Introducing Foreign Correspondent, Jessica Peck

Jessica Peck is a sophomore majoring in Communication Sciences & Disorders. She traveling in Moscow, Russia for the next 10 weeks.

The cloud of excitement is starting to set in! In less than two weeks, I’ll be in Moscow, Russia and I couldn’t be happier. As each day passes, the knowledge that the adventure that I’ve been dreaming about for nearly three years is solidifying into reality.

Why Russia? I’ve had an unexplainable passion for the culture and language for the last few years and this opportunity to study there will help me gain a greater command of the Russian language while letting me experience the country with my own eyes. Finally, I’ll have a chance to improve my language and an opportunity to understand the way of life. I’ll be gone for ten weeks, completely immersed in Russian life and my first time studying abroad.

As I’m writing this I have to admit that a strong gust of nervousness has just hit me. Whenever I think seriously of getting on the plane and leaving my family and friends behind, my nerves get the better of me and squeeze my heart a little bit. The only thing that I’m truly scared about is the feelings of homesickness and displacement and the possibility of feeling isolated when I get there. However, the thoughts of the adventures and experiences about which I will be able to proclaim that, “I lived it!” quickly push those bad feelings aside. St. Petersburg, Red Square, and the Kremlin here I come!

I can’t wait to be engulfed in the history, the current events, the mannerisms, the beliefs! I want to learn how to live like a Russian and think like a Russian. I yearn to discover what makes Americans different and why we think we are so dissimilar and what makes Russia a difficult country to understand? I’m ready to learn, to comprehend and to appreciate. I’m looking forward to meeting my new host family and creating new friendships and most of all I’m excited for the uncertainty, for not knowing what to expect.

For now, my worries and questions consist of preparation and wonder: what gifts to get for my host family? What are they like? Is it possible to find a stylish anti-theft/travel purse? Will it be hard to make friends? Do Russians really drink that much? Will I pick up a better Russian accent? I hope the food agrees with me. Will I look like an American? How many socks should I bring? And most of all… I hope I don’t forget anything.

Two continents, three countries, and 14 cities later

Lindsay Kearns is a junior studying Spanish with a business minor.  She is also planning on receiving her Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate before graduating next Spring. During Winter Quarter, she is studying abroad in Toledo, Spain.

Although ten weeks is a relatively short period of time to be abroad, my
knowledge of the different cultures, traditions, and perceptions of the world has
increased immensely. Not only have I learned about the ways of others, but I have learned a lot about myself. During my time studying in Spain, I have traveled a majority of the weekends within Spain, within Europe, and even to Africa. Here are some of the most important things I have learned.

1. Traveling does not always have to be expensive.
Due to the increasing popularity of traveling and social networking, the cost
of traveling can easily be reduced if you look in the right places. Instead of
opting for five star hotels, look up hostels. I spent 4 nights in Marrakech,
Morocco and spent 10 euro/ night. A new trend is couch-surfing which
involves crashing on a locals couch for a low fee. This new form of traveling
has evolved to create a cheap connection between travelers around the
world. In reality, a bed is a bed no matter the price and as long as you have a
roof over your head, you should take the opportunity to travel.

2. The internet is present almost everywhere.
It surprised me that in every city I have traveled to, it is easy to spot
restaurants, cafes, or hotels that advertise wifi. Even while hiking through
the Atlas mountains I saw signs for wifi. Although it can be comforting to feel
connected to the world, I think this goes to show how small the world really
can be.

3.It is easy to meet people if you try.
All it takes is a smile and the exchange of a few small words to make a new
friend. Whether this occurs in a hostel, or while taking a walk through the
town is up to you. I have become familiar with several locals during my stay
here and have found comfort in getting to know them. I traveled to Italy in
the summer of 2011 and met up with a friend I met when I returned this
winter. Making foreign friends is a unique experience, and maintaining
contact with them proves beneficial while traveling.

4. Any attempt to speak the local language is appreciated.
Although your pronunciation might be butchered, the locals will
acknowledge your attempt to try. Looking up key phrases such as please,
thank you, hello and good-bye can go a long way while traveling. It will also
show that you realize that English is not everyone’s first language.

5. Traveling abroad changes the perception of where you come from.
I have compared many traditions and customs that I have been shown on my
travels with those back home and have realized that what I am familiar with
is not always superior. For example, people were hesitant about eating later,
as they do in Spain. However, it makes sense with their schedule and goes to
show that eating on American time is not always the best option.

6. People generally have good intentions.
I feel that one of the main reasons people decide not to travel is because they
are afraid of cultural differences and of the people abroad. Not everyone
in the world is a theif, kidnapper or killer. Most foreigners have more in
common with Americans than we think. At the end of the day, they have to
make a living and provide for a family just as we do, and they will try to help
others along the way. You will encounter genuinely nice and helpful people
wherever you travel.

7. College is the perfect time to travel.
Ohio University offers a variety of study abroad options. You can travel based
on the time of year, the destination, or your major. The classes can be flexible
and can easily fit into almost every schedule. Traveling while you are young
allows you to participate in almost every adventure. You can endure long
days of walking, hiking, or horse riding. You are young enough to handle
staying out until sunrise with the locals. Traveling while you are young gives
you a great deal of independence and allows you to mature and take on new
responsibilities. You can also explore the world and still have time to revisit
your favorite places. The only way to know what the world is all about is to
travel it. Make foreign friends. Embrace different cultures. Accept different
customs.

Tips for Weekend Travels

Lindsay Kearns is a junior studying Spanish with a business minor.  She is also planning on receiving her Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate before graduating next Spring. During Winter Quarter, she is studying abroad in Toledo, Spain.

Here are some tips for weekend travels that I learned while studying abroad:

1. Pack your own towel. Although most hostels will have towels, you often have to pay for them. One weekend our hostel ran out of towels so it is always a great idea to pack your own.
2. Bring a journal to write in. Weekend travels are often the times when most inside jokes start. Journals are also useful to give ratings to hostels/museums/restaurants and to write down little things you are likely to forget.
3. Always have enough Euros for transportation BEFORE you travel. It is possible that you will not have the chance to withdrawal money when you are traveling. It is essential that you have enough money to pay for housing, meals, and transportation. It is also smart to bring either your debit or credit card with you while traveling in case something happens to your Euros.
4. Bring medicines with you on weekend trips. You are probably going to sleep less on the weekends than you do during the week, thus weakening your immune system. A majority of students were the most sick while traveling. Ibuprofen, emergen-c, Sudafed, and Pepto bismol proved to be huge helps while adjusting to weekend travels.
5. Don’t over pack. Several times students, especially girls, had to end up checking their bags because they were over the limit for carry-on luggage. You can always swap clothes with other people who are traveling.
6. Remember the 3 oz limit while flying. You can also only have 1 quart size bag of liquids. It is also helpful to put anything that can leak, such as nail polish, make up, and toothpaste, in their own small bags so they do not ruin other products.
7. Purchase luggage locks before you travel. If you stay in a hostel, the cheapest route is usually sharing a room between many people. It is a good idea to lock up your valuables in the room in the hostel. Although your “dormmates” usually appear friendly, it is better to take the extra precaution and protect your valuables.
8.  Check to make sure you have your passport, wallet, camera, and ticket before leaving, and before getting on and off the bus/train/plane. Several times students almost forgot to bring their passport or almost left their camera on the bus. It is well worth it to take a few extra seconds to check your seats and the floor to make sure you have everything rather than spending several hundred Euros to replace a lost item.
9. Be aware of your surroundings. When arriving in a new city, it is easy to get caught up in the moment. However, make sure to keep an eye on your belongings and the people around you.
10. When purchasing tickets for flights, buses or trains, triple check the dates. You may feel certain that you purchased the correct ticket, however the dates can change when the ticket is being processed. This happened in our group, which resulted in a 145 Euro fee for the correct flight home.
11. Use Google or map quest to search directions to your hostel before arriving. It will save you the time of wandering around trying to figure out which way to go.
12. To make the most of your weekend, make a list of the things you would most enjoy doing before you leave. That way, you can figure out the best times to visit each site.

Transitioning to a New Life

Lindsay Kearns is a junior studying Spanish with a business minor.  She is also planning on receiving her Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate before graduating next Spring. During Winter Quarter, she is studying abroad in Toledo, Spain.

Being able to experience a foreign culture first-hand is a unique adventure. It is perhaps the best way to observe and understand the differences between people of the world. Before arriving in Toledo, Spain, we were briefed on what to expect not only by living in a foreign country, but also on the cultural differences inside the home.

Our director provided lesser-known habits including the fact that shoes are always to be worn while inside the house. Most of us laughed and thought “our mothers would never allow us to walk on our carpet with shoes on.” In Spain, a few of my classmates forgot this little custom and said their host parents looked at them in shock. I’m not sure if there is a specific reason for this, and as with any customs, not all families enforce wearing shoes inside.

One difference that is commonly known is that meals are often eaten later here than in the United States. Lunch is generally the largest meal of the day and consists of several courses followed by desserts and coffee or tea. In my house, we always eat lunch at 2:00 p.m. and even this is considered early. Typically lunch is served between 2-3:30 p.m. and lasts longer than meals in the States. Dinner is served anywhere between 8-11:00p.m.  and the portions are smaller than those eaten at lunch. In Spain, eating late has not always been the norm. Meals started to be consumed later in the 1930’s because of the war. Although this tradition has stuck through many decades, not all Spanish families still follow it.

Perhaps the oldest and most known cultural difference between the two countries is tapas. Tapas are small portions of food that are served at many restaurants and bars. The most common tapas include various assortments of cheese, ham, bread, olives and patatas bravas (a potato dish similar to French fries). Tapas are often free when ordering alcoholic beverages. The purpose for this is to combat getting drunk too quickly. A law was actually passed stating that alcohol could not be served unless tapas were served with them, thus aiming to prevent alcohol related problems such as fights.

Study Abroad 101: The art of going with the flow by Heather Farr

I packed a lot of unnecessary things for my trip to Zambia. Fanny pack? Not sure how I talked myself into that one (probably because it was pink…) FOUR books? Admirable, but when planes rock you to sleep like a baby, four books will only help you out if you use them as a footstool. One thing I wholeheartedly believe you cannot go abroad without, however, is an open mind. If you can’t roll with the punches, you will leave the country with more regrets than useless souvenirs.

 I’m no expert on how to keep your cool, but my time in Zambia has solidified some ideas I’ve had about the art of going with the flow while abroad. 

1. Check your expectations at the door

If I’ve learned anything from studying abroad, it is that you can unconsciously write things into another country’s culture. Example: before coming to Africa, I assumed that every bug on the continent was big enough to eat me alive. With that in mind, I saw bugs everywhere I went the first few days of the trip. Why? Because I was looking for them. In reality, Africa’s insect life is likely no more active than that of Ohio in the summer, but I expected bug armies, so bug armies is what I got.

 Good or bad, previously held expectations or assumptions only get in the way of the ability to see an accurate picture of a country. Don’t dwell on previous descriptions or stories of your destination abroad, make your own.

2. Be a yes man

 When traveling abroad, I like to challenge myself by answering “why not?” to almost every challenge. Unless you honestly believe that the answer to “why not?” in a particular situation is “I will die,” go for it. If I said no every time I felt a wee bit uneasy about something, I wouldn’t be able to say that I’ve snorkeled in the South China Sea in Vietnam or ate a caterpillar and jumped off one of the world’s largest bungee jumps in between Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Zambia, the “yes” attitude left me with no regrets (and no naps) and plenty of memories I wouldn’t trade for the world.

3. Being particular is a luxury

I understand having preferences, especially when it comes to food. My dad shakes his head every time I order at a restaurant and ask for a number four, hold this, add that, light on this. If I have choices, I am going to ask for what I want, but this really is a luxury. In another country, not only might a communication barrier deter you from getting something just as you like it, but also, other options may not be available.

 

We visited a compound last week where widows and orphans of AIDS victims go to learn profit-producing skills and seek shelter. Once a day, the compound provides the group with a meal of nshima (a corn meal compound) and a mixture similar to canned chicken. With this is mind, a little mayo or a lumpy pillow doesn’t seem like such a tragedy.

4. If they can do it, so can you

When in Rome! No toilet paper in the bathroom? They get along just fine without it and so will you. Dipping your hands in a bowl of water after eating rather than using a napkin? Maybe not what you’re use to, but it gets the job done for them just fine. You visit another country to experience life different from your own. It is overwhelming at times, but I find comfort in knowing that the locals do [insert common foreign practice] frequently and live to tell the tale.

5. You’re not in Kansas anymore

The quicker you realize that your destination abroad is not, in fact, the United States, the better. It’s normal to compare aspects of another country to those of the US – it’s human nature to size things up based on what we’re use to – but don’t get caught up in the idea that other countries are doing everything the “wrong” way. Expect the unexpected and embrace it. I’m not saying you’ll come home and start using chopsticks, but you might just pick up a new habit, skill or favorite food.