Culture in Contrast: From America to Taiwan

When we travel abroad and encounter a different culture, our default reaction is to compare it to the culture we know. Jake is from a small town in Illinois, the following are some of his observations of everyday life in Taiwan:

There is a serious lack of garbage cans in Taiwan. Sometimes I have something I want to throw away, as people often do. In the United States you can find a garbage can just about anywhere, restaurants, classrooms, the library, on the bus, you name it. Here in Taiwan, there is apparently a much lower demand for trash receptacles, because I usually end up with garbage in my pocket.

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Paradise Style? I Can Get Used to This!

My apartment complex, just like a resort!

I live in an apartment complex, called Nexus Place. It’s a student accommodation. Can I just say that I made that absolute perfect choice on where to stay?

First off, these apartments hold 114 students. It’s too not big or too small. It’s small enough so everyone can get to know each other, which I love. There are students here from all over the world including Finland, Norway, Canada, America, Australia, China, Chile, and Mexico.

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Live it, Then Learn it, and Laugh in Between

Business Fieldtrip to my workplace, Limoncello factory

In the program I am in, the academics are actually quite a bit different than what I am used to at my home university.  Forget busy  work, and forget long-term projects.  Here everything is all about hands-on, intimate learning.  The classes are extremely small, which I find to be beneficial.  It allows us to take field trips and get more out of the class than we would if there were many more students. For my International Business class as well as my Business in the European Union class, my professor organizes field trips and leads group discussions.

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South Africa Part II: Skydiving, Safari & Surfing!

Theresa’s port stop in South Africa was epic! Read about her first two days in South Africa Part I: Wineries a& Apartheid

Hiking Table Mountain

Day 3: Wake up call at 7am! No, really, we do not sleep when we are in port. This day goes down as Top 5 days of my life, easily. We got up that morning and started our hike up Table Mountain (please google it, it is incredible!- it is in the running to become one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature!). It took us 1 hour and 45 minutes to get up the mountain and it was so worth every drop of sweat and burn in your leg. It was one of the most amazing views I have EVER seen! The hike up was pretty hard because we took the steep path, but getting to the top of the mountain was so rewarding, we were above the clouds! We could see all of Cape Town from up there and it was beautiful! That is why I would live in Cape Town, because of things like Table Mountain. Continue reading

South Africa Part I: Wineries & Apartheid

View of Table Mountain

I don’t even know how to fully put my experience in Cape Town, South Africa into words, but here is my best shot:

I hate big cities. Well, hate is a strong word, but I swore that I would never, ever want to live in a city. Cape Town changed that for me. The city is gorgeous, it is clean, the people are friendly, it isn’t too crowded, there is structure and organization, and it is surrounded by mountains, beaches, vineyards, and other incredible things. It has the best of both worlds: the busy city and crazy night life and then the incredible hiking and outdoor experiences…my kind of place! I would love to live in Cape Town for a while at some point in my life, maybe after college? Who knows 🙂

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International Student Trip to Byron Bay, New South Wales

Petting Kangaroos at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Day One: We left the Gold Coast campus at 8 am sharp.

First stop: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: I loved this place!! I got to see real Australian animals. I finally saw kangaroos and koalas. It’s so different seeing them in Australia, than at the Pittsburgh zoo. I even got to pet the kangaroos. I saw a really big crocodile, all kinds of birds and snakes. I loved every minute of this place!

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Breaking Up With Espresso

un caffé

I have always liked coffee while in America.  Especially now that I am in college, I have relied heavily on coffee as my crutch on those many early mornings for my long lecture classes.  I am used to having at least one cup of caffeinated coffee a day in the United States, and have had virtually no problems with it nor had any horrible reactions to caffeine…so what would make my caffeine tolerance that much different in Italy? Maybe it is the type of coffee bean that is used or the temperature it is brewed at?  Regardless, the actual fact that espresso has less caffeine than “American coffee” has been shattered, in my opinion. Continue reading

Culture Shock 101 from Singapore

 

Singapore is a beautiful, vibrant, and happening city. But beyond its tourist-friendly veneer lies a distinct culture that is difficult for foreigners to penetrate

One of the reasons I decided to study abroad was because I hated missing out on the dorm experience by living at home. Since my McGill tuition is so cheap ($1,500 a semester), figured it made sense to take advantage of the world-class education it could provide me in my hometown for such a low cost. However, despite the excellent education I was getting, I deeply regretted my decision, as I knew I was missing out on a fundamental part of the college experience. Continue reading

What is Life on a Ship Really Like? Semester at Sea

Standard post class activity on deck, can't complain!

I am sure that many of you are wondering what life is like living on a ship. Some would compare it to Suite Life on Deck (Disney Channel reference), but honestly it is BETTER!

Life on Semester at Sea is awesome. The ship is over 500 feet long and there is plenty to do while onboard.

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