Sunday, February 4, 2024

The road less traveled...

    Around the UK...

            ☆ ° 。⋆⸜ 🎧 listening to anything by the Cranberries

       

  During my first semester abroad, I was able to visit multiple neighboring countries. The travel time as well as the costs are so much less than in the States so it's definitely something you should take advantage of. Through most of my travels my friends and I took Ryanair, which is an affordable airline where I could get tickets for like $25! 

Out of the many cool places that you could travel to, for this trip, my friends and I journeyed an hour and a half out to...

˗ˏˋ ꒰ Cork, Ireland ꒱ ˎˊ˗


  

Now, some places may seem out-of-the-blue, somewhere you never heard of, or never had on your list. While having a list is amazing, it's also really fun to explore places you hadn't thought of. Places that may be more local or let you have a feel of everyday life rather than what larger cities will show you.

Cork was such a wild card but very fun nonetheless!! Lots of cool history, castles, and amazing scenic views!! 

Our day started out rough with a slight miscommunication we had missed our tour, however, we made the best out of it and started our day at our BnB with a traditional Irish breakfast!! 

Blarney Castle & Bus rides

featuring the buses that had
Cench on the side of them

Blarney Castle!!

We took a tour of the castle and even kissed the Blarney Stone!!
 It was not crowded at all in fact many of the places we went to were very 
chill in terms of crowds. So I would definitely suggest visiting around mid to late 
November, however, make sure to pack some warm clothes, an umbrella or rain jacket
and some thick socks because it was cold, rainy, and windy!!


the cutest little castle guardians!!




finally, saw some of the most amazing 
scenic views with the cutest cows!






... while in Ireland we were able to stay around the city and try out some local pubs and restaurants which was super fun. Although it was a bit rough and many things were unexpected it was such an amazing trip! As I said before, take advantage of your time abroad and, if you have the time, take a trip somewhere you may have never thought of before.


☆ ° 。⋆⸜ THANK YOU for reading!!

(p.s follow me on my study abroad ig @/whenhopemeetsworld for more fun posts)

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Must See Art In Madrid

 Must See Art In Madrid


There's nothing I love more than strolling around an art gallery by myself with no rush. It puts me in a creative mindset where I feel endlessly inspired for my next projects. As an arts and markets major I was so excited to see the new world of paintings available to view in Spain. With Madrid as the capital I was in the perfect place to see some amazing Spanish art. Below is a list of my favorite museums and a must see list for an art lover like myself. 


  1. Museo Del Prado: This one is a no-brainer and I visited about 10 times throughout my semester abroad and would still like to go back. It's a huge museum, home to some of the most famous Spanish artists like Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, and more. They have walls with huge masterpieces that will truly blow your mind. I recommend visiting in the morning, as the later the day gets the more busy it typically is. No food or drinks are allowed. As a student you can enter for free (which I clearly took advantage of). On one of my visits there I even got to see other art students copying famous works for their own studies. I always bring a notebook to write down any ideas I have or inspirations that hit me. This is one of the most well renowned art museums in the world and in my opinion you could spend an entire day here. 





  1. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia: This museum was very interesting and had much more modern sections compared to other museums which are mainly historical. This is also home to Picasso's Guernica so of course it is a very important and wonderful museum. They have many other famous artists such as Salvador dali. This museum also has a courtyard in the middle to sit down and relax in between absorbing all of the art which I enjoyed. Definitely a must see art museum and as a student you can enter free of charge. 




  1. Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza: This museum surprised me as I assumed it would be less wowing than the others I’ve visited but Thyssen Museum was truly one of my favorites. Not only do they have more modern artists, they have beautiful priceless early netherlandish paintings. This museum is very big as well and has something for every taste of the artist. They even had a picasso exhibit when I went with the original pieces side by side with the ones that inspired Picasso. I had such an amazing time here and was able to enter for free because of my student transit card. I really encourage looking here to see amazing art from all different kinds of genres and backgrounds. 






I was so thrilled that I chose Spain to study abroad and learned so much more about Spanish art history and culture. It made me so motivated to continue to learn Spanish and other languages to be able to better connect and experience different art from across the world. Going to these art museums pushed me outside my comfort zone to go places alone. I feel that this experience really helped me to dedicate more of myself to art and get a better understanding of the art world. 


Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Fall Semester in Italy

Ciao my name is Lizbeth and this past fall semester I studied abroad in Milan, Italy. I studied at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and it is one of HPU’s exchange partner schools! Studying abroad has been one of the best adventures of my life and I feel so grateful that I took that leap of faith.

This experience was truly enlightening and daring. I learned so much about myself and the world! When it came to housing my school didn't offer it for international students so my friend and I used spotahome (definitely recommended) to get an apartment for the semester and it worked out great. Transportation is also very accessible and interconnected through the city. I would go to school in the metro and it was very efficient and cheap. The food was also affordable. I could get a croissant and cappucino for 2.20 euros!

Here are some of my pointers: 1. Complete your visa application appointment as soon as possible because it can take longer than expected (my visa arrived 2 days before my flight so it was very stressful). 2. Go on as many adventures/ trip as possible. Time flies by too fast and you don't want to have any regrets! 3. Take the time to not only travel around Europe but know your city! I would travel every weekend but when I was home I tried to do so much exploring and immerse myself in Italian culture :) 4. Pack light being abroad you will want to do it all so having a weekend bag and small travel containers and packing cubes makes that a lot easier. 

Some of my favorite parts of Milan to explore was Navigli canal, Parque Sempione, Duomo and Brera :)) A huge culture shock for me was how everybody dressed! Especially coming from Hawaii where a tank and shorts is acceptable but in Milan you would not even see people in athleisure and everyone always looked so put together! Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world so it does make sense haha. Another tip is to go on solo trips at first I was hesitant but it felt so freeing! Lastly document everything whether that be by journaling, pictures, blogging or vlogging do it you’ll thank yourself later!! Like any adventure outside your comfort zone there will be ups and downs with missing loved ones and familiarity but just by taking it day by day helps.

While abroad I took my unrestricted classes(perfect to explore classes outside of your major). I took classes about Italian food and fashion, female literature, diversity and psychology and loved them all. I only had classes from Monday through Thursday same as HPU. The coursework worked very differently to what I was used to. In Italy I only had two assignments that weighed my final grade which was just the midterm and final exam/ presentation. While back in HPU it's more traditional to have small assignments along the semester and have exams that have less weight on your final grade. 

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or doubts my instagram is @lizbethh.s











Monday, January 8, 2024

a very London fall

There are many tiny joys that we miss in Hawai'i, in the season of fall. The cool weather, the ability to wear multiple layers without looking (or feeling) crazy, escaping the cold into warm cafes and bookstores, and most importantly, the beautiful fall colors!

So when I made the decision to move to London for my Sophomore year, I expected to arrive in chilly English late-September... I couldn't be more wrong. 

The air was humid and hot, at least hotter than I expected with my sweatshirt and jean jacket combo. 
I kid you not, if you do come to London around September time do not think it will be cool and breezy those first couple of weeks, for the most part, it was so similar to the weather patterns on the island! 





For a little preview, this is what my room looked like when I first got to school! There is no AC and, as far as I know, that's how it's like for most places :( 

The school did provide fans which was nice but it was definitely working overtime through all hours of the day. 

Otherwise, you keep your windows open and cross your fingers that you don't get ladybug-infested curtains (I am not kidding they're cute until you realize you have an army of them quite literally over your head)






Apart from those first few adrenaline-packed weeks, the weather began to cool down and I could finally start enjoying the magic of fall in London!

If you are even the slightest bit interested in London, you will know some of the most iconic sights but also the coolest experiences that you can have while walking around! Here are a few of my favorites that I got to do during my first semester :)

1. Walking through the Parks 


        
One thing that I do like about this city is how walkable it is. Especially if you are someone who likes your alone time or enjoys being in nature many parks hidden within the busy streets will transport you to a calmer environment. 

The picture on the right and the one below are some of my adventures through Regents Park. The park itself is huge and spans over 400 acres, it is home to the London Zoo and Queen Mary's Garden. 

There are soo many beautiful spots in this park perfect for a quiet time!


     




I explored this park a lot within my first month there and was able to see a good amount of it but it can be a bit overwhelming and easily confusing, especially on your own. 

Google Maps is pretty reliable to help you find your way back but Citymapper is a good alternative too!
october 29

2. Markets!!!  

One of my favorite things to do...throughout the city you can find different markets that appeal to various crowds. 

On the right, is when I visited Borough Market famous for the enormous amount of food options like the chocolate-covered strawberries (they were soo good). 

So bright and busy even though we went really late in the day but soo fun. 

Highly recommend, when you go with friends have everyone get a little something and make a makeshift charcuterie board after. My friends and I did it, it was so good and so cheap, 100% better than dining hall food lol!


 3. Cafes/Cafe hopping

1000% recommend saving a bunch of different cafes to try out while your abroad around your area. This cafe is in Camden and was so close to my school!

SO cute and cozy we were like the only customers left before it closed, we spent like two hours there just studying and before we left the guy working gave us free pastries!!! 

It was such a chill and relaxing time but there are so many hole-in-the-wall places like this one that are perfect for studying or catching up with friends :)

Here is a list of some good study spots!


4. Sightseeing

Obviously, when you're so close to these iconic and historical places you're going to want to at least stop by.

 In the beginning, that is all I did. Visiting the palace and Big Ben and some beautiful sites like Primrose Hill (Pictured Below). 

Seeing some of these places was actually so surreal, as it was something that I had dreamed about for so long. Even writing this I can't believe that I have seen these sites...I've visited benny so many times now throughout my time abroad and it still never gets old seeing that view. 



 Fall in London has been an experience of a lifetime! There are so many incredible things that you can do throughout the season. It is bustling with life and cultures and has so many opportunities that you should take advantage of!  

If you have any questions about my life here so far, whether it be school or recommendations, please feel free to reach out to me on my ig/ @whenhopemeetsworld 

thank you :)

Thursday, January 4, 2024

My First Semester Recap - Abroad in Nagoya, Japan

I'll start this off with a brief self-introduction. 

    Hello, to those who may find this post, my name is Ma'ila Kambel. I am from Oahu, Hawaii and as of writing this post, I am a Junior  / 3rd year student at Hawaii Pacific University. I started my journey abroad on August 24th, 2023 (technically the 25th given the timezone changes), heading to Nagoya, Japan, where I'd be attending Nagoya University of Foreign Studies [名古屋外国語大学], or NUFS for short.

Dorming - NUFS International House

    At NUfS, for study abroad students, there are 3 dorms to choose from, that of which are NUFS Global Village, NUFS-NUAS Residence, and the dorm I happen to be staying at, NUFS International House (referred to as "I-House").


    The other two dorms are more apartment-style, in the sense that it's less communal, whereas I-House is more of a shared space. We have a central courtyard (seen above), and a common room / spacious lobby area in the dorm. Additionally, there are also two study rooms or kotatsu (炬燵 / こたつ) rooms, which are amazing to hang out in, especially when it's cold. One of them even has a projector you can hook your laptop up to.


    Truth be told, I was pretty skeptical about having been given this dorm, as my original choice was the NUFS-NUAS Residence. However, after being here and meeting the then-current residents from the previous semester, and everyone else who arrived around the same time as me, I wouldn't give it up for anything now. Much like at HPU, I was able to make further connections with people from all over the world, rather seamlessly given how communal the dorm is. I was actually a little worried about how I'd be making friends here, but literally the night of my arrival, I met some truly amazing people.



Classes at NUFS - Fall Semester

    Here at NUFS, the semester here was very enjoyable. The schedule is pretty flexible, whereas much like HPU and many other places, it comes down to the classes you pick and how you format your own schedule upon registration day. The only gripe I had with picking my classes is that it is a lottery-based system when they are, or get close to being full, I think. I unfortunately didn't get two of the classes I had chosen originally and had to swap them with something else, but it was super easy as you just do it all online through the school website like how you pick classes at HPU. 


NUFS Class Timetable (as of Fall 2023):

For the Fall semester, my schedule looked like this:

Monday - Period 3 - Japanese Literature

Tuesday - Period 1 / 2 - Japanese Langauge

Wednesday - Period 1 / 2 - Japanese Language

Thursday - Period 2 - Japanese Culture and Hospitality; Period 3 - Japanese Film

Friday - OFF


    So, all around, my schedule was super manageable for this previous semester. Additionally, they also had a paid language tutoring program, (I had to pre-register for it, due to the need to declare it at customs), which was a very convenient way to connect with domestic students here at NUFS. I had signed up to work for two days, Tuesdays/Wednesdays, during the lunch period. Also, with the Langauge Lounge program, I was able to hop in with the Japanese language tutors inversely, to practice, well, my Japanese. There were quite a lot of domestic students who wanted to join the English Language Lounge, it was like a 1:4-5 tutor-to-student ratio. The most I had was seven people at the same time, still enjoyable nonetheless. It was genuinely fun, and overall an overall great experience. I made a lot of new friends that I currently talk to and also tend to hang out with on an almost daily basis.


In Summary

    Other than that, I've been trying to travel and go out with friends as much as possible during the three-and-a-half-month winter break, since I was more preoccupied during the actual semester. It was crazy to actually be in a foreign country for many holidays, especially the New Year. I aspire to continue to meet new people, make new friends, and build lasting connections while I'm here until July 2024. Should choose NUFS when studying abroad in Japan, I look forward to possibly seeing you next semester, or if you happen to see this when I've already left, just know that you are in good hands, and with good folk. It may seem pretty crazy at first, but it'll pass a lot faster than you think. So, enjoy your time here, and live life to the fullest; make the most of it. If you have any further questions about my time here, shoot me a message on Instagram @mr.alxha, or email me @mkambel1@my.hpu.edu. 




Tuesday, December 19, 2023

My Time In Madrid Spain

 Reflection On My Study Abroad Experience- Getting to Madrid Tips / Spanish Phrases to know







Going into this experience I knew it would be challenging for me as I have never travelled outside the country before and can often get very confused when it comes to directions and new systems.

Traveling to Spain in particular is a struggle if you do not know Spanish. There were many times where people tried to talk to me and I could not understand a word of what they were saying. This made me feel embarrassed and like I did not deserve to be there. I would say study, study, study spanish before you come to Spain. You can get by without, but the experience is a whole lot more enjoyable if you are able to actually communicate with those around you. Over time I realized that I need to be less hard on myself and allow myself to learn slowly without feeling ashamed. This experience motivated me more than ever to actually dedicate time to learning Spanish each day, and since being back in the states I have more time to dedicate to learning Spanish and it makes me feel so good! Learning more of the language continues to remind me of my experiences and brings me back into the culture.

Specific phrases and areas of study to begin to learn before coming.

As soon as you get to your gate for your flight to Spain everyone around you will be speaking in Spanish, at least thats how it was for me. So it is great to go ahead and learn all airport vocabulary and basic phrases to speak to others on the plane if you need to get by, ask a question, or get to your seat. It can be intimidating being surrounded by those all speaking a different language than you, just focus on listening to nearby conversations and trying to pick up on words you understand. Slowly you will grasp more and more words and then begin to understand the general idea of what is being said. When you arrive in Spain you have to go through customs. It if often very hectic and a long line. They will ask in Spanish if you have an EU passport to go in one line, and all others continue walking to another line. Then an official will view your passport and ask you some questions about your stay. It would be great to already have these answers prepared in Spanish so you are not as flustered as I was. Some questions they asked were…

Why are you entering Spain? How long will you be staying? Where will you be staying? 

The Madrid Barajas Airport is quite huge, once you are let through you will go pick up your bags. Since the customs process took so long my bags had been put to the side when I got to the baggage claim so just keep looking around everywhere if your bags are no where to be found because thats how I found mine! I then got an Uber to my address I was staying. I had to travel up to the Uber pickup spot, the signs in the airport often point two different ways so it can be hard to tell which way to go. Take your time and follow the arrows and if they lead you wrong just back track and try the other way. Pay attention to your surroundings, learn phrases you might need to ask for help, other workers will offer to help you if you look confused, and other travelers will help as well. 

Spanish Apps I recommend

I love a good language learning app so here are some great resources I have used to learn Spanish.

1. Memrise: This app is really great, it uses videos with native speakers, ai toolbots to chat with you, and really easy interactive ways to learn words and phrases and it is free!

2. Ella Verbs: This app/website is awesome, it takes you through all the gramatical bases in Spanish and tests you. A really great educational tool, almost like a Spanish class. This is also free for 3 months, then after you can write an email requesting further free access and they will grant it. 

3. Duolingo: This app is great at keeping you practicing every day. It teaches good gramatical concepts and helps you to form sentences. However the ads do get very annoying so to get the full benefits try to convince your parents to sign up for the family plan so you don't have to pay. 

4. Youtube: I love looking up spanish- english translated music videos and singing them and following along trying to understand the lyrics. 

5. Lipdub: This app is great because it can give you an understanding of what your Spanish voice is supposed to sound like. It’s a really cool software that translates your voice and speech into whatever language you want. This helps you understand how you'll sound once you get more fluent and is another good motivator. 

6. Conjugato: This app is also free and has all the spanish verbs and conjugations. It has flashcards to tell you the correct form and tense to use. 

7. Netflix: Any show you watch you can change the audio to spanish and turn on english subtitles. I recommend specific Spanish shows set in madrid such as Elite, and Valeria. 

Try your best to dedicate time to learn spanish to get the most out of your study abroad experience, if I could go back I would start practicing a lot sooner. 


Monday, December 18, 2023

Untraditionally Abroad

 Embarking on a semester abroad is challenging; however, going abroad to three different countries is even more challenging. This intensive, semester-long program - 16 academic credits, three developing contexts in the global south, cross-cultural learning, geographical differences, stark contrasts, and vast disparities in each context. How do we even dive into the complexities of each culture? Have I processed everything that has happened? Will I grasp what experiences we lived?

Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries where tradition has seamlessly blended with modernity. Hanoi has influences from Chinese dynasties, French colonialism, and periods of Vietnamese dynastic rule. As a result, it is a diverse cultural tapestry, blending Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and elements of French culture. The hum of scooters creates a busy atmosphere while street foods of banh mi sandwiches, bowls of bun cha, and crispy spring rolls waft from street vendors, begging patrons to take a break and eat. Old temples stand as a reminder of the country's rich culture. There is no shortage of cafes or sites to visit as one navigates the labyrinthine streets of the Old Quarter, a maze of narrow alleys lined with colorful buildings, each specializing in unique trades and goods. Flower vendors adorn the streets as women in traditional clothing lines take photos of the scenery around them

South Africa brought about a new pace. The jewel of Africa, where the waves of the Atlantic Ocean meet a new wonder of the world, a growing city ready to be unveiled. The town, nestled at the southwestern tip of the African continent, is a breathtaking blend of natural wonders, rich history, and vibrant culture. Traveling through the vibrant V&A Waterfront, one will feel the breeze carried off from the sea with the wonderful smells of food all around. This bustling harbor precinct is not only a shopper's paradise but also a gateway to Robben Island, a poignant reminder of South Africa's history. The vibrant houses and cobblestone streets make for a photographer's dream as anyone can walk through the city's history at the District Six Museum, a poignant tribute to a community forcibly displaced during apartheid. A beautiful and complex place still learning how to heal.


Finally, the vibrancy of Buenos Aires, Argentina brings you to a new home you did not know about. The vibrant colors of La Boca, a neighborhood where art and culture collide. Stroll along Caminito, a street museum adorned with lively murals, street performers, and artisan markets. Don't forget to visit La Bombonera, the iconic stadium of Boca Juniors, a pilgrimage site for football enthusiasts. Make sure to not die when trying to get a glimpse of the Messiah himself, Messi. Please take a break in the many parks for merienda – a time to relax, drink yerba mate, and eat a sweet treat. Listen to the echoes of tango, the warmth of its people, and the timeless allure of a city where tradition and modernity seamlessly intertwine. Hasta luego, Buenos Aires – a place where every step is a dance, and every moment is a celebration of life. 

Embarking on a semester abroad in Vietnam, South Africa, and Argentina was a transformative odyssey that transcended academic boundaries. Immersed in the vibrant tapestry of Hanoi and the bustling heartbeat of Vietnam, I delved into the intricacies of health policy, social determinants, and cultural nuances. Transitioning to South Africa, the journey continued amid the kaleidoscope of Cape Town's landscapes, unraveling disparities and resilience in health systems. With its rhythmic tango, Buenos Aires unveiled the cultural dimensions of health. Outside classes, my peers and I took to late-night karaoke, academic nights, dancing the tango with strangers, motorbikes in Vietnam, and homestay after homestay – no words to describe the journey. I can only offer some blurbs about the places, knowing it does nothing to capture the whole sensation. 

- Kathlin Ai Chang