Steve's sandbox

Author: Steve Evans

  • Alexander Hankinson: Luces, pulpos y corgis: abril en Barcelona con sabor a despedida – May 2025

    Cuando la perspectiva te sube el autoestima – gracias a Paradox Museum :)))

    A medida que avanza la primavera, como buena costumbre hispana llega acompañada por un surtido de celebraciones. Comenzamos el mes con un espectaculo de luz en la Sagrada Familia, en la cual mientras resonó una profunda narración bíblica, se proyectaron colores vibrantes por la fachada de la basilica, enmarcando la celebración litúrgica de la Semana Santa 2025. Entre rojo, verde, azul – y al final blanco para fomentar una imagen de luz y pureza – la fachada se iluminó no solo para dar obra visual, sino para simbolizar varios capítulos del sacrificio y resurrección de Jesucristo.

    Tras las celebraciones de la Semana Santa, llegó el día de Sant Jordi – un especie del día de “Valentine’s”/San Valentín, a la catalana. Tradicionalmente los hombres regalan rosas a las chicas y al revés los chicos reciben libros como acto romántico. La Casa Batlló se cubrió con una cordial adornación de rosas, y Paseig de Gracia junto con Placa de Catalunya se llenaron de puestos, emisoras, y multitudes en uno de los espectáculos románticos más grandes del mundo.

    Después de tanta celebración, me antojó una escapada a Costa Brava, y justo el fin de semana siguiente invertí mis sagrados euros estudiantiles en un viaje de buceo en Tossa de Mar. Yo y una compañera doctoral realizamos unas 2 inmersiones por las aguas frías bien envueltos en doble neopreno con gorro, donde a 20m de profundidad aguantamos unos cuantos 16 grados (parecen muuuucho más al superficie). Desde la playa nos metimos con todo el equipo para explorar la costa, donde la vida marina fue más abundante que el calor. Tuvimos la suerte de ver 2 pulpos y una sepia (por lo que sé a lo mejor sean tapas ahora mismo), además unas chicharras (peces con alitas) y una morena – ¡una buena colección!

    Para seguir mi racha de fines de semana ocupados, el siguiente vino una amiga de Inglaterra y retomé mi puesto de guía de Barcelona. Le enseñé una cafetería que, además de

    El túnel gitante (que no gira) – Paradox Museum Barcelona.

    ofrecer comida rica, también tiene corgis complementarios (un modelo de negocio muy bien puesto). A continuación, visitamos a Montjuic y un museo de arte abstracto. Este se encuentra en el museo Paradox, sede en Placa de Catalunya. Pudimos observar un conjunto de obras visuales y rompecabezas que te llegaban a cuestionar la realidad mediante trucos de perspectiva e ilusiones ópticas. Una experiencia de lo más curiosa era un tunel lo que llevaba un cilindrico rayado gitante, que te daba la sensación de estar cayéndose… a pesar de estar totalmente parado. Salimos medio mareados pero muy entretenidos.

    Búfet de sushi con compañeros

    Para complementar la gastronomía española con un toque japonés (mi amiga es de Japón), fuimos con mis compañeros de laboratorio a un buffet de sushi. Durante 3 rondas intensas de 15 platos, nos englobamos 8 personas sin demora, y comimos lo que parecía a la reserva entera del restaurante. Al llegar la nueva semana estábamos agotados… pero bien alimentados – y después de una sangría con cava y frutas que compartimos en un bar local cerca de mi hospital, la acompañé al aeropuerto y volví a la faena.

    La faena sigue a velocidad máxima, ya que se acerca el momento de despedirme de esta ciudad que ahora me atrevo a llamar “hogareña”. Por eso, este mes entrego un informe más corto a consecuencia de estar con prisa sacando resultados para la tesis. Mayo-Junio será mi último mes aquí, entonces toca disfrutarlo al máximo antes de cambiar el sol español por… bueno, Inglaterra que simplemente no tiene la misma pinta.. seamos honestos). ¡Hasta pronto!

    ENGLISH:

    As spring moves forward, in true Spanish fashion, it’s accompanied by an array of celebrations. We kicked off the month with a light show at the Sagrada Família, where a deep biblical narration echoed as vibrant colors were projected across the face of the basilica – encapsulating the religious celebrations of Semana Santa (Easter) 2025. Shades of red, green, and blue – and finally white, evoking light and purity – lit up the gothic masterpiece not just as a visual spectacle but as a symbolic representation of the chapters of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection.

    Following the Easter celebrations came Sant Jordi’s Day – a sort of Catalan Valentine’s Day. Traditionally, men gift roses to women, and in return, women gift books as a romantic gesture. Casa Batlló was gracefully covered in roses, and Passeig de Gràcia along with Plaça de Catalunya filled with market stalls, broadcasters, and crowds in one of the biggest romantic spectacles in the world.

    Yo y mi compañera bien preparados para una inmersión en aguas frías – ¡2 trajes con gorro fueron justo suficientes!

    After all that festivity, I was craving a little escape to Costa Brava. So the very next weekend, I invested my sacred student euros into a diving trip in Tossa de Mar. A PhD friend and I did two dives into the cold waters, wrapped up in double wetsuits and hoods. At 20 meters deep, we endured a brisk 16°C (which feels way colder than it sounds when you’re at the surface!). We entered straight from the beach, fully geared up, and explored the coastline, where the marine life was more plentiful than the warmth. We were lucky enough to spot two octopuses and a cuttlefish (which, for all I know, may be tapas by now), plus some flying gurnards and a moray eel – not a bad haul!

    Un corgi curioso en la Corgi Café, Barcelona

    Keeping my streak of packed weekends alive, the next one brought a visit from a friend from England, and I resumed my post as Barcelona tour guide. I showed her a café that, besides offering delicious food, also comes with complimentary corgis (truly a 10/10 business model). Next, we went up to Montjuïc and visited an abstract art museum – the Paradox Museum, located in Plaça de Catalunya. We saw a collection of visual illusions and puzzles that made you question reality through perspective tricks and optical effects. One of the weirdest experiences was a tunnel with a giant striped spinning cylinder that gave you the sensation of falling… even though you were completely still. We left feeling slightly dizzy but thoroughly entertained.

    To balance out all the Spanish cuisine, and since my friend is Japanese, we joined my labmates at a sushi buffet. After three intense rounds of 15 plates each, eight of us devoured what felt like the restaurant’s entire inventory (and ended up quite round). By the start of the new week, we were exhausted – but well fed. After sharing a sangría made with cava and fresh fruit at a local bar near the hospital, I saw her off at the airport and returned to the grind.

    The grind is in full swing now as the time to say goodbye to the city I now dare to call “home” draws near. That’s why this month’s update is a bit shorter – I’m in a rush to get results for my thesis. May-June will be my final month here, so it’s time to soak up every last drop before trading sunny Spain for… well, England (which, let’s be honest, just doesn’t have the same vibe).

    See you soon!

  • Case Study: Jules Chadderton – Japan, Nagoya 2024 – 2025

    View from on of the university buildings

    Having arrived in Japan in September 2024 and spending just under a year in the country, I’ve come to feel surprisingly at home.

    Unlike many others embarking on a year abroad, I wasn’t starting from zero—I already had friends in Japan and some existing connections, although not many in Nagoya, where I would be based. This wasn’t my first time in the country either, so I didn’t arrive with the same “wide-eyed” wonder typical of first-time visitors (though I certainly felt that during my first trip!).

    receiving my completion certificate.

    I lived in an international dormitory near my campus, which turned out to be an ideal home base. There were always Japanese students around to practice with, though at times the atmosphere leaned heavily international. It can be difficult to form lasting relationships with Japanese students, particularly when interactions are often short-term or built around programs geared toward foreign students. That said, I did manage to form genuine friendships with both Japanese and international students—bonds that I hope will continue long after the program ends.

    Receiving the John Speak Trust scholarship significantly enhanced my experience. It enabled me to explore Japan more deeply than I otherwise could have. I travelled more than I had expected, primarily within the Chūbu region, gaining a unique perspective on local life. My trip to Nagano stands out in particular: we experienced heavy snowfall and trekked through beautifully silent, snow-covered forests—an unforgettable moment of serenity.

    Nagano trip in the snow

    Despite my efforts, I found integrating into everyday student life more challenging than I had hoped. A single year often isn’t long enough to break fully out of the international bubble, even if you’re eager to connect more deeply. While I’m thankful for the Japanese friends I made, I now realize that joining a fully Japanese student club earlier —without any link to the international programs—would likely have improved both my immersion and language development.  My advice for future students: Be bold. If your goal is rapid language improvement, don’t hesitate to dive into all-Japanese clubs and social settings, even if it feels intimidating. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

    Surprisingly, I experienced very little culture shock from Japanese society itself. In fact, most of the culture shock came from interacting with fellow international students—especially Americans. While we share a common language, I became more aware than ever of the subtle but significant cultural differences between us. It was also interesting to observe how Japan, in many ways, is influenced by American culture—a reflection of its post-war history.

    portion of the Nakasendo route we walked

    The scholarship experience has made me think more critically about UK–Japan relations and how these could be strengthened—not just economically but also socially and culturally. Learning the language is essential, but understanding the culture and history of a place is equally important. I strongly believe that my prior knowledge of Japanese customs and traditions played a big role in easing my transition and minimizing culture shock. Knowing why something is different makes it easier to adapt when you’re in the moment.

    On a lighter note, if there’s one practical struggle I didn’t quite conquer, it was finding a good haircut. Let’s just say I’ve had mixed luck—but that’s all part of the experience, I guess!

    I’m deeply grateful to the John Speak Trust for supporting my year at Nanzan University. Their funding made it possible for me to make the most of this opportunity—not just academically, but in discovering Japan as a second home. I wish all future scholarship recipients the best of luck in their own journeys abroad!

  • Elodie Sparrow: China, June 2025

    这个月是我在中国的倒数第二月。这意味着我要考试，让我变得很忙，没有时间去旅游。不过，我这个月还有时间在北京玩一玩。上上周末，我去了清华大学。清华大学靠近我的大学：北京大学（PKU），简称北大。 虽然在英国清华大学和北京大学（合称‘清北’）不太为人熟知，但是在中国这俩所大学非常有名，是最重点的大学，就像英国家喻户晓的牛津大学和剑桥大学一样。 清北学生在全国最优秀的。以下是中国大学短短介绍。


    首先，我在中国读书期间就读于北大。北大创建于1898年，是中国最古老的大学之一。7个学院，每个学院设下专业，比如化学系。跟大多数中国大学一样，北大是封闭式小区的大学。从理发店到食堂，校区里应有尽有。
    北大校区非常漂亮，尤其是校区里的未名湖。每周末校友带着家人回来。他们都会聚集到湖边。夏天，围绕着湖边柳树在微风中晃晃荡荡，小鸭和天鹅在水面上滑翔。冬天，湖面完全结冰了，学生和老师们来滑冰。最重要的是，矗立着未名湖边北大博雅塔。它作为这所大学的标志性符号。


    大多数的大学生住在校园里，宿舍里没有厨房，因此校园内设有食堂。食堂饭又便宜又好吃。 在北大，我平时去‘家园’这个食堂吃饭。第一次去，感到非常惊讶，因为这食堂是四层的，提供丰富多样的选择。第一层有各种各小菜。第二层来自不同地区的没事，比如韩式料理或新疆菜。第三层有更多选择，比如中国快菜或麻辣烫。最后，有西方饭，比如意大利面和一家小面包店。
    与英国大学相比，中国大学在很多方面都有所不同。比如，为了进入校园的时候，需要扫脸。再说，中国大学宿舍截然不同。学生最多和7个同学合住一个房间。一般来说，学生都有书桌双层床。每天晚上11点，宿舍会同意断电。另外，学生也需要分享公共浴室。
    留学生生活情况的话，没有这么辛苦。比如，我只有一个同学。我们房间里很大，有两个单床，也有水槽，两张书桌。我很幸运，我和室友的关系很好。但是听说，很多人跟室友产生矛盾。 中国学生必须不惜一切代价跟室友们保持良好的关系，因为整个大学期间不会更换室友念（约4年）。
    对我来说，就读于北大是一次非常好的体验。 我不仅体验了中国的大学生活，还结识了许多中国学生，了解他们在中国教育系统的经历。 我们互相分享我们的经历，比较文化差异，指出类似之处。 我回家之后，一定会想念北大！


    This month is my penultimate month in China. This means that I have to do exams, keeping me quite busy. I haven’t had much time to travel. However, I still have had time to have fun in Beijing. Two weekends ago I went to Qinghua University. Qinghua is next to my university, Beijing University (PKU) or Beida for short. Although Qinghua and Beijing University are not that well known in the UK, in China they are the most famous universities. They are the highest-ranked universities, like Oxford and Cambridge, known by everyone. Students at Qinghua and Beijing University are the best in the country. Below is a short introduction to Universities in China.


    First, during my time in studying China, I attended Beida. Beida was founded in 1898, and it is one of the oldest Chinese universities. It has 7 colleges which are organised into subjects, eg. Chemistry. Like most Chinese universities, Beida is a campus university. From hairdressers to canteens, the campus has everything you might want.
    Beida campus is really beautiful, especially the ‘no-name’ lake onsite. Every weekend alumni come back with their families. They all flock to the lake-side. In the summer the lake is surrounded by willows swaying in the light breeze, ducks and swans gliding on the water. In winter, the surface of the lake is completely frozen, and students and teachers come and ice-skate. Most importantly, standing tall on the lakeside is Boya Tower. It serves as the university’s iconic logo.
    The majority of university students live on campus, and the accommodation does not have a kitchen, so the campus provides a canteen. The food in the canteens is tasty and cheap. At Beida, I often go to the ‘jiayuan’ canteen. The first time, I was quite surprised, it has four floors, each with an abundance of food options. The first floor has a range of small dishes. The second floor has food from different regions such as korea or Xinjiang. The third floor has even more options such as Chinese fast food or Malatang. Last, the fourth floor has Western food, eg. Pasta and a small bakery.
    Compared to UK universities, Chinese universities have many differences. For example, to enter campus, you have to scan your face. Also, the accommodation is very different. Students can have up to 7 roommates. Usually, they each have a bunk bed with a desk below. At 11 pm at night, the lights are turned off systematically. As well, students have shared a communal bathroom.
    As for exchange students, they don’t have it so bad. For example, I just have one roommate. Our room is big and has two single beds, it also has a sink and two desks. I am really lucky, my relationship with my roommate is pretty good. But I have heard many people have fallen out with their roommates. Chinese students have to maintain a good relationship with their roommates at all costs, because during their whole time at university (usually four years) they don’t change roommates.
    I think, studying at Beida has been a great experience. I not only have experienced life at a Chinese university but also have met many Chinese students to then get to understand their experience in the Chinese education system. We share our experiences, compare cultural differences and point out similarities. After I return home, I know I will miss Beida!

  • Jack Beeching: La photographie à Paris – June 2025

    Deux tirages photographiques monumentaux sont accrochés sur le campus principal de Sciences Po, juste à l’entrée de la bibliothèque. J’ai dû passer devant une centaine de fois. Le plus connu des deux représente une mine d’or à ciel ouvert à Serra Pelada, au Brésil. Depuis le bord de la fosse, les milliers de mineurs ressemblent à des fourmis, grimpant la roche par des échelles précaires. Le second est plus paisible: une photo en noir et blanc de la forêt amazonienne, avec un immense nuage qui surgit à l’horizon.

    Two monumental photographic prints hang in Sciences Po’s main campus, just by the library entrance. I must have walked past them a hundred times. The better-known of the two depicts an open-pit gold mine in Serra Pelada, Brazil. From the edge of the pit the thousands of miners resemble ants, scaling the rock with precarious ladders. The second is more serene: a black-and-white shot of the Amazon rainforest, with a tremendous cloud bursting out of the horizon.

    Ces deux œuvres ont été offertes à l’université par le photographe franco-brésilien Sebastião Salgado, un de mes héros, décédé le mois dernier.

    The pair were donated to the university by the Franco-Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado, a hero of mine who died last month.

    Ancien économiste du développement, Salgado a découvert la photographie dans la trentaine, alors qu’il vivait en exil à Paris. Son travail montre la même fascination pour les forces structurelles qui façonnent la vie humaine: le livre Workers montre l’envers de l’industrie mondiale et du travail manuel; Exodus raconte les migrations au XXIe siècle.

    Originally a development economist, Salgado picked up photography in his thirties while living as an exile in Paris. His photographic work shows the same fascination with the structural forces that shape human life: the book “Workers” shows the underbelly of global industry and manual labour; “Exodus” chronicles migration in the 21st century.

    Pendant son séjour à Paris, Salgado a rejoint Magnum Photos, l’agence légendaire fondée par Robert Capa et Henri Cartier-Bresson (peut-être les plus grands photographes de guerre et de rue, respectivement). Il y a une galerie Magnum à Paris: un petit bâtiment discret. C’était l’un de mes premiers arrêts après mon arrivée dans la ville.

     

    While in Paris, Salgado joined Magnum Photos, the legendary agency founded by Robert Capa and Henri Cartier-Bresson (perhaps the greatest war photographer and street photographer, respectively). There’s a Magnum gallery in Paris: a tiny, nondescript building. It was one of my first stops after arriving in the city.

    L’été est là, et j’ai enfin du temps libre. Avant de partir, je prévois de réaliser mon propre projet de photographie de rue – beaucoup plus amateur – en prenant des photos des bâtiments que j’aime à Paris.

    Summer is here, and I finally have time on my hands. Before I leave, I plan to carry out my own, considerably more amateur, street photography project – taking pictures of buildings I like in Paris.

  • Case Study: Joanna Bowman – France, 2024/25

    Vue sur le lac Bourget (Aix-les-bains)

    As I come to the end of my time in Lyon, I marvel at how comfortable I am in my life here. I regularly catch myself slipping into the normalcy of daily life, and often remind myself how abnormal it actually is! For example, I sometimes go days without speaking English in person, whereas at the beginning of the year, having a conversation in French for more than 30 mins felt like a massive effort. I’ve got to attribute this progress to both the flatshare I was in and the internship I carried out, for which the financial support provided by the John Speak Trust was extremely beneficial. Unlike most of my university peers in Lyon, I found a private flat with three french girls, who have become my friends. Two of them don’t speak English, which thankfully forced me to speak French however tired or stuck for words I was. 

    Mes colocs au Quai du Rhone

    Starting the academic year at l’Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, was a perfect way to start, since I met so many lovely people, both English and French, as well as other nationalities. The wide selection of sports, societies and social events meant I quickly became very busy hopping from one activity to the next (what I love most). Playing in the university orchestra was definitely a highlight, and a source of much learning. The lessons were challenging at times, since I’ve never studied subjects such as philosophy or history in English, let alone in French… However, fortunately the workload was fairly light, leaving me plenty of time to explore the city, often through the lens of coffee cups and pastry crumbs. 

    After working through a fair amount of imposter syndrome at the beginning of my internship, I now find myself comfortably in the routine of commuting on the bus to the office, doing busy days filled with meetings, video shoots, and lunch breaks outside with my colleagues. These final months have been slightly quieter in terms of social plans, so I have been spending more evenings solo: cycling or walking around the park or the river, just soaking in the beauty of Lyon in the summer. 

    In comes the big question: have I integrated into French culture? 

    When I look back at the friendships I’ve made, it seems that integrating with people of my age was easy – seeing as students all over the world share a fairly common mindset, and social media leads to having similar cultural references. However, hindsight is a funny thing. In reality, it was quite difficult. The French I learned at school and university is not what the average student speaks. It took a while to adjust to their  slang and manner of speaking, as well as adapting my own language to sound less formal and more fluid. Now that I’ve mostly mastered the language, I am just a pack of cigarettes away from looking like a local when grabbing a drink on a terrace. Integrating at work was also quite tricky, since despite our cultures being relatively similar, throughout the few first months, the only things I could come up with to contribute at the lunch table were the differences between France and England. 

    Une des dernières soirées avec ma copine Lucy

    I have also been lucky enough to travel a bit around France, for instance I did day trips to Annecy, Geneva, and Grenoble. I also was able to stay for a few nights either with friends or flatmates, in Montpellier, Val d’Isere, and Paris. It’s safe to say that my railcard has been very well used, and I made some really lovely memories. Here are some photos taken on my film camera :

    Fluency is such a difficult goal to measure, especially within yourself, but I am immensely proud of the progress I’ve made and I cannot express enough how gratifying it is to fully immerse yourself in order to master a foreign language. I am grateful to the John Speak Trust for allowing me to fully make the most of this experience, and I can’t recommend the initiative enough. 

  • Jack Beeching: Forum humanitaire européen – May 2025

    L’année académique est finalement (ou déjà) terminée. Je ne peux pas dire qu’elle m’a surpris. Pour être honnête, j’ai passé les dernières semaines à accepter que les choses vont bientôt changer. Chaque petit morceau de ma routine – aller à la bibliothèque de l’université, courir au bord de la Seine – vient avec la pensée « ça peut être ta dernière chance de faire ça ». C’est triste. Mais il n’y a pas de temps pour être sentimental – j’ai été occupé.

    The academic year is finally (or already) over. I can’t say that it crept up on me. Truth be told, I’ve spent the last few weeks coming to terms with the fact that things will soon change. Every small part of my routine – going to the university library, running along the Seine – comes with the thought “this might be your last chance to do this”. It’s sad. But there’s no time to be sentimental – I’ve been busy.

    J’ai passé les derniers jours à Bruxelles, ma première fois dans la ville, pour participer au Forum humanitaire européen. L’événement n’est pas vraiment connecté avec mon travail, qui concerne plutôt la gouvernance, mais c’est un secteur que je veux découvrir. La ville elle-même est charmante – elle a un sens d’humour qui équilibre l’architecture un peu trop formelle. Les gaufres, la bière et les frites sont aussi bonnes que tout le monde dit.

    I spent the last few days in Brussels, my first time in the city, attending the European Humanitarian Forum. The event doesn’t quite align with my work, which is more connected with governance, but it’s a sector I want to explore. The city itself is charming – it has a sense of humour which balances out the formal architecture. The waffles, beer, and fries are as good as everyone says.

    Concernant le forum, j’avais des sentiments mélangés. C’était excitant d’écouter certains des praticiens et experts les plus importants dans le domaine. Des gens comme le chef humanitaire de l’ONU Tom Fletcher (qui a parlé à la BBC plus tôt aujourd’hui), la commissaire européenne Hadja Lahbib, et le Haut-Commissaire pour les réfugiés Filippo Grandi. J’ai appris beaucoup. Mais le forum m’a aussi rendu frustré.

    As for the forum, it gave me mixed feelings. It was exciting to hear from some of the most significant practitioners and experts in the field. People like UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher (who was speaking to the BBC earlier today), European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, and High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. I learned a lot. But the forum was also frustrating.

    Le thème principal était les coupures de financement : surtout des États-Unis, mais le Royaume-Uni a aussi récemment coupé son budget pour l’aide étrangère. Pendant ce temps, le nombre – et la gravité – des conflits armés augmente. Les organisations doivent faire plus avec moins, et il y aura inévitablement des trous. J’ai quitté Bruxelles avec des sentiments partagés.

    The main theme was funding cuts: most obviously from the US, but the UK has also recently cut its foreign aid budget. Meanwhile, the number – and severity – of armed conflicts is growing. Organisations are forced to do more with less, and there will be inevitably be gaps. I left Brussels feeling conflicted.

  • Lauren Maslin: A Road Trip to Korea’s East Coast with Friends ~ May 2025 친구들과 떠난 동해안 로드 트립 2025 년 5월

    친구들과 떠난 동해안 로드 트립

    지난주, 나흘 동안의 연휴가 있어서 유학생들과 한인 친구들과 함께 재미있는 계획을 세웠다.
    가족과 도로 여행을 간 적은 있었지만, 이번 여행은 친구들끼리만 간 첫 여행이라서 출발 전부터 정말 설렜다.E

    우리는 함께 이야기한 끝에 한국 동해안으로 로드 트립을 가기로 결정했다.
    내가 지금까지 한국에서 본 곳들 중에서 동해안이 가장 아름다웠다.
    바다는 파란 마노처럼 반짝였고, 해변은 부드러운 꿀빛 모래로 가득했다.
    산은 나무로 덮인 이불처럼 포근했고, 설탕 뿔처럼 하늘을 향해 우뚝 솟아 있었다.

    작은 마을은 조용하고 평화로웠으며, 사람들은 여유롭고 소박하게 살아가고 있었다.
    저녁이 되면 우리는 해변에서 축구를 하고, 불가사리와 조개껍데기를 찾으며 웃음을 나눴다.
    낮에는 산을 오르며 맑은 공기를 한껏 마셨다.

    매일 아침하고 저녁마다 게하 주인분이 우리에게 밥을 챙겨주셨다. 너무 맛있어서 식사를 순식간에 먹어버렸다… 그래서 사진은 없다 ㅋㅋㅋ 음식이 맛있었을 뿐만 아니라 게스트 하우스 주인분이 너무 친절하셨다. 게스트 하우스 주인분의 성격이 좋아서 그 게스트 하우스에 있는 동안 진짜 편하게 지냈다 ^^

     

    그때 우리는 세상에서 가장 행복한 사람들이었다!
    동해안의 평화롭고 아름다운 분위기는 우리를 떠나고 싶지 않게 만들었지만,
    너무 빨리 다시 도시로 돌아와야 했다.

    최근에 한국 시를 읽고 영감을 받아 내 시를 썼다.마음에 들었으면 좋겠다!

    바다는 우리 앞에서 뛰어올랐고
    기쁨의 춤을 추었네
    우리도 모래 언덕에서 뛰어내리며
    모든 지난날을 잊고
    즐겁게 웃었지

    도시의 오염된 공기가
    우리를 아프게 했지만
    바다의 짠 공기가
    우리에게 힘을 주었네

    우리는 산을 올라 바다를 바라보았고
    햇살이 지고 있었지만
    우리는 따뜻함을 느꼈네
    바다의 따뜻함
    친구들의 따뜻함
    단순함의 따뜻함
    기쁨의 따뜻함

    나는 곧 다시 돌아가서 동해안의 평화로움과 아름다움을 다시 경험할 계획이다.

    (photo taken by my friend 🙂 )  

    A Road Trip to Korea’s East Coast with Friends

    Last week, we had a four-day holiday, so I made some fun plans with international and Korean friends.
    I’ve been on road trips with my family before, but this was my very first trip with just friends, so I was especially excited.

    After talking it over together, we decided to go on a road trip to the East coast of Korea. Out of all the places I’ve seen in Korea so far, the East coast was by far the most beautiful. The ocean sparkled like blue agate, and the beach was covered in soft, honey-coloured sand. The mountains were wrapped in a blanket of trees and rose tall like cones of sugar.

    The small town was quiet and peaceful, and the people lived simple, relaxed lives.
    In the evenings, we played football on the beach and found starfish and shells.
    During the day, we hiked in the mountains and breathed in the crisp, clean air.

    Every morning and evening, the guest house host made food for us. It was so tasty that I finished my meal in no time… so there are no pictures hahaha! Not only was the food delicious, but the host was also really kind. She had a great personality, so we felt very comfortable whilst staying at her place 😊

    At that moment, we were the happiest people in the world.
    The peaceful and beautiful atmosphere of the East coast made us never want to leave, but all too soon, we had to return to the city.

    I have recently been reading some Korean poetry. Inspired, I have written a poem of my own. I hope you like it!

    The sea leaped up before us,
    Dancing a joyful dance.
    We too leapt from the sandy banks,
    Forgetting all the days that had passed,
    Laughing joyfully.

    The polluted air of the city
    Had made us sick,
    But now the salty air
    Gives us strength.

    We climbed a mountain and looked to the sea,
    Though the sun was setting,
    We felt warmth,
    The warmth of the sea,
    The warmth of friends,
    The warmth of simplicity,
    The warmth of joy

    I plan to return soon and once again experience the tranquillity and beauty of the East Coast.

  • John Daniel: 5月的月報：學期快結束了 – The Semester is almost over, May 2025

    凍頂每週三的樓梯運動團隊 JJ’s Wednesday Stair Running Team

    大家好，明天是我的期末口試，代表這個學期快結束了！我不知不覺的5個月快結束了。我這次在台灣的經驗固然過得非常好，可是同時真的期待回歐洲，看看朋友們，家人，探索西班牙的山區，而且特別對練習跟中文相比比較容易的一種語言十分興奮！

    這個月我的中文有了一些很棒的進步。 我上個學期的單班課老師和我好像從學生老師的關係變成好朋友這個學期因為他不是我的老師了，我們有幾次一起見面就像真真的朋友們一樣。 我知道她可能只是對我很客氣而已，畢竟她是我的老師，不過既然是她邀請我的而不是我邀請她的，我可以肯定一下她不是迎合我，而且可以鬆一口氣。當我們在一起時，我們只會說中文。我們有一次試試用英文來溝通，但是因為我們的友誼是在一個說中文的環境下形成，我們說英文時，好像彼此不認識了。

    凍頂跑半馬拉松 JJ Runs a Half Marathon

    最近我也參加了一個半馬拉松比賽，是國立地理雜誌的。我和我的室友一起跑。最近幾個月來，我們兩個人的鍛鍊都不足，除了每週三的跑上樓梯運動，一個氧氣相關的運動都沒做。不知道怎麼的，竟然還是在目標時間的範圍內完成了比賽。我的夢想是跑完1個小時半的半馬，不過這次只是1個小時44分鐘罷了 – 因為沒超過45分鐘我覺得還行吧。對我的跑完時間被推遲的事，除了我的訓練不足的藉口，還有兩個重要的緣故。首先，在起點準備出發的組織不太好，沒有按照目標跑完的時間安排團體，因此前面5個公里路上的人太多了，並且路太窄了，就像一個瓶頸，我們跑不過比較慢的跑者。第二個重要藉口相當不好意思。我的室友為我們跑比賽中充電買了幾個小能量飲料的套。我選擇的是咖啡味道的。到了第10個公里，我感到快缺少體能了，打開了能量飲料的小包包，嚐嚐看就覺得非常不好吃，可是當我在把它會到我的口袋中，突然爆發了，棕色的咖啡飲料都涵蓋我的下身，那個狀態就看起來像剛經歷了一點腸胃事故一樣。非常不好意思，我不得不去路邊的衛生間弄乾淨。浪費5分鐘之後，我重新會賽道繼續跑步，必須再次超過幾分鐘之前已經超過的跑者，真的很丟臉， 希望他們沒有注意到我的意外。
    這個月我的中文有了一些很棒的進步。 我上個學期的單板課老師和我好像從學生老師的關係變成好朋友這個學期因為他不是我的老師了，我們有幾次一起見面就像真真的朋友們一樣。 我知道，她可能對我只是很客氣而已，畢竟她是我的老師，不過既然是她邀請我的而不是我邀請她的，我肯定她不是迎合我，可以鬆一口氣。當我們在一起時，我們只會說中文。我們有一次試試用英文來溝通，但是因為我們的友誼是在一個說中文的環境下形成，我們說英文時，好像彼此不認識了。

    存在，這些假裝都開始了 – 我搞笑廢話英文的T恤收藏最近新買的T恤。 EXIST! – All these fake started. – My newest shirt from my collection of nonsense English T-shirts.

    最近我也參加了一個半馬拉松比賽，是國立地理雜誌的。我和我的室友一起跑。最近幾個月來，我們兩個人的鍛鍊都不足，除了每週三的跑上樓梯運動，一個氧氣相關的運動都沒做。不知道怎麼的，竟然還是在目標時間的範圍內完成了比賽。我的夢想是跑完1個小時半的半馬，不過這次只是1個小時44分鐘罷了 – 因為沒超過45分鐘我覺得還行吧。對我的跑完時間被推遲的事，除了我的訓練不足的藉口，還有兩個重要的緣故。首先，在起點準備出發的組織不太好，沒有按照時間安排團體，因此前面5個公里路上的人太多了，並且路太窄了，就像一個瓶頸，我們跑不過比較慢的跑者。第二個重要藉口其實相當不好意思。我的室友為我們跑比賽中充電買了幾個小能量飲料的套。我選擇的是咖啡味道的。到了第10個公里，我感到快缺少體能了，打開了能量飲料的小包包，嚐嚐看就覺得非常不好吃，可是當我在把它會到我的口袋中，突然爆發了，棕色的咖啡飲料都涵蓋我的下身，那個狀態就看起來像剛經歷了一點腸胃事故一樣。非常不好意思，我不得不去路邊的衛生間弄乾淨。浪費約5分鐘之後，我重新會賽道繼續跑步，幾分鐘之前的超過的跑者必須再次超過，希望他們沒有注意到我的小意外！因此，對於任何在考慮中是否應該跑個半馬的人我想要鼓勵你-跑步時不試試用新的產品！

    Hello everyone, tomorrow is my final oral exam which means the semester is almost over! I can’t believe 5 months are almost over. I’ve had a great experience in Taiwan, but at the same time I’m really looking forward to returning to Europe, seeing my friends and family, exploring the Spanish mountains, and am especially excited to learn a language that is easier than Chinese!

    凍頂和何輝恒跑完半馬拉松 JJ and Will finish a half marathon

    I’ve made some great progress with my Chinese this month. My one-on-one class teacher from last semester and I seem to have gone from being student and teacher to good friends. This semester, since she’s not my teacher anymore, we’ve seen each other a few times and it’s like we’ve become real friends. I know it could just be that because she’s my teacher she’s just being polite to me, but since it was she who invited me and not me who invited her, I’m fairly certain she’s not just pandering to me, and I can breathe a sigh of relief. When we are together, we only speak Chinese. We tried to communicate in English once, but since our friendship was formed in a Chinese-speaking environment, it was like we didn’t know each other when we spoke English.

    I also recently ran a half-marathon for the National Geographic. I ran with my roommate. In the last few months, both of us haven’t been exercising enough, and we haven’t done a single aerobic exercise other than running up the stairs every Wednesday. Somehow, we managed to finish the race within our target times. My dream was to run a half-marathon in an hour and a half, but this time it was only 1 hour and 44 minutes – it’s not more than 45 minutes so I think it’s ok. Apart from the excuse of my lack of training, there were two other important reasons my finish time was pushed back. Firstly, the set-up at the start was not very well organised and the groups were organised by target finish-time, so there were too many people on the road for the first 5km and the road was so narrow that it was like a bottleneck and we couldn’t outrun the slower runners. The second major excuse was quite embarrassing. My roommate bought a couple of little energy drink packs for us to recharge during the race. I chose the coffee flavoured ones. By the 10th kilometre, I was feeling short of energy and opened the energy drink packet, which tasted very bad, but as I was putting it in my pocket, I suddenly had an explosion of brown coffee drink all over my lower body, which looked like I had just had a bit of a gastrointestinal accident. I was so embarrassed that I had to go to the toilet down the road to get cleaned up. After 5 minutes of wasted time, I rejoined the course and had to pass the runner I had passed a few minutes earlier, which was a real shame and I hope they didn’t notice my accident.

    凍頂打保齡球的風格 JJ’s Bowling Style

    I’ve made some great progress in my Chinese this month. My veneer teacher last semester and I seem to have gone from being student teachers to good friends, and this semester, since she’s not my teacher anymore, we’ve met up a few times to be like real friends. I know she’s probably just being polite to me because she’s my teacher, but since she invited me and not me, I’m sure she’s not pandering to me, so I can breathe a sigh of relief. When we were together, we only spoke Chinese. We tried to communicate in English once, but since our friendship was formed in a Chinese-speaking environment, it was like we didn’t know each other when we spoke English.

    I also recently ran a half-marathon for National Geographic. I ran with my roommate. In the last few months, both of us have not been exercising enough, except for running up the stairs on Wednesdays, we haven’t done a single oxygen-related exercise. Somehow, we managed to finish the race within our target time. My dream was to run a half-marathon in an hour and a half, but this time it was only 1 hour and 44 minutes – not much more than 45 minutes which I think is ok. Apart from the excuse of my lack of training, there were two other important reasons why my finish time was pushed back. Firstly, the set-up at the start was not very well organised and the groups were not timed, so there were too many people on the road for the first 5km and the road was so narrow that it was like a bottleneck and we couldn’t outrun the slower runners. The second major excuse was actually quite embarrassing. My roommate bought a couple of little energy drink packs for us to recharge during the race. I chose the coffee flavoured ones. By the 10th kilometre, I was feeling short of energy and opened the energy drink packet, which tasted very bad, but as I was putting it in my pocket, it suddenly exploded brown coffee liquid all over my lower body, and it looked like I had just you-know-what my pants. I was so embarrassed that I had to go to bathrooms on the side of the road to clean up. After wasting about 5 minutes, I rejoined the track to continue my run, and had to once again overtake people I had overtaken a few minutes earlier – I hope they didn’t notice my little mishap! So to anyone that is considering running a half-marathon  I want to say – don’t try any new products during the race!

  • Elodie Sparrow: 参加中式婚礼的体验 The experience of attending a Chinese wedding – May 2025

    参加中式婚礼的体验

    The experience of attending a Chinese wedding

    上周三，我的朋友邀请我陪她一起去她妹妹的婚礼。无论中式还是英式，我以前没参加过婚礼。我当然一口答应了！周五晚上我们上了绿皮车（夜车），周六早上到西安市。在火车站，钰宇的姑姑来接我们。钰宇还没买好婚礼衣服，所以我们先去服装店。那时候我亲眼看真正的砍价过程。讲价过程包括她们离开店铺，结果被店主叫回来继续讲价，最后成交。最终，钰宇卖了一件漂亮燕麦色裙子，一件带亮片袖子的上衣，还有一件带粉红色亮片马甲，风格融合了现代和传统的中式礼服.


    Last Wednesday, my friend invited me to go with her to her sister‘s wedding. I haven’t yet been to a Chinese nor English wedding. Of course, I said yes. On Friday evening we took the night train and on Saturday morning arrived in Xian city. Yuyu’s aunt collected us at the station. Yuyu had yet bought clothes for the wedding, so we first went to an outlet store. It was then that I saw with my own eyes true bartering. The process of bartering involves them (my friend and aunt) leaving he store only to be called back by the shop owner to continue debating. In the end, they struck a deal. Finally, Yuyu bought a beautiful cream skirt, a shirt with sequins and a pink Majia (traditional waistcoat), the style being a mix of modern and traditional Chinese dress.


    接着，我们开车前往到富平县。富平是一个人口约75万的县，是新郎的故乡，（也是习仲勋的故乡）！周六下午，我们见到钰宇的父母。晚上去了新浪家，一起吃饭。新郎父母住在富平县周围的农村。对我来说，这特别有意思，因为是第一次亲身体验中国农村的生活。新郎家人早早就把狭窄的乡村小路装饰得喜气洋洋，到处都是深红色的装饰。我们进去了新浪家人房子，里面特地为新人布置了一间卧室。卧室里布置得红红火火，有各种寓意吉祥的装饰品，比如水果、干果、春联等，充满了喜庆的氛围。
    Then, we drove to Fuping. Fuping is a county with an approximate population of 750,000. It is the hometown of the groom (also the hometown of Xi Zhongxun (the father of Xi Jinping, the Chairman of China). On Saturday afternoon, we met with YuYu’s parents. In the evening, we went to the groom’s home to eat dinner. The groom’s parents live in the countryside and surrounding area of Fuping. This was really interesting for me because it was the first time experiencing life in the Chinese countryside. The groom’s family had already decorated the narrow street, everywhere was a deep shade of red. We entered the house. Inside they had arranged a room for the new couple. The room was decorated all in a fiery red, with all kinds of auspicious decorations, for example fruit, nuts, banners with Chinese character, giving it an great feeling of celebration.


    那天晚上，我们跟新人大家庭一起吃饭，差不多有100人，场面热闹非凡。学习中文的时候，你才会正意识到中国家庭很热闹，也会发现中国的亲戚称呼之复杂，令人头大。每个亲戚都有不同的称呼，比如妈妈的姐姐叫“姨”，爸爸的姐姐叫“姑”。当我见到钰宇的亲戚的时候，很难记得谁有什么称呼。7点左右，我们都坐下来，一边吃一边交流。起初，小菜不多，只有五六碟小菜。但服务员链接不断地端上越来越多菜肴。最终，小碗已经堆积如山。我吃了好多：一来饭菜都很好吃，二来钰宇的家人很热情，不停让我尝一尝菜肴。
    That evening we ate dinner with the families of the bride and groom. There was about 100 people there with a bustling atmosphere. When you study Chinese, you will learn that Chinese families are lively, you will also realise the names of each family member are really confusing, they can be hard to get your head around. For example, mums older sister is called “yi“ but dads older sister is called “gu”. While meeting all of YuYu’s family, it was quite hard to remember who is called what. At around 7pm, we sat down, we chatted as we ate. At first, there were not many dishes, only 5 or 6 small plates. But the waiters kept on bringing out more and more. In the end, the plates piled as high as a mountain. I ate so much: for one reason because the food was so delicious, the second reason was because YuYu’s family were very enthusiastic, they kept on giving me dishes to try.
    第二天，我们就得起床很早。应该7点半我们出发去新娘的酒店。不到8点，我们就到了，她所住的酒店房间，里面早已很热闹，人以已经很多。房间布置很美，以深红色为主调。婚礼的传统习俗正式开始了。第一个习俗是“拦门”，指的是，女方的姑娘都把门挡住，不让新郎轻易进门。新狼和伴郎都尝试进去，为了让姑娘分心，他们向姑娘方向扔小红包。最终，新郎和伴郎进好了。接着，为了证明新郎爱情的真心，姑娘们通过三个游戏测试新郎。如果新郎或者伴郎答错或输了，就得给姑娘发小红包作为“罚金”。
    On the second day, we had to wake up early. It was around 6 o’clock that we set off for the bride and grooms hotel. It wasn’t even as late as 8am that we arrived, the room that the bride was staying was already bustling with a lot of people. The room was decorated so prettily, with a deep red a strong theme. The first marriage custom started. The first custom was “lan men” (block the door). This refers to the girls on the bride’s side blocking the door, not letting the men from the groom enter. The groom and the men tried to enter, to try and distract the girls, they threw small red envelopes (with money inside). In the end the groom and men successfully entered. Then, in order to prove the grooms true love, the girls tested the groom through 3 games. If the groom or men answered incorrectly, they then had to give a girl a small red envelope acting as a “fine”.


    按照传统，证明爱情的真心后，新人就去新郎家。因为我算女方的客人，就没有随行，而是留在酒店，过一会去了大厅。中午，新人回到酒店，大厅中央有摆着一条长长长的舞台。新人出现了，登上舞台，宣布彼此的爱情，并承诺共度一生。我们拍照，就开始吃饭。到下午两点，大家都都吃饱喝足了。我送给了我的红包，祝福新人幸福美满，然后钰宇和她的姑姑一起返回夏安。那天晚上，我们坐了绿皮车，前往北京。周一早上8点半到北京，时间有点紧张，因为10点就需要上课！虽然我累死了，但我心里却十分满足。我很高兴有这么多机会亲身体验中国文化，结识新朋友，还能练习中文。剩下唯一要做的事情就是参加一场英国婚礼！
    Following tradition, having proven their love, the new couple then head to the groom’s family home. Because I counted as a guest from the bride’s side, I didn’t go, instead stayed in the hotel. After a while, we went to the hotel ceremonial hall. At midday, the bride and groom returned. In the big hall there was a long stage in the centre. The bride and groom appeared and climbed onto the stage and announced their love for each other. They promised to spend a lifetime together. We took photos and then ate. At 2pm everyone had eaten their fill. I gave my red envelope to them and wished the new wedded couple good fortune and happiness, then I returned to xian with YuYu and her aunt. That evening we took the night train back to Beijing. On Monday morning at 8.30 am we arrived. Time was tight, at 10 am I was to start class! Although I was exhausted, I was feeling very fulfilled. I am very grateful to have so many opportunities to experience Chinese culture, meet new friends and practice Chinese. I just have one thing yet to do, go to an English wedding!

  • Joanna Bowman: France, May 2025

    Vue sur le lac Bourget (Aix-les-bains)

    Pendant le mois d’avril j’ai eu le plaisir de vivre le printemps en France. Comme dit un de mes potes lorsqu’un dimanche au marché du quai saint-antoine, c’était comme si un filtre vert était appliqué à la ville. Comme si des gros coups de pinceau étaient mis à la hauteur des rues, en mettant en lumière les arbres glorieux qui les bordent. J’ai passé le weekend de pâques à Aix-les-bains, une ville thermale au pied des Alpes à  environ 1h3o de Lyon. C’était incroyable de se balader dans les prairies printanières, tout en regardant les montagnes couvertes par la neige derrière.

    Après 4 mois de mon stage, je me suis plutôt habituée maintenant à la routine du travail, pourtant un weekend de 3 jours m’a fait beaucoup de bien, c’est sûr. Je mène une vie très chargée, surtout pendant ce mois-ci : j’étais très occupée au travail, et puis avec les beaux jours et le départ de beaucoup de gens à l’ENS, j’avais toujours quelque chose prévu le soir. Je suis reconnaissante de ce fait – d’avoir construit une telle vie à Lyon. 🙂

    Ces derniers temps, j’écoute très souvent les courts reportages ou épisodes sur Radio France pendant mon trajet, donc je voulais écrire un peu sur le président le deuxième plus parlé (après Trump) par les médias, Macron. Il a reconnu une progression de 9 points dans le sondages entre janvier et mars, est-ce qu’il indique une véritable augmentation de sa popularité ? Je ne le crois pas. L’avis commun que j’entends circuler, c’est que Macron est peu utile. Il fait l’homme jeune, plein de charisme et de conviction, mais les français ne sont plus convaincus. Le comédien Merwane Benlazar a dit qu’il “connaît mieux les noms d’aéroports que les problèmes en France”. De plus, quant à certains, l’écart entre sa parole et ses actions est désormais plus grand que la manche. 

    Il est évident que faire deux quinquennats en gardant le même niveau de popularité est impossible, mais c’est fou d’avoir deux ans restants de son terme et d’entendre déjà parler de son époque en temps passé : “l’après-macronie”. J’entends qu’il est un échec, incompétent, qu’il est déconnecté de la France actuelle et donc pas capable à résoudre les problèmes sociaux et économiques actuels. Je connais même des gens de l’ENS qui ont récemment assisté aux manifestations contre lui et ses initiatives, en circulant la phrase (maintenant plutôt un meme) “Macron explosion”. Du mécontentement envers son chef d’état n’est surtout pas un concept étrange, par contre j’ai jamais vu les gens au royaume uni manifester dans les rues contre un premier ministre. 

    Mes colocs au Quai du Rhone

    During the month of April I had the pleasure of experiencing spring in France. As one of my mates said one Sunday at the Quai Saint-Antoine market, it was as if a green filter had been suddenly put on the city. As if large brush strokes had been painted high above the streets, lighting up the glorious trees that line them. I spent Easter weekend at Aix-les-bains, a spa town at the foot of the alps around 1h3o from Lyon. It was incredible to walk along springtime meadows whilst looking at mountains covered by snow in the background. 

    After 4 months at my internship, I am pretty used to the work routine now, however a 3 day weekend did me a lot of good, that’s for sure. I have been leading a very busy life, especially during this past month : I was very busy at work, and then with the nice weather and lots of people from ENS leaving, I always had something on in the evenings. I am grateful for this – to have constructed such a life here in Lyon. 🙂

    Recently, I have been listening to lots of short reports or episodes on France Radio during my commute, therefore I wanted to write a bit about the second most talked about  president (after Trump) by the French media, Macron. He saw an increase of 9 points in surveys between January and March, does this indicate a real increase in his popularity? I don’t think so. The common opinion that I’ve been hearing circulate is that Macron is useless. He makes out to be the young man, full of charisma and conviction, but the French are no longer convinced. The comedian said that he “knows the names of airports better than the problems in France”. In addition, according to some, the gap between his words and his actions is now bigger than the English channel.

    Une des dernières soirées avec ma copine Lucy

    Obviously doing two terms in power whilst keeping the same level of popularity is impossible, but it’s crazy to have two years left of his term and to already hear about his time in the past tense : “post-macronism”. I hear that he is incompetent, a failure, and that he is disconnected from present-day France and therefore not able to resolve the current social and economic issues. I even know people at ENS who have recently been to protests against him and his initiatives, whilst circulating the phrase (now more of a meme) “Macron explosion”. Discontent towards a head of state is definitely not a foreign concept, however I have never seen people in the UK protest in the streets against a prime minister.