Study Abroad with UNA
study abroad
One Final Note
Traveling is not easy. Snaffoos and snags such as airlines losing luggage, missed flights, and severe jet lag are all very real downsides of traveling (and we experienced them all). However, the desire and determination to overcome these temporary ailments gets you through and delivers you safely home to relay endless stories and gift wonderful souvenirs– equipped with an incredible and unrivaled experience. I could compose a generic and uninteresting post about the conclusion of our UNA Tanzania study abroad and make an obvious connection to the end of our African adventure to a sunset picture of Zanzibar. BUT, that … // Read more
Tan (Zan) ia
For the last three days, our group has transitioned from the urban setting of Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar– the island counterpart of mainland Tanzania. In the 1960s when then Tanganyika gained independence from the U.K., the island of Zanzibar began experiencing some internal fighting and eventually joined with Tanganyika to become Tanzania (luckily for us, since no comprehension study of the country of Tanzania would be complete without a stop at its island counterpart, we are enjoying the spoils of this island in the Indian Ocean). Zanzibar has a fascinating history as we have discovered through 2 detailed guided tours. … // Read more
Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks
You quickly realize that studying abroad is so much more than simply a vacation for school credit. I’ll be the first person to agree that any opportunity to travel is lucrative and exciting, but to study abroad means that you are constantly challenged intellectually and noting observations without hesitation throughout your travels; the purpose of studying abroad is not to relax but to insert yourself into an unfamiliar environment and observe. I have participated in three of these programs, and each one has had a defining moment. I think that today’s experiences will culminate in one of those enduring memories … // Read more
Silk Market Hagglin’
The silk market was beyond what I even imagined it to be. There were thousands of shops on the many floors of the huge mall/market. There were clothes, bags, scarves, jewelry, accessories, and so much more. I was on a mission for purses, along with several other girls. We haggled and argued with some very rude ladies, and some very kind ones, before we got our prizes. I got some fabulous purses and they were at a price I was pleased with. The women and men in the stores would yell, “Hey lady! Hey pretty lady! Come get … // Read more
The Great Wall
The Great Wall absolutely lived up to its name. It was the most gorgeous piece of work I have ever seen. The history, the beauty, and the spirit of China were all surrounding the entire wall. Our tour guide told us, “You are a hero in China if you climb the Great Wall.” I was beaming the entire climb. It was a difficult climb and it took me back to the fond memory of Mt. Tai. I climbed the wall with Will and stopped for many pictures along the way. It was so incredible just to be there. … // Read more
Farewell Tianjin
Our farewell dinner was so lovely and so bittersweet. I was not ready to leave China at all, especially the university. The people were so kind to us and I had made such good friends there. They served us a huge feast similar to the one served at our welcome dinner. We all laughed about memories we had made while in China and heard the final words from the university president. The food was delicious and the friendships were so very warm. Tianjin Foreign Studies University treated us like royalty and I am forever grateful.
Midnight Massages
Massages in China are absolutely nothing like massages in America. Nothing at all. There is no soothing music or lotion and hot rocks, there is hardcore massaging. When we arrived to the sketchiest place I’ve ever been, we were all escorted to six beds laying side by side. We climbed in and had our pictures taken multiple times. Our first task was to put our feet in extremely hot water. Then, each person was matched with a female to perform the massage. They started with our feet and worked up. They literally beat on my body, pushed on … // Read more
Geofrey the Suitcase
So, since I bought so many souvenirs in China, I had to have another suitcase to get it all back to America. I had planned on getting an inexpensive, designer suitcase to take my things back to America in. Things didn’t really go as planned. I had ran out of money and my credit card would not let me withdraw money. Luckily, Dr. Gordon and several other friends let me borrow money until I could pay them back in America. So, I ventured to Culture Street with David, Caleb, and Chelsea to find a cute suitcase. The struggle … // Read more
Beijing, Round 1
With a few days left in China, we made a day trip to Beijing. We got to experience Olympic Park and the 798 Art District. Beijing was a completely different world than Tianjin. It was much bigger, and much more upscale. Olympic Park is very large, and hard to cover in an hour, so we bought a ticket to see inside the Eagle’s Nest, which is where the track and field competitions took place. It was breathtaking to stand where so many incredible athletes have stood. I got my picture taken touching the track with my foot, of course. … // Read more
Famous
Port of Tianjin “Made in China” is written on a majority of things we buy in America. Getting to see where all those items are shipped from was very fascinating. However, I did not get to sit down and see the boats for quite a while. As I made my way to the top of the boat with all of my UNA friends, I literally got swarmed by about 25 Chinese people asking to take my picture. (Non verbally asking, obviously). I stood there for about 30 minutes taking pictures with them, getting my pictures taken alone, and … // Read more
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