Despite the term “Study Abroad,” I must admit much of my time here has not been spent on school. This is because so much of what we learn in the classroom — history, culture, language etc. — are manifested directly outside. This is what global learning is all about; the belief that the world, with…
Advice for adventure
The magic of any study abroad program is the way in which the world is open to the student. For me, a normal school week ends on Thursday allowing for three glorious days of unexplored opportunity. The entirety of Europe is in my reach, inhibited only by a host of unanticipated difficulties such as distance,…
Visions of volcanoes and valleys
“Travel” as a search word on any social site will likely produce images of white concrete houses stacked on top of each other like a frosted village cake. The blue of the roofs are rival only to the vivid sea and sky behind them. This is Santorini, a tiny half-moon shaped island just off the…
Firenze, or smooth marble and color
Firenze Day One The moment we stepped off the train it was clear, Florence is a completely different city from Rome. Still buzzing with beauty, Firenze (the Italian name) is calmer than Italy’s capital city. With museums full of priceless art, bicyclists-filled streets, Tuscan hills in the distance, and numerous bridges crossing the Arno River,…
Roma, or un sacco di gelato
Roma Day One The journey began with an overnight train to Rome. This may sound glamorous but really it means a restless night in a couchette; a six-bunk train compartment with “beds” akin to cheap couches. But any lack of sleep and discomfort was worth it once we reached Rome. The Mediterranean air and sunshine…
Great change made by great nations
In the heart of Europe, Austria is an ideal location for world unification. More than just geographically central, the small country also maintained a neutral political position after the Second World War. With these conditions in their favor, several international organizations have established main offices in the capital city of Vienna. Two of which, OPEC…
Ice can be nice
It is mid-winter, and just like at home Austria is cold and snowy in February. Each place I travel to is breathtaking in the snow, but I can’t help but imagine the beauty in the summer when the cafés sprawl into courtyards and the mountains are visible from miles away. That doesn’t mean the country…
Feeding of the mind and soul
After a Saturday of exploring, we were told to meet at Stephansplatz, or St. Stephen’s Cathedral, in the central part of the city. With our heads full of Viennese information and images, it was time to fill our bodies with the food of the culture. As a group of 29, we ate at the 12…
Here we go!
The adventure begins. After a rendezvous at BNA with family and friends, we left Nashville aboard an 8-hour flight to London — sleep was hardly an option on those narrow seats. Yet somehow, after a layover in Heathrow airport, we could hardly stay awake on our 2 hour flight to Vienna, Austria. We found our…
Find me some fudge!
Mackinac Island, a quaint island part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Only accessible by boat, residents and visitors get around by biking, horse and carriage. No motorized vehicles can be found on the island, but what has a very prominent presence is the fudge. Practically every other storefront sells thick, sugary slices of the…
Sweet Scout 