Thats a wrap everyone!

Heellooo, everyone. Janine Mabuti here. I just wanted to say that I have finished my first semester abroad in South Korea at Soonchunhyang University. Just thinking about this has made me sad and very emotional. The memories I have made, the people that I have met, and the lessons I have learned are something that I will keep with me forever. I have met people who have taken care of me while in Korea while also teaching me things and giving me advice. They are all part of the good times and bad times that I have encountered here in South Korea. I would not have wanted me semester any other way. Soonchunhyang University has treated me very kindly and I am glad that I chose this school to study abroad too. I was an emotional wreck the last few weeks because I did not want to leave Korea and my friends. But sadly, all good things must come to an end. However, the friendships that I have created here in Korea is something that will last a long time. I have made plans to visit the people I met here in Korea in their home countries in the near future. So instead of saying goodbye, we said see yah later. There's technology as well as other ways to keep in touch. Just wanted to thank the school and the people that I met here for making my time here in Korea, one that I'll always remember and treasure.

Fiesta, siesta, ¡VAMOS ESPAÑA!

When I finished my semester in Brussels, I was so in love with Europe, I was not ready to go home. Instead, I decided to find a job as an Au Pair. As an Au Pair, I lived with a family, in exchange for watching their children and teaching them english. It was an absolutely amazing way to get to see inside a culture. I lived with two families for a month and a half each. One family lived in Guadalajara, a gorgeous small traditional Spanish town, and the other family lived in the bustling capital city of Madrid. 

If natural scenery and tradition are your go-to scene, then Guadalajara is the place to be. When I arrived in early June, I had never seen so many flowers in my life. Rolling fields of lowers crawled up their mountains and hills. Most homes had balconies, all which grew their own flowers. Farms surrounded the town, blossoming with fields of wheat that danced in the wind. Not many people in the town spoke english, so I would advocate for having a little bit of Spanish language skills before visiting, but honestly it was my absolute favorite place in Spain. If you’ve seen the movie the Gladiator, you would remember the beautiful and ideal Spanish farm where Russel Crowe’s character lived—Yeah, it really looks just like that. The food is the best food I had in Europe as well. No one cooked paella as well as the merchants in that town. A gypsy market takes place on Thursdays and Sundays, and here you can find anything from rare homemade candy and cheeses to knock-off Adidas. A laid back environment always surrounded the town. Some of the best landmarks though include a central summer palace, including its own maze and unique architecture. A Duchess’ Grand Tomb lays behind a massive and scenic park. Churches and old city walls dating back centuries buzz with the locals, as they are still used. 

Madrid marks a completely different way of life. A busy and urban environment, Madrid’s streets sprawl with confusing patterns and intricate neighborhood layouts. In the center of Madrid lies countless museums and restaurants, all of which are worth visiting. My personal favorite was the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. It’s the best contemporary art museum I’ve seen. The trip to Madrid alone is worth it just for the Reina Sofía. The Retiro Park marks the almost equal second place attraction for Madrid. It has fantastic rose gardens, a glass palace, a giant lake in the middle you can take a peddle boat across, and even an open-air book market! Seriously, this park is like something from a dream. For the nightlife, Madrid de-liv-ers! La Kapital is the chief club around—it is in an old grand theatre, and has 6 floors of balcony, as well as reggaeton and techno! For the bars, the thing to do is tapa hopping in the Latin Quarter. While Belgium seems to maintain a strict “no eating” bar policy, Spain offers the exact opposite. In tapa hopping, the technique is simple. You go to a bar with your friends. The size of the group does not matter, but the more the merrier, right? You order the bar’s specialty “tapas”, or small appetizers, and a beer. You finish this, and move on to the next one. Repeat these steps until its the early morning hours. In Spain, this social event is so culturally ingrained and accepted, it’s not uncommon to see parents bring their children, or even their babies (I mean a literal infant here) with them. 

Another interesting cultural observation about the Spanish is how much of night owls these people are. I would walk around Guadalajara at midnight, and I would see young small children playing alone in parks, or kicking balls down the street, as if it was noon on a Sunday. My families in Spain both usually ate dinner around 9 or 10 pm, with lunch being around 2-3 pm. 

Some foods to try in Spain: Paella, churros with melted chocolate (or rolled into sugar if you’re soul-less enough to not like chocolate) and jamon!!! Jamon is their specialty ham. I mean honestly comparing it to “ham” is a gross understatement. It’s a gourmet art, and a reputable piece can cost thousands for a single leg. As for a drink, I would recommend a Tinto Verano! It’s a red wine mixed with a lemon Fanta or tonic water, and its popularity peaks in the summer. 

Some places you must visit that are close to Madrid include Toledo and Alcalá de Henares. Toledo, known as the "Imperial City",is an ancient city and was the main home to Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire. It is extremely impressive! Honestly, I was more amazed by Toledo than by any other city in Europe. The ancient city lies on a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain, and has the three influences of mArab, Jewish and Christian cultures. It was also the home of painter El Greco, and contains and impressive museum dedicated to him. Alcalá de Henares is another ancient and picturesque city in central Spain, right between Madrid and Guadalajara. Alcalá de Henares features the  University of Alcalá, an esteemed Spanish University placed in a decadent 16th Century Palace-like structure, and is the home of Miguel de Cervantes, the writer of Don Quixote. Every year, the Spanish king travels here to give out the Cervantes literary prize. Also, fun fact,  Alcalá de Henares has storks EVERYWHERE! if you look at the tops of any tall building, you are sure to see giant stork nest and those humongous birds flying between buildings. 

The main center of  Alcalá de Henares

Plaza Major, Spain. The center square of the city 

 The beautiful natural landscape of Guadalajara. I travelled a little outside the city, but this is a hiking path up a mountain that overlooks the flower fields, landscape, and the town. It's very popular with the locals for biking or family walks.

 The interior of Toledo. It's jaw-dropping how beautiful it is. A full day must be spent just soaking in the sights of such a splendid city! The trip to Spain was worth it alone just for getting to see Toledo.

The Student's Guide to Paris, Brugges, and Ghent

One of the most universally appreciated aspects of Brussels is its central location in regards to major European cities--Paris takes about a 4 hour bus ride, Amsterdam is a 2 hour drive (You're going to want to rent a Blabla car for this), and Ghent and Brugges are about an hour by train away. 

Travel Trips for Paris—BRING YOUR STUDENT ID. I repeat, you must have your student ID! This will give you discounts from everything ranging from your metro card to museums, and even the occasional bar and restaurant. Paris is one of the most fun and beautiful cities in the world. For the nightlife, Parisian nightclubs are absolutely amazing.  L’arc has a strict “dress to impress” code, with a luxurious interior design. Flaming champagne, celebrity appearances, and trend-setting fashion marks a regular L’arc night. If you’re looking for something more casual, I would recommend the Latin Quarter or the Bastille. Both areas have a range of  bars ranging from cozy and casual to upscale and artistic. I don’t think I need to mention how amazing the food is, right? It simply goes without saying. The only advice I can offer though is to avoid eating in restaurants around major tourists spots. They’re expensive and usually have lower quality food. Now for the beauty of the city, once again that simply goes without saying. The museums, landmarks--no need for me to tell you any of that. 

Instead what I’ll do is recommend fun ways to experience the city that are not in the typical guide book! The Eiffel Tower has sweeping parks on either side, which is perfect for a picnic! It sparkles at night, every hour on the hour, so I recommend getting your friends and having a picnic on the park while watching it glitter in the dark sky. Make sure to bring a bottle of wine or rose! The same goes for the bank of the Seine River, next to the Notre Dame. Picnics here are common for the local Parisian, just make sure to bring a blanket unless you want to sit on the dirty, rocky sidewalk. The Champs-Élysée's daytime beauty and cultural importance finds itself dully noted in most tour books and maps, but I recommend going at night! Here, you see the oddest things! Many bachelor parties come stumbling down the street in odd-costumes, and the most eclectic pedestrians file down the avenue. The Sacré-Cœur is an absolute must-do, but do not take the main street leading up to it from the metro—its a tourist trap! This street is full of nothing but tacky tourist shops, selling poor quality goods and souvenirs. Instead, stroll the long way, taking the side streets. Here, you’ll find swanky boutiques and top-tier restaurants most tourists will never know exists! Another important note--do not underestimate the Louvre! A couple hours is not enough, it is a full time activity. Also, fun fact, your student ID will get you into the Louvre for free! 

The cities of Brugges and Liege are amazing as well. Both are Flemish Belgian cities north of Brussels. They both boast unbelievably beautiful gothic architecture, and they have amazing boat tours that weave through dynamic waterways. Brugges is known as the “Venice of Belgium” (which I personally feel is a bit excessive). The train tickets to these magical and unique cities are both under 15 euros and so close to Brussels, it would definitely be in your best interest to go! Brugges is perfect for a small, fairytale like town. The food I had here is  the best I had while in Belgium. Brugges boasts cathedrals, Belfries, and Medieval-themed museums--definitely a place to go if you're interested in the Medieval ages or religion. Brugges neighbors Oostend, a weird beach town. Feel free to skip this place--the beach is dismal, the residents are elderly and snooty, and the casino is nothing special. Ghent on the other hand is a trendy, youthful and large city. Here, the past meets the cutting-edge present. Fantastic light festivals, social events, and famous bars line the streets. Also, Ghent has a castle that was taken over by students in the 1940s to protest a tax on beer—an event they commemorate every year to this day. If that’s not cultural enough for you, I don’t know what is.

A nice picnic in Paris, including wine! Street venders will walk around selling wine, but I recommend bringing your own with you from a market. 

The homes in the center of Brugges. 

The Castle of Ghent. Nice cafes and boutiques surround it. Ghent hosts many universities,  so the populace is young and trendy. 

The land of chocolate, fries, beer, art, and culture--Brussels!

If you’re thinking of studying abroad in Europe, I strongly encourage you to stop in Brussels at least once during your stay. A unique and peculiar city, Brussels is the capital of not just Belgium, but of the European Union as well. Interesting fact, Brussels has two official languages—Flemish and French. Due to the cosmopolitan nature of the city however, most people can easily speak English, and there are plenty of signs and menus that have english as an option. 

One of the best aspects of Brussels is the beer and the food. Belgian beer is globally renowned, and for a good reason—it is their pride and joy, and they take the brewing process seriously. Whether you’re a “beer-person” or not, they have a beer for everyone. Bars even serve beers with the beer’s own branded glass! IF you try to steal these beautiful and exclusive glasses, prepare for a very angry confrontation by the bar staff! It is definitely easier to just buy them from a gift shop, or online. A Chimay tripel beer or La Trappe is great for those who prefer a heavier, more traditional style beer. For blonde lovers, Pilsner and Duvel are the easiest options. Personally, I recommend a Kasteel Rouge—at 8% it packs a punch, yet it is one of the best tasting, smoothest beers I’ve ever had. Seriously, its subtle cherry tones makes it taste more like a juice soda rather than a real beer. As for the food, it’s hard to go wrong here. Quality croissants are cheap and everywhere, as well as sandwiches. For other options, Mussels served in a wine base, fries (which originated in Belgium, NOT FRANCE) and the many many chocolates are the way to go. Also, whatever you do, you should make it your mission to eat croquettes des crevettes (shrimp croquettes), you will not be disappointed. Oh, and of course the Belgian waffles! You can get a plethora of toppings—whipped creme, hot chocolate, strawberries, cinnamon etc!

A quick comment on the social scene—bars are the pinnacle of all adult gatherings. After work, coworkers meet at bars. After class, classmates gather at bars. Even universities host their parties at bars. In sum, you will learn to embrace and even love the Belgian bar culture! Just remember—they don’t serve food, so make sure you eat a few croquettes des crevettes on the metro ride over. 

Some things to see—that’s a hard list to narrow. The entire city is beautiful. In the center of the city lies the main tourist attraction—Grand Place. Traditional gothic architecture, trendy restaurant and bars, midieval churches, and authentic shops contribute to the fun aurora the area exudes. In the summer, a magnificent “flower carpet” lies in the center of the city. Flowers are organized into breathtaking patterns and swirls. In winter, light festivals occur here. Brussels used to be the front-runner of art nouveau, and so many exceptional models of this classic an beloved architectural style remain, that every weekend there are free walking tours showing some of the most splendid and refined homes in the style. Neoclassical marvels constitute Brussels as well. The Royal Palace, the Justice Palace, and the Cinquantenaire make up beautiful and important Belgian landmarks. If you’re a feature lover, do not fear. Perfectly-manicured flowers and bushes line the Jardin du Monts des Arts, which leads to the Grand Place. 

As for museums, any art fan must visit the Magritte Museum, dedicated to the outstanding works of Belgian surrealist artist, René Magritte.  Several museums are located around the Parc du Cinquantenaire, including the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History and the Art & History Museum. However, the museums I would recommend are the Museum of the City of Brussels, located in one of the most beautiful and ornament buildings in the Grand-Place, and the Royal Museum for Central Africa, which takes an uncompromising look at the brutality of the Belgian King Leopard II's brutal colonization and exploitation over the Congo. 

A Waffle shop near the Grand Place. Popular toppings include bananas, chocolate, strawberries, and creme! I recommend these warm and sugary foods in the cold winter--They not only fill you up, but also keep your hands warm!

The Grand Place and its decadent architecture lights up at night! During the day, you can see the beautiful gold accents and regal color schemes. The surrounding area is the heart of Brussels city.

The ABSOLUTE BEST BEER in Belgium! Strong (8%), sweet (it taste like a bold cherry soda rather than a traditional beer), and cheap (its usually under 4 euro a bottle), you should try it if you see it! 

Holidays Abroad in South Korea

How was your thanksgiving this year?

I wanted to tell you some of the holiday plans I made this year. Last year, I went
to Seoul Fireworks Festival, bungee jumping, Jinju Lantern Festival, and
sightseeing in Gyeongju [Read more about it in my very first blog post here]. This
year was time to experience the traditions in a Korean Family's home. Before we
continue, check out the amazing view of me hiking in Korea for the first time!

Korean Thanksgiving (Chuseok - 추석) Tradition
This year chuseok is about 5 days compared to 10 days last year. Fortunately, my
Korean friend invited me over to his home to experience “REAL” Korean
Thanksgiving tradition. I took a train to Ansan about 1.5 hours away from my dormitory.
I prepared some gifts as it is customary to show your appreciation when you are invited
to someone’s home. I had Hawaiian coffee and some Filipino mochi I bought at a nearby
market. When I arrived, I was surprised to meet the my friends family and relatives. I met
his parents last year before Christmas, but it was first to see his dad side. His cousins
had some good English and I enjoyed eating with them and we sang at a noraebang
(Karaoke room) after.

When I woke up, there was a strong aroma of food being cooked and prepared. The
family and relatives were setting up the table and the men were dressed in tuxedos. But the
women and the younger girls were just on the side watching. The men take turns
honoring the ancestors by pouring drinks and serving rice to specific ancestors.
Then at each turn, everyone, including myself, bowed down to the ground twice.
Each food and drink placement is important on the table on this ancestral right - 차례.

Also, the mother of the household insisted I take a lot of pictures and videos since

it is my first Korean Thanksgiving, so it was fine to document this experience.
However, I was wearing only a polo shirt and pants and wished I brought a
more formal outfit.

After honoring the ancestors, they cleaned up the area and separated the tables in
the living room. Everyone sat down together and we ate the food we prayed over. We
got to enjoy some soups, fruits, vegetables, fish, and other entrees. Not many
Korean families celebrate this holiday tradition with the formal ancestral rights. In this
picture there is a rice wine (백세주) in a silver cup that is said when you drink it you
will live for a 100 years.

Family Outing

After the ceremony, they allowed me to nap because I was exhausted from the
school’s midterm exams coming up. They took me to a popular shrimp place
where they cooked it fresh and serve it fried as well. Then you can get a
knife cut noodles with seafood. All foods that I had from their house to nearby
cities was amazing.

Finally we ended the trip with going to the nearby sea. This place had a nice
boardwalk where you get to see the ocean and the landscape. They also got
some snacks to feed the sea birds, which was a interesting experience but
you should not always do this hahaha. I am very thankful for their hospitality.  
A few days later I went off to Jeju, so checkout my next blog post!

x

Taxi Driver Story Time

While study abroad leaves you with a strengthened resume, amazing stories to tell your friends, and a poppin’ Instagram profile, my favorite part of my summer in Amman, Jordan was the incredible people I met. My host family felt like real family by the end of my stay, the other students in my class will be my lifelong friends, and internship supervisor became one of my greatest role models. However, one of my favorite impressions that was made on me was by a conversation I had with one of my taxi drivers.

On the way to my internship one morning, my taxi driver mentioned to me that he was of Palestinian origin. As an International Relations student, who has studied the Palestinian-Israeli crisis for years, I was extremely interested in what this man had to say about the crisis. Research and class lectures can not compare to being able to hear a point of view from someone who has actually experienced the hardships caused by the tragedy.

He knew that I was American, and the US has played a negative role in the crisis (in my opinion), he in no way had any sort of hostile attitude towards me. He even wanted me to come to his house to meet his family and teach his daughters English. At the end of the ride, he offered me some of the cake he was eating.

I will always remember this experience because it demonstrated to me that the people who have faced extreme adversity in life always have the most kindness to give. It also reminded me of lack of open-mindedness I sometimes feel in America. He never judged me for being an American or seemed to have any bias against me, which might not be the same case had the roles been reversed, and he was Palestinian student in an American taxi.

Communication Through a Language Barrier

While I was in Amman, Jordan I lived with a host family. I had a host mom, host dad, three host brothers, and a host sister. My host brother who was in the middle age-wise, host sister, and host dad all spoke English, whereas my eldest host brother and host mom only spoke Arabic. Going into this study abroad, the host family experience was one I was most excited about. However, making a connection with my host mom and eldest host brother was difficult, at first. If you are planning on studying abroad in a country whose primary language is different than your own, even if not required by your academic program, I recommend learning as much of the host country’s language as possible. Not only is this a sign of respect, but it also allows you to connect with the people you meet on a different level. Unfortunately, I did not put a lot of effort into learning Arabic before my trip and was subsequently unable to communicate very well with my host mom and eldest host brother. However, overtime, I learned ways to communicate and connect with them without using language. My favorite example of this is one night my host sister and older two host brothers were out with friends, my host dad was working, and my youngest host brother (3 months old) was asleep. My host mom knew enough English to tell me she was bored. While it would have been impossible for us to have a conversation, I decided to try to teach her how to play a few different card games. She understands English numbers because all of the phones in Jordan use English numbers, so through a few times of me demonstrating how to play and through trial and error, her and I were able to have an entire night of just card games. In the end, she beat me almost every time and we had a great night together just playing cards and laughing without even having to talk.

Meaningful Internship Experience

While I was in Amman, Jordan I interned for a NGO called Sisterhood is Global Institute Jordan (SIGI - JO). During this internship, I was assigned free range to develop my own project to benefit the organization. Given these guidelines, I created a curriculum based on Self-Empowerment and Protection to be taught in sessions to adolescent women at SIGI-JO’s clinic for Syrian and Palestinian refugees and underprivileged Jordanians. Working with a language barrier in a culture very different from my own, provided invaluable lessons in communication, understanding, and empathy.

Throughout my undergraduate career in International Relations, I learned a great deal about the Syrian refugee crisis and the Israeli-Palestinian issue. I knew about the effects both of these tragedies had on the people who experienced them. However, spending time with this group of girls made me realize just how disconnected from all these issues I actually am. I was in Amman to try and make a difference and help those affected by the refugee crisis, but the hardest part for me was that in six short weeks I would be flying back to the United States where, as a woman, I am free to pursue pretty much anything I want. The girls I was working with did not have this same option. While they were very grateful for the lessons in the clinic my colleagues and I provided for them, no amount of physical self-defense, goal setting, and information on the importance of education could change the fact that some of them would still become subject to unwanted arranged marriages, prohibited by their families from attending college, and unable to return to their homes in Syria or Palestine due to ongoing conflict. This made me realize how separated I really am from the issues I study. It made me realize that if I want to go into the field of humanitarian action, I must be able to use my emotions to help beneficiaries of humanitarian aid and not to overtake me. While it was a very heart wrenching and sometimes devastating experience, it made me realize reality. As this was one of the most difficult realizations of my life, it confirmed my plan to work in humanitarian action following my graduation. Before this trip, I had a few ideas of what I might want to use my degree for, but I was never sure. This experience ultimately confirmed my future goals. Though it is an experience that will always weigh heavy on my heart, I am so grateful for it.

How to Climb Mt. Fuji

Hey guys! Today I'm going to give everyone a quick rundown on how to climb Mt. Fuji.

Mt. Fuji (The largest standing Mountain in Japan) is only open during the summer months since most of the year the Mountain has snow covering the summit. The most popular way to climb the Trail is the Yoshida Trail starting at the 5th Station, you can take a bus from Fujikawaguchiko (富士河口湖) to the 5th Station where you can climb to the Summit within a day. Although this way is popular, another way (and the way that I would recommend) is starting from the shrine where people who did the pilgrimage thousands of years ago started. Sengen Shrine (浅間神社) is the name of this shrine. From there it is about a 20 mile hike to the summit. this took me about 8 hours.

Since I went during the first weekend of the Climbing season, weather on the mountain changed about every 5-10 minutes the higher I got. One moment it was raining and the next it would be snowing, then it would be clear! By the time I hit the summit (頂上) it was -1C (about 27F). The reason I chose to do the long pilgrimage was to challenge my endurance and to say I climbed the entirety of Mt. Fuji.


WHEN YOU CLIMB FOLLOW THE 3 POINT RULE!!!!!! This rule means always have 3 points of contact on the mountain at all times! Mt. Fuji is a very steep and dangerous mountain if you are not careful. There are parts of the mountain where you have to climb over rocks! make sure you come equipped with gear that has good grip so you don't slip!

Another big thing when it comes to climbing the mountain is making sure you have enough food and water. Pack enough food as if you are going for multiple days as you do burn energy up quickly and each station's food can be quite expensive.

The last thing I wanted to quickly cover was about one thing that is a must do when Climbing Mt. Fuji, to watch sunrise! I climbed in the dark overnight to make it to the top of the Mountain in order to be able to watch sunrise from the top!

If you plan on Climbing Mt. Fuji while in Japan here's a small list of things you can refer to when packing to go:
-Multiple days worth of food and Water
-Warm Change of clothes
-Heavy snow gear (It is freezing up top with the windchill!)

-Camera (It's an unreal view up at the top)
-a Cool Change of clothes (for when you go back to the bottom because it can be upwards of 40C (100F) in Japan during the summer!
 -Good Grip Shoes
-Flashlights (For nighttime hiking)

Photo post!

5 of my favorite things to do in Barcelona, Spain 

1. Bunkers del Carmel 

Most beautiful spot in Barcelona and by far my favorite. The bunkers look over the whole city of Barcelona and is amazing for pictures. You can either do a 40 min hike up to the bunkers or take the city bus that takes you right to the top. This place is perfect to go at sunset and have a little picnic while looking at breath taking views. Me and my friends went about 4 times on the trip!!

2. Gothic Quarter 

 Walk around this old historic area and you will fall in love.  This area is one of the oldest in Barcelona and has so much beautiful architecture. My friends and I wondered around the narrow street for hours. Its also a great place to take pictures.

3. La Boqueria

This is the cutest little market in Barcelona. You can find fruit, juice, fruit, meat, fruit, ice cream, and more fruit. Everything is super cheap in this market and the juice and fruit is the best. Make sure to bring cash because most of the venders only allow cash. My friends and I often went here to get some cheap fresh food and then went shopping!

4. Sagrada Familia 

This famous church is most likely one of the most beautiful churches you will ever see in your life. The famous architecture Gaudí designed the church starting in 1882 and it is still not finished. They say it will be done in 2026, the 100^th year anniversary.  The church has so much detail that everywhere you look you see something new. I walked past the church while going to school and I was in awe every time. 

5. Montjuic Castle  

Montjuic castle is located at the top of Montjuic mountain. My mom and I took a cable car to get here and with your study abroad student ID you can see the castle for a discounted price. Here you can learn all types of history and also see amazing views of the city.