La Comida de España

Since Spain is home to tons of yummy foods, I figured it would be a good idea to enlighten you about some of the delectable foods you can experience when you're in Spain.  So here's a list of some foods to try!

The List 

• Tapas:  Tapas is not a full dish, but a collections of small, individual dishes.  Spain is pretty famous for its tapas and the type of food served varies from region to region.  This is a must try!

• Paella: Paella is a Spanish rice dish.  There are generally three types: Paella Valenciana, Seafood Paella, and Paella Mixta.  Each type has different things mixed in with the rice, including chicken, vegetables, clams or duck.  Each type is unique and delicious.

• Gazpacho: Gazpacho is a dish generally made with tomatoes, cucumber, onion, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and salt.  It is usually thought of as being a cold soup, but it doesn't have to be.  It can be warm, cold, a soup, a stew, or even part of a salad.
  
   
• Tortillas de Patatas: La tortillas de patatas is essentially a Spanish omelet.  Made with eggs, potatoes, and onions, this dish can be served at any part of the day.  It has a disc-like form, and is served in slices.  Yum!
  
     

For more food suggestions, check out these websites!

• traveltips.usatoday.com/
• travelaway.me
• www.donquijote.org

Study Abroad in the Place Down Under!

                  Mikaela's Minute:

What You Need to Know About Australia!

 

If you are considering studying abroad in Australia then you have picked a pretty stunning and awesome location. Australia is a great country to go to if you are getting your feet wet in the international travel game. Australia is quite similar to the United States, being that it was also originally a colony of Britain. Australia is a progressive democratic country that was built on similar foundations to the US. There are some differences between Australian and American culture, so I have created this guide to ensure that you know how to communicate properly in your new host country!

 

Language:

 

You really don't have to worry about learning a new language in order to travel to Australia because, guess what, Australia is an English speaking country. There are linguistic differences between Australian English and American English so beware. To the Australians you will have an accent and vice versa. The slang words that you use may or may not translate, as both countries have their own respective dialects. If you keep an open mind you will quickly come to understand the vernacular differences of Australia and use them properly.

 

Dress:

 

As far as dress is concerned, dress as you normally would. There are no real dress restrictions in Australian culture so long as you dress appropriately and respectfully. Oh, but something to note is that the seasons that we are used to (winter in December and summer in July) will be reversed from what you are used to. Just something to keep in mind when packing your bags!

 

Food:

 

The food will be fairly similar to the United States (meaning that if you absolutely can't find anything you can go to the supermarket and get some food that you would actually like to eat). In Australia today the food culture is as culturally diverse as America. Its main focus is Asian and Island dishes, however there are many other types of food available. There are many national dishes native to Australia that, if you are an adventurous eater, you should try. Just click the link below to learn about 40 of Australia's top native dishes: http://travel.cnn.com/sydney/eat/40-foods-australians-call-their-own-651613

 

History:

 

As I have previously stated, Australia was formerly a British Colony, a colony for convicts that started during the 1790's. But before that Australia was home to nearly one million Aboriginal people who came to Australia during the last ice age. The British quickly conquered the Aboriginal people and nearly killed them all from disease alone. By 1820, many emancipated convicts, soldiers, and officers had moved to Australia and established themselves as independent peoples. They began to work towards independence from Britain and on January 1st, 1901 Australia became an independent nation. Australia has a rich history, especially that of the Aboriginal people. The Aboriginal population is very small, but their culture is often represented in the dominant culture of Australia. When you go to Australia, it would do you well to learn about the original people as well as "modern" Australian history.

 

Religion:

 

Australia is a largely Christian nation, with 64% of the population identifying themselves as such. Despite having such a large percent of the population of the same faith, Australia as a country has no state religion. Instead, they practice religious tolerance and openness. You should feel comfortable practicing your own faith, or lack thereof, without interference. You should also guard against being prejudice to people of other religions. Be open an honest to others about what you feel, but take care to not disrespect others for their opinions and beliefs.

 

Social Issues:

 

As we all know, no country or place is perfect. Each place has its own issues, for Australia these issues are few and far between. Australia's issues actually closely mimic the United States. Australia has issues with alcoholism, sexual assault, bullying, gambling, and reducing violence. Many of these problems take place at the individual level, so you shouldn't be afraid to travel. Compared to many other study abroad destinations Australia is one of the safest places. Yes, the same issues that you are likely to encounter in America you can counter in Australia, but you will be just as safe as you are in America.  

 

Knowing what you do now about Australia, I hope that you feel a little bit more comfortable travelling to study abroad in Australia. When you go abroad, put yourself out there. Be respectful when you communicate and your respect will respect will be reciprocated. Have a good trip and study hard! 

 

  



Survival Tips for China Study Abroad

Most important part of studying abroad is making sure you are safe at all times. Here are some ways on how to survive in China!

• Make sure to avoid the foods from street vendors and from cheap restaurants.

This tip goes pretty much for everyone. You are in another country and you know what you can handle or not. If you think that the food you just got is not going to do you any good, then DO NOT put it in your mouth. Sometimes, cheap food is not worth it and spend a few extra cash in order to prevent food poisoning.

• Watch the traffic and be careful.

China's streets are not like the United States. Don't expect Chinese drivers to yield at pedestrian, so make sure you are always keeping an eye out on the road and don't get ran over!!! If you are in a vehicle traveling in China, make sure you wear your seat belts at ALL TIME. In addition, always wear a helmet if you choose to ride in a motor scooter or a bicycle in case of an accident!

• Keep your belongings safe

China has a lot of people and with that is many cases of theft. Many foreigners experience theft in China and because they don't watch their belongings. Make sure that you keep your wallet or purse in front of your body. Avoid putting important belongings on your back pockets to avoid pickpocketing. Also, make sure your purses have either a zipper or a safety method to close it. Most importantly, don't set up things on public spaces and make sure you always have them in your hands all the time.

• Be aware of scams

Foreigners are the primary targets in China and this goes with scams. Never accept rides from unofficial taxis. Try to use taxis that are affiliated with the airports or major hotels. When riding in taxis, make sure you are keeping watch of the meter and that it is working properly to avoid getting overcharged. When ordering at restaurants, make sure you always ask for the total amount of your order so you can avoid overcharging by the restaurants. Also, do not trust stranger students asking if you would like to go to tourist sites. Count your money and make it a habit to check the taxi meter and your total purchases in order to avoid scams.

• Avoid being expose to pollution

It's a common knowledge that China is one of the most polluted countries in the world. While you're in China, make sure you don't let yourself exposed as much to pollution. If you have any concerns about living in China and the polluted environment, make sure you talk to your physician on what ways you can prevent on being exposed to a lot of pollution.

• Avoid participating in political demonstrations and other disturbances

At many times during your stay in China, you will be invited to participate in political demonstrations. I recommend that you do not participate in these kinds of demonstrations because they are probably illegal and you don't want to get arrested if you are not a Chinese citizen. If you want to know more about what is going on, it is best to watch it from a distance or ask your friends, classmates and teachers about the issue. You really don't want to get deported!

• Watch your surroundings and be aware

Being aware of your surrounding will provide you a safe and good stay in China. Make sure all your documentation is in a safe place such as your passport and visa. If you need to bring these documents with you, make sure you only bring photocopies in case it gets lots or someone steals it. When going it, make sure you drink the amount that you can handle. Make sure you always have a friend when going out to bars and nightclubs. Keep in contact with the US Embassy so they know where you are at all times. In addition to that, program emergency numbers on your phone in case of emergencies.

By following these tips, you can have a great study abroad experience in China! If you are uncertain about something, make sure to ask the US Embassy or whoever is in charge of your study abroad program such as the international office at your school. Happy study abroad!

Be a Part of the Chinese Culture by Studying Abroad in China!

1. Chinese History

China has such a complex history and this is on of the reasons why many students or just normal individuals visit or study abroad in China. China is one of the countries in the world in which culture and history plays such big roles in every day lives. Everything you see in China is a part of their history and this is what makes China unique and an interesting place for people to explore.

2. Language

China houses the largest population in the world, therefore their language is significant to the world. The main language of China is Chinese. With that, they have different dialects in different regions which makes China a unique country in comparison to others. Many students who study abroad in China are there for the purpose of learning the language. They say that it is easier to learn a language by actually speaking it in the real-world. This is why a lot of colleges recommend their students to study abroad in China if they are interested with the Chinese language.

3. Culture

Another reason why you should study abroad in China is to be able to experience the Chinese culture. Many students come back from their study abroad experience and look at the world very differently. Those who came back from study abroad say that being in another country change the way they think about certain things. Being around a completely different culture can make you look at life differently because you are not in your usual comfort zone. Many students fear leaving home and going into a different country with a different culture. But that is only the start of their journey to the real world. Studying in China will give students the opportunity to experience a different culture than what they are accustomed here in the United States. They will learn the different traditions and rituals that Chinese people do and also learn why they do it.

4. Food

Who does not like food? Especially Chinese food. Is that even a question?!

If you ask students who have studied abroad in China on what they miss, they will say the food. In China, you will be able to get the real taste of Chinese food. Authentic Chinese food is healthy than what it is in the United States. No wonder why Chinese people are so skinny, right?

Many Chinese foods are homemade and some Chinese make their ingredients from scratch. This is what differentiates Chinese food from China and Chinese food from United States. Chinese food range from such a variety of ingredients! Even a vegetarian can live in China without having any problem with their dietary needs. In addition, there are also many exotic Chinese food, so if you are more adventurous, China is a good place for you!

Studying Abroad in China

This is a great link if you are interested in studying abroad in China!

Bienvenido a España!

     Thinking about going to Spain?  You're not the only one.  In the '08/'09 school year, Spain was the third most popular study abroad location for college students.  Although I'm sure you'll meet plenty of study abroad students just like you, you'll be more prepared to fully immerse yourself in another country if you know a little bit about its culture.  That's where I come in.

     Let me start out by stating the obvious; in Spain, the people speak Spanish.  Although Spain isn't the only Spanish speaking country, it is historically the predominant one.  Learning, or refining, your Spanish in Spain could be very positive.  Castilian (classic) Spanish is spoken, like in most Spanish classes, as opposed to Latin American Spanish, but there are many dialects around the country which might make communication a little difficult, depending on where you choose to study.  In general, you'll most likely pick up the unique accent of wherever you choose to go.
     Besides the language, there are some things you need to know about the culture.  Spain, like most Spanish speaking countries, places a lot of value on family and tradition.  This means that a lot of people end up staying in the place where their family is and that they stay in touch with their families, which can be large.  This has led the culture to adopt a culture where work is important, as long as there is still time to relax (siesta anyone?).  You should keep this in mind when you decide whether or not to stay with a host family.  If you do, they could end up becoming like your real family.

    Another aspect of the culture is its religion.  You probably know that Spain has historically been a predominantly Catholic country.  This has effected a lot of its history (cough, Spanish Inquisition, cough), as well as its architecture.  Spain is full of beautiful cathedrals and Roman architecture, that you should go see.  But although 75% of Spaniards still classify themselves as being Catholic, the influence of Catholicism has decreased in recent years.  Now only 15% of Spanish people regularly go to mass, and the church has lost its power over social issues, such as

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

divorce and contraception.  The Catholic church is not as powerful as it was, which means that, while you should respect it, you don't have to follow every rule posed by it while you're in Spain.
     And now for the fun stuff.  From 1938-1975, Spain was ruled by an authoritarian dictator, Generalissimo Francisco Franco, who controlled all of the culture in Spain for that period of time.  After his rule, the Spanish people wanted to express their new freedoms, entering a period where creative and sexual liberation were encouraged.  Spain soon became a leisure capital of Europe.  Most Europeans know this, but a lot of American's don't.  While you're in Spain, you're likely to meet a lot of people from various other European countries just looking to have a little fun.  There are beautiful beaches, great nightlife, and a general desire to have a good time.
   This is what makes Spain such a great country to travel to.  There is tons of history everywhere you look, but there are also many ways to have a really good time, while learning the culture and the language.

     If you want some more tips for studying abroad in Spain, check out some of these sites:

• Tips for Future Study Abroad Students: Part One  
• Spain Adventure 
• Spain Insane
• Study in Spain

And for the ladies: College Gloss
      

Stuff Study Abroad Students Say

I definitely caught myself saying this stuff, and I was only in France for ten days.

The World's View on Americans

Mikaela's Minute:

Beating Stereotypes

 

We have all heard it before, to most of the world Americans are "stupid", "ignorant", and "loud". We are extremely ethnocentric - meaning that we think that our culture and language is the best and only way to survive - and we refuse to take anyone else's position. Americans have been stereotyped and, as a student planning to travel abroad, these stereotypes will affect you when you travel to your host country. Stereotypes are mental shortcuts that people create to categorize groups of people easily within their minds. For example, if a European meets an American for the first time and finds them to be rude they will assume that all other Americans they meet will be rude. The problem with stereotypes is that 9 times out of 10 they are not true at all, but people think that they are. Americans have been stigmatized by the rest of the world because a few of us decided to be loud, rude, and ignorant. So, what can we do as students looking to go abroad? How do we beat these stereotypes?

 

Well, we have our work cut out for us. According to the study "What Does the World Think of Us?" conducted by PBS (public broadcasting services) in 2006 we are beginning to loose favor with the rest of the world. In most western countries we had fairly positive favor in the year 2000, around 80% in most countries, but by the year 2006 we lost favor, dropping into the 50% range. In the Middle East our numbers were initially low in 2000, around 50%, and dropped even lower, around 5-15% and sometimes less, by 2006. Why did this happen? Because most of the world feels that we are overly patriotic and ethnocentric. Americans also tend to be ignorant about world issues as well as their own domestic issues.

 

So what can we do in order to put our best foot forward in our host countries to show that we are not "Ugly Americans"? Here are my thoughts:

1. Educate yourself: learn about not only the history of the country that you will be living in, but also the current issues that the nation is facing. There is nothing worse than not being able to carry out small talk with your peers. Don't try and cram every fact that you think you should know about the country, instead learn about the things that are common knowledge. You will learn the little things through conversation and experience.
2. Be respectful: Yes, sometimes we Americans can be loud and that's ok. But there is a time and a place to be loud and social. To the people of your host country you may actually be being very rude or disrespectful. My tip is to learn from your environment; emulate what the native people do. If it's culturally appropriate to be loud then by all means be loud, but if not be respectful; you are a guest after all. 
3. Openness: Be open to having conversations with the people of your host country about what it means to be American. Try and dispel some of the negative stereotypes that they may think are true. We know that not all of us are loud, rude, or stupid so it is our job to spread the word. You can take pride in yourself and your culture, but be mindful not to let it go to your head when you are interacting with new people in new places.    

If you would like to see the full study conducted by PBS then check out www.pbs.org/now/shows/314/opinions-of-us.html . Also, if you would like some actual examples of American stereotypes, how we got them, and some more advice on what to do search for the following videos on YouTube (some of them are very entertaining):

 

1. "Dylan Moran on Americans"
2. "Why People Think Americas are Stupid"
3. "Bill Maher- America IS a Stupid Country and Now There's Proof"
4. "Is America This Stupid?"
5. "Stereotypes of Americans on Study Abroad"



 



Don't Get SHOCKED!

Mikaela's Minute:

Getting Past Your Culture Shock

 



If your reading our Blog chances are your looking to study abroad some place interesting and fun. Maybe your going some where exotic, like The Gambia, or some where a little more like home, like England or Australia. Regardless of where you are going for your next (or first ever) adventure abroad your are going to have a lot of fun, but your also going to hit a solid, but permeable, wall known as culture shock.

 

 If you are scratching your head and have to as the question, "what is culture shock?" that's alright. Many travelers fail to learn about culture shock and it ends up hitting them like a ton of bricks. Don't worry, this won't happen to you (well I mean it will, but you'll bounce back quicker than most) because I am going to tell you all about it.

 

Culture shock is a reaction to entering a new culture which is slightly or significantly different from your own. As you venture into the culture of the country of your choice you will begin to notice things really are different from what you are used to. This causes your mind to react - usually in a negative manner - to your new surroundings. Now, don't get me wrong, you will experience emotion, but it will come in phases.

PHASE 1: Exhilaration Stage  

The Exhilaration Phase generally occurs right before you leave to go to your destination and continues a few days/weeks into your arrival. You just feel so excited about ACTUALLY being where you've wanted to go and you are open to the new culture. You'll feel like a kid in a candy shop; you want to do everything and see everything that's out there.

 

PHASE 2: Disenchantment Stage

The Disenchantment Phase is what you are going to have to push through. This is, essentially, when reality sets in. You begin to realize how much you don't understand the language or cultural innuendo and you get a little depressed. You might feel like you just want to go home and you close yourself off from the culture. Don't leave though, it gets better!

 

PHASE 3: Adjustment Stage

The Adjustment Phase is when you gradually begin to understand the culture and the language of your host country. You now know how to make changes to your situation that will help you to have a better experience. You will begin to de-stress and life becomes more and more predictable.

 

PHASE 4: Effective Functioning Stage 

When you reach the final stage of culture shock, called the Effective Functioning Phase, you are essentially one with the culture of your host country. You can speak the language, understand the nuances of the culture, and function in a manner like you would in your home environment.   

 

Culture shock really isn't that bad if you know that it is coming. Just knowing about it in general helps you to overcome it. I do have a couple tips for beating culture shock that should help you.

1. Learn the language, or at least a few key phrases, of the country you are going to. Language will help you get around, socialize, and take care of your needs.
2. Be open to new ideas and ways of thinking. I can almost guarantee that no culture will be exactly like your own and if you think that only your way of life is the best, you will run into problems. Practice being objective (look at the opposing point of view in a logical manner, don't discount it, and leave your own personal opinions aside).    
3. Learn about the country that you are going to. Knowing a little bit of history, how to be culturally sensitive, and not talking about taboos will get you a long way.
4. Keep in mind that you have your own culture, language, and way of thought. Going to a new country doesn't mean that you have to give these things up to survive.

Thanks for reading. If you would like to learn more about culture shock and techniques for adjustment check out the 8th Edition of Communication between cultures by Larry A. Samovar and constituents or visit www.worldwide.edu/travel_planner/culture_shock.html .

Thinking about going to The Gambia?!

Situated on the Atlantic coast in westernmost Africa and surrounded on three sides by Senegal, Gambia is twice the size of Delaware. The Gambia River flows for 200 miles through Gambia on its way to the Atlantic. The country, the smallest on the continent, averages only 20 miles in width. Despite its small size, The Gambia is a  diverse multi-cultural society with many ethnic groups. These races/ ethnicities  make up these percentages; African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1%. Indeed it is not uncommon to find people being able to speak 3 to 4 local languages. But their languages, in The Gambia are , English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous languages. It is perfect for studying abroad because their language is mostly English, so it would be easy to communicate! You are probably thinking now what to wear when you get there. The dress code for Gambia is very important so you should at least take some tips below regarding acceptable types of clothing particularly when out in public. Take along lightweight woolen jumpers or a jacket for the cool evenings during the months of November to March. Although dress in the beach hotels is very informal, ladies should avoid wearing bikinis or going out topless outside the grounds of the hotels or beaches. A modest dress code is advised in all public places and you should preferably at least wear a sarong or other wrap that comes down to your knees and cover your top half at least up to the elbows though there is no need to cover you head. In the hotels' resorts and beaches you can wear a bikini as this is acceptable but not out and about in public. Gambia is predominantly a Muslim country. In this country you will be enjoying some delicious foods. Food is a very important part of their culture just like ours. Traditional Gambian dishes Joll of Rice, Benachin cooked in homes are mostly rice, the staple food, with a covering of various spicy sauces as on the right. However, steamed millet, couscous, cassava is also eaten.

The defining ingredients for these various dishes are either peanut butter paste (Domoda), ladies fingers (Okra), palm oil (chew deu terr) or edible leaves such as spinach or cassava leaves. Very popular among poor families is Mbahal which is rice mixed with grated peanuts, dried fish such as bonga. Many of these dishes are also common to Senegalese cooking as both countries have common cultural ties. Many cultures have differences, but in every culture communication is the same. Communications include; Telephones - main lines in use: 48,800; mobile cellular: 1.478 million (2010). Even with technology always expanding, and evolving, there are still cultures striving to integrate it in to society.  Lastly, every culture struggles with social issues because they can consume a society into a hidden world of violence and corruption. The major social problems are poverty, disease, and lack of economic development. The Gambia is one of the world's poorest nations and relies heavily on foreign aid. Even though Gambia is a third world country, it doesn’t mean the whole country is poor; there are some parts that are higher class.