Carnaval is a time when everyone dresses up as well, comparable to Halloween in the states. My friend and I went to Don Dino, a local costume shop to pick up some masks and a vaquero (cowboy) outfit for me, and since we live on the Mediterranean I felt it was appropriate to ride a sea horse for the night. Before I left to my friend’s piso or apartment, I helped my host sister and her friend prepare their cat costumes and intricate face paint. My Carnaval experience was a lot of fun while I socialized and danced the night away. It is known that the Brazilian Carival is one of the best-known celebrations today, and the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is the largest in the world, according to the Guinness World Records. However, I was greatly satisfied with the Alicantian Carnaval.

The week after, a good bit of our USAC group signed up for an excursion to Morocco! We all had to wake up extremely early the day after class to catch a flight into Sevilla, where we had 8 hours to kill before the trip started. Luckily I had a friend who was studying there and he gave us an awesome tour of the city. After a very early Spanish Scramble breakfast, we went to the 3rd largest Cathedral in the world and the 4th largest Gothic cathedral (that had Christopher Columbus remains), the Mushroom, walked along the river, and went to Plaza de España, one of my favorite spots that was also featured in a Star Wars movie!

Then is was time to board our bus to catch my first ever ferry, cross the straight of Gibraltar, and check into our hotel in Tangiers. After resting up the first night after an extremely long day of travel, our first destination was Tetouan, which stands as a relic of beauty of Northern Morocco overlooking the sea. We passed through many markets with our guide Muhammad, through a tannery and past where the king of Morocco once lived. On our bus ride back to stopped along the coast for some camel rides, and at the Caves of Hercules. Truly an awesome place. During our lunch in Tetouan we of course at couscous with a wonderful show by a little band and a man juggling cups of fire!

The next morning started off as an eventful one. When we were riding to Chefchouen a Morocco boy tried to hide in the engine compartment of our bus, thinking we were going to Spain. Sitting in the back of the bus I stared down at a pulsating floorboard, and luckily he got out okay. This was definitely a new and alarming experience for me! Once we got to Chefchouen we had another walking tour of the city and had a chance to bargain in the markets. I got a chance to buy some Moroccan handcrafted slippers! The city was awesome, nestled between two mountains, houses painted all white with blue doors, which was all topped off with an amazing lunch. Some of the most common dishes are tagines and couscous. The lunch we ate at the Casa de Aladdin, which had an awesome interior design, was couscous with chicken, liver, lemon pepper, olives, and apricots. Delicious! The night in Chefchouen was our last in Morocco and after a long bus ride, ferry, another long bus ride, and flight we made it back safely to Alicante.

After a week of class another day trip was in store for a few friends and me. We took the train to a neighboring city called Elche, where there is the largest concentration of palm trees in the world, around 200,000 to 300,000. We visited the Huerto del Cura which is a botanic tropical garden with many ponds, bamboo, and plants. At the center is the “Imperial Palm Tree” that is composed of about six palm trees supported amongst one another. We also saw the Basilica de Santa Maria and intended to climb one of the towers that overlooks the city, but it was closed. It would have been awesome to see all the palms throughout the entire city!

Aside from staying busy with my studies and a few trips, I also started a new Remo or rowing class. On the port of Alicante about 20 students and I enjoy an evenings worth of rowing, and we are progressively getting better. I have been designated as our leader who calls out “Chop! Fuera,” which basically keeps everyone’s paddle in rhythm when it hits and exits the water. This got old after about the fifth sentence, and now I am convinced chop fuera is a type of Chinese fare. Coming up should be some more relaxation and day trips around the Alicante area. Adios!

Zak S.

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I never believed that a place could really change you. I am still not entirely sure if it can. But I did learn that there are moments of impact that change your perspective, open your mind, and allow you to understand the depth of what is in front of you. You encounter these moments in the most unexpected ways, and that is what makes them so distinct.

Our international program had the opportunity to take a 6-day educational field trip to Israel. The intensive, packed tour was hands-down, one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. Here is some of it that I would like to share with you.

Day 1: Arrival

We left Lausanne at 4 a.m. with a juice box, couple granola bars, and some luggage filled with excitement, anticipation, and a little bit of butterflies. We boarded our bus for Geneva airport, and arrived at our gate about an hour and a half later. I think I left on this trip not really knowing what to expect. I mean, I never even imagined myself traveling to the Middle East. Of course the anticipation sent rumors around; like how we may have a bodyguard, or how soldiers walk around with their weapons in public areas. The news seems to portray the Middle East in a certain way, and little did I expect Israel to be the way it really was.

We arrived at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel-Aviv in the afternoon safe and sound. Passing through the immigration checkpoint was probably the catalyst for my eagerness to explore this new area of the world. As I was getting my passport stamped, the officer asked me why I was visiting Israel. I responded telling her it was a trip with my university, and she was immediately elated, telling me that I was incredibly lucky to have such an opportunity. I grabbed my passport and walked away, really trying to think about what she said. I really was lucky. I mean, I am in school, and am going to Israel, a place many people dream of visiting all their lives; and I was here as a college student. Not only that, but I had been given the chance to bond with 80 other students, faculty, staff, and even our International Programs dean! It was honestly such an awesome chance to build life long memories among so many others.

We met our tour guides, Uri and Yishay, and boarded our busses. Our guides were incredibly involved and caring, making sure our experiences went comfortably and free of worries. They introduced us to many different Israeli cultural ideas, snacks, and the way of life, throughout the week. We departed for the Mediterranean Coast first. About an hour later, we arrived at the Sea of Galilee, just in time to watch the golden sun set into the water. Everyone rushed out of the bus, grabbing cameras to snap the beauty of our first site in Israel. Along the rocky beach were the remnants of the 2,000 year-old aqueduct built by the Romans, which once brought water to the city of Caesarea. We clicked away at the beautiful ruins before the guides called us together for a brief introduction, “the Holy Land in the Prim of contemporary World Affair”. The guides introduced us to the history of Caesarea, and recited a Hebrew poem as the sun set behind us.

This would be a week of learning, questioning, and overcoming our own fears and preconceptions. The guides shared and Israeli dessert called rugelach, a croissant like dough filled with chocolate, which according to our guide include enough calories for the day; but hey, they were delicious!  That was only the start of the tastiest week of food. We wrapped up and got back to our hotel in the Upper Galilee area. We had our first Mediterranean meal at our cute, village style outdoor hotel, followed by a second introduction of the geography of Israel, and the itinerary for the week.

Day 2: Nature, Security, and Spirituality in the North

Let the trip begin! Bright and early, 7 a.m., we were packed and ready to go. WE walked a couple hundred meters to the Sea of Galilee Yigal Allon Centre. There, we spend a short time at the “Man in the Galilee” museum to check out the ancient galilee boat, which is dated back to the time of Jesus. The 2,000 year old boat had an entire museum dedicated to it, and video clips showing the process of excavation. Next, we took a ride up to the Mount of Beatitudes, a traditional site of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. The octagonal church was surrounded by lush greenery, and a beautiful view of the sea.

We then visited another church, “Sacellvm Primatvs: Sancti Petri”, the site of the Restoration of Peter at Tabgha. Our next stop was Capernaum, another town on the shores of the Galilee, at the heart of the ministry of Jesus and the site of Jesus’ teachings and healing. We then drove to Tiberias for lunch, where I had my first real Israeli falafel.

After lunch, we boarded the bus for Beit Shean National Park, one of the largest archeological sites in Israel with its’ Biblical Tel and ongoing excavations exposing the vast Roman-Byzantine city. This place was massive and just to think that was all dug up is so impressive. We hiked up the hill to a flat area overlooking a valley and Jordan in the distance. We left the park and drove through the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a 3,000 year old city. We stopped at Mt. Scopus, a breathtaking pot from where we say the night scene of Jerusalem.

Day 3: The Layers of Jerusalem

Our first stop was the Mount of Olives, the traditional site of Jesus’ ascension to heaven, and for a view of the glorious Old city and new city of Jerusalem. We walked down the hill, passing thousands of burials in the Ancient Jewish Cemetery, down to the Garden of Gethsemane and across the Kidron Valley. We ventured through the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem, visiting a few churches, including the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where certain believers think Jesus was crucified and resurrected. The church was very ornate with many candles and metallic décor, and filled with pilgrims from around the country and world. In the Christian quarter, our tour guide introduced us to the Jerusalem bagel, which was a large, oval bagel you dipped in zatar spice.

After lunch, we continued through the Jewish quarter of the Old City, walking through the Cardo, a Byzantine street that is now the world’s oldest shopping arcade. We walked through the Hurva Square, the central square of the Jewish Quarter. We even visited the 2,000 year-old Herodian Mansions and the room of the Last Supper.

Lastly, we visited the Jerusalem Archaeological park and the southern wall excavations. We had the chance to walk along the wall, and even visit the stone where Jesus is believed to have stood, at the historically single entry for Jewish people to the walled mound. We met back to visit the Western Wall, or the “wailing wall”. Each of us wrote a prayer to put into the wall, as a sign of respect to the site. We walked through the Western Wall tunnels, along the interior side of the wall along the Temple Mount. After dinner, we had a speaker from Tel Aviv University come in to speak to us about Israel I the Arab World.

Day 4: The Dead Sea Basin

Our fourth day began with a trip to Masada, in the Dead Sea Basin. Masada is the sit of King Herod’s mountain palace, and the site of the Jewish Zealots’ last stand against the Roman Legionnaires. We discussed Masada’s role as a symbol of Jewish defense, and its current significance in modern Israel. The ruins were very interesting and the view across the desert was spectacular.

We then took a short hike in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve to the freshwater spring, Nahal David, a lush oasis in the Judean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea. We came across a few hyrax and ibex on our way up.

I remember always seeing pictures of people floating in the Dead Sea in our earth science textbooks in elementary school, but never did I think I would be able to do it too. We spent a few minutes floating in 35% salt water of the Dead Sea…the salinity of the Pacific Ocean is around 3.5%! There was no sand at this beach, they were just pearls of salt. We then hopped out to cover ourselves in the healthy mud mask by the water, and relax as its healthy properties seeped into our skin and hair. Even our dean joined in on the muddy fun! After washing it off, we enjoyed some more time in amazement at our inability to sink.

After floating in the Dead Sea, we visited Genesis Land, a biblical style encampment in the Judean Desert, to experience Biblical Hospitality with a camel ride through the desert and an evening ‘Hafla’ feast.

Day 5: Memory and Renewal

Probably the most emotionally stirring day for all of us, we spend the majority of our fifth day in Israel at the Yad Vashem complex, the Jewish National Memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, including the Avenue of the Righteous, the new Historical Museum, the Children’s Memorial, and a concluding memorial service.

You know when sometimes when you feel like you are expected to feel a certain way, or show certain emotions because that is how you are supposed to feel? The Holocaust Museum felt like that at the start. I mean, we are visiting an extremely terrible and sensitive part of human history, so of course we are supposed to feel sympathetic and remorseful, maybe even hatred…but I did not expect to be as emotionally stirred as I was.

All through school growing up, you are told the facts: who, what, where, and when, about the Holocaust. You are never really told to think about why or given the opportunity to question why. I feel like it is difficult to feel immense emotions without experiencing its cause. I have to say though; this museum honestly did an incredible job at allowing the visitor to deeply experience the memories, and it broke my heart.

I still have trouble trying to find the words to encompass my emotions, but what I do know is that I dare not place myself in the shoes of the victims, as it seems impossible for us today to even imagine the severity of their pain.  I felt emptiness inside me, and my head kept spinning around the first hand accounts, the difficult images, and uncensored videos of the events of the Holocaust. We try to place these feelings in the back of our heads as we go on with the day, but I know this museum left me with a lot of questions on human nature and capabilities.

Later, we departed for Bethlehem, the site of the birth of Jesus, crossing a large, cement wall checkpoint into Palestinian territory. There, we visited the Church of Nativity before returning to Jerusalem for our farewell dinner near the Jerusalem Railway Station complex. A local Palestinian couple joined our dinner to answer any questions we had about the current politics, and shared with us their hopes and dreams for the future.

Day 6: Departure

After checking out from our hotel, we visited two more last sites before our departure back to Switzerland. Our first stop was the Garden Tomb, the traditional Protestant site of Calvary. We then visited the Israel Museum, one of the most creative and innovative museums in the world showcasing a wide collection from Judaica and archaeology, to Renaissance and cotemporary Israeli art.

We ended the visit with a tour of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Shrine of the Book and newly restored Second Temple Period model of Jerusalem. After our lunch and wrap-up session at the museum, we said our good-byes and departed for the airport.

Remarks:

Being constantly on the go, I did not have enough time to really soak in all that I had learned and experienced about a new part of the world, and about myself, until I boarded our flight back home. So many preconceptions were broken, and I discovered how the news could be deceptive toward the nature of a place and it’s people. It amazed me how important peace and living in love really is to the people in Israel. It really is about the people, not just the monuments. Opening my eyes to what the Middle East truly is allowed me to mature in my thoughts. I learned that you can infect, not educate love; at the same time, you have to give it the opportunity to leave its’ mark on you.

The stones of the ruins provided a framework, but it is not about that. The stone is just a guide; it is about what you do with it that matters. So go, and do good.

Six days in Israel; it’s just not that kind of trip.

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We flew into airport on Friday, and spent the weekend walking around the entire city. Rome is so different from Lausanne. The streets are bustling with crowds of people, cars honking in every direction, and the smell of freshly baked pizza seeping through the restaurant window panes. With frequent stops for gelato, we followed our maps to some of the major tourist sites including the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, Vatican City, Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, and the Fountain of Four Rivers.

Although quite a touristic site, Rome was a great first trip to adapt myself to the culture of traveling. It definitely set the tone for the rest of my trips in the semester. Most of all, I found it incredible to finally see the places I have studied in my humanities and art courses in real life. Having the background knowledge of the historic sites I was now visiting really helped me link the importance of each monument, and imagine myself physically present in the history of Rome. Understanding the impact of the history of a place turns even the most touristic sites into a unique, and special experience.

-Priyanka S.

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We boarded the bus and arrived to our Swiss Chalet on Friday morning, excited to
finally see some snow. Our climb up the mountain was absolutely breathtaking as
we drove through Swiss village areas and mountainside vineyards. About an hour
and a half later, we arrived in Villars, a sweet mountain village overlooking the
Rhône Valley. The village is actually home to the most expensive school in the world,
Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil, a boarding school, whose tuition alone costs
around 100,000 francs per year (That is 110,000 USD!) While we waited to check-
in to our chalet, we began our much awaited snowball fight! Going to school in
Malibu, this was something we never get to do. We spent the evening relaxing in the
house, building forts and snowmen, and bonding over hot cocoa, board games, and a
personal presentation from our professor.

The next morning, many of us decided to hit the slopes. I have never snowboarded
outside of California, so this was quite the experience! Switzerland is ranked in the
top areas in the world for winter sports. The fresh powder from a night of constant
snowfall was absolutely perfect for shredding the enormous trails. Unfortunately,
the runs are not labeled by color, so we ended up riding down (or sliding down)
probably what was a double black diamond our first run! The crazy thing was that
the 10-minute Gondola ride that took us up to the first base of ski lifts was only
maybe one-fifth of the way up the mountain! In fact, the ski areas reach altitudes
above 3000 meters! After an exhausting, fun day on the slopes, we returned to our
comfy, warm chalet to relax. For the rest of the evening, we enjoyed listening to our
professor’s evening remarks.

Prior to our departure back to school, we stopped by a nearby alpine ministry
organization, L’Abri, where travellers come together to discuss philosophical and
religious topics. We shared lunch and a delicious dessert banquet, and reflected
on our experiences from the weekend. After an exciting and tiring weekend, we
returned back to Lausanne to get ready for the rest of the week.

- Priyanka S.

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It’s really hard to think that a full month in Spain has already passed. It has taken
me longer than usual to get settled, but with all the highs there must come some
lows. I have been keeping busy which is a good thing, and also started some new
classes that are held in the city of Alicante. Every Tuesday and Thursday I try to
let the Shakira come out in me, and enjoy learning salsa and some other dances
soon to come. Every Wednesday I walk to CDT Alicante, which is a culinary school
in the area, and make some mouthwatering meals and delectable desserts. My
favorite thus far to cook was the fideuá, which has shrimp, crawfish, cuttlefish,
clams, mussels, in a macaroni pasta with vegetables. Fideuá is similar to paella,
a typical Spanish dish, but more popular in Alicante. That being said, the most
tasteful meal in my mind was pollo a la naranja (chicken in orange sauce), and for
dessert homemade churros! I now am taking all of my registered courses, barring a
sailing class that starts once the weather is a little nicer. Can’t wait! Another weekly
Wednesday activity that I get a kick out of are USAC soccer matches, including our
program directors and their friends. The games bring me back to the glory days of
6th grade travel team soccer, but needless to say, a purchase of cleats may be made
in the near future since my Asics running shoes leave me ingesting turf sometimes.

Having only two classes in the morning, and no class on Fridays, has allowed for
much down time and much needed exploration. I really am entertained just by
walking around with my camera, and places like the port, Castillo de Santa Barbara,
poetry wall, and parks are places I frequent. One of the newer places I stumbled
upon (from a request) was a poetry area. Nestled up one alleyway there are
freehand verses that lead to a main wall full of haikus and rhymes. I found one of my
friends there, and was one of my favorites: sea tu mismo, sea feliz, sea Alicante. Be
yourself, be happy, be Alicante. It is a pretty unique place and maybe I will make my
mark on Alicante before June comes around!

February so far has also included a little travel. First, some friends and I took a day
trip to Valencia to tour the city and Oceanogràfic. Valencia is the third largest city in
Spain and also the capital of the Valencian Community. One place we walked to was
the Llotja de la Seda or “Silk Exchange,” also known as the Hall of Columns, which is
a Gothic style civil building and one of the main attractions in Valencia. This building
also features a Courtyard of the Orange Trees. Another place we went to was the
Cathedral of Valencia that has massive doors and wonderful architecture. After
reading online, the Cathedral is supposedly home to what many believe to be the
Holy Grail, the cup used by Christ during the last supper.

The last stop in Valencia was la Cuidad de las Artes y las Ciencias. There are many
buildings with art and science exhibits, music halls, which were all designed by
architects Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela. The design of the whole area is
extraordinary. The part we walked around was the Oceanogràfic which is the largest
aquarium in Europe. Each building is identified with aquatic environments like the

Mediterranean, Temperate and Tropical Seas, the Antarctic, and the Dolphinarium
where we saw a spectacular dolphin show!

The weekend after Valencia, we had a USAC trip to Granada for three days. Also a
capital city, Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and home
to the ever famous Alhambra. Our first night was a walking tour through the city
and to Albaicín, a community that has many winding streets and sits on a hill facing
the Alhambra. The very top of Albaicín is the Church of San Nicolas where there are
great views of the Alhambra. The next day was dedicated to touring this Moorish
palace. Granada has a lot of Arabic influence, and La Alhambra’s palaces were built
for the last Muslim Emirs in Spain and its court, of the Nasrid dynasty. Some points
of interest within the Alhambra are The Court of the Lions, fountains at the Palacio
de Generalife, and the Palacio de Pórtico.

The place is simply jaw-dropping, exhibiting the country’s most significant and well
known Islamic architecture, together with 16th-century and later Christian building
and garden interventions. Moorish poets described it as “a pearl set in emeralds,”
in allusion to the color of its buildings and the woods around them. This would
definitely be a place I would like to see in full bloom.

We also did a lot of exploring in Granada and had dinner both nights at tapas bars.
By far the best tapas in Spain thus far! It really was a fun way to get a feel for the
city, try some new food, and enjoy our limited stay. I also went to my first tetería,
and tried some cinnamon tea that was the house special. That night we went to a
discoteca called El Camborio for some dancing and fun. The place was high up a hill
as well, and apparently has one of the top five views of any club in Spain and the
world! The view of course was of the Alhambra, and it was awesome to hang out on
the terraces and dance floor seeing it all lit up. So far all my Spain trips have been
wonderful, and next stop…Morocco! See you soon. Hasta pronto.

-Zak S.

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The time has come! I have finally settled into the new place I will call home for the semester. After another long night in Madrid and one more endless bus ride, our USAC group pulled up to la Plaza de Luceros only to meet our landlords and new host families. I told myself I would study my Spanish notes from previous classes all winter break leading up to going abroad, but listening to Michel Teló, Belanova, Fonseca, and some other Spanish artists provided my only practice before heavily conversing with my new family. Eeek! However, at my first take, I surprised myself at how well I communicated.

When everyone’s luggage was pulled off the bus, I was the last student to be introduced to my host mom and sister, Pilar and Sandra. Pilar works for a little shop in downtown Alicante, and Sandra works as a dentist’s assistant in Alicante as well. We exchanged “besos,” a typical custom in Spain when meeting or greeting someone, and they helped haul my luggage to their apartment. The first thing I did upon arrival was get a quick tour of their place, then unpack my huge suitcase I had been living out of in Madrid. After arriving and being shown where I could put all my belongings and toiletries, I called it an early night to get ready for orientation the next day.

Still not used to the time difference, I woke up at the crack of dawn and Pilar walked me to the plaza and showed me where I could catch the bus to the University of Alicante. Our program directors gave us a quick walking tour of the university, which used to be home to an airbase. We read through packets and packets of information and took our Spanish placement tests, which I had been very nervous about! There were many similar faces of whom I met in Madrid, but also many new people I was hoping to get to know better.

Part of my full, initial day included a group trip to el Castillo de Santa Barbara, one of the largest medieval fortresses in all of Europe. The castle covers the complete summit of the Benacantil Mountain and was originally built by the Moors in the 10th century, influenced much by the nearby continent of Africa. The castle received its name from the conquest of King Alfonse the Wise that took place on 4th December 1248: Saint Barbara’s day. The castle seems to be the highlight and main point of interest in Alicante, with great 360 degree views!

After a few days of exploration, some fellow American students and I were anxious to discover the nightlife of Alicante. We made it to a couple discotecas and unique restaurants, but one thing we realized we were going to need to get used to is the hour people go out until. In Spain, it is very common for places to not even open until 3:00 AM, right when things start to close in the states! However, I was happy to see a good friend of mine from high school who had been studying in Spain, and a few other mutual friends my first night out in the town.

Another big part of the culture in Spain is fútbol, or soccer. In Alicante there is a Hércules CF, a team that is in the Segunda Division but hope to return to La Liga after this season, where well known teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona play. I was fortunate to experience my first professional soccer match between Hércules and SD Huesca, where Samuel and Tote netted a goal a piece to give the home team a victory. Besides the ever-so popular fútbol another highlight is the Explanada, a hallmark and symbol of tourism in the city of Alicante. The mosaic tiles stretch for many blocks aside the Mediterranean port, and are home to many street vendors and crowds! Overall, my Spanish life is definitely one in the making, but once I am fully accustomed and become used to the native language, I am confident I will want my stay to be longer than a semester. Hasta pronto.

-Zak S.

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The time is finally here. I have arrived safely and soundly in Madrid and cannot wait to see what journeys the country of Spain has in store for me. I flew out of Chicago on an optional group flight where there were several other USAC students from surrounding colleges, which was helpful to make some early friends. Our flight was roughly eight hours to London-Heathrow, where we had a two-hour layover, then another flight into Madrid with much of the other USAC students. Being my first time flying to Europe I was attentive to every detail and abruptly awoke to my first international flight meal, chicken with mushroom sauce. Surprisingly, not that bad. The two full days of travelling seemed endless and as if I didn’t sleep much, but the tours around Madrid were bound to wake me up.

There were several places we visited in the city of Madrid itself which all were very impressive. We visited the Prado Museum, an 18th Century building opened by Ferdinand the Seventh, which features the works of El Greco, Diego Velazquez, and Goya. All became royal painters, which is common around the age of 40, but Velazquez skillfully became one at the age of only 24. On a different day we went to the Reina Sofia Museum to view Picasso’s Guernica, a piece made after bombings during the Spanish Civil War featuring much symbolism.

We also walked through the Plaza Mayor and to the Royal Palace of Madrid, which was originally built as a fortress. Charles the Third was its first inhabitant after a huge fire, and is home to a lot of original collections. We went through a Throne Room where every single thing was an original except the red velvet that was replaced on the walls and the thrones, which are in Segovia. Every room was jaw-dropping. Spain has the most important and wealthy tapestry collection in the whole world, but since they are so big and there are so many, there isn’t enough space to put them all at the Royal Palace. Other than the wonderful sights we saw in Madrid I was able to meet up with my close friend Andrea from high school who has been studying in Madrid for a few months. She was able to show me around and we enjoyed wonderful Spanish nightlife! On my last day a bunch of USAC students all went to discoteca Joy as well till the wee hours of the morning. It was tons of fun, and reminded me of home with big cow figures everywhere!

Another place we visited was the city of Segovia, a place known for being home to the famous Roman aqueduct. The water transport system was all handmade and all the stone blocks were strategically placed that if one were to be removed it would still be standing! That being said, one key stone was placed in the middle of several arcs, and if removed the whole structure would collapse. It’s crazy to think that it is still standing and could be functional today. Besides the aqueduct, we also went to the wonderful Alcazar of Segovia, a famous fortress near the Guadarrama Mountains. Walking through the city was incredible and there were many buildings designed with brilliant architecture. My view from lunch was breathtaking as well, overlooking the whole city with mountains in the background.

The last city in Spain we visited during our Madrid tours was Toledo. Before we left we were told to stick with the group otherwise we would get extremely lost in the winding streets of Toledo. On our ride over we stopped atop a hill to take picture of a great panoramic view of the entire city, river, and alcazar. We toured a synagogue turned church that still has services, frescos covering the ceilings, and all the gold you could see. Very beautiful and elaborate. The city is known for its silver and production of swords, but I passed on buying any for I may not be allowed back to the states. Another refresher of home was the street sign of Calle de Toledo de Ohio, since the two places are sister cities of one another. All tours were spectacular!

Overall, Spain is great despite having several differences. Streets here are very narrow, to the point where I think they are comfortable sidewalks, and people drive very crazy. At one point we were all walking in Segovia and a delivery truck literally barely fit between two buildings and the street, and I had to jump in a door opening to let it go by. They also eat dinner at about nine thirty every night, and I need to become a napper for siestas! Hasta pronto. See you soon.

Zak S.

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Over the past week, I have been exploring and adjusting to my new home in Lausanne.  Photographs alone don’t do much justice for this sweet, picturesque town sitting on the banks of Lake Geneva across the French Alps. Breathtaking is an understatement; you must see it for yourself! Places like this make me realize how much we take our surroundings for granted. When you see someplace new, you tend to notice the little details: the hustling of people at the train station, how the bath water makes your hair feel softer, the rugged feel of hand-paved roads through your sneakers, and the smell of crisp, cold air on your morning run.

Through the busy days of orientation, and first week of classes, I’ve caught some of these details and moments on camera. So here is a little introduction of what I have to share with you. As I continue to plan my travels for this semester, I would like to thank those who voted for my video for your gracious support, my parents for their never-ending encouragement towards all my endeavors, and Grand Trunk for providing a scholarship to support my travels around Europe this semester. Stay tuned for posts about my upcoming trips around the continent!

Highlights of the past week:

On our first day arriving in Lausanne, our program sent our group on a scavenger hunt around the city of Lausanne. It was kind of funny because most of us have never actually used a printed map to find our way around. I guess we’ve become so accustomed to having GPS systems in our cars, phones, or even conveniently searching directions on Google maps. We spent the evening getting to know the streets of Lausanne, and finally had the chance to use our French outside the classroom.

Unfortunately, je ne parle pas français bien! Let’s just say, I definitely overestimated the amount of people who speak English here. Switzerland is a multilingual country, with four national languages including Swiss German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Having to actually use another language for any sort of communication in Lausanne has forced me to push lingual boundaries, and is helping me gain confidence in my ability to speak French. Although most kindergarteners here speak better French than I do, I am hoping that by the end of this semester, I can at least return with un accent français correct! But seriously, it is the coolest feeling when you can actually have a full conversation with the barista at the local coffee shop, tout en français!

Our group had the opportunity to visit Cathédrale Notre-Dame of Lausanne, a 12th century gothic cathedral, with a private tour from our very own professor. The cathedral houses an enormous organ, weighing about 40 tons! I am quite tempted to attend one of the concerts held at the cathedral later this month.

On the last day of orientation, we took a day trip to Bern, the capital of Switzerland. We toured the Einstein museum, the Parliament building, played chess in the streets, and casually strolled around the city.

Best part of traveling = food! Okay, so I admit I am a total foodie and addicted to cooking foods from around the world. My first Swiss meal here was Raclette, home cooked by my professor and his wife! A typical peasant meal, Raclette is a delicious type of Swiss cheese, which is melted and then poured on top of veggies! Next up, cheese fondue!

My friend and I took a morning run down to Lake Geneva a few days ago. Swans treaded along the calm, clear water and the clear skies made the Alps look even more enormous! You can see France right across the lake, so we may hop on a ferry to check out what is on the other side sometime soon. Seriously though, the sunsets on the lake make me want to sit out on my balcony with watercolors and a fresh, white canvas.

Priyanka S.

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Greetings everyone! My name’s Zak Suhar, and attend the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio studying Management, Spanish, and Environmental Science. I feel extremely honored to be named one of the Grand Trunk Student Ambassadors for this upcoming spring semester, and look forward to sharing my experiences with you. I first would like to congratulate the other contestants, and compliment all of the great video submissions. Very soon my plane departs from Chicago O’Hare for Alicante, Spain where I plan to study at the University of Alicante in the Valencian Community.

Alicante is a Mediterranean port city in the southeastern part of Spain, which has a sunny climate, beautiful beaches, tall mountains, and rich culture and nightlife. I plan on swimming, sailing, and enjoying the four-mile-long beach of San Juan, considered one of the finest in all of Spain. Abroad, I will be taking nine intensive Spanish language courses, a Madrid field study, and culture immersion courses like Dances of Spain, Spanish Cuisine, and Sailing. All of these classes I hope to share with you in detail along with the excursions I plan to take, but first I would like to tell you a little more about where I am from.

I grew up my whole life in Cedarburg, Wisonsin, a small, historic town nestled along Cedar Creek, located north of Milwaukee. Before our family settled there, we lived in Indiana, where I was born, and Ohio where most of my extended family resides. I grew up playing sports and living in a competitive family having two older brothers, and football is what brought me to Mount Union in the first place. Other than sports, I have a deep interest in sustainability, social good, innovation, and I hope to one-day work for a green business showcasing my thirst for and environmental justice. I like to be athletic in the outdoors and enjoy rock climbing, hiking, slacklining, and kayaking.

I also have developed a great deal of interest in the Spanish language and culture having taken classes since middle school. The places, festivals, and overall way of life I cannot wait to experience as I am immersed in the Spanish community. Coupling this Spanish interest with athletics, I hope to attend several futbol matches, basketball games, and view some of the lines world-renowned climber Chris Sharma has scaled.

Like Grand Trunk, I share an incredible passion for the outdoors and am adamant about protecting our wild and natural places here on this earth. This reason along with many other similarities between my lifestyle and values is why I feel I can add value to the brand as a Grand Trunk Student Ambassador. One thing I am really excited about is being a carbon balanced traveler as well! At Mount Union, I serve on a sustainability committee and my supervisors bought me carbon offsets as a gift for leaving.

Ultimately I love encountering new experiences and I define these experiences as travels that stay with you for the rest of your life. I believe travel can add value to our lives like nothing else. Travel teaches compassion, humility, and a desire realize the interconnectedness of our experiences here on this planet. For me, what I enjoy most is sharing these connections through the images produced from my journeys and documenting their stories on my blog.

- Zak Suhar

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Our contest platform received tens of thousands of hits and the voting total came in at over 30K votes! We are definitely considering offering this contest in the future, and encourage any interested students, universities, or sponsors to leave comments below so we can reach out to you, or contact us at studyabroad@grandtrunkgoods.com.

This is just the beginning.. You can follow each of these three winners’ adventures as they share their experiences of their travels right here on our website.

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

Grand Prize: Priyanka Shah

Priyanka is a Sophomore studying Sports Medicine at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. We loved Priyanka’s creative video and she followed it up encouraging her friends and family daily to vote for her via her Facebook and Twitter accounts. Priyanka will spend next semester in Lausanne, Switerland through Pepperdine’s International Campus program. We can’t wait to follow her adventure through her travelogue.

Runner-Up: Zak Suhar

Zak is a Junior studying Business Management and Spanish at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, OH. The moment we saw Zak’s video, we knew he was exactly the kind of Grand Trunk ambassador that we were hoping to receive a video from. He is already an experienced and recognized blogger, and we can’t wait to see happens when he begins his adventure. Next semester, Zak will be fine tuning his Spanish skills while at the University of Alicante in Alicante, Spain.

Honorable Mention: Caleb Timmerman

Caleb is a Sophomore studying Psychology and Marketing at Berry College in Mount Berry, GA. Throughout the contest, it became clear that Caleb would not accept anything less than receiving the #1 rank in vote getting. That relentlessness has paid off, as he has been chosen as our final Grand Trunk ambassador. Caleb’s adventure next semester will be awesome to follow, as with the Berry College program he is participating in, he will travel to Switzerland, England, France, Italy, The Azores.

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