pre-departure feelings

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Teri Hill

I am getting ready for my trip to China. I am excited and nervous, all at the same time. I think it is going to be so amazing. This is my first trip out of the country and away from my family, this is why I am so nervous. I am excited to visit a different country and learn about their culture. I have already started practicing my Chinese speaking skills. I hope not to slaughter their language too bad. I want to be able to interact with the people in China in a way that will allow me to learn the most about their way of life. Teri

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Sarah King

Hi, my name is Sarah King and I am studying abroad in Querétaro Mexico. I chose this program because it seems like an excellent opportunity to improve my oral fluency in Spanish and to learn more about Mexican culture. I am studying to be a bilingual elementary school teacher, and I want to know more of the culture and language of my students.

I know that my host culture will be different than what I am used to, but I am really looking forward to it. I have traveled a lot with my family and been exposed to various other cultures, but this is my first time traveling outside of a “first world” country. Since Querétaro is a large industrial city, I think that it will have many amenities that I am used to, but perhaps I will be surprised. I do love to learn new things, but I hate “roughing it,” so I’m really hoping that it won’t get in my way. For some reason I have an association between Querétaro and some of the older European cities in my mind, so I tend to think of the central part as a walking district with graceful buildings and cobble stone streets. I have no idea what it really looks like, but I do hope that it is safe and easy to walk places.

I’m a little bit nervous that I will be overwhelmed when surrounded by Spanish. I do know some Spanish already, but my knowlege is very passive and I tend to freeze/panic when put on the spot. I’m really hoping that I can get over that quickly and start using my Spanish.

Three pictures to illustrate my pre-conceived notions of Querétaro:

Cobble stone streets

Mariachi

: Squared-off houses, some colorful too

Pre-departure

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Study Abroad

Getting ready to leave and fly out tomorrow! I’m getting really excited but I’m also pretty nervous. I’ve never been to another country that doesn’t speak English so I think when I first arrive I’ll be a little overwhelmed. I don’t know what the culture will be like but I think that I will begin to adapt to it after the first few days. Since I’m going a few days early I have some time to get use to everything before I meet my host family. I’m most excited about meeting them and trying new things as I get to know them and stay with them.

From my past experience abroad I stayed with two host families and learned so much by staying with them and seeing their day to day routines. It was such an great learning experience to spend a weekend with a local family. For this trip I’ll be with my host family for five weeks! I can’t wait to meet them in a few days! Courtney

Pre-Departure (Morocco)

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Michael Smiley

So, what are my pre-conceived notions of Morocco? The first thing I take note of when I observe humanity is what people wear and what their buildings look like. I’ve looked at a lot of pictures of Moroccan dress and architecture (both Amazigh and Arab). Some pictures are from the past, others from the present. Sometimes they match up, sometimes they don’t. In any pictures and videos I’ve seen of people in North Africa, it seems the overwhelming majority of people simply wear “western” clothing, but reworked into a unique style (especially with women, since the hijab has a myriad of different styles just by itself). This is something I observed when I visited Istanbul with my parents for a week, and I expect to see lots of jeans and polo shirts in Morocco, though they do seem to have retained some iconic features of their dress, most notably the djellaba (long, hooded unisex robe). I expect there to be some women wearing burqas, the niqab, etc., but I think they will be a minority, similar to Turkey. Sometimes it seems like western media paints all Muslim women as only ever being clothed in an all-black ensemble that completely covers every inch of skin, but I know this is not the case. As for the climate and natural scenery, from what I’ve gathered, it looks quite similar to summertime California.

Now, taking the visual aspects of a people aside and looking more at behavioral culture, I’ve heard about the hospitality of… well, pretty much any culture that is predominantly Muslim, to the point where it’s become a cliché. No matter where I look, I always seem to find remarks about the “legendary hospitality of the Moroccan people” (and you can easily exchange “Moroccan” for any other Muslim nation, and the cliché will still fit). Okay, I’ll expect my host family to be very hospitable, but honestly, is it really possible to sum up an entire nation like that? I’m sure many families in the U.S. would be considered to be hospitable to guests, but would I say that “the American people are legendary for their hospitality”? Doesn’t that just sound silly? Generalizing entire peoples like that seems a bit ridiculous to me.

I will say one of the main things I’m looking forward to learning is what daily life in a Moroccan household is like. It’s one of those things that can’t really be explained in a book (if one can even find a book or article that even mentions it), it has to be experienced. How do people eat? How do they interact? Even if I can’t speak the language, I’m excited to observe what life is like in the city of Fes.

Michael

Pre-departure!

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Study Abroad

I apologize for this being a late post; I had a lot going on making sure everything was ready to go! However, I still wanted to share my pre-conceived thoughts of the town before I did my arrival blog!

Upon arrival I was very excited for this experience and nervous at the same time. I had no idea what the town was going to be like but I thought the people would be reserved but helpful if I were to ask a question. I heard the food was pretty bland, which made me nervous because I love food! I thought they only would have a drink with dinner, not drink as often as those in the states do. I was able to have conversations with quit a few people that had traveled to London before so I got to hear about their experience! From them I learned that they drink a lot here and if you weren’t much of a drinker that they would change you. Which really didn’t go with what I expected, but I rarely drink and so I was planning to stick to what I’m comfortable with while here! They also told me about the food how they have baked beans on toast and have delicious fish and chips!

I also expected the dorms here to be community styled living, similar to the dorms at western but with some differences. I thought I would be living with a group of 8, all having single rooms but sharing a kitchen and living area. So then we could all go grocery shopping together and split the costs.

I’ve never flown or traveled by myself so I expect this to be a huge learning experience for myself but that is part of what makes it so exciting! I’m nervous to have to say goodbye to my friends and family but I’m sure once I get their time will fly and it’ll be over before I know it so I plan on making the most of it!

Alyssa

Preconceived Notions About Ireland

Posted on April 11, 2013 by pricemv

When I picture Ireland I picture castle remains and rolling green hills. I know not all Ireland is like that, but from pictures that is what they portray.I view Ireland’s culture as being traditional and people oriented. I have always heard how friendly the people are and it is one of the things I am looking forward to: is meeting the Irish! I am a mixture of emotions. I am excited that I have the opportunity to explore a new culture, but I am also apprehensive. This trip is completely outside my comfort zone. I come from a small town and my traveling experience is very small. I am now going to a completely foreign place where I essentially know no one. My excitement far outweighs my nervousness. Part of this experience is to separate me from the familiar. By pushing myself outside my comfort zone I am allowing myself to grow as a person, which is one of my goals I want to achieve by the end of this trip.

Before I Leave…

Posted on March 28, 2013 by pricemv

So I leave for my 10 week trip to Queretaro, Mexico tomorrow morning at 7:30. I’m so excited! This whole week of “Spring Break” has been anything but that for me. I’ve been working all day everyday; I barely had time to even pack myself for my great journey, but I’ve done it, and I’m almost on my way!

This is not my first time traveling abroad- I’ve been all over Europe, but this is the first time I’ll be visiting any place that’s so different like Mexico. I can’t say exactly what it is inside me that loves to travel and experience new things, it’s just there. I’m so glad that I have gotten this chance.

As for Mexico, yea. That I’m not so sure about. I have no idea what it’s going to be like, how well I’ll pick up the language, or what the people will be like. But I have a hope that everything will be good. Great even. Everyone keeps reminding me about the dangers in Mexico, like I shouldn’t be going, or like I should be scared stiff. I am just so ready to go. I’m not afraid that anything bad will happen while I’m there, though I am completely aware of the dangers. I think as long as I keep a good head on my shoulders I’ll survive and make it out ok.

I’m so excited for the culture shock down there. And the weather. O my goodness the weather! It’s supposed to be about 90 degrees the whole time I’m there. I can’t wait for that. So unlike Oregon also am very excited to eat authentic Mexican food and see how the people act. I imagine a very nice culture and people who are pleasant and laid back. I hope for that at least. But who knows, right?

I’ll be staying in a host family while I’m in Queretaro for ten weeks. I think that’s the part that I’m most worried about. They are an older couple, and I just hope we can talk and that we will like each other. I also hope that I make a few Mexican friends while I’m there…

I honestly hope everything will go great. I’m trying not to stress or worry at this point and just let everything go. Let’s see how well that works.

Rebekah

Let’s go to Japan! / 日本にいきましょう！

Posted on March 24, 2013 by pricemv

Oh boy… T-minus 2 days before I leave for Japan.

I’m definitely nervous about finally leaving to start this 5 month long experience. Most of my nervousness revolves around my lack of knowledge about the language. I have taken two terms of Japanese in college as well as a limited amount of self-study. This all puts me at the level of *maybe* a five year old Japanese kid, cue the nervousness. Luckily my school in Japan, Aoyama Gakuin University (青山学院大学), is kind enough to include English instructions along with all Japanese instructions and will be providing me with a tutor who will be able to help me learn Japanese as well as register for classes and adjust to life in Japan. We’ll see how much that all helps, especially because my first two days include a stay at a hostel that apparently doesn’t have any English speakers at all… straight into the frying pan. The rest of my nervousness stems from just the basic concerns like making friends, not getting hopelessly lost in the largest urban/metro area in the world, money issues, etc.

seriously, Tokyo is freaking gigantic

Part of the reason that I chose Japan was because the culture is very different from the United States. I’m definitely nowhere near an expert on Japanese culture, although I have done a large amount of research. Japan is much more of a homogenous society than the United States, with about 98.5% of the population being ethnically Japanese. I think that, partially due to this factor, the Japanese tend to be much more community driven and place less importance on individuality and “freedom”. For example, in the US, no one bats an eye when someone is having a fairly loud conversation on their phone while riding a bus. In Japan, having a phone conversation while on public transportation is considered rude and you’d be likely to get some stares. Asian cultures in general have been interesting to me for a long time, and getting to experience one for myself was an opportunity I couldn’t allow myself to pass up. There is so much history, and so many differences, in the region compared to what we have in the United States.

I’ve always been something of a chameleon and have been used to being able to at least somewhat fit in no matter what I’m doing. This experience is probably about to turn that whole thing on its head. Being in such a homogenous society as part of the “out group” is going to automatically mean that I’ll be treated differently and will be acting differently than I usually do. The life of a gaijin (foreigner) will be a very new experience that I’m simultaneously excited and scared shitless about, to be brutally blunt and honest.

-Casey

What I’m Expecting

Posted on March 9, 2013 by pricemv

This post is my pre-departure post. What I’m expecting to encounter when I get there is illustrated by the pictures I’ve selected. I’m expecting to see narrow pedestrian friendly streets, and old buildings. I’m expecting the people to look a lot like me, in terms of dress and appearance.

I also expect to see picture postcard river sides like this one.

And beautiful pastoral country sides.

In terms of culture I’m expecting the German people to be a little more reserved and conservative than most Americans, in short ‘my kind of people’. I’m also expecting to encounter some cultural differences that I haven’t expected. Every new country will have that as an element of a persons travel there. There isn’t anyway to get around that, you have to be willing to go with the flow and adapt.

I’m also expecting this experience to be a lot different than my first time over seas. The first time I went abroad was almost 37 years ago, I wasn’t quite 19 yet and the Army sent me to Korea. I immediately experienced three, very much in my face. forms of culture shock. The fist was the smell that assaulted my nose when the door to the plane opened. The second was the fact that I literally stood out in a crowed, at 6’3″ I was head and shoulders above everyone else, not to mention the only one with hair that wasn’t black. Third, I couldn’t read any billboards, and the only road signs I could read were those with international symbols.

I’m expecting this to be a very different experience. First, I’m fairly certain that even if Germany smells noticeably different, it won’t be as bad as Korea was in the 70’s. Second, in terms of dress and physical appearance, I won’t look all that different than everyone else. My age will make me stand out among the student population, but that is a different thing altogether. Third, I may not be fluent in German yet, but I have enough of a background in the language to at least be able to read signs.

While I do expect some very noticeable differences in the culture, Germany will seem like my home town by comparison to my first tour in Korea.

I am also very excited about this trip. As a History major, I am looking forward to seeing all of the history around me. I’m also looking forward to making friends in Germany that I can compare notes with about our two cultures. As well as getting to know my fellow students I am hoping to meet some locals that are about my age, people that I will have some things in common with in terms of family and experiences.

No matter what my experience turns out to be I know that I am going to enjoy every bit of it, even the challenging parts.

Dave

Hello World!

Posted on January 16, 2013 by pricemv

Hello world!

For the past five months studying abroad in Scotland has been a very hazy possibility for me. One that I have always dreamed of since high school so I started the process, looked at the cost (cried a little about the cost), got the applications turned in, GOT ACCEPTED,

got my passport, got the money, and now, now that hazy possibility is in fact a very huge reality.

And I am freaking out.

The idea of going halfway around the world, away from my family and friends is a very daunting thought for me. I have never been so far a way from my family or friends that I did not have the option of just calling and having them come over or to grab lunch. Even though I am terrified, I know that if I don’t do it, I will regret it.

Going to Scotland I believe that it will not be as huge of a culture shock as if I was going to a country that spoke a different language. Going to Scotland the main language is English so I will hopefully know what everyone is saying. I know that the culture norms in Scotland are different than what they are in the United States but from what I am told it is not that different. I will find out though in a little over a month.

Until than I am going to hug my family close, spend as much time with my friends as I can, and dream of Scotland.

~Haylee

WOU Students Abroad

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