There are four stages commonly observed in students studying abroad ( Read more... )

Tomorrow, I'm going to have a discussion with my students on (reverse) culture shock as part of our discussion on cultural change. Part of me really wants to have this discussion, because it means something to me and it's important, but I'm also a bit worried that it may be too much information for my students, precisely because it's such a ( Read more... )

It´s amazing how much things change while simultaneously staying the same. Last night I went to visit my host parents, both of whom were thankfully in residence (they had just returned from the beach hours earlier). I brought them a bottle of local sherry, and we sat and talked for about an hour. From them I learned that my host mom´s dad had ( Read more... )

So, Sevilla. We´ve been here since yesterday afternoon, and I must say, it´s quite a different experience being here as a tourist and somewhat-tour-guide for my friend, than it was being a student here two years ago. I know that many of you bore with me when I complained about being a student here, but I think that I prefer being a student to a ( Read more... )

You guys, why do mosquitoes live in Madrid in July? Why, I ask you? I am covoered in bites! Shouldn´t mosquitoes be withering in this heat ( Read more... )

RIP to friend David Stein, who passed away on Friday at the age of 20.

*sigh*

Otherwise, though, I've been enjoying Spain to bits! Yay for Barcelona!

1). My birthday was on June 2, and while it was a nice birthday, I still feel old. I feel like I've lost my youth (which I have, in a way, as I'm not a youth anymore), although I need to keep reminding myself that since I'm still in my early twenties, I'm not that old. I still feel old, though. This makes me sad. Not that there's anything ( Read more... )

Kelly and I are moving to Spain and opening a hostel so Kelly can practice her Swedish. We haven't found an apartment yet, but we will soon. We'll keep you all updated =)

There are a few things I have decided need to be mentioned in LJ, a lá the current news. First, Fred Thompson (Republican) has dropped out of the presidential race after not doing so well in recent primaries and caucuses. This surprised me, as I had imagined him to be doing fairly well, albeit behind Mitt Romney and John McCain in the polls. ( Read more... )

Dear readers ( Read more... )