I’ll really miss Valencia!

My stay in Valencia has been a fantastic experience at all levels. For me, Valencia has been the perfect city in which to combine studying, cultural enrichment and a GREAT quality of life!

The climate is agreeable all year, helping you feel good. Also (perhaps because of the climate) the Valencians are very pleasant, happy and dynamic.

I have really enjoyed taking advantage of the offerings of such a big city (the culture, spare time and going out) and the other aspects of Valencia like the beach (enormous, with kilometres of soft golden sand!) and the nature. It has truly been an incredible experience for me. The 5km of the old river have been transformed into a garden in which you can walk, study, skate or practice sports – everything is possible. What impressed me most of all is that all this can be enjoyed in a coastal location, with a wonderful beach and a short time after the ski season has finished!!!

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Chile, here I am!

I had the chance to spend a half year in a foreign country because of my studies. As I am studying Spanish back home in Germany, it was obvious that I should do a Spanish course in either Spain or South America.

So, I decided to go to Chile! Why? I can’t explain, but it was just such a feeling, a great chance I thought.

When I arrived in Chile everything was totally new and I was so excited to be in this country. I was truly impressed by its landscape, the Andes with its snow on the peaks and also in Santiago de Chile Mount San Cristóbal with its statue of Virgin Mary.

While we drove to my accommodation, an apartment belonging to the Spanish school in which the students can live, I recognized some people listening to “Cumbia” and dancing to the music on the street. And just in that moment I thought: “Yeah, this is right for me… and I really want to get to know this country!”

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My Academic Year in Rome

Ciao!

I don’t know how to start here… Maybe I should tell a little about myself first. My name is Camilla, I’m Norwegian and 19 years old. I’m totally fascinated about Italy, and I’ve always dreamed about learning Italian, a language I consider as the world’s most beautiful.

So, I decided to take the plunge and learn the language by signing up for an Academic Year Italian language course programme in Rome!

I remember the first day of school: I was nervous and curious at the same time……

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Barcelona – City of contrasts!

After living and studying Spanish in Barcelona for almost 3 months now, I am really starting to realize that this city has it ALL!

It doesn’t matter how, when or who you are in Barcelona, the city always has lots of things to offer!

People from all over the world meet up here, studying, working, travelling and most important of all; creating the international, cosmopolitan atmosphere that you can’t find anywhere else! It is truly the city where two extremes get along perfectly, where you can go from the trendy, bohemian neighbourhood of Raval to the more posh and elegant Eixample in 5 minutes. Where you can have a 2 euro shawarma for lunch and a glass of Dom Perignon champagne in the evening. Where the old Catalan traditions are mixed with modernistic architecture into a glowing, colourful melting pot!

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Santiago – The REAL Cuba!

My first hours in Santiago de Cuba were simply unforgettable. I have never met such friendly people before! When I arrived at my host family’s home, they had a rose for me! Immediately I felt so welcome. They made me comfortable, and after dinner, as we  ‘at home’!

Santiago was the first capital of Cuba and these days it is called the “heroic city”. It was also the cradle of arts and music of Cuba and it is easy to understand why. When you walk along its streets you find plenty of places were singers and musicians perform everyday. The most popular clubs are Casa de la Música, Casa de la Trova and Patio los dos Abuelos. These clubs are unique; I do not think that places like these exist in any other place in the world… with really good live music bands, Salsa and a simply unique ‘Cuban atmosphere’.

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My Pleasant Retreat to Madrid

I  can confidently say that studying Spanish in Madrid was the best decision of my life! There was so much to experience in this miraculous city that I found it difficult to decide what my after-class activities would be every afternoon! Thankfully, though, everything (including the school) was easily accessible by the very efficient Metro system in Madrid.

One of the first few days that I was in Madrid I decided to enjoy the beautiful weather outside by exploring the park that is just minutes from the school… El Parque del Buen Retiro (Park of the Pleasant Retreat).

This park was magnificent – I spent so much time there! It had everything imaginable to enjoy a sunny afternoon…from beautiful gardens and peaceful little café’s to artistic, amusing street performers and a pond filled with people paddling rowboats. It was the perfect retreat for me because I would go jogging there in the cool of the early morning. In the afternoons I could chill out there and sip on a refreshing drink under the café terraces. One day I even had my fortune told in the park (which left me feeling quite optimistic afterward).

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An American in …MALAGA!

You have got to love Spanish public holidays (‘fiestas’)! Yesterday was Dia de Andalusia… and let me say that it was a great day, spent with lots of friends at the beach. But let me say something else and get it over with… I LOVE this place. Absolutely love it. Sorry mom and dad… I am never coming home!

We started the day off with a nice American breakfast. Dillon’s parents have been so kind to bring us some pancake mix… and Vermont’s Best Maple Syrup. It was nice to sleep in, and awake to the aromas of an already cooked and delicious breakfast. Now that I think about it… Malaga could really use a Pancake house. It might be one of the only things it is missing. If only I could finance that…!

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Sorrento and its Processions!

Hi all, you know when you experience something so different from what you are used to that it leaves a lasting impression on you and makes you think about life? Well, that is just what happened to us when we went to the Easter Processions that take place in Sorrento and along its coastline.

It was a fantastic, moving and thought provoking night. It starts in Sorrento on Thursday night when many people of the town form a procession which moves through the town along with a statue of the Madonna, all people are dressed in white, symbolizing life. I think you have to be there to feel the energy and the beauty of the procession because it sure is difficult to describe! There was another procession the following night and for me these two nights really made my Easter meaningful ….and not just about eating loads of chocolate and cake!

Mind you, eating loads of chocolate and cake isn’t a bad pastime and in Sorrento – You are spoilt for choice for delicacies like Baba’ ( a cake soaked in rum,), ice-cream, lemon cakes and crepes. Sorrento and its Dolce Vita is just right for me!

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Mojitos in Havana!

I always dreamed of going to the Caribbean because of the beaches but after my trip to Havana, I now know that Cuba has so much more to offer than just sunbathing! As soon as I started walking around Havana I felt as if I was in a different world – the combination of old cars on the street, colonial buildings and the sound of salsa… It’s just so different from any other place in the world!

There are a lot of interesting places to visit in Havana but Vedado it is definitely the best area to stay. It is a lively neighbourhood with nice homes and a lot of activity; the real centre of the city… and this is where my Cuban host family lived and where I also had my Spanish course!

The teachers were really friendly, patient, and obviously had lots of experience of teaching Spanish, because they really know how to help you learn, but make sure you enjoyed it at the same time – and with just 2 other people n the same group as me, we could always ask the teacher if there was anything we didn’t understand.

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Taking it easy in Sorrento!

The weather is definitely better here than when I left UK!

I’m in Sorrento at the moment, after travelling around Italy for a while and its such a cool place, I have decided to stay here for a while. My American friend was doing an Italian language course at a language school in Sorrento and she convinced me that as we both want to stay in this fair country, we might as well use our time to learn some of its language!

I think I will also get a job, so I don’t have to go home for a time. But as I would like to be able to order a cappuccino at a bar, buy a pair of jeans in the great shops here, get on the bus to Positano and talk to some Italian guys, I agreed with my friend that it was about time we throw our well thumbed phrase books in the bin and start some lessons!

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