So far the study abroad experience has been nothing less than the expectations and hype that it was put up against. As a whole we have had some pretty incredible excursions. From witnessing the history or the University of Salamanca/Cathedrals, to riding horses in the rural areas of Spain. Fortunately there are plenty of topics … Continue reading Salamanca’s Must Do’s by Ryan Ball
July 2nd, after our language classes, we had a guest lecturer, a professional matador. He told us all about his career, and shared with us his tools of the trade, except for a live bull of course. While bullfighting is controversial from an animal rights perspective, I was fascinated to learn about the ceremony and … Continue reading The Matador
My Spanish experience has been incredible. I never expected a simple choice as going abroad to change so many aspects of my life in such a short time period. As I entered this experience, I expected to only gain academic skills, but it has proven to be so much more. The Spanish people are the … Continue reading My Incredible Spanish Experience
It seemed like this last day was designed specifically for our departure. After we packed, we were taken back to downtown Rome and went into the Capuchin Crypts. It was very exciting entering crypts made completely out of the bones of the deceased members of the monks, creating many forms of the Memento Mori such … Continue reading Day 9 – Going out with a Bang!
On June 29th, we visited Florence for the day. Florence is considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance, and it’s home to many masterpieces from that time period. We went to the Roma Termini train station and I noticed that it was like a mall except with trains. There’s a little train for kids … Continue reading Firenze
Today was the best day yet. We visited the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN. Call me strange, but this center is more exciting to me than anything else here in Rome. Each room, funded by different countries of the United Nations, was like stepping into another culture. The presentation moved me. It was … Continue reading Most Inspiring Day of Rome Yet
Today was a blast. We had our last day of class, which was bittersweet, but also meant that we had more time to explore Rome with the following days. Margaret and Chloe showed me this rad pizza place during lunch, and it was a shame I didn’t visit it earlier! It had some of the … Continue reading Day 6 – Vatican Museum!
June 29 day 53: The best feeling in the world is doing something you and others never thought was possible. But the only thing that feels better than that is when you get to do it again. The past few weeks in Spain have been really really awesome although I am overwhelmed and and backed … Continue reading Something new for the second time
Well, another day in Spain has come and gone. I cannot believe it’s been a week! It’s crazy! Our schedules have been jam packed and so busy. My house mom here is so awesome! She’s so patient especially when I’m talking, and she’s a good cook…which is a plus for sure! Today we went to … Continue reading Spain 2015: I’m so thankful to be back in this amazing city studying again!
On our last day in Italy, we went to visit the Cripta Capuccini, which is a crypt decorated with the bones of 3,700 monks that have passed away. This crypt is a reminder of our own mortality. It had to have been one of the creepiest sights I’ve ever seen in my life. I wish … Continue reading Monk Bones, the Feast Day, and Missing Italy