Steve's sandbox

Tag: culture

  • 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.

  • Kelly Huynh: Disfrutando del clima haciendo excursiones – April 2025

    Aproveché un fin de semana libre haciendo un viaje a Barcelona, lo que significaba que tenía dos días y una noche para aprovechar al máximo el tiempo y aprender todo lo posible sobre Cataluña. Tomé el tren desde la estación de Atocha en Madrid y el trayecto duró algo menos de tres horas debido a un pequeño retraso en las vías, pero aún así tuve suficiente luz del día para explorar la ciudad cuando llegué. Personalmente, prefiero mucho más Madrid, por la cantidad de turistas que había en Barcelona y por tener que estar siempre alerta por los carteristas. Además, sentí que le faltaba ese sentido de comunidad, aunque quizás esto se deba a que estuve allí solo como turista y no viviendo realmente en la ciudad.

    Recuerdo haber estudiado a Gaudí en mis clases de cultura en los módulos de español en mi universidad, y poder ver su obra, especialmente la Sagrada Familia, en persona fue realmente un privilegio. Las fotos que tomé no le hacen justicia para nada, y definitivamente recomiendo pagar la entrada y disfrutar de la experiencia completa por dentro.

    También pasé un buen ratito en Parc Güell, y la cantidad de escaleras y la caminata para llegar hasta allí valieron totalmente la pena. Ver todos los colores y las increíbles estructuras de lo que originalmente iba a ser una zona residencial, transformada en un parque para que lo disfruten los locales, fue impresionante. Mi parte favorita fue observar todos los mosaicos y contemplar la vista de toda la ciudad. Pude captar la visión de Gaudí de incorporar la naturaleza en sus obras, y lo logró muy bien con la escalinata del dragón, aunque lamentablemente la fuente no estaba en funcionamiento, como muchas otras en la ciudad debido a la sequía. Me quedaron muchas cosas por ver por falta de tiempo y por el clima algo impredecible ¡pero sin duda me encantaría volver!

    Muchos de mis amigos y compañeros de piso tenían exámenes parciales antes de las vacaciones de Semana Santa, así que tuve un poco de tiempo libre y decidí hacer una pequeña excursión de un día a Aranjuez en tren. Me siento mucho más cómodo manejándome por la extensa red de transporte en Madrid, y siento que es algo en lo que el Reino Unido podría mejorar, especialmente en cuanto a la accesibilidad para estudiantes, ya que viajar allí es carísimo. Aunque puede que simplemente me haya malacostumbrado a la tarifa mensual tan económica que hay aquí. El pueblo es conocido por su palacio, que es Patrimonio de la Humanidad. La entrada es gratuita los domingos por la tarde, pero solo para ciudadanos de la UE y de América Latina. Aun así, diría que la experiencia no se la puede perder, aunque tuve que pagar, porque la cola era larguísima y además hacía bastante calor ese día. Fue un plan de fin de semana perfecto, pasear por la orilla del río Tajo y por los distintos parques que rodean el palacio. Incluso vi pavos reales presumiendo sus plumas.

    En Madrid siempre hay muchos planes y eventos nuevos, y como era el comienzo de la primavera, el jardín botánico ofrecía entrada gratuita un día a la semana por la mañana. Fui a dar un paseo con algunos amigos que hice y a ver el jardín de tulipanes y las plantas que ya habían florecido. El clima era perfecto para caminar, y además había una galería dentro del jardín para escapar un poco de las multitudes. Agradezco que haya tantos espacios bonitos y tanta naturaleza, que son el descanso perfecto de estar encerrado o enterrado entre los estudios (¡que será mi realidad el mes que viene preparando los exámenes!). Momentos así siempre me ayudan a reflexionar sobre lo lejos que he llegado y también sobre lo cerca que está el final de este intercambio, aunque será una experiencia inolvidable. Estoy seguro de que seguiré aprendiendo y apreciando la cultura española incluso después de volver.

    ˖ . ݁.୨୧ ݁₊

    Hello! I love that it finally feels like spring here in Madrid, and the change in vibe was definitely needed after months of gloom. It felt like a switch was flipped because the weather in the UK was a lot better somehow.

    I took the opportunity of a free weekend to take a trip to Barcelona, which meant I had 2 days and one night to make the most of my time and learn all about Catalonia. I took the train from Atocha station in Madrid and the journey lasted just under 3 hours because of a slight delay on the tracks, but I still had plenty of daylight to explore the city. Personally, I prefer Madrid a lot more because the amount of tourists there were and having to remain vigilant because of pickpockets in Barcelona and the overall community feel is lacking, but this might be due to the fact that I was only there as a tourist and not actually living there. I remember learning about Gaudí in my cultural modules in my degree back home, and being able to see his work, especially the Sagrada Familia in person was truly a privilege, the photos I took did not do it justice whatsoever, and I definitely recommend paying to go inside and getting the full experience. 

    I also spent a while in Parc Güell and the amount of stairs and walking up to the site was worth it. Seeing all the colours and amazing structures of what was supposed to be a residential area be turned into a park for locals to enjoy. My favourite part was looking at all the mosaic tiles and taking in the view of the entire city, I got the vision that Gaudí wanted to incorporate nature into his works and he did it really well with the dragon stairway but unfortunately the fountain was not in service, like much of the fountains in the city due to a drought. There was so much I was unable to see due to time constraints and unpredictable weather but I would definitely love to come back!

    A lot of my friends and flatmates had midterm exams before the Easter break so I had a bit of free time and decided to take a little day trip to Aranjuez by train, I feel a lot more comfortable navigating the extensive transport network in Madrid and it is something that I feel like the UK could improve on in terms of accessibility for students, because it is super expensive to travel, but it may just be because I am spoilt with the cheap monthly tariff over here. The town is known for its palace which is a World Heritage Site, and the entry is free on Sunday afternoons but only for EU and Latin American citizens, but I would say it was a good experience regardless even though I had to pay, because the queue was insanely long and the weather was really warm that day too. It was a perfect weekend plan strolling along the river Tagus and the various parks around the palace, and I even saw peacocks doing a courtship display out in the wild.

    In Madrid there are always a lot of plans and new events, and because it was the beginning of Spring the botanical garden had free entry one day of the week in the morning, so I went to walk around with some friends I made and see the tulip garden and the plants that have bloomed. The weather was perfect for a stroll around and there was even a gallery inside to escape the crowds. I am thankful that there are nice outlets and a lot of nature which is the perfect break from being stuck inside or being buried in studies (which will be my reality next month preparing for my exams!) Small moments like this always help me reflect on how far I have come and also the finality of this exchange abroad but it will be an unforgettable experience and I am sure that I will continue learning and appreciating the Spanish culture once I return.

  • Lauren Maslin: Dormitory Life in Korea vs the UK March 2025 한국 vs 영국 기숙사 생활 2025년 3월

    안녕하세요, 여러분!

    저는 지금 한국 대학 기숙사 방에서 이 월간 보고서를 쓰고 있습니다. 창문 밖을 바라보면 산과 숲이 보이네요… 물론 주차장도 함께요. 세상 모든 걸 다 가질 수는 없는 것 같아요, 그쵸?

    여기 한국에서는 학생들이 방을 같이 쓰고, 학교 내 기숙사에 머무는 것이 일반적이에요. 저도 룸메이트와 함께 생활하고 있어요. 기숙사에는 월요일부터 목요일까지 밤 11시 통금 시간이 있고, 정기적으로 방 청소 점검도 있어요. 규칙을 어길 때마다 점수가 깎이고, 만약 너무 많이 깎이면 퇴실하게 돼요. 규칙이 엄격하지만, 학생들의 안전을 위해서라면 괜찮다고 생각해요. 한국에서는 공부와 조용한 환경을 매우 중요하게 생각해요. 또한, 기숙사에는 공부방, 세탁실, 식당과 같은 공동 시설이 있어 공동체 분위기를 더욱 조성해 주워요.

    이런 생활은 제가 원래 살던 영국과는 꽤 다르네요. 영국에서는 보통 통금이 없고, 학생들이 기숙사 방에서 파티를 열기도 해요. 학생들은 캠퍼스 내 기숙사에서 살거나 여러 명이 한 집을 같이 쓰는 경우도 많아요. 하지만 영국에서는 집세가 꽤 비쌀 때가 많아요.

    한국에서는 혼자 사는 것도 가능해요. ‘원룸’이라는 작은 아파트가 있는데, 가격이 저렴한 편이에요. 제 한국인 친구도 원룸에 살고 있어요. 그 방에는 화장실, 책상, 침대, 심지어 주방까지 다 있더라고요. 영국에서는 학생이 혼자 사는 게 너무 비싸서, 그런 점에서 제 친구가 부럽기도 해요.

    여러분의 나라에서는 학생들이 어떤 집에서 살고 있는지 궁금하네요. 기숙사에서 사나요? 아니면 여러 명이 함께 사는 집이 있나요? 아니면 또 다른 방식이 있나요?

    한국에서의 기숙사 생활은 새로운 경험과 배움의 연속이에요. 익숙한 영국과 다른 점이 많지만, 덕분에 더 넓은 시각을 가지게 되었어요. 여러분은 어떤 생활을 하고 있나요? 😊

    Hello, everyone!

    I’m writing this monthly report from my university dorm room in Korea. Looking out the window, I can see mountains and forests… and, of course, a parking lot too. I guess you really can’t have everything in life, right?

    Here in Korea, it’s common for students to share rooms and stay in on-campus dormitories. I also live with a roommate. The dorm has a curfew from Monday to Thursday at 11 PM, and there are regular room inspections. If you break the rules, points get deducted, and if you lose too many points, you have to leave the dorm. The rules are strict, but I think they’re okay since they’re meant to keep students safe. In Korea, studying and maintaining a quiet environment are considered very important.

    The dorm also has shared facilities like study rooms, a laundry room, and a cafeteria, which help create a strong sense of community. This lifestyle is quite different from what I was used to in England. In the UK, there usually isn’t a curfew, and students sometimes have parties in their dorm rooms. Many students either live in on-campus dorms or share a house with multiple housemates. However, rent can be quite expensive in the UK.

    In Korea, living alone is also an option. There are small apartments called one-room (원룸), which are relatively affordable. One of my Korean friends lives in a one-room apartment, and it has a bathroom, a desk, a bed, and even a kitchen. In the UK, living alone as a student is too expensive, so in that sense, I feel a bit envious of my friend.

    I’m curious about student housing in your country. Do students live in dormitories? Do they share a house with others? Or is there another common way students live?

    Dormitory life in Korea has been a continuous experience of learning and growth. It’s quite different from what I’m used to in the UK, but it has given me a broader perspective. What’s student life like for you? 😊

  • Case Study – Marianne McCready, France 2023

    Admiring the view of Lyon

    I would first and foremost like to thank the John Speak Language Trust for supporting me during my experience in France.

    Thanks to your support not only have I been able to cover living costs, but I have also been able to explore more of the country and live new cultural experiences.

    Visiting a really cool Ancient Egyptian Exhibit!
    On a day trip to some islands off the coast of Cannes

    The opportunity to study abroad has opened my eyes to lots of new experiences such as education in France, French way of life and all the rich cultural experiences France has to offer. It has also been a fairly international experience as I have made friends with French people and with people from all over the world. Furthermore, with Paris being such an international city, I have got to try lots of new cuisines and inventive food such as an 100% vegetarian restaurant where they prepared your food for you on the table! I also visited many museums such as the Louvre, l’Orangerie and the Musée D’Orsay. I also had the chance to visit a once in a lifetime display of Ancient Egyptian artefacts, most of which had never left Egypt before, and learn about the connection Rameses II and how a Frenchman used his name to crack Hieroglyphs in the 1820s.

    When I embarked upon my study abroad adventure in Paris, I had no idea what challenges it would bring. Learning how the French university system works, making some mistakes (and getting lost!) and learning how to live in a big international city such as Paris. In recent months, there has also been many strikes in the French capital and, at times things have been very chaotic, but through speaking with locals I have come to see it as a quintessential cultural experience! Given all the French history that I have learned while here I really feel that I have a deep understanding of why strikes and workers’ rights are so important to the French People.

    While in France and with the support of the John Speak Language Trust, I was able to travel to lots of different places for the first time.

    Trying French Cuisine!
    In the beautiful village of Eze!

    I was able to visit a friend who was studying abroad in Lyon twice and she showed me round the beautiful city and let me practice my French with her Host Family which was very interesting as they spoke with a different accent to those from the Parisian region. I also visited Dijon and Versailles. At the end of my time in France I organised a trip to the south of France which was amazing! It was lovely to escape the city for a while and see where French people go on holiday. As I felt quite comfortable navigating the French rail system at this point, my friend and I travelled by train almost everywhere and took some buses in order to get to more hard-to-reach places, such as the medieval village of Èze which I absolutely loved.

    All of these experiences which have shaped me, and my knowledge of French and French culture would not have been possible if not for the John Speak Language Trust.

    France, particularly Paris, has a higher cost of living than that in the UK and with the help of the Trust I felt a weight off my shoulders which allowed me to make the absolute most of my time abroad.

  • Réunion lé la ! Réunion is Here!

    Réunion lé la! Réunion is here! For those who are unaware that was Réunionais Creole. Apart from French, Réunion Island also has another language spoken throughout the Island which one calls Creole. Creole has a proximity to French, and one can find different versions of Creole spoken in the Antilles, Mauritius and other French Overseas Territories. It would be quite simplistic of me to call Creole a variation of French, particularly as it takes on its own body and history, nevertheless it’s foundations do derive from the French language and France’s colonial history is also intertwined with the birth of Creole. I remember I was asked about the utility of learning creole. WhRéunion lé la! Réunion is here! For those who are unaware that was Réunionais Creole. Apart from French, Réunion Island also has another language spoken throughout the Island which one calls Creole. Creole has a proximity to French, and one can find different versions of Creole spoken in that is the point of learning a language that is so specific to one place? My answer was about the human need to relate. We all respond better to people we can relate to. I think it’s crucial, in terms of building long-lasting relationships through this exchange that one sees the effort made to be relatable. I find that people in general really appreciate the little things.

    On the topic of Creole culture, I’ve learned how to cook two cultural dishes! The first cultural dish I made is called Rougail Saucisse. It’s a dish that consists of sausages and tomato sauce and the second dish is called Cari Poulet, which is a chicken curry. Both dishes are usually served with lentils and piment (a spicy accompagnement – usually consists of onions and peppers). I followed recipes online and cooked it for my Réunionnais friends and they were pretty impressed! I can’t wait to cook it for my family and friends back home.

    They call Réunion Island a ‘melting pot of culture’ and for the first time ever I had the opportunity to experience the festival of Diwali and it was absolutely STUNNING. The lights, the floats, the music, the food, the ambience. It was truly amazing. Us ERASMUS students along with local students went to a city called Saint-Andre which has a high population of Tamil people, and hence Saint-Andre had the biggest Diwali celebration on the whole of the island. It was something truly breathtaking, truly magnificent. I had witnessed the biggest firework display I have ever seen in my life and I’m so glad that I witnessed it here.

    The world’s most active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, erupted for 5th time this year, but sadly I wasn’t able to go. The photos my friends took have been absolutely incredible. I’ve made more friends with Réunionais students and I couldn’t have asked to meet better people honestly. Their kindness and openness is appreciated so much! The cultural exchange has been very rewarding. I’m very sad though, I feel like time is running out. We’ve been having exams for a while now and the novelty of being a new international student has worn off! I’m not ready for this year abroad to end. Nonetheless, I’m surrounded by amazing people, learning an amazing language and making amazing memories. I’ll be eternally grateful for this experience. 

    Réunion lé la ! (La Réunion est là !) Pour ceux qui ne savent pas cela est le créole Réunionnais. Hormis du français, la Réunion possède également une autre langue parlée dans toute l’île que l’on appelle le créole. Le créole est proche du français, et on peut trouver différentes versions du créole parlé aux Antilles, à Maurice et dans d’autres territoires français d’outre-mer. Il serait simpliste de ma part d’appeler le créole une variante du français, d’autant plus qu’il prend en charge son propre corps et son histoire, mais qu’il n’en demeure pas moins que ses fondements proviennent de la langue française et que l’histoire coloniale de la France est également entrelacée avec la naissance du créole. Je me souviens qu’on m’a interrogé sur l’utilité d’apprendre le créole. Qu’est-ce que l’intérêt d’apprendre une langue si spécifique à un lieu ? Ma réponse est le besoin humain d’établir des relations. Nous répondons mieux aux gens auxquels nous pouvons nous identifier. Je pense qu’il est crucial, en termes de construction de relations durables à travers cet échange, que l’on voit l’effort fait pour être fiable. Je trouve que les gens en général apprécient vraiment les petites détails.

     

    Sur le thème de la culture créole, j’ai appris à cuisiner deux plats culturels ! Le premier plat culturel que j’ai fait s’appelle Rougail Saucisse. C’est un plat composé de saucisses et de sauce tomate et le deuxième plat s’appelle Cari Poulet, qui est un curry de poulet. Les deux plats sont généralement servis avec des lentilles et du piment (un accompagnement épicé – généralement composé d’oignons et de poivrons). J’ai suivi des recettes en ligne et je les ai préparées pour mes amis Réunionnais et ils ont été très impressionnés ! J’ai hâte de le cuisiner pour ma famille et mes amis à la maison.

     

    Ils appellent La Réunion un ” melting-pot de culture ” et pour la première fois, j’ai eu l’occasion de voir le festival de Diwali et c’était absolument INCROYABLE. Les lumières, les chars, la musique, la nourriture, l’ambiance. C’était vraiment incroyable. Nous, les étudiants ERASMUS et les étudiants locaux, nous sommes allés dans une ville appelée Saint-André qui a une forte population tamoule, et donc, Saint-André a la plus grande fête Diwali de l’île. C’était quelque chose de vraiment époustouflant, vraiment magnifique. J’ai vu le plus grand feu d’artifice que j’aie jamais vu dans ma vie et je suis très contente d’avoir été témoin de cela ici.

     

     

    Le plus actif volcan du monde, le Piton de la Fournaise, a explosé pour la cinquième fois cette année, mais malheureusement je n’ai pas pu y aller. Les photos que mes amis ont prises ont été absolument incroyables. Je me suis fait plus d’amis avec des étudiants Réunionnais et je n’aurais pas pu demander à rencontrer de meilleures personnes. Leur gentillesse et leur ouverture d’esprit sont très appréciées ! L’échange culturel a été très enrichissant. Mais je suis très triste, j’ai l’impression que le temps presse. Nous avons des examens depuis un moment maintenant et la nouveauté d’être une nouvelle étudiante internationale s’est estompée ! Je ne suis pas prêt pour la fin de cette année à l’étranger. Néanmoins, je suis entouré de gens extraordinaires, j’apprends une langue incroyable et je me fais des souvenirs incroyables. Je serai éternellement reconnaissante pour cette expérience.

     

  • Rhoda Yaa Assah Manu, Reunion Island, Saint-Denis – September 2019

    Bienvenue à l’île de La Réunion! Ce pays est incroyable, merveilleux en fait. Au moment où j’écris, cela fait exactement un mois que je suis arrivée à Saint Denis, la capitale et plusieurs choses se sont passées depuis tout ce temps! J’ai habité toute ma vie à Londres et on peut imaginer le choc culturel que j’ai enduré lorsque je suis venue sur une île se trouvant en plein milieu de l’océan Indien où le mode de vie est complètement différent de la vie urbaine très animée dont je suis habituée. Le choix de la Réunion comme mon lieu d’étude au contraire de la Métropole était l’une des meilleures décisions que j’ai prise. Je n’ai pas un seul regret.

    Néanmoins, au début c’était dur. Imaginez-vous voler pendant 16 heures, débarquer sur 3 vols séparés et malheureusement découvrir que votre bagage avait été perdu par la compagnie aérienne? Ensuite, la goutte de trop, vous êtes chasez par des chiens errants sur le chemin du retour vers votre maison? Les premières semaines étaient ÉPROUVANTES, mais nécessaires pour m’améliorer. Pour cela j’avais besoin de penser de manière originale et d’utiliser mon français dans des situations auxquelles je ne m’y attendais pas. Par exemple, pour dire aux locaux “Est-ce que vous pouvez m’aider? J’ai peur de ces chiens!” Mais, je suppose que vous n’avez pas d’arc-en-ciel sans avoir de pluie. Les choses commencèrent à s’améliorer et je suis plus heureuse qu’avant. Heureusement, mes valises ont été retrouvées par la compagnie aérienne le lendemain, et actuellement je me sens très confiante avec ma compétence à parler. Premièrement, je suis rouillée! C’était très difficile de parler en Francais, particulièrement parce que mes cours de français avaient fini en Mars!

    Naturellement, comme une bilingue, la peur vient du désir d’éviter de faire des erreurs. Malgré cela, j’ai eu besoin de me rappeler que les erreurs sont normales, l’apprentissage est une expérience et ne peut que s’améliorer pour ce qui est de la maîtrise d’une langue étrangère.

    J’ai deux colocataires sympas qui m’expliquent des idioms français autant plus que des coutumes et traditions réunionnaises. Quelques jours après mon arrivée, c’était un jour nationale, le 15 Août, donc j’ai eu un grand déjeuner avec mes colocs et leurs amis, et ensuite on a fait un randonnée pendant 2 heures et on s’est baignés dans un bassin! Tout s’est passé à la capitale aussi! La Réunion est tellement pittoresque, les gens sont beaux, la météo est belle, tout ici est beau !

    Je dirais que la chose plus difficile au présent était l’intégration. L’île est si petite, les locaux et étudiants à l’Université restent entre eux, cela fait que c’est très dur d’essayer de s’incruster. L’Université a fait un bon effort d’organiser des événements pour les étudiants étrangers afin de nous intégrer plus facilement. J’ai hâte de savoir ce qu’il va se passer dans les mois à venir. La vibe ici est incroyable. L’Île prône vraiment le multiculturalisme. Apprendre le français avec une vue sur l’Océan Indien? C’est fait pour moi.

    ENGLISH:

    Bienvenue à île de la Réunion! To the island that majority of people have no knowledge of its existence or where it is situated. Regardless, this country is absolutely amazing. Stupendous in fact. As I am writing this it will have been exactly a month since I landed in the capital Saint-Denis and so much has happened in that time! I’ve lived in London my whole life and you can imagine the culture shock I had coming to an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean where the way of life here is completely different from the hectic, fast-paced urban city life I’m used to. Choosing la Réunion as my place of study as opposed to le Métropole (Mainland France and Belgium) was one of the best decisions I could have made. Not a single regret.

    The beginning was rough though. Imagine flying for 16 hours, getting on 3 separate flights only to discover that your baggage has been lost by the airline? Then to top it off, you get chased by stray dogs on your way back to your house? The first few weeks was TRYING, but necessary character building. It required me to think outside the box and use my french in ways I didn’t expect to, i.e. saying to the locals “Est-ce que vous pouvez m’aider? J’ai peur de ces chiens!” But I guess you can’t experience a rainbow without experiencing rain. Things are looking up and I am much happier than I was when I arrived. My luggage was recovered the next morning thankfully, and I am definitely feeling more confident in my language ability. At first I was honestly a little rusty! It was so hard speaking French especially after finishing my French lessons all the way in March! And naturally as a bilingual speaker the fear comes from the desire to refrain from making mistakes. Despite this, I had to remind myself mistakes are normal, learning is a process and failure is part of that! People already appreciate the effort you’re making to communicate with them in a language which is foreign to you, and really you can only go forward when it comes to mastering a foreign language, never backwards.

     

    I have two lovely flatmates who explain french idioms to me as well as  Réunionnais customs and traditions. A few days after I arrived, it was a national holiday on the island, 15th August, so we had a massive lunch with my flatmates and their friends, hiked for 2 hours, saw 3 waterfalls and swam in a bassin! All of this was still in the capital as well! Réunion is so scenic, the mountains are beautiful, the people are beautiful, the weather is beautiful, everything here is beautiful!

    I would say the hardest thing so far has been integrating. As the island is so small, the locals and students at the university have a very close-knit circle, and it’s been quite tough trying to break into that. Regardless it is possible to do so, everyone here is willing to give you a helping hand and won’t allow you to miss out on the beauty of the island! The university has really done well with organising events for foreign students which has helped us feel more integrated. I am very excited for what is in store for me over these few months! The vibe here is incredible. The island really is a melting pot of different cultures. Learning French with a view of the Indian Ocean? Sounds like a bit of me.

  • Saher Murtaza: Living like a Limeña: First Month’s Reflections – September 2019

    Antes de todo, quiero presentarme: me llamo Saher Murtaza y estudio Filología Hispánica y Gestión Empresarial en King’s College Londres. Como ya podrían haber adivinado por el título de la serie de mis reportajes mensuales, en este momento estoy en Lima, Perú. Voy a pasar un semestre haciendo un intercambio a la universidad del Pacífico como parte del año en el extranjero de mi carrera.

    Soy Saher, encantada de concerte!

    Apodada ‘la ciudad gris’ por los locales (¡no parece tan distante a Londres!), es increíble pensar que ya ha pasado un mes desde que llegue aquí. Desde instalándome en mi nueva casa, acostumbrándome al transporte publico caótico, adaptándome a que todas las clases sean en español y navegando por todas las atracciones, aromas y maravillas – es cierto que ha sido un mes muy ocupado.

    Aquí están unos de mis momentos favoritos:

    Durante la semana de bienvenida organizada por la universidad para los estudiantes de intercambio, hice un recorrido por el centro histórico de Lima y pasé la tarde admirando la icónica arquitectura amarilla, regateando por productos agrícolas en el Mercado Central y comiendo churros muy ricos rellenos de dulce de leche.

    Churros!
    Plaza de Armas, Lima

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    La semana siguiente, fui en una excursión organizada por los estudiantes locales como parte del programa de Buddies de la universidad. Visitamos a la Reserva Nacional de Paracas, un ambiente ecológico protegido que es hábitat de lobos marinos, pingüinos y cientos de especies de aves. Luego, nos quedamos en Pisco y aprendemos el proceso tradicional para hacer la famosa bebida nacional del Perú. Finalmente, nuestra aventura alcanzó su pico en Huacachina, un oasis en el desierto en la cual nuestros corazones latieron desaforados por manejar los bugís y hacer surf en las dunas.

    La laguna de Huacachina
    Atardecer con vistas del oasis

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Aprovechando la diversidad de Perú, viajé al norte, a la ciudad costera de Chiclayo. Aquí descubrí la historia del Señor de Sipán, un antiguo gobernante de la civilización Mochica cuyos restos fueron descubiertos en 1987 por un equipo de arqueólogos peruanos. Estaba asombrada por las obras de artes complejas que había en la cerámica y el excepcional trabajo de artesanía metálica – ¡artefactos que precedieron a los Incas! Una experiencia inolvidable fue nadar en las aguas turquesas de Mayascón, una pequeña aldea dos horas fuera de la ciudad principal que todavía se ha mantenido como un secreto bien guardado.

    Aguas turquesas de Mayascón
    Museo Tumbas Reales Señor De Sipán

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Aparte de estos dos viajes, he pasado mucho tiempo poniéndome al corriente de la vida local inscribiéndome en un club de yoga, viendo obras de teatro y sumergiéndome en la gastronomía peruana. Aunque haya sido un mes de bote en bote, ¡mi aventura aquí ha apenas empezado!

     

    English:

    First of all, let me introduce myself: my name is Saher Murtaza and I study Spanish and Management at King’s College London. As you may have guessed from the title of my monthly report series, I’m currently in Lima! I’m spending a semester as an exchange student at the Universidad del Pacífico as part of my degree’s year abroad.

     

    Lima: the grey city

    Nicknamed the ‘grey city’ by locals (not too different from London, it seems!), it’s incredible to think that a month has passed since I first got here. From settling into my new home, getting used to the chaotic public transport system, adjusting to all my lectures being in Spanish and navigating my way around all the sights, smells and wonders – it has definitely been a busy four weeks.

    Here are some of my favourite moments:

    During the university’s welcome week’ for exchange students, I toured the historic centre of Lima and spent the afternoon admiring the iconic yellow architecture, haggling for produce in the Central Market and eating exquisite churros that were filled with dulce de leche cream.

    Lima’s Main Square
    Absolutely delicious!

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The following weekend, I went on a trip that was organised by the local students as part of the university Buddy Program. We visited Paracas National Reserve, a protected environment which is home to sea lions, penguins and hundreds of species of birds. Next, we made a stop in Pisco and learnt about the process of making the Peruvian national drink. Finally, our adventure came to a peak in Huacachina, desert-oasis town that had our hearts racing from riding sand buggies and surfing the dunes.

    Sea lions in Paracas
    An exhilarating experience

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Making the most of Peru’s diversity, I travelled to the northern, coastal city of Chiclayo. Here I discovered the history of El Señor de Sipán, an ancient ruler of the Mochica civilization whose lavish tomb was discovered by Peruvian archaeologists in 1987. I was amazed by the intricate artwork on their pottery and the skilled metal craftsmanship– artefacts which predated the Incas! An unforgettable experience was swimming in the turquoise lagoons in Mayascón, a little village 2 hours outside of the main city which is still a relatively well-kept secret.

    A moment of tranquility
    Pottery from the Mochica civilisation

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Aside from these two trips away, I’ve spent a lot of time getting into the swing of local life by joining a yoga club, watching local theatre shows and volunteering for beach clean ups. Although it’s been a jam-packed month, my adventure here has only just begun!

  • Living in St Petersburg – with Russian people: Mercedes, June 2017

    Doesn’t St Petersburg remind you of Venice? With its many canals and beautiful buildings, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in the European capital.

    Жить в Петербурге – с русскими людьми.

    Для моего последующего отчета я хотела бы рассказать вам о том, с кем я живу здесь в Петербурге в моем общежитие.
В моей квартире я живу с иностранными студентами, но большинство из них – из русскоязычных стран. Например, я живу с Аллой и Мадиной. 
Алла из Приднестровья и Мадина из Таджикистана. Они лучшие друзья, которые помогли мне все эти пять месяцев. С ними я всегда смеюсь, потому что они просто очень смешные девушки! Мне очень нравится болтать с ними, когда я возвращаюсь из университета, мы можем разговаривать с ними вечно. Конечно, это иногда трудно говорить, потому что я не свободно владею русским языком и они не свободно говорят по-английски. И так, мы нашли лучшее решение говорить « по-рунглийски » – это на русском и английском одновременно. Я считаю, что я улучила свой русский язык, так как я много болтать с Аллой и Мадиной. И сейчас мы с ними очень хорошие друзья. 
Алла изучает политологию. а Мадина изучает юриспруденцию. Они очень умные девушки и они много учатся. Мы говорим на разные темы: об учёбе, жизни, политике, религии, и о наших целях и мечтах. Конечно, мы не совсем согласны друг с другом, но мне нравится дружить с разными людьми из разных культур, потому что это помогает мне лучше понять наш мир. 
Я буду очень скучать по моим любимым соседям и я думаю, что я буду плакать до того, как я уеду. Я надеюсь, что мы увидимся еще раз в будущем. Я так благодарна и рада, что встретила двух отличных девушек. Я хочу вернуться скоро в Петербург, чтобы увидеть Аллу и Мадину и увидеть больше этого великого города. Алла и Мадина, спасибо большое за вашу доброту и ваши смешные моменты, которые я никогда не забуду!

    A full moon from the rooftop of Loft Etazhi Project. I recommend this place. It has everything, from clothes shops, to street food, and cocktails!

    English:

    For my final report, I’d like to talk about who I live with here in St Petersburg in my student halls.
In my flat, I live with international students, but most of them are from Russian speaking countries. For example, I live with Alla and Madina who are from Transnistria and Tajikistan respectively. They are the best of friends, and they have really helped me with everything I could ask for here over the last five months. I’m always laughing when I’m with them, simply because they’re just hilarious girls! I live to chitchat with them when I come home from university, and we always seem to talk for hours. Of course it’s sometimes difficult to communicate with one another, because I’m not fluent in Russian (yet!) and they aren’t fluent in English. And so, we have stumbled upon an easier way to speak and that is in « Runglish » – which is just Russian and English at the same time. I feel like I’ve improved my Russian, and that’s thanks to chatting away with Alla and Madina. Now we’re really good friends.

    Kazan Cathedral in the sun!

    Alla studies political science and Madina studies law. They’re incredibly intelligent and they study alot. We talk about all kinds of things: our studies, lives, politics, religion, our hopes and dreams for the future. Of course, we dont always agree with each other, but I like making friends with different people from different cultures, because that way I can better appreciate the world around me.
 I’m really going to miss my lovely neighbours and I think that I’ll cry before i leave. I hope that we’ll see each other again in the future. I’m so grateful and happy to have met two great girls! I want to come back to St Petersburg soon, to see Alla and Madina and to see more of this great city. Alla and Madina, thank you so much for your kindness and your funny moments with I’ll never ever forget!

  • Where to eat and drink in St Petersburg: food, wine, and nightlife:

    Где пить и есть в Петербурге. Еда, вино, ночная жизнь.

    РУССУИЙ ЯЗЫК

    When I’m not studying, I’m guarding former Imperial residences.

    Когда мы (как западные люди) говорим о Петербурге некоторые люди думают о советском городе, в котором нет ресторанов и баров. Это неправда. Сейчас Санкт-Петербург – очень динамичный и современный город со множеством отличных мест, которые я нашла здесь и я хотела бы поделиться с вами! Если вы любите есть, пить и танцевать, как я, вам понравится этот отчет.

    1. Бекицер
    Замечательный и модный бар и ресторан на улице Рубинштейна. Здесь вы можете попробовать израильскую кухню в центре Петербурга, и для этого вам не нужен паспорт! Оригинальные блюда, наполненные пряными и необычными вкусами. Я рекомендую фалафели и шварму… вы не пожалеете! Что касается алкоголя то там очень вкусное израильское вино. А также дружелюбные официанты и хорошая атмосфера.

    A snow-topped Higher School of Economics.

    2. Бонч
    Большая и хипстерская гастрономичная кофейная на Большой Морской недалеко от Невском Проспекта. Красивый дизайн интерьера и отличное место, чтобы поучиться. В Бонче тихо и светло, а также вкусная еда для мотивации. У них удивительное меню с этетическим большим выбором и я рекомендую вам попробовать ваниль маффины, если вы любите сладкое, как я. Можно провести много времени в этой кофейне с друзьями. Благодаря панорамным окнам здании на улица кажется величественным вы можете хорошо отдохнуть. Также там вежливый персонал и быстрое обслуживание.

    3. Мишка бар
    Это не большой бар но размер ни так важен! Мне очень нравится этот бар, потому что музыка там всегда отличная. В Мишка мне нравится пить коктейли и шоты, потому что они вкусные и дешевые. Оно идеально подходит для встречи с друзьями, чтобы танцевать всю ночь на танцполе. По-моему мнение, этот бар очень похож на некоторые любимые бары в восточном Лондоне. Приезжаете! Вы не пожалеете!

    The 3rd April 2017 marked an absolutely heartbreaking moment in my time here in St Petersburg. The terror attack on the metro shook the whole city. We were horrified and saddened by the loss of lives in this senseless attack. An official nationwide mourning was observed for 3 days after the incident and flowers and candles decorated streets and metro stations around the city. I was close to the commotion as it happened, but I was very lucky to have not been hurt. As a foreigner and visitor to this aptly-named Hero City, I am with the Russian people in thinking about the innocent civilians who lost their lives on this tragic day.

    ENGLISH

    Where to eat and drink in St Petersburg: food, wine, and nightlife.

    Nothing is more Russian than drinking chai from a Putin mug

    When we, as Westerners, think about St Petersburg, some of us think of a Soviet city devoid of restaurants and bars. This is not the case. Nowadays, St Petersburg is a very dynamic and modern city in which I’ve discovered many great places, and I want to share them with you! If, like me, you love to eat, drink, and dance, then you will enjoy this report.

    1. Bekitzer
    In the heart of St Petersburg, you can try some Israeli cuisine in this stylish and cool restaurant and bar on Rubenstein Street. No passport required! The dishes are original, full of spices and unusual flavours. I recommend the falafel and the shawarma… you will not regret it! In terms of alcohol, they have some really delicious Israeli wine. The atmosphere is great and the waiters are friendly.

    2. Bonch
    This large, hipster gastro-coffee shop is located on Bol’shoi Morskoi, not too far from Nevsky Prospekt. The interior design is beautiful and this is a really great place in which to study. Bonch is well lit and quiet, serving delicious food too in order to motivate you. The menu is really great, with a large, aesthetically pleasing choice of dishes. I recommend that you try the vanilla muffins, if, like me, you have a sweet tooth. Thanks to the large, panoramic windows you have a view of the grandiose buildings. It’s possible that you could spend a lot of time here relaxing with friends. The staff is really polite and the service is prompt.

    I took this picture in mid February and the temperature was somewhere around the -20c mark. My hands were so so frozen in the 10 seconds I risked going gloveless to take this picture! I love the colours of this building, and standing in the Hermitage courtyard is intimidating and fascinating at the same time, due to the sheer size of it! The show looks and feels almost like a feathery carpet. For miles in the city all one would see was white.

    3. Mishka bar
    This bar is small but size does not matter! I really like this bar because the music is always great. I tend to drink cocktails and shots in Mishka because they’re cheap and they taste great. This place is perfect for meeting up with friends to dance the night away on the dance floor. This bar is really similar to some of my favourite bars in East London, in my opinion. You all should get yourselves to Mishka bar; you will not regret it!

    Mishka Bar

  • First impressions of St Petersburg and what I love here: Mercedes Jaskolka, Russia – April 2017

    Первые чувства и эмоции о Петербурге и что я люблю.

    РУССКИЙ ЯЗЫК:
    В конце концов я освоилась в Петербурге и я чувствую себя комфортно и счастливо здесь. До того, как я сюда приехала, я нервничала и волновалась. Однако, мне не о чем было волноваться. Случилось так, что люди в этом городе очень гостеприимные и отзывчивые. Я была потрясена, потому что у нас стереотип в Англии что все русские люди недружелюбные. Санкт Петербург – очень красивый город и мне повезла жить у учиться здесь. Я должна сказать, что когда я прилетела, первый день, повсюду было обилие снега. Я считала, что главный цвет города – белый! Мне было всегда холодно. Я думаю, что снег придает городу красивую атмосферу и делает город лёгким и изящным. Но, я видела людей, которые шли по реке у мне это кажется очень странным и опасным. Может быть это нормально для русских. Сейчас, погода лучше иногда светит солнце и небо ясное и лазурное без облаков. мне больше нравится, когда солнце упивается закатом солнцу. Потому что Санкт Петербург находиться в северном полушарии, его самый красивый заход солнца в мире.
    В основном, я предпочитаю вести ночной образ жизни, и смотреть на достопримечательностей ночью. Я обожаю гулять по городу с друзьями во время город спокойной и умиротворенный. В Петербург прекрасная архитектура. Зимний дворец – это моя самая любимая достопримечательность, потому что он прекрасен! Но это зависит от предпочтений. В Петербурге также много красивых храмов таких как: Спас-на-Крови и Казанский собор. Это прекрасные достопримечательности с большой историей.
    Недалеко от Невского проспекта – можно увидеть самую известную и очень старую пышечную на Большой Конюшенной, которая была открыта в 1958 году. Там можно попробовать очень вкусные Петербургские пышки.
    Есть еще масса интересных вещей, которыми я хотела бы поделиться, а еще больше, узнать много нового об этом чудесном городе. Итак, до следующего раза! Мерседес

    A beautiful Petersburg skyline

    If you look out from the Peter and Paul Fortress at sunset, this is all you can see for miles. So quiet and peaceful.

    ENGLISH:

    I’m finally settled here in St Petersburg and I’m feeling comfortable and happy in my surroundings. Before I arrived, I was nervous and anxious. However, I had nothing to worry about. It turned out that people in this city are really welcoming and happy to help you out. I was quite shocked, because there is a stereotype in England that all Russian people are unfriendly.
    I have to say that when I arrived, on the very first day, there was snow absolutely everywhere. I thought to myself that the only colour in this city is white! I was always so cold. I do think that the snow gives the city a beautiful atmosphere, making the city seem light and elegant. I did see people walking along on the (frozen) river, which seemed really weird and dangerous to me. Perhaps this is just everyday Russian life! These days the weather is much better and sometimes the sun is shining and the sky a clear azure colour, and not a cloud in sight.
    I much prefer watching the sunsets here. Because St Petersburg is in the northern hemisphere, we get some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
    I actually prefer to do a lot of things at night, like going sightseeing. I adore walking around the city with friends during the calm and peaceful nights. St Petersburg has some beautiful architecture. The Winter Palace is my favourite sight to see, because it is just so stunning. But, it all depends on your preferences. In St Peterburg, there are also many beautiful churches such as The Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, and the Kazan Cathedral. These are wonderful sights with a lot of history.
    Not too far from Nevskiy Prospekt* you can go and see the most famous and oldest piishki** shop on Bol’shoi Konushennoi street that has been open since 1958. There you can tuck into some delicious Petersburg piishki.
    There are so many more interesting things that I’d like to share with you so that you can learn more about this wonderful city. So, until the next time! Mercedes

    * Nevskiy Prospekt is the main street in the city centre. Everything you want you will find on Nevskiy.
    ** piishki/пышки translates to a donut.  However, they’re not any old donuts, they’re made from a traditional recipe and are a native delicacy to St Petersburg: a must-try! I wanted to emphasise how special and unique they are so I transliterated the original Russian word into English.