Study Abroad ERC Student Blogs
Are you an ERC student studying abroad? Submit your story and your blog address!
2009-2010
Alice Liu is an International Studies major (graduating June 2011) studying in Hong Kong SAR, China during Summer 2009 and in Shanghai, China during Fall 2009.
As my first week in Hong Kong quickly whirls by and comes to an end, I realize that I am beginning a new era in my life whether I am prepared for it or not. Currently, I’m not. But I’m getting there slowly. Looking back on the past few days, I find that there is so much I need to learn, so many concepts that I need to adjust or do away with, and so many amazing places that I need to explore with care. I am incredibly humbled. Since arriving, my most significant impression has been that the world is indeed a great place, exponentially greater than I am. How could I have believed it to be any other way?
http://aliceenroute.wordpress.com/
Pamela Tu is a Biology major (plans graduation in June 2010) is studying in Hong Kong SAR, China in Fall 2009.
I am about to embark on an amazing semester at Chinese University of Hong Kong. I am excited to explore Asia's most cosmopolitan city for the first time and to visit nearby countries such as Vietnam, Japan, Macao, and Taiwan to name a few. I plan to take classes to fulfill my Regional Specialization GE, Cantonese, and take trips to teach English in China during the next four months. On my free time I am planning to enjoy ferry rides, watching Victoria Harbor lightshows, endless shopping, HK nightlife, conversing in Cantonese/Mandarin by the campus lake, relaxing on my flat's balcony overlooking the city, and eating Dimsum. Feel free to join me on my adventures at http://yummypamcakez.blogspot.com.
Kim Ang is a History major (graduating 2011) studying World History in Istanbul, Turkey with MMW Global Seminars.
Istanbul is a place of stunning physical beauty, and that always touches me. Each monument has a long, enticing, meaningful existence. This is par of course, of the true essence of history -- giving meaning to so much that otherwise just exists. After months of getting ready, the time is ripe to do this. More to come over my first cup of turkish tea from Istanbul... www.kimberlyjeanang.blogspot.com
Amber Rackliffe is a double major in Political Science (graduating 2011) and studying in Beijing.
The whole getting here and getting settled process has kind of been a blur. With going to go see Transformers the night before I left and not being able to sleep on the plane, I was a zombie by the time I got to Beijing.
Getting through the airport was surprisingly easy. When the plane landed, we had to stay seated for face-masked and goggled officials to come and point some kind of thermometer guns at our foreheads to check for swine flu. I was a little afraid, especially when they had to check the guy in front of me twice. Sitting that close to someone who was infected would have meant quarantine for sure. When they actually check you, they literally point a little thermal gun at your head. Very intimidating. But, our flight was cleared and I was through the second swine flu check and customs in ten minutes. I got here and was relieved to see a bunch of students wearing our program shirts in the lobby.
Now I’m starting to settle in to my room and my surroundings. My roommate Lauren is from UC Santa Cruz and we are getting along well.
Check out Amber's blog at http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/arackliffe/1/tpod.html
James Jee, a double major in International Studies-Political Science and Linguistics (Spec. in Language in Society) with a minor in the Study of Religion (planning on graduating in 2011), is studying in Hong Kong.
I chose Hong Kong because of the nature of its government and of its society. For my first major, Hong Kong has a unique political system wherein Hong Kong operates as a separate country from mainland China in nearly everything but international defense. In addition and for my second major, it's history as a British Crown Colony means that on top of the local Cantonese Chinese, Mandarin Chinese exists on a co-official status with English, which in turn is spoken by a third of its population. I really hope that my studies there will promote my understanding of the world and give my education a more cosmopolitan and international nature in line with the goals and mission of Eleanor Roosevelt College. I am fortunate to have this great opportunity. http://hku2009.blogspot.com
2008-2009
Michael Nguyen is in his second year (plans graduation 2011) and is studying in Tanzania.
I'd like to thank ERC once again for the study abroad scholarship. It proved to be vital in making this experience possible for me. In two weeks I will be traveling across the world to Tanzania to help start an orphanage in a country that has more than 2.4 million uncared for street children. I'd like to keep you updated on my experiences by providing you with the link to my blog that I will try to update as often as possible. Here is my blog http://greetingsfromtz.blogspot.com/
Thank you again for making this possible.
Jake Blanc, a History major (graduating June 2010) is studying in Lyon, France.
I have the absolute pleasure to be spending my year abroad in Lyon, France. Lyon seems to be the least imposing metropolis in the world, and I cannot wait to explore the extremely welcoming city and all that it has to offer (most notably the best food in Europe and the seven-time reigning champions of the French soccer league). I am studying at Lyon's Institut d'Etudes Politiques (Science-Po) but will be spending the majority of my academic time working on an on-going research project on the role of Lyon during the French Revolution. I will do my best to update this blog as often as possible, and I hope that in reading it, all of you prospective study abroad students get even more motivated to choose a program that will for sure be a life-changing experience for you! Take a look at my blog: blancabroad.tumblr.com.
Betsy Gomez, a Literature Major (plans graduation in June 2010) is studying in Saint Petersburg.
I’ve wanted to go to Russia ever since I was very young. I blame it on my love for classical music – Tchaikovsky was the first composer that I ever loved, and of course, I became interested in his country. As soon as I got into college, I made it a sort of personal mission to learn some Russian in order to be able to go and study abroad there. And here I am, two years later, all the way in Saint Petersburg. Check out my blog: http://eurisa-grinkova.livejournal.com/
