned out to be the wisest one. The two hour flight barely seemed like two hours long, for my eyes were glued to the window the entire time. This must be the scenic route, I thought as we flew, but it was just a typical course. I watched the geography of the country become a reality. As the plane entered the south island, I became anxious to see more of the country. The surrounding mountains of Queenstown were extraordinary. The closer the plane came to landing, the more impressive and surreal they became. I hadn’t even walked off the plane and I was already significantly impressed by what was before my very own eyes. Once we landed and the doors of the plane were lifted, a small wave of brisk air hit my face almost immediately, indicating that it was winter.

I was even more awed by the scenery from our shuttle bus ride to Dunedin. The rolling hills and vast lands were nothing like I’ve ever seen. Pictures could not do it any justice, no matter how hard you tried (I was unable to take any because my phone was on its way to dying and my camera was inaccessible. Besides, the driver’s driving was quite reckless in a way that made it difficult to stay stabilized and get a decent image. Although I do admit, the roads were fairly hilly and windy due to the geography). I began to appreciate winter in a completely new way.

And never before in my life have I seen so many sheep. Left and right, hundreds of them were grazing. I must have seen at least 2,000 throughout the duration of the drive (that’s most likely an underestimate). Apparently, there are approximately 60 million sheep in New Zealand, which is 15 times the amount of people.

I was overcome by my first surge of nervousness once the shuttle driver dropped me off at my address. I didn’t see my house instantly, which concerned me. So there I was standing out all alone in the streets of Dunedin with all my bags in the darkness and cold air. Fortunately, it only took three minutes for me to figure out that I had to walk down an alley to get to my flat, making it a slightly more secluded area.

As I opened the doors of my new home, a wave of housewarming smell overcame my senses. Lucky for me, my Kiwi host, Jenny, was currently in the process of cooking my flatmates and me a home cooked meal, which consisted of my first New Zealand lamb and vegetables. My flatmates, Erling from Norway and Andras from Hungary, were all there to greet me as well. I don’t know what was more shocking to me: the immediate welcoming nature of the flat or that it felt like 11:00 pm when it was actually 7:00 pm.

My new home in Dunedin

My room

Many of the Kiwi hosts have done their best to make all the international students feel at ease throughout the first week. Since a majority of the international students live in close vicinity, it is a very tight knit community and it has been easy to become close with one another. My friend Lee is a one minute walk from my flat, so it’s nice to have a familiar face very close by. Everyone has come to New Zealand for many different reasons and interests; yet, we all have the same intention of getting out and wanting to see the country. Whether it be a potluck dinner or a party, different flat areas will host events almost every night, inviting everyone in the area, for the Kiwis genuinely want to meet and befriend as many people as they can.

Orientation has been fairly simple and straightforward so far. There was a two hour meeting the first day, providing the basic, important information to all the students. Following that, everyone had to go through Course Approval, which required students to obtain all of the necessary signatures from professors in order to officially enroll for their class. This semester, I will be taking Evolution, Microbiology and Musicianship Skills (for my General Education Visual Arts requirement).

I’ve had many chances to walk around the city of Dunedin in the past few days. I was not expecting the surrounding area to be so busy and urban-like. It is very different from what I’m used to, but I’ve adapted to this new way of living without difficulty and I enjoy it. The only thing that I find challenging is grocery shopping and making my own meals, for I was a never a chef to begin with (Erling likes to give me a really hard time about my poor cooking skills, which really helps support the American stereotype, sorry). Regardless, everything I need to live is easily accessible and a simple ten minute walk away.

Dunedin!

It feels strange celebrating the Fourth of July outside the United States. It’s difficult to honor America when you’re surrounded by people who are currently oblivious to this holiday. I’m sure that they are aware of what the holiday is. But if they were reminded that today was the day, it would just be passing information to them. To have no parades, cookouts or fireworks on the Fourth of July just seems so out of the ordinary to me. But then again, I’m in a a different world. In New Zealand, Independence Day isn’t on their calendar.

Instead of sitting on the shores of the harbors of Boston and watching the fireworks jet off into the night sky, I found another way to celebrate the Fourth with all of the other Americans that are here. After all of the Independence day festivities that took place here in Dunedin, I figured that it’s not necessary to be in the United States to celebrate the holiday. Leaving home and getting over here was quite gruesome and hectic, but so far that journey has definitely been worth it.

Leave a Comment » | Alyssa in New Zealand, Fall 2013 | Tagged: Academics, Culture, Friends, Housing, New Zealand, Preparation, Public Transportation, Travel | Permalink
Posted by gunvillealyssa

Alyssa in New Zealand: Three days before departure

July 2, 2013

When it comes to traveling across the globe, you really can’t afford to forget to bring anything. I run through a mental checklist at least five times each day. Yet, I still have this gut feeling that I’m inevitably going to leave something behind (which is usually the case).

Everything that I plan on bringing with me is currently laid out on my bedroom floor. Or at least…I think it’s everything.

I’ve traveled many times before. Packing is practically a second nature to me. However, I’ve had to take on a slightly new approach to packing when it comes to preparing to live across the world for the next five months, which is something I have definitely never done before. I find myself taking out extra clothes that I don’t necessarily need and consolidating all my essentials in unusual ways. In some way, it’s been stressful. Not stressful to do, but stressful to think about. How am I supposed to fit five months worth of living into three pieces of luggage? How is that a reasonable thing to pull off?

Working on getting five months into just three suitcases

I have always enjoyed traveling far away from home. Leaving Boston has never been hard, for I know what it’s like to be away from home. I’ve ventured out to Spain, France, Italy, Vietnam and Ireland. Homesickness is not a feeling that I come across often. As my departure gets closer, I don’t think leaving home is going to be difficult for me this Sunday either, which is when I leave for New Zealand. So no, I was not exaggerating when I said that I would be traveling across the globe. I’ve traveled far, but I’ve never traveled this far before. Soon enough, I will be arriving in Dunedin and ready to study for a semester at the University of Otago.

Being primarily a biology major on the pre-P.A. track (and a journalism major as well), my choices were limited when I was choosing where to study abroad. I was almost afraid that I wouldn’t be able to find a program suitable enough to help me fulfill my major requirements. However, when I came across an institution that offered appropriate science classes for me to take in New Zealand, everything seemed to fall into place.

While abroad, I plan on taking courses that include evolution, microbiology and music (for my Visual Arts requirement at Richmond). Now that I will be able to take biology courses and not fall behind in the major going into my junior year, there are other priorities that I have in mind as well…

My bucket list for New Zealand continues to grow longer and longer. I keep finding more and more things to add to it. Much of it consists of a lot of traveling, exploring and adventure. Glow worms, hiking, glaciers, volcanoes and the Adventure Capital of the World lie ahead in my future. I can only hope that I have enough time to do it all. Luckily, I will be living with a Kiwi host (a New Zealand student studying at University of Otago) throughout my stay, so she will be able to give me extra tips and pointers (my other three roommates are from Australia, Norway and Hungary). Keep in mind that my bucket list is not restricted to New Zealand, for I plan on making my way to Australia and Fiji as well.

After six weeks of working hard and preparation at home, it would be an understatement to say that I am eager and anxious to leave. I almost find it hard to believe that this is actually happening. This entire experience already seems so surreal and yet, this is only the beginning.

On Sunday, I will fly from Boston to my first destination, San Francisco. From there, I will fly for thirteen hours and eventually land in the north island of New Zealand in Auckland for my second layover. Finally, I will fly to the south island to Dunedin, where I will arrive at on July 2. Maybe then the fear and nervousness will hit me…but I highly doubt that.

As I prepare to depart the U.S., I am promising myself to take advantage of my time on the other side of the world. This is my chance to see everything that takes my breath away. Explore the wonders of the country.

If something is left behind in Boston, I’ll find a way to get by. Forgetting something should be the least of my concerns. In fact, the only thing I should be focused on is making it over there so that I can finally begin my adventure.

Leave a Comment » | Alyssa in New Zealand, Fall 2013 | Tagged: Academics, Adventure, Host University, Housing, New Zealand, Preparation, Travel | Permalink
Posted by gunvillealyssa

끝: Last Week of Classes, Exams, Birthdays, and Goodbyes (posted by Indira in South Korea)

June 27, 2013

So here it is, the end. It seems like it was just yesterday when I arrived to Seoul, a place I knew nothing about and kept getting lost in. It seems like I just stopped wearing my winter coat that I had to wear all through the cold months of February and March. It seems like I just moved in to my room on the fifth floor of the International House, met my roommate, and formed strong friendships with people from all over the world just today. But it also seems like the fear of the new and the unknown never existed because I definitely feel Seoul is my home away from home and I feel happy here.

Coming back from Cambodia was definitely a wake up call that showed me that I had less than 2 weeks left in the beautiful place I am by no means ready to leave. The last week of classes was very busy for me as I had so many final projects, presentations, and papers due. I had to work a lot to be ready in time and luckily everything went well and I met all the deadlines. That was, however, not the end of school work – I had exams waiting for me just around the corner. Three out of four classes I was taking this semester had an in-class final exam so I had a lot of studying to do. Two of them were cumulative and quite extensive (my Free Trade Agreements class final exam lasted 4 hours and I actually needed every single minute to finish it). I have to admit that it felt really good to be done with the exams and know I have a couple of days free before I had to leave Korea.

It was great knowing I’ll get to see all of the people I got really close with at a joint birthday party that three of my friends organized. I really enjoyed celebrating with all the people who made the last semester one of the best ever, but I was also sad since I knew that in just a couple of days all that will be left are so many great memories, millions of pictures, friendships that will last, and future Facebook messages, trip planning, and Skype conversations as means of staying in touch and seeing each other. No longer will we be able to gather for a quick dinner at the “Strawberry Place,” one of our favorite places to eat at. Going Seoul exploring will be impossible as none of us will be there. A quick midnight snack run to GS25 (convenience store chain in Korea) won’t happen again.

The last two days in Korea were all about being around the people who became my Yonsei family and who changed me: they made this semester so much better and I definitely wanted to be around them as long as possible. Thursday night we had our very last night together as my flight back home was on Friday so we went to some of our favorite places in Sinchon (area of the city where Yonsei is located). It was really hard to balance the feelings: I was happy to be around my friends, but I was very sad knowing that I will leave the next day.

Out with friends in Sinchon

Packing was very hard in itself: Having to pack 4 months of my life and just go was one of the worst things I had to do. The good (or bad) thing is that I’m already used to it, but every time I leave a place it feels different. It’s the same sadness, but projected in a different way. I have, however, learned that every ending is also a beginning: When I left Sweden last semester I was incredibly sad, but that ending was a beginning to a new adventure – a semester in Korea. This time I was going home. To be honest, I’ve missed home, my family, my pets, and food. That is a great thing to look forward to!

On Friday morning I finished up packing and then met up with three of my friends who were going to the airport at the same time like me in the SK Global House lobby to say our final goodbye to our friends. It was really hard just leaving the most amazing group of people I ever met behind… Goodbyes at the airport were hard too. Michael, Can, and Loreana are three people I got really close with and boarding the plane knowing they won’t be there felt weird and sad. The good thing is that this goodbye, just like some others, is actually not a goodbye. It is more along the see-you-later lines. Some of the people I met in Korea (including Michael, Can, and Loreana) go to school relatively close to Richmond so I’ll be able to see them again. A lot of people live in Europe so I’ll be able to see then when I’m back home in Europe. That made the goodbyes and the end of the semester easier.

Leaving is hard, but I have something to look forward to: Home and seeing all the friends I made in Korea again! So even though this is the end; it’s just the end of the semester, nothing more. 🙂

Many of the friends I made in Seoul

Leave a Comment » | Indira in South Korea, Spring 2013 | Tagged: Academics, Friends, South Korea | Permalink
Posted by indirainsouthkorea

Cambodia: Heat, Tuk Tuks, Temples, and Discovering the Country (posted by Indira in South Korea)

June 11, 2013

This semester I spent in South Korea and it was my very first visit to Asia. This continent has always been something different and somewhat far, but once I was in one of the Asian countries I tried to do my best to see as much as possible of it. Even though I decided to spend quite some time traveling in South Korea and discovering the beauties of this amazing country, I also knew I wanted a big trip to some other Asian country. Luckily two of my friends were of the same opinion so we planned a week long trip to Cambodia, a country I actually never even thought of visiting up until we started discussing the possibility of it.

Denis, Michael, and I were all very excited to board our Korean Air flight (definitely the best airline I flew with so far) to Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital. We left Seoul on Friday afternoon and embarked on the adventure of lifetime. We landed around 10pm Phnom Penh time and were instantly greeted by the heat and humidity. It was quite a shock, I have to admit! A temperature of almost 100 degrees and humid air made it hard to breathe, but one can get used to it after a while. After going through immigration, getting our arrival visas, and making it through Customs, the biggest culture shock of my life took place (and we haven’t even left the airport, mind you). It was really interesting seeing all the tuk-tuks (the most common means of transportation in Cambodia) waiting for their customers, people trying to sell you all kinds of products for a super low price just to make enough for living, and the general atmosphere. We took a short cab ride to the place where we would stay that night before we headed to Siem Reap the morning after. On our arrival we also tried some Khmer (local Cambodian cuisine) so we had some soup, which pretty much discouraged us from trying anything else local.

On Saturday we traveled from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by bus. This was not a really good idea. Very cheap, but not a good idea (that is why on the way back we got a private car: A bit more expensive, but much faster and comfortable). We spent over 8 hours in the bus with almost completely broken air conditioner. I tried to sleep through most of the trip in order to avoid the heat. Once we arrived to Siem Reap we were overwhelmed by all the tuk-tuk drivers who wanted to take us to our hotel and be our tour guides for the time we stayed in Siem Reap (there are not that many tourists in Cambodia at this time since it gets too hot and humid and the wet season is starting).

During our 4 day stay in Siem Reap we visited all the major temples including Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Thom. It is amazing to see how an ancient civilization managed to build such impressive temples a 1000 years ago but this beautiful country is facing such poverty nowadays. The temples we visited were by all means fascinating and something that is worth seeing just to understand how small a human being is compared to what he can make.

Ta Prohm temple, used in the film “Tomb Raider”

We also went to see the sun rise at Angkor Wat but unfortunately due to bad weather we weren’t able to see it. Another day we tried to see the sunset at Phnom Bakheng, a temple located on the top of the hill. We actually rode an elephant to the top of the hill and it was quite an interesting and fun experience. Unfortunately, there was no spectacular sunset that we were expecting due to the fact it was cloudy. Nevertheless, we had fun since the view of the jungle and Angkor Thom was very nice. Siem Reap is a really great place to visit as you can see the temples, but also get a more up-to-date Cambodia experience since the city is quite modern. Most of the city, however, caters to the tourists so there are lot of shops where you can buy souvenirs and there are plenty of western restaurants. We also went to see the floating village located on the lake just outside the city.

Riding the elephant

The floating village

Our last day we spent in Phnom Penh visiting the Royal Palace and the Killing Fields. It is quite a contrast to see the streets of the Phnom Penh and then the riches of the Royal Palace. It is very beautiful and worth a visit! Visiting the Killing Fields was a very emotional experience since I learned more about the genocide that happened during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. Seeing the mass graves, the killing tree where babies were killed, and hearing personal stories of the people who survived the atrocities of Pol Pot’s regime was very moving and I learned a lot. Even though it was very hard being there, I am happy we got to visit the Killing Fields and learn more about the history of this beautiful Asian country.

The Royal Palace

The Killing Tree

Once you get past the humidity and heat, and get used to the tuk-tuk rides, it is very easy to enjoy Cambodia. No matter whether you visit the temples, the Killing Fields, or just engage in a conversation with the friendly locals (they all speak at least some English!) the beauty and the rich (no matter whether gloomy or fascinating) history of Cambodia shows through. The most impressive part was meeting Cambodians who are so helpful and have this great will to live and to be happy. Cambodia won my heart and it is definitely a country that I would visit again and recommend others to visit. This trip is surely one of the biggest highlights of my semester.