Cambridge – Page 23 – Valpo Voyager

Category: Cambridge (page 23 of 26)

All posts from students studying abroad in Cambridge, England

Five Reasons to Study Abroad

1. Opportunities to travel: It’s not very often that you have a chance to travel as easily and as inexpensively as you do when studying abroad. Being in Cambridge, I’ve been able to explore much of Europe and with classes for the week ending by noon on Thursday, I was always guaranteed three and a half days every week to travel and visit places I might not otherwise would have had the opportunity to see. Our study abroad program even had designated weekends where we traveled as a group to parts of England with transportation and accommodation being paid for by the program.

Studying abroad allowed me to fulfill a childhood dream and visit Madrid

2. Experience a culture first-hand: In order to truly embrace a culture you have to immerse yourself in it over an extended period of time. A quick visit to see the sights and taste some new food should hardly be considered experiencing a new culture. There’s so much more to what appears on the outside. In order to truly appreciate a culture you have to learn about their values, perceptions, beliefs and differences from your own culture.

3. Learn about yourself: Studying and living in a country is without a doubt an incredible experience, but it is also a great way to learn new ideas and gain new perspectives about yourself and your own culture. I’ve experienced challenges during my four months abroad that have caused me to grow as a person and simultaneously expand my worldview. I’ve truly benefited from being able to view my own culture through the eyes of others.

4. Network and make new friends: When you live in one place for four months you are bound to make new friends and meet a wide variety of people. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet plenty of people during my travels around Europe and around Cambridge. Some were people I shared a brief conversation with while others were people I’m confident I’ll stay in touch with for many years to come. I’ve been able to learn a lot from the people I’ve come in contact with while studying abroad and through them and I’ve been able to learn a lot through every one of them.

5. Enhance employment opportunities: With the world becoming more and more globalized and more counties continually investing in the international market, having experience in a foreign country can only be a benefit in future careers. Studying abroad shows that you are willing to embrace challenges and handle diverse problems and new situations. Who knows, it might even be the difference between your resume and that of someone else who hasn’t taken up the opportunity to study abroad.

Thoughts on leaving Cambridge

December 11, 2010 / derekschnake / 0 Comments

It doesn’t feel like I’m leaving soon. I’ve been on so many trips and excursions this semester that some part of me feels like going home is just temporary—that I’ll be coming back to Cambridge soon. In this sense, Cambridge has really become my home. The streets, the pubs, and the people have all grown on me and I feel like I could stay here forever.

Going home will be nice, though. Seeing family and friends for the holidays will most likely revitalize some of my energy. Of course, I’ll most likely lose all that energy in the first week of classes at Valpo. I could make a list of all the things I will miss from Cambridge, but none of it will do justice. Each and every one of those things fit together like notes in a beautiful symphony. On their own, they’re just things; together they combine to make this brilliantly magical.

A Cambridge Mix

December 7, 2010 / derekschnake / 0 Comments

Here’s a playlist of songs I’ve come associate with Cambridge.

Sigh No More – Mumford and Sons

To the Beggin’ I will go – Old Blind Dogs

Little Lion Man – Mumford and Sons

God Save the Queen – Sex Pistols

Scotland Yet – Old Blind Dogs

We No Speak Americano – Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup

Dominos – The Big Pink

Fight – DJ Fresh

I’m a Lady (feat. Trouble Andrew) – Santigold

Click here to listen to them. Cheers!

To the End of One Chapter, and the Beginning of Another

December 7, 2010 / Julie Johnson / 2 Comments

In exactly one week from today, I will be on a plane bound for Chicago. As I type this, I’m really not sure how I’m supposed to feel at this moment. I guess you could classify the feeling as bittersweet. I am so excited and happy to see the family and friends that I have been missing over these past few months, but at the same time, am sad to leave this wonderful country and to no longer be living with the amazing people I’ve had the pleasure of sharing this experience.

C-86 at our first common meal!

Although it is hard for me to admit, I was absolutely terrified to leave the U.S.A and come to England. As I visited my friends back at Valpo during my last few days in the states, I was having more doubts than ever. Everyone was starting to enjoy their life on campus and get back into the swing of things, while I was about to have to start over in a new country. Could I really do this? Was it the right decision?

Mid-Semester, Before One of Our Nights Out.. What a Fun Group 🙂

The answer to this is yes, absolutely. I had heard it time and time again from everyone else that I knew that had studied abroad: “This will be the time of your life”, “Make the most of it”, and “Do everything you can in the time that you’re given.” I can’t even begin to explain how right they all were. It’s nice to know that I now will be one of those students telling other students to have the same experience, which is what I hope I have done throughout this blog.

Paris.. Definitely my favorite weekend of the trip!

Through this experience I have learned to take advantage of every opportunity life throws at you, no matter how challenging or different it may seem. I have learned to appreciate everything that I have at home in a way that I never knew before. I have learned that no matter where I go or what I do, I can get anything done, as long as I set my mind to it. Everything I have learned while I’ve been here has been completely invaluable, and I could really go on for forever about what this experience has taught me.

The next time I will be writing to you will be from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, in Valparaiso, Indiana. Just as in the first blog I wrote to you, my life will be completely different, but just as this experience has taught me, I will be able to graciously accept that change and readjust to my life at home.

From Strangers, to Friends, to Family.. I Love C-86!

Thank you to all of my readers this semester, it has been a pleasure sharing this wonderful experience with you!

Signing off from England,

Julie

Here’s to new things.

December 2, 2010 / derekschnake / 0 Comments

Snails. I ate them.

The idea to some seems rather repulsive, mostly because of the mental prejudice we have for gooey, slimy things. Escargot, as it turns out, tastes fantastic but has the texture and composition similar to calamari. Also on my list of new things I tried in Paris was bone marrow of lamb. It was salty and delicious.

As my semester wanes, the advice I have for new study abroad students is simple: Leave your presumptions at home. I urge you to throw yourself headfirst at things you’ve never tried. Skip the McDonalds and instead go to the local pub on the corner and get fish and chips. Ignore the Starbucks and instead opt for Auntie’s Tea Shop, a family owned cafe. Put back the bottle of Budweiser, and instead pour something from Samuel Smith’s Brewery, or Theakston’s Old Peculier Ale.

You may not like everything you try, but you’ll never know until you do.

Street Performance

November 28, 2010 / derekschnake / 0 Comments

I think I can say unequivocally that street performers in Europe are some of the best I’ve ever seen. Talented and dignified, they park themselves in a crowded spot and perform – not just for money, but genuinely for the thrill of an entertained audience.

Take, for example, a magician I came across in Edinburgh, Scotland. After disappearing acts, conjurations, and wise-crack jokes, he built the suspense for his finale. He had two members from the audience assemble him in a straightjacket, wrap him in chains, lock him tightly in four places. Once bound, he sprang up on a bench and made an eloquent plea, not for money, but for dignity.

He said, “If you are not satisfied with my performance, then the show is free.” Meanwhile, audience members looked puzzle, asking themselves by what authority were they being charged. He continued, “When I finish my finale, I will put my hat out.”

His voice sharply grew louder. “Do not,” He exclaimed, “give me your spare change. I am not a beggar and I need not your pity or charity. I left a lucrative profession to become an entertainer. So please, if anything, leave my with my dignity.”

I gave him a five-pound note.

Other performers I’ve come across have been dance troupes and chalk artists. Some were jazz musician like the following trio from Amsterdam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVyCgfLg9EA

… or clarinet-led Venetian group:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM7pQlyjZco

… or the string group in Madrid playing “Por una Cabeza”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VPiyhPLz6Y

… this violinist on the Paris subway

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTXvGrd6sTU

In all cases, these performances were spectacular.

Time to Give Thanks

November 25, 2010 / Julie Johnson / 1 Comment

I can’t believe it’s already Thanksgiving.

Last night, we had our Cambridge Thanksgiving dinner. There were 36 of us in total, and although the house was completely chaotic for the entire preparation and dinner, it was wonderful to be surrounded with all the love and warmth of the people around us.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

As I mentioned in my earlier Christmas post, I find that this year, I have taken so much more time to reflect on what I’m thankful for. As always, I am thankful for my family. This is the first holiday that I have had to spend without them, and as close-knit as my family is, it’s kind of hard. Even though we’re thousands of miles apart, I’m still thrilled that I will be able to call both sides of my family and be with them in spirit.

Of course, I am thankful for this trip. The opportunities that a semester abroad give you are truly countless. When I leave Cambridge this semester, I will take with me such a variety of cultural experiences that I really can’t get anywhere else. I also am incredibly thankful for everyone in my group, C-86. Over the past few months, we have grown from barely knowing one another to family. I couldn’t think of a better group of people that I would like to live, sleep, eat, and breathe with for four months.

As Oprah Winfrey once said, “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” Although it was a hard concept to understand as a child, Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessings, and this year, I know I’m counting mine 🙂

Truly Embracing a Culture

November 23, 2010 / Jeff Harbert / 0 Comments

Traveling is great, as is seeing all the extraordinary sites each city and each country has to offer, but in order to truly experience a culture, you really have to socialize with the people. I’ve found that the times spent conversing with locals are what really helped me get the most out of any trip I’ve made so far this semester. I may have been at awe at numerous sites I visited across Europe, but it was my conversations with various locals that helped me embrace the culture and ensure my travels were a memorable experience.

I remember being in Munich all the way back in September for my first visit to a country outside England. I had felt slightly overwhelmed at the notion of being in a foreign country and not knowing a single word of their language. Luckily I was with four of my friends from the Cambridge group, but I soon discovered there was not a whole lot to be apprehensive about if I accepted that sometimes things might go wrong and if I was willing to ask for help when I needed it. Without any clue of how to get around Munich, we approached the manager of our Bed and Breakfast. To our delight she gave us everything we needed: A map of the city, a train map and bus routes. Along with those items, she also gave us a friendly face to talk to when we needed it most. She was helpful and was willing to answer any questions we had about the city (which was a lot). I found the same to be true for most people I talked to that weekend and I really can’t count the number of people who I found myself conversing with over the weekend. Almost everyone was friendly and it was because of people like them that I was able to gain a greater understanding of German culture and be able to consider it a successful trip.

Hanging out with a group of Americans I met before a football match in London

The same has been true for every place I’ve visited. While at Gatwick Airport in London and waiting for a screen to announce which gate I needed to go to, I decided to strike up a conversation with a random man standing close by. As it turned out he was headed to Madrid on the same flight as me! Javier’s English was very limited, but I was still able to converse with my own limited knowledge of Spanish. Before even landing in Madrid I had learned so much about the city and received advice that only a local could possibly tell me. He even pulled out his iPhone and showed me how to use the Metro (subway) to get to every site I intended on seeing during my stay. When we landed he helped me buy train tickets and then gave me his number in case I needed any more help while I was in Madrid. Wow, what a huge help. It’s amazing how approaching a complete stranger can end up improving your visit so much.

To some this may not seem like important information, but in my opinion, it’s some of the best advice I can give anyone before they travel to a new place: Converse as often as you can with the locals. No matter where I went I found that my conversations with the local are what really helped me to not only appreciate but also learn the most about a city or country’s culture. It may be intimidating approaching strangers at times, but the truth is people in Europe are generally friendly almost anywhere you go. Of course you may meet a few people who aren’t, but it’s worth the risk when you bump into someone and are able to have a wonderful conversation with them about almost anything. Sometimes you have to remember that they are just as interested in your own culture as you might be in theirs!

Seeing all the beautiful sites and exploring the city is great, but in order to really get a feel for the place you really do have to talk with the people who actually live there. As strange as it may sound, some of my best memories are all the conversations I’ve had with strangers in the various places I visited across England and the rest of Europe. Although I may never see some of those people again in my life, they helped give me a good impression of their country and hopefully I was able to do the same for mine.

A Deeper Look into History

November 18, 2010 / Jeff Harbert / 0 Comments

When touring London and visiting all of its magnificent sites, it’s hard to believe the city was once the victim of six straight weeks of bombing during World War II. Referred to as the “Blitz”, Londoners suffered intense bombing by German forces which killed over 43,000 civilians and left more than a million households destroyed or damaged. And that was all in London. Granted a huge part of Europe suffered similar if not worse devastation, it’s incredible to think about what people had to endure around 70 years ago.

A common sight in London during the ‘Blitz’ in World War II

On Tuesday I had the chance to visit the Duxford Aircraft Museum, which lies nine miles south of Cambridge and is considered to be one of the most important air bases during in Britain during the World War. The museum, which contains the largest collection of historic aircraft in Europe, is one of the best ways to really get a grasp of the atrocities and devastation caused by both World War I and World War II. The aircraft on display was astounding. The Spitfire, Concorde, Messerschmitt, Hurricane, you name it, and there’s a really good chance they have it.

Messerschmitt BF 109E – most famous German figher in WWII

One of seven hangers at Duxford Aircraft Museum

After learning about World War I and World War II in our British History course here in Cambridge, it felt appropriate to view the planes and a lot of the weapons and vehicles used by many of the countries involved in the war. I was able to learn a lot about the hardships the soldiers and pilots fighting faced, as well as the women and children on the home front. It’s crazy to think that around 7.5 million women were recruited for war work between 1939 and 1945. It’s even more shocking to think that around 100 million people died from both wars. Visiting Duxford Aircraft Meseum was a very enlightening experience and it emphasized how much the world has changed and how fortunate I am not to have had to endure living in such a difficult era.

The U.S. Air Force’s F-15 Eagle

And for Americans like me and the rest of our group, the American Air Museum provided the perfect opportunity to admire the largest collection of U.S. aircraft outside of America. They had an impressive collection, housing famous aircraft such as the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird (once the fastest jet in the world), P-51 Mustang… to name just a few. It was especially significant for me as my Uncle is a retired Major General from the U.S. Air Force and flew some of the aircraft on display, such as the F-15 Eagle. It was a special experience to be able to see up close and touch the same type of fighter jet he once flew. As a kid I was always fascinated by jets and to finally be up close to some was extremely memorable, to say the least.

Throughout the entire visit I learned a lot about European and American history. I considered myself to have a decent knowledge of past and current events, but I soon realized there was a lot of information I didn’t know. The museum taught me a lot, but it also helped open my eyes up and take a deeper look into history. It’s amazing what you can discover if you’re actually looking.

Getting Into the Holiday Spirit!

November 18, 2010 / Julie Johnson / 0 Comments

Countdown to Christmas: 37 days.

I find myself in the holiday spirit much earlier than usual. Since Thanksgiving isn’t a celebrated holiday in England, I’ve found it perfectly acceptable to sing Christmas carols several times a day, buy an Advent calendar two weeks before December even starts, decorate gingerbread men, and even purchase a “Grow Your Own Christmas Tree”, even though it will probably only be two inches tall by the time I leave England.

I was thrilled when I was walking downtown for my weekly grocery shopping this past Monday, and realized a discount Christmas store had opened only a few blocks from my house. I felt like a child while walking through there, “oohing” and “aahing” at every ounce of tinsel and lights. Cambridge’s skinny little streets have also been turned into a fascinating show of lights by night, and even seeing the unlit lights hanging in the daytime brings a smile to my face.

Gingerbread Men – Just as much fun to make as they are to eat!

I’ve always been a huge fan of Christmas, but this year, I find myself even more appreciative of the values it brings. After not seeing my family for several months, I will relish every moment of the laughter and hugs that Christmas dinner and the unwrapping of gifts will bring. I daydream about curling up near my grandparent’s fireplace for a good nap, helping my other Grandma to decorate the tree, and even attempting to dress my dog in the Santa outfit that she always refuses to wear.

Just as the famous song goes, “I’ll be home for Christmas..” But in my case, it won’t be only in my dreams 🙂

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