Below are updates of four MindSay bloggers living amazing adventures in countries other than their own.
joerabian After having arrived in Amman, Jordan, University of Richmond student Joe Barresi went through the usual homesickness and soul-searching that study abroad students all over the world experience. His lack of understanding of Arabic, the striking foreignness of the culture mingled with surprising Western influences (women in traditional Arab garb ordering lattes at Starbucks), and a shooting during his first stretch of time there—these all contributed to Joe’s whirlwind of impressions of this bustling capital city. He has, however, found himself feeling ever more at home in Jordan, his host family is friendly and willing to engage in conversation on any number of topics, and Joe is acclimating beautifully. This semester promises to be one of great personal change for him.
namasteindia Gabrielle DeNevyn has been through India before, and despite the fact that during that sojourn she was briefly kidnapped, she nonetheless has a deep and heartfelt love for the country. Since she arrived a few weeks ago, she has gone through all the normal doubts and uncertainties study abroad students experience, but her confidence (despite her occasional claims to the contrary) and her ability to adapt have seen her through even the most difficult moments. Her Hindi is improving, she’s getting along rather well with her new rickshaw driver, and her acclimation to India is continuing along.
hellojudd Judd has made more friends in his first month in Germany than most people make over the course of their entire study abroad experience. And his group consists of what might be called a mini-United Nations—students from England, Ireland, Estonia, Mexico, Germany, Lithuania…spin the globe and point to a place, and there’s bound to be a student in Judd’s program from there. All told, he’s really only occupied these days with his intensive language course until classes begin in October, which means that there’s plenty of time for him to explore the city, hang out with his friends, and perfect his macaroni and cheese cooking techniques.
mademoisellemic Michal’s adventures in France so far have read like a page out of a movie—from visiting ancient cities and looking out over breathtaking vistas through castle windows once used to fend off invaders with bows and arrows, to conducting an extensive and ongoing tour of all the many versions of croissants at boulangeries and patisseries in Nice and Montpellier, every day seems to have been filled to the point of overflowing with new experiences. Classes have begun for Michal, so her schedule is a bit more full than it was, but she’s adjusting to it just fine. And with the group of friends she’s made, there’s no telling what kind of adventures wait for her.
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