Study Abroad Blog

“So, how was it?”

It’s a simple question. Sometimes asked out of curiosity, sometimes just plain courtesy. But since my return, I’ve heard this question more times than I’ve eaten pasta in the past two months. After a lot of trial and error, I still don’t have an appropriate answer.

But I will tell you this: It’s not about the places. It’s not about taking a picture of an important monument or gawking at a masterpiece in a museum, either. While all of those things are wonderful, and I have been incredibly lucky to admire some of the finest history this world’s got to offer in some of its most enchanting cities, I’ve realized there’s something actually greater than all of that.

The people.

It’s about meeting the sort of people that you never expected to cross paths with, but then not imagining your life without having met them. The kind of people that reinvigorate your appetite for conversation and reinvent your definition of friendship. The kind of people that you can’t stop thinking about on the flight back home.

These sort of life changing experiences are rare. But even more rare? Having the opportunity to share them  with your best friends. After having spent nearly every waking moment next to Deborah and Lisa, it’s safe to say we talked about it all (just to reassure ourselves it was really happening). But on the flight home, there was one feeling none of us could put into words. So instead, we just shared a smile and exchanged the kind of glances that said more than a 9 hour conversation ever could. Deborah and Lisa, thank you for allowing me to binge on Piu Gusto chips as frequently as I desired. Sharing these experiences with the two of you was priceless. We’re locked.

The concept of travel is easy. You book a flight. Reserve a hotel. Follow the handy guidebook and take a few hundred photos. But to truly travel means not only to physically move from one location to the other. It means to remember to pack your toothbrush and leave behind your inhibitions.

“So how was it?”

I still can’t answer that, except that, well, I wish you could have been there.

And once again, thank you International Student – the opportunities you are providing for students are absolutely invaluable (you’ve gained a lifetime walking billboard). It also seems my video making skills have improved since once-upon-a-few-months-ago:

http://vimeo.com/13731171

PS:  Always remember… chi non risica, non rosica

Some afternoons, I sit on the steps of San Lorenzo, with a book in one hand and a gelato on the other. In front of me, a Great Dane quietly sits next to it’s owner, while some kids toss a soccer ball back and  forth to my right. I see one of my classmates from afar, taking a stroll with an Italian boy she had told me about. I think  his name was Niccolo. Anyway, I’ve never seen her smile so big. It’s a sunny day in Perugia but the cool breeze alleviates the stings of heat on my skin.  It’s these little things, le piccole cose, that make up most of the in between. I’m not complaining.

I don’t know what it is exactly, but being in Europe makes you feel unstoppable. It’s as if the millionaire dollar advertising campaigns run by the likes of Orbitz and Expedia aren’t enough to convince me that travel within America is all that accessible or well, appealing. Whereas here, I have found myself in-flight more times than I can count on both hands. Here’s a little glimpse at what I’ve been up to:

Cape Sounion, Greece

Athens, Greece

Mykonos, Greece

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona, Spain

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech, Morocco

Sunday night was fantastic. Despite Italy not making it to the World Cup finals, the Perugian excitement for Netherlands vs. Spain was in full force.

Surprisingly though, the overall reaction to Spain winning didn’t seem to please most of my Italian friends. Something about having to “hear about it for the next 4 years.” Oh, boys.

But the celebration continued all night from real Spanish students who happen to make up a big portion of the student population in Perugia. Most of them are here through ERASMUS (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students), a program within the European union that gives students the opportunity to study at least 3 months to 1 year of their career studies in another country… The possible catch? Some of these programs require that the coursework is in the language of the country you’re visiting! My upstairs neighbor for example, Antonio, had to learn his art history in Italian, a language he knew very little of before arriving to Perugia. I can’t even imagine how difficult it would be to have to take one of my English literature courses in Italian!

Anyway, the point is that there are tons of Spanish students here. And they made their presence very known after Spain’s win on Sunday. Let’s just say there were many historic fountains invaded… (by overly enthused, quite likely inebriated, soccer fans).

Perhaps in an attempt to show off all the Italian they had been learning during their ERASMUS (or just to rub it in), they kept chanting:
“Siamo campioni del mondo! Siamo campioni del mondo! Siamo campioni del mondo!”

Every summer, Perugia hosts a 10 day jazz festival called Umbria Jazz. Now, this shouldn’t be mistaken for as some ordinary, run-of-the-mill music festival. In fact, it’s safe to say that Umbria Jazz is actually quite extraordinary.

As if I wasn’t lucky enough already, it just so happens that Umbria Jazz began Friday. I must admit that I am not well versed in the sounds of B.B King, Tony Bennett or Miles Davis, but this is the kind of festival that makes the never before jazz fan – well, a jazz fan for life.

For the next 10 days, Perugia becomes absolutely intoxicating (and I don’t just mean from birra e vino). But the free performances on the two main stages across the city center and the impromptu street shows, truly bring this medieval city to life. Not only do native Perugino’s partake in the fun, but thousands of people across the world come to this little town in central Italy to indulge in the music and melodies.

E una cosa bellissima.

Where do I even begin?

The mid-day strolls down Piazza Novembre? My love affair with a true Italian (first name cioccolato, last name gelato)? Or the fact that after a year of anticipation, in between rigorous (mostly awesome) Italian classes, I get to sit back on the steps of the cathedral of San Lorenzo, overlooking the subtle grandeur of Fontana Maggiore and really understand what that wise person once meant when they said, “La vita e bella”.

Being here is a dream.

One thing is learning Italian back home next to students who are more preoccupied with chatting about who they’re voting for on American Idol, and another completely mind-blowing experience has been having my peers each be from a different corner  of the world and collect in one open-air classroom, not because of the language’s world practicality or because they need the course credits, but because of the pleasure they get from the way each syllable in the word arrivederci rolls off of their tongue.

Our professors emphasize the fact that attendance is not mandatory, and that exams are merely a university technicality so what should really matter is how well you put to use what you’ve learned. For example, after day 1 of classes, I put it to very good use.

Me: “Salve, buon giorno! Posso provare un po di vaniglia?”
(I would have never figured out I didn’t like the vanilla gelato)
Me: “No, preferisco un cono piccolo di ciocolatto. Grazie.”

And so every morning at 7 am, Olga from Russia, Sofia from Spain, Dimitri from Greece, Mert from Turkey, and all of the others make it to class after what feels like a 20km cardio walk uphill.

Somehow, the risk of falling behind in basic introductory phrases is a risk not worth taking.

I like to think there exists some magnetic force out there. Call it God, Mohammad, Oprah or Keith. Whatever it is, one thing is for sure – it’s listening. Last October I was exhausted. I was knee deep in research papers and I was beginning to think I was losing my soul to retail. But one thing led to another and I entered a contest and then by some sort of divine intervention (see above), I actually won. Almost a year later and on the eve of my big adventure, I’m ready to go. Euros have been exchanged, 6 weeks worth of clothes have been strategically packed into one carry-on luggage (what was I thinking?) and my passport eagerly waits to be stamped (over and over again).

To make things just a bit sweeter than they already are, I get to see some beautiful places before my classes begin later this month. Hint: My next posts might include Greek, Arabic, and French lessons.

More than ever, I am certain: Il meglio deve ancora venire. (That is, once I get my toiletries past TSA).

Today my boss asked when I would be leaving to Italy so she could she mark off my “vacation days” (under no circumstances should this be mistaken for as paid vacation). I replied nonchalantly – “Oh, next month.”

And that ladies and gentleman, made my day. This simple realization is important for 2 reasons:

1. I no longer have to receive bewildered stares from friends, co-workers and strangers when they discover that the itinerary I spent 20 minutes telling them about (with more enthusiasm than that guy in the shamwow commercials) is not a few weeks away, but actually next year.

2. Do I even have to say it? It’s so close I can already taste the gelato (one scoop cioccolato, two scoops bacio!)

A few days ago I was having a conversation with my good friend Susan about the way things happen in life (don’t worry, I’ll save my deep introspection’s about the meaning of life for another post– probably after a magical night in Perugia and a few Peroni’s deep).

Anyway, after a few frivolous complaints back and forth about final exams and customers at work that chip away at one’s faith in humanity, I realized that I spend a great deal of my time waiting. So instead of waiting for inspiration and happiness to fall from the sky and land neatly on my lap, I’ve been out on the hunt for it.

From focusing on my personal writing, to checking off titles on my “Must Read” list, to going on bike rides on 75 and sunny days, I’ve been keeping myself busy. I’ve even found time to enjoy a new relationship with someone absolutely wonderful and equally passionate about travel (who came into contact with me after a random google search that led him to this blog, only to find that we go to the same college. So another grazie to International Student for not only making travel dreams come true but love connections, too!) As terribly excited I am about what awaits me next month, life on this end is pretty sweet.

So now that I’ve assured you of my overall well-being, here’s a little gift from me to you. These websites will make your travel planning experience a whole lot less stressful.

1. Kayak.com – When I was looking for flight deals, I was absolutely shocked by the prices. I spent my days waiting (haha, get it?) for Alitalia and Delta’s homepage to announce summer deals until I discovered this little gem. Basically, Kayak searches hundreds of available deals online so that you don’t have to. In other words, just type in your desired itinerary and Kayak will pull up all the deals available through online travel agencies, airlines, and even Orbitz. That way you can make sure you’re getting the best deal out there – I have a $908.63 plane ticket to Rome during summer high season to prove it!
2. Couchsurfing.com – Perfect strangers? Their couch? Another country? Don’t be alarmed. Couchsurfing is a fantastic resource for young student travelers on-the-go and with little money to spend on a 5 star hotel. Much like MySpace and Facebook (minus everything that is annoying about them), Couchsurfing is an online community for travel aficionados who are eager to help fellow travelers out – by either meeting up with them for drinks, showing them around the city or letting them crash on their couch. Look into it and thank me later.
3. Igougo.com – This website allows users to share stories and photos of their travels, making it a great resource for you to research fun and interesting things to during your visits. For example this. Beats wikipedia.

Please stay tuned for my next post. I will be posting my tentative itinerary… which is shaping up to be quite the adventurous undertaking!

In my experience (short, as it may be), I’ve observed a trend in the way things tend to occur. It seems that the best things in life have a way of sneaking up on you on some regular Wednesday afternoon with little to no warning.

About a month ago, my parents asked me and my brothers how we felt about a family getaway. Much to my surprise (and delight), the itinerary they had in mind didn’t include an all-you-can-eat buffet on a cruise or another visit to everyone’s favorite mouse. Instead, the plan was to visit Big Ben, Mona Lisa and that country their daughter is absurdly in love with.

And so commenced our impromptu 12 day euro-trip across London, Paris and Rome.

Now, this website is called International Student and although I didn’t enroll in any classes during my stay, I think it’s necessary to mention just how educational these trips can be (and I don’t mean renting the audio guide at the Louvre Museum). In fact, sometimes you learn more from the English guy that sits next to you on the 45 minute tube ride to Buckingham Palace than you would from sitting in any classroom. Or from the late-night trip to the hotel lobby for the free-wifi only to engage in a side conversation with a woman on business from Nice, who tells you about the growing immigration problems the French are facing. Oh, and where you can do the best shopping in town (hey, we’re well-rounded)! Or from spending 15 hours on an overnight train to Rome stuck sleeping in the same room as an elderly Italian couple (yes, it was every bit as cute as it sounds) and telling them about your plans to live in Perugia this summer. “Ahh, brava!” Or from the too-close-for-comfort encounter with a pick pocket-er in a Paris metro who was this close to snatching your bag.

I guess I should also mention that this trip coincided with my 21st birthday, which just so happened to coincide with the Italy segment of the trip. Which means that by some sort of universal divine intervention and cosmic aligning, I said hello (or should I say ciao?) to another year of my life having quite possibly the most delicious dinner, with the most incredibly amazing family I could ask for, drinking the most exquisite bottle(s) of vino bianco, in one the most beautiful cities in the world. My old childhood friend Cristina told me that if I ever find myself at 40, having a mid-life crisis, she hopes I can look back at this time in my life and realize just how wonderful life can be.

Traveling has a way of waking you up inside, shaking up those parts of you that become idle when you stay in one place for too long. It helps you discover aspects of your very being that want, desperately, to be explored. All you need is an open heart and an open mind.

*Summer update: FLIGHT HAS BEEN BOOKED. 82 days left! But who’s counting?

Ciao amici! Now that 2010 is well under way, I have been keeping busy with the monotonous routine of school and work. The great thing about writing an extensive analysis of Jack London’s “The Mexican” is that in my moments of writer’s block I get to drift into thoughts about the summer that awaits me. I kind of can’t even imagine what life was like when I didn’t have something like this to look forward to. How does everyone do it? I mean, without having the prospect of doing something this exciting… well, life just seems a little boring.

Anyway, I have been enjoying watching the euro plummet. While European bank systems feel like doomsday is approaching, as a student traveler I feel like it’s Christmas morning. I have been constantly searching airfare deals. Back in November, when I won the contest, flights were actually the cost of my grand prize! Mamma mia! But as the days go by, airline summer deals are slowly surfacing. Which means I should have my flight booked sometime this month.

Right now I’m in the back and forth and sometimes frustrating process of finding student housing. If all goes well, this should be figured out by next month and pictures of my future humble abode shall be posted. It’s truly amazing how far a little google search can take you – about 5,000 miles across the Atlantic to be exact.

Lately, it feels like the Universe is conspiring to constantly remind me of just about anything Italian. From the world’s (okay, maybe just mine) recent fascination with MTV’s Jersey Shore Italian guidos to the Sicilian kid that sits next to me in my Communication Theory class  and has the cutest accent ever, to romantic comedies called “When in Rome”.  Maybe it’s just a string of coincidences. Whatever it is, I’m not complaining.

Also, want to know all the latest information for International Student travel? There’s an app for that! No, really. This fine website has made their little nook on the cyber smart phone realm. You’re just a few finger taps from all the information offered on the site and you’ll have instant access to my blog! So just search “The International Student” on your app store.

Then I found this awesome app for my iPhone:

Mamma mia,

Sandy