Tag: Greenheart Travel Scholarship Winner

Experiencing Life in Spain with Your 5 Senses

Living and studying abroad in Spain is about taking in your new surroundings and noticing things with all your senses. It’s about letting the beauty of new sink into you. Slow down, look around, and let yourself notice things, you just might be surprised!

Taste/ Gusto

When you think of Spain and their wonderful cuisine, what pops into your head? If you thought of bread, jamon, tortilla de patatas, or colacao… You just might be from Spain!

If you’re in Spain, jamon is a must! You can’t get jamon like this anywhere else, and lots of families here have a cured pig’s leg in the kitchen where they slice their own fresh jamon. My host family doesn’t have one, but most of my friends do.

Equally as popular is and eaten at every meal is bread. It’s not a complete meal without it! In fact, it’s kind of a must, my host mom doesn’t like it if we don’t eat bread.

Colacao, however, is very typical Spanish but I don’t drink it because I don’t like milk. It’s like hot chocolate but not as chocolaty and very milky.

Last but never least, tortilla de patata, the most typical Spanish food out there. We eat it for dinner or cut it up and put it in a bocadillo (sandwich) for school. Sometimes my mom will make it with spinach or asparagus inside. It’s super easy and really yummy!

Smell/ Olfato

When walking the streets of Villanueva de la Serena, my dear home away from home, or really any Spanish town, especially Sevilla, you are bound to smell oranges. There are orange trees everywhere! I’m basically in heaven, I love fruit, especially tropical fruit!

We constantly have oranges in the house and my host mom makes us fresh squeezed orange juice all the time. What more could one want in life??

Sight/ Vista

One of my very favorite parts of being in Spain is watching the sunset every night. We stay out late enough each night that I get to see it everyday, and everyday it’s perfect. It’s like a piece of art painted in the sky.

Some nights it’s orange, others purple, others pink, and it never fails to amaze me! It’s my little piece of beauty I can count on each day.

Hearing/ Oido

There are a lot of things to hear here in Spain. One might think the most noticeable thing would be hearing Spanish, but I’ve gotten used to that. The noise I wake up to, go to school with, and also go to sleep with is birds.The park in front of my house is home to a ridiculous amount of birds.

There are so many of them that it’s like a wall of noise. I’ve never heard so many birds at once. It’s pretty noise, but it’s constantly there. There are also a lot of pet birds here, and I got to hold one!

Touch/ Tacto

Louise with a friend in Spain.

In Spain, you greet everyone with dos besos (a kiss on each cheek) every time you see them. Usually boys with other boys just do a handshake. It is something to get used to because back in the States we aren’t as affectionate with everyone, but I like this tradition because it’s a way of acknowledging everyone you’re with.

About the Author:

Louise Plever is 15 years old and lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Her goal during her study abroad program in Spain is “to become fluent in Spanish and make friends that will last a lifetime.” Follow Louise’s adventure in Spain on her blog post updates throughout the year.

Where have you traveled that have inspired all your senses? Share them in the comments below!

April 17, 2017
A Small St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in Ireland

St. Patrick’s day is obviously an important day here in Ireland. People get the day off of work and school, towns have parades and all the shops do bit of decorating. But really, I don’t think it’s too huge of a celebration. All the big cities have parades and neat decorations, but here in Castle Island, I joined a handful of friends for a small parade.

The weather was stereotypical of Ireland – heavy rain and cold winds. I got completely drenched, but it was worth it. The parade wasn’t much – a lot of tractors, some vintage cars, the primary schools with banners and things, some musical floats, that sort of thing. There were a lot of floats about Trump, which I didn’t really understand. All in all, a nice parade.

From what I can see, this is the thing most towns do. Apparently in the bigger cities ( Cork and Dublin) the parade is bigger and they’ll light up buildings. I know some of my friends plan to go out this weekend in celebration, and that also seems to be the norm. St. Patrick’s day is more of a one day celebration, than a week-long thing. It was a really great experience to have while studying abroad, and I had a lot of fun!

Have you celebrated a holiday while studying abroad? Share your experience below in the comments!

March 17, 2017
Why I’m Already Planning My Return Trip to Germany After Studying Abroad

I’ve been back in the U.S. for about a month now since my study abroad program in Germany. Being an exchange student made me more independent and boosted my confidence in doing whatever it is I wish to do. Now that I’ve gone on exchange, I want to go back.

I’m not sure I did so well at the beginning of being back; I mean, not gonna lie, I still want to go back as soon as possible. Sometimes I just get super sad thinking about my host family and my friends and how long it’ll be before I get to see them again, but my family and friends in the U.S. also make me happy of course. Right now it just feels like there’s an infinite amount of space between the people I met in Germany and myself. Over time, I’m sure it won’t be as hard, but for now, I’ll just have to keep planning my trip back.

A photo with my host sister Victoria during a hiking trip.

As far as education in the future, I want to study abroad in college. I’m thinking I might go back to Germany to experience university there.

I would say the best advice I have for future exchange students is to cherish every single moment and person while on your program. Honestly, the time went by so fast and there are some moments I wish I wouldn’t have taken for granted. For example, I wish I had joined more extracurriculars, but I still enjoyed my time so much.

These are my host parents, Michael and Susanne, in Germany.

Being back home, people ask me a lot what the most memorable part of the trip was or what I enjoyed the most and I always say “the people.” Of course the trips and the food and everything were awesome, but I will always remember the friends that I made and the people who I now consider my family.

This picture is of me and two of my exchange students friends, Felipe and Audrey.

About the Author:

Morgan Tucker is 16 years old and lives in Greenfield, Indiana. Her goal during her study abroad program is to “make friends that I will keep for the rest of my life. I also hope to learn about the Germans, and in turn, learn about my heritage.” Follow Morgan’s adventure in Germany on her blog post updates from her program.

Ready to have the high school experience of a lifetime?

March 10, 2017
Living With a Host Family Doesn’t Have to be Awkward; Here’s How to Feel at Home

It was about seven months ago that I called my host parents for the first time. I’ll be honest and say it was extremely awkward. I wasn’t sure what to say to the people that I’d be living with for nine months. I don’t actually remember what was said, but I know I stuttered out of nervousness, and that the phone connection was terrible.

A week or so later, I Skyped them for the first time. It wasn’t a long conversation, as I was still quite nervous and they had a plethora of people running around. I only talked to them directly one other time, for about fifteen minutes with all of their family around, and all of mine. Needless to say, we didn’t exactly know each other well before we met at the airport. Yet, they still managed to help me relax and feel at home.

When I first met them, they were quick to hug me and make sure I knew I was welcome in their home, and they were happy to have me. This and the way they repeatedly told me that it was “my house too”, and that I should treat it as such, helped me feel less homesick and happier here while studying in Ireland. I have been extremely lucky with my host family, as they are sure to include me in everything and we all get on well.

Not all students are as fortunate, and many have issues and complaints with their host family. However, I feel that it is natural to feel uncomfortable in your host family sometimes. You’re in a new place, you don’t know what is and isn’t acceptable at first. The things you might have done in your own home aren’t things your host family will do, and vise versa. And I think there are some things you will never feel comfortable doing with your host family.

For example, I don’t like to come downstairs in my pajamas here. At home I’d wander all over in my pajamas, but I just don’t do that here. In pretty much every aspect of my life here I feel safe and comfortable around my host family. That’s what’s important. My host family has gone to great lengths to ensure that I am at home here and at ease.

My family and friends back home were also incredibly helpful with my transition. Many people wrote encouraging notes and letters to me before I left, about how proud of me they were, and how much they were going to miss me. I took quite a lot of these with me and used them to decorate my room. Especially in the first few months, when I was particularly homesick, I would read over these letters and notes and would feel a little bit closer to home. I’ve found that even just having these things around me helps me deal with my homesickness.

While everyone’s experience will vary, I have three pieces of advice for any students nervous about living with a host family:

1) Try and be apart of your host family. I know it isn’t easy, but it’s important. It’s as simple as spending time in the areas they spend a lot of time in, like the living room or kitchen. Don’t be afraid to take part in celebrations or casual conversations they have.

2) If your family is one that has regular meals together, try to be at home for them. Family meals are a big part of both my family here and at home, so this was not only a way to help me with homesickness, but also helped let me get to know my host family better.

3) Help out. Heaven knows I’m no saint when it comes to keeping my room clean, but I do try to keep it generally straightened up. Some host families may request you do certain chores, others may not. Either way, offer to do the dishes, or set table. It’s your home for however long you’re there, and it’s important to take care of it. Your host family is a big part of your study abroad experience, so do your best to enjoy your time with them!

Kayla Trowbridge is 16 years old and lives in Zionsville, Indiana. Her goal during her study abroad program is to “create relationships that will continue throughout my life and develop a new understanding of the Irish culture.” Follow Kayla’s adventure in Ireland on her blog post updates throughout her program.

Have you lived with a host family? Share what you made you feel more at home in the comments below!

March 2, 2017
Photo Essay: The Story of My Life in Spain

“Every positive change in life begins with a clear, unequivocal decision that you are either going to do something or stop doing something” -unknown

For my eighth blog post, I decided to make a photo essay with the highlights of my study abroad program so far. These pictures are some of my favorite memories and funny moments from Spain. Each picture has its own story behind it. They go in order from when I first arrived up until now. Bienvenidos a España!

This photo was taken on the steps of the Spanish Embassy on the day that I applied for my student visa. I remember having so many butterflies in my stomach; I was so excited for the adventure that was to come.

September 13th, 2016

This is the group of American exchange students studying abroad in Spain. During our three day orientation in Madrid, we visited museums, toured parks and restaurants, and we all became a little family. Since this photo was taken, we have all bonded and changed together through this incredible experience of studying abroad.

September 15th, 2016

This is a picture of the sunset taken from the bus on the way to meet our host families. All of us Americans were still together on the bus because our host families are all in the same province, Badajoz Extremadura. We were all so nervous it was ridiculous.

There were two bus stops. We arrive at the first one, Don Benito. All of the Americans getting off here got up, got their bags, and we all said our goodbyes, lots and lots of goodbyes. They ended up standing at the door of the bus until we realized that none of the other locals had gotten up and were looking at us like we were crazy. Turns out we weren’t actually at the bus stop, we were at a rest stop for the bus driver. Classic tourists.

September 17th, 2016

My first weekend in Spain. It was my host sister’s birthday so we went to Burger King for dinner with all of her friends. I think it’s hilarious that going to Burger King and McDonald’s is the thing here, because I’ve always thought of that as such a typical American thing to do. I was totally surprised at how different hanging out is here. Usually the entire friend group gets together and rarely hangs out in a house. We also go out much later (9pm to around 1am) because in the afternoon there’s sports or classes.

September 29th, 2016

I was out enjoying a boiling hot September day in Spain, when I came across what I thought was a lime tree. A lime tree! I got so excited because I would never find a lime tree back where I live. Of course, I had to pick one and then try it… It tasted weird but I just thought that was because it wasn’t ripe enough. Well. Months go by and those lime trees start turning into orange trees… That lime was just a really, really, really unripe orange. Once again, classic tourist, or maybe not so classic. I probably should have known that there are a lot of orange trees in Spain.

October 8th, 2016

Turning 16 in Spain is something I will remember forever. We went to Madrid for a surprise birthday party for an uncle, but because we are in Spain, the party lasted until way past 12am, so we started to celebrate my birthday as well.

Looking back to turning 16 feels like ages ago, and yet it was only 4 months ago. Time flies when you’re having fun.

November 6th, 2016

We went asparagus picking! I had no idea that asparagus grows on a bush. It’s a small bush that’s low to the ground and looks like your normal everyday bush, but there’s actually asparagus underneath the prickly branches. As I am not an asparagus expert, it was news to me that there are two different types of asparagus. You learn something new everyday.

November 13th, 2016

Supermoon! Super luna! My Spanish teacher took us up to a village on the side of a mountain to get a good view of the supermoon. It was incredible!

November 27th, 2016

A group of German students came to my town for a week. One of the girls stayed with my host family. It was an eye opening experience to be living abroad with two other girls my age, from totally different backgrounds, especially during the election.

December 22nd, 2016

I got a package from my parents! We heard the doorbell ring so my host mom opened the door, and there it was! She said, Louise your package is here and it wasn’t taken by customs!! Super exciting early Christmas. It had some things I wished I had brought and gifts for my host family and friends.

December 24th, 2016

I ran a Christmas day race with my friends. Well, not exactly run, but we sure did make our way through the race!

December 31st, 2016

New Years had arrived and the famous 12 grapes tradition rang true!! You eat one grape for each month, with only seconds between each grape. In all honesty it’s quite the choking hazard, especially because the grapes had seeds.

After the grapes were done we went to a party with all of our friends, and pretty much all of the kids living in Villanueva. It lasted until 6am so we spent new year’s day sleeping.

January 15th, 2017

We were on a family outing, driving out in the country when we came across this castle. We just happened to stumble across this beautiful ancient castle, it doesn’t get more European than that.

February 2017

Here we are in February. How is that even possible?! In these past 5 months I have learned so much, I have made so many friends, I have faced challenges that have honestly changed me as a person, and I have grown up in ways I didn’t know were possible.

I started this experience alone in some ways. I had no familiarity and it was on me to get through that and to find and make some. That may have been the most alone I’ve ever felt in my life. My life was an ocean away. It’s getting over feelings like that, that have truly made me grow up as a person. I have a second home here in Villanueva de la Serena, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

“Today you are you, that is truer than true, there is no one alive who is youer than you!”- Doctor Suess

Louise Plever is 15 years old and lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Her goal during her study abroad program in Spain is “to become fluent in Spanish and make friends that will last a lifetime.” Follow Louise’s adventure in Spain on her blog post updates throughout the year.

Picture Yourself Studying in Spain?

February 28, 2017

A Basic Guide to the Irish School System

Having been in Ireland for about five months and going to school here for just as long, I feel I now have an idea of how the school system works. So, I have decided to create a little guide for those of you who intend to study in Ireland, or for those of you back home who like to understand what I’m talking about half the time.

First of all, the Levels in an Irish School System.

I’m a little embarrassed to say it wasn’t until this week that I actually got this all figured out, and I needed two people to explain it to me! However, it’s really not that complicated.

Have a look at this chart for level differences between the USA and Ireland:

USA	Age	Ireland	Age
Preschool	4-5 years	Junior Infants	4-5 years
Kindergarten	5-6 years	Senior Infants	5-6 years
1st grade	6-7 years	1st class	6-7 years
2nd grade	7-8 years	2nd class	7-8 years
3rd grade	8-9 years	3rd class	8-9 years
4th grade	9-10 years	4th class	9-10 years
5th grade	10-11 years	5th class	10-11 years
6th grade	11-12 years	6th class	11-12 years
7th grade	12-13 years	1st year	12-13 years
8th grade	13-14 years	2nd year	13-14 years
Freshman (9th grade)	14-15 years	3rd year	14-15 years
Sophomore (10th grade)	15-16 years	4th year (transition year/optional)
Junior (11th grade)	16-17 years	5th year	16-17 years
Senior (12th grade)	17-18 years	6th year	17-18 years

A school sign in Ireland. — Presentation Secondary School sign in Ireland. Photo by Kayla Trowbridge.

While in the US most school systems have elementary school, middle school (or junior high), and high school, in Ireland its primary school (1st class through 6th class), and then Secondary school. In Ireland, the primary school you go to does not determine the secondary school you will attend. In this town, you have the option of going to an all boys school, an all girls school, a mixed school, or there is the option of going to an all Irish school.

There are two major tests an Irish student has to take during secondary school, in addition to exams and normal tests. These are the Junior Cert and the Leaving Cert. The Junior Cert is taken at the end of 3rd year, and they get their results at the beginning of either 4th year (if they chose to take that level) or 5th year. Then, at the end of 6th year they take the Leaving Cert. They must earn a certain number of points depending on the major they want in college.

A school in Ireland. — Kayla’s school in Ireland.

The Irish Grading System Explained.

When I got my exam results back at first, I didn’t realize that the percentages were different as well as the letter grade. This led to quite a bit of confusion and distress! Luckily, I found this handy little guide on the Internet! If you’re an American student abroad, there are a lot of online charts and calculators that will help you get a better idea of what your grade will transfer to.

Here’s an Irish to American grade comparison:

Grade	Scale	U.S. Grade
H1	90-100	A
H2	80-89	A-
H3	70-79	B
H4	60-69	B-
H5	50-59	C
H6	40-49	D
H7	30-39	F
H8	0-29	F

So there you have it! An extremely simple guide to give you an idea of what the Irish school system is like!

Thank you Kayla! See more of Greenheart Travel’s High School Abroad programs in other countries HERE!

February 10, 2017

Reflections from Halfway Through My Time in Spain

I have now officially been living in Spain for a little over four months. It’s crazy how fast the time has gone, how much I have learned, and how much I have grown as a person. Before I arrived, I thought a lot about what I wanted to get out of this experience. One of the things I wanted was to be able to dream in Spanish. I can now cross that off my list because I do that all the time!

Thoughts Before Arrival in Spain

Looking back on before I arrived and was still in the USA, I truly couldn’t have known what I was getting ready to do. I had ideas, but there was no way to know what the reality of studying abroad in Spain would actually be like. I was going to live with complete strangers, who later turned into a second family.

What I did know was that I wanted to become fluent in Spanish, and that that wouldn’t happen just by taking classes. I needed to immerse myself in the language. I also knew I needed to get out into the world and get a new perspective. Culture shock is real, but it does go away. The first week I cried myself to sleep each night, and thought I wouldn’t be able to stay until June. But, I also knew in the back of my mind that if I left, I would regret it.

Louise looking out a window in Spain.

Thoughts After Half a Year Abroad

I can’t lie. Being away from my family and friends is hard, and there are some days where the fact that I am an outsider really gets to me. But, I also know that I will return home, and that there are always going to be hard days no matter if I am in Spain or back in Asheville. Life is life and being an exchange student is so incredibly amazing that the good and the great out do the bad by a million times. For now I am here to get everything I possibly can from this wonderful adventure, and to be here and in the moment while I still am.

As much as I’ve changed, I am still me. I am at this halfway point with everything. I have a family here and I also have one in the United States. I have a different style and taste of clothes than locals here, but also some of the same. I can do the ‘j’ pronunciation, but rolling my ‘r’ is still hard. As it says in my profile, my goals for studying abroad are to become fluent in Spanish and to make friends that will last a lifetime. And I have indeed made so many friends that will last a lifetime. It’s crazy to think that there was a time that I didn’t know them!

This first half of my year abroad was mostly about understanding the language and getting used to the culture. I can now understand everything, and have adapted well. But, speaking is still a little hard. I can speak, but not as well as I’d like to. Some of my goals going into the second half of this adventure are to be able to speak better, have a higher level of Spanish, and to continue learning, growing, and discovering what this world has to offer.

Louise Plever is 15 years old and lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Her goal during her study abroad program in Spain is “to become fluent in Spanish and make friends that will last a lifetime.” Follow Louise’s adventure in Spain on her blog post updates throughout the year.

Are you ready to discover what life has to offer you while studying abroad?

February 2, 2017
Recipes from Abroad: How to Make a Spanish Omelette
Being an exchange student is one of the most exciting things that exists. You get the opportunity to experience the world with new people who have different ideas and perspectives. It’s a chance to learn things you could never have possibly imagined you would learn, and try things you could never have possibly imagined you would try. Studying abroad is about getting out there, breaking your comfort zone, and trying new things.

During your time abroad, you will probably be eating lots of new foods and trying things you’ve never had before. While living and studying in Spain, I have had the chance to try the local cuisine. The basic, most typical Spanish food, aside from jamon, is tortilla de patatas, a Spanish omelette. Luckily, now you don’t have to wait until your next trip abroad to experience this Spanish staple.

Check out Louise’s cooking tutorial and recipe below!

The recipe differs from family to family based on your likes, but the following recipe is what my host family uses:
1. You will need 2 onions, 2 potatoes, and 4 eggs (cut the onions into little pieces and the potatoes into thin slices).
2. Heat up a pan with a little bit of olive oil in it and add the onions and potatoes.
3. While the onions and potatoes are cooking, crack the four eggs into a bowl and mix them.
4. Once the onions are cooked and the potatoes are soft, you will add them into the bowl with the eggs. Add a pinch of salt.
5. Mix it all together, and pour them into a new circular pan (the shape of the tortilla is important).
6. Put a lid over the pan and let it sit for a few minutes.
7. You will now need a plate because you have to flip the the tortilla over to let the other side cook, it’s a risky maneuver.
8. Once the tortilla is safely flipped and both sides are cooked thoroughly, it is ready to be enjoyed.
Louise Plever is 15 years old and lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Her goal during her study abroad program in Spain is “to become fluent in Spanish and make friends that will last a lifetime.” Follow Louise’s adventure in Spain on her blog post updates throughout the year.

Do you have any favorite recipes inspired by your travels? Share them below!
January 25, 2017
Household Production: Resourcefulness and Skill-Learning in Costa Rica

Before I began my ten month-long exchange in Costa Rica, I was a mindless consumer, buying what I could when I had the money. If something was broken, it went into the trashcan and I bought a new one. If I wanted a new piece of clothing, I would order one online or browse the stores downtown. Not only did this habit prove to be expensive, but it muffled my creative drive and curiosity about how things are made.

With just a few clicks, we open ourselves up to thousands of available products. In the United States, many stores typically have what we seek in stock, and if not, waiting usually does not last too long. Although this is beneficial in many ways, it removes our need to create and repair possessions. Yet technology in regards to online shopping and the distribution of goods, has developed with a global inconsistency. In some ways, this contributes to the variation in relationships with shopping and merchandise in different parts of the world.

The Efficiency of “Doing It Yourself” in Costa Rica

Upon arrival to my home here in Costa Rica, I was quickly introduced to the efficiency of household production. My host mom’s prized possession is her sewing machine, and she has used it to combine her passion for sewing with her interest in making things herself. Her portfolio is extensive, ranging from bedding to electronic tablet cases, and grocery shopping is regularly followed by a trip to one of the many fabric stores that fill my town.

An inside look at a fabric store in Costa Rica.

Although my host mom admits to sewing as being one of her hobbies, she also mentions that it is a practice adopted by many people out of practicality. Stores here are typically smaller-sized and do not make special orders for anything that is not on their shelves at that moment. The small selections often drive people into San José (the capital and largest city of Costa Rica) to complete their shopping, but the time needed and stress spent on making the trip encourages the majority of people to either shop online, or make what they need themselves.

Online shopping can also be an expensive and lengthy process, as many products are shipped from the United States or other larger countries. In many cases, household production proves to be the most reasonable option for working families in Costa Rica.

Household Production in Everyday Life in Costa Rica

Sewing is not the only method in which household production has found its way into everyday life. Many families, including my own, use their spare time to work on house additions or fixing broken electronics. My family is in the middle of constructing a second-floor bedroom at the back of our house. They are embodying the relaxed “tico lifestyle” as they continue working on this project, that has now lasted years, with no rush in sight.

My host dad also saves time and money by repairing electronics; he enjoys tinkering with car parts, and fixing anything from kitchen appliances to cell phones.

A handmade bag by Rachel Maloney.

Transforming Skills into Hobbies

With the luck of having generous and patient host parents, I have been able to learn some of these skills, and transform them into hobbies that I can take home with me after my exchange year has ended. I use my free time to practice embroidery, book-making, and other activities that help me express myself in a form that is easily able to be integrated into my life. Not only has this expanded my collection of random interests I can now indulge in, but it has also increased my problem solving and project starting abilities.

When I finished my journal and could not find one that I liked in town, I learned how to recycle unused paper from old school notebooks and create my own. When my bag broke and the only ones I could find were expensive, I bought some second-hand fabric and, with the help of my host mom, sewed one that fit my needs.

What initially appeared to me as hobbies, have since shown themselves as ways which we can use our capabilities to solve problems. Instead of looking at a broken hair straightener and seeing a piece of garbage, my host dad sees a challenge he can work on. Instead of seeing torn pajamas as another trip to the store, my host mother sees a chance to create unique clothing that fits, looks, and feels exactly how she would like it to.

“By taking these tasks on themselves, they practice approaching issues with a more reasonable and determined mindset. By teaching these activities to me, they are passing on this opportunity to expand my own problem solving skills.”

The outside cover of a journal made by Rachel in Costa Rica.

DIY may be trendy in many parts of the world, but here in Costa Rica, it is a part of the lifestyle. It is a manifestation of independence and cultural quirks that find their way into the objects that fill our lives every day. It is a resourcefulness and understanding that we all have the power to create what we need if we push ourselves to do it. Designing the objects that fill our lives is like constructing bricks to build a house; it gives us the power to create our own realities from every detail to the larger picture, and every beginning to the very end.

About the Author:

My name is Rachael Maloney, and I am a curious venturer fueled by good books and foreign food. I am currently spending my junior year of high school in Costa Rica, doing my best to absorb everything my 10 months abroad have to teach. I look forward to carrying these lessons with me for many years to come, and, in the meantime, sharing them in online articles for those who are interested. Follow Rachael on her adventure and read her stories here.

What skills would you like to learn while studying abroad? Comment below!

January 25, 2017
The Similarities and Differences of Christmas in Ireland

Christmas while studying in Ireland was a lot like Christmas at home. Family, friends, a Christmas tree, lots of food, and gifts. But there were a few Irish things that stuck out to me. Firstly, the Christmas dinner. It reminded me a lot of Thanksgiving dinner back home. Turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and vegetables. It was of course very tasty.

Another thing was the lighting of the lights in the town. This happened at the beginning of December and I went to it with my friends. There was live music, free food, fireworks and these interesting puppet-like things of Mr. and Mrs. Claus. It wasn’t a long event, and it was cold. Also, because this is Ireland, it started to rain during it. But, that didn’t prevent us from having a good time.

Celebrating the holidays in Ireland. Photo by Kayla Trowbridge.

Something else that was quite different than the usual, for me at least, were the school celebrations. Having attended a public school for my entire life, I never had any sort of school-wide Christmas event. But because this is a Catholic school, we had a big Christmas party of sorts on the last day of school.

I spent New Year’s Eve with two of my fellow foreign students. It was a relaxed and enjoyable evening. We were all pretty tired though, so we were in bed by one!

A decorated Christmas tree in Ireland. Photo by Kayla Trowbridge.

I thought that I’d be incredibly homesick all Christmas break, but I really wasn’t. Not that I didn’t miss my family, of course I did. Christmas, for me, revolves around spending time with my family. So, of course being away from them was hard. But, I didn’t have the desire to sulk in my room or mope around by myself. I wanted to play with my host parents’ grandkids, and talk to my host family. I wanted to help make the Christmas dinner, and teach the kids how to play card games. I did all that, and I had an amazing Christmas.

Sure, watching children that weren’t my siblings opening presents and yelling for us to wake up at ten past six in the morning was difficult, and yes, it was strange to sit around a table without my cousins and eat a Christmas meal. But, it didn’t ruin my Christmas. I still had fun and it will be a Christmas I will always look back on and smile at the memory.

Kayla Trowbridge is 16 years old and lives in Zionsville, Indiana. Her goal during her study abroad program is to “create relationships that will continue throughout my life and develop a new understanding of the Irish culture.” Follow Kayla’s adventure in Ireland on her blog post updates throughout her program.

Have you celebrated the holidays abroad? Tell us about your experience below.

January 3, 2017