#dukesummer

When I was not reading in the Bodleian Library or in the Radcliff Camera, I liked to spend my time absorbing fascinating information in one of the resourceful museums or go for a run to get to know Oxford better. I definitely fell in love with the place by the end of the program. 

The pub culture was also a refreshing experience to me: pubs are great places for people to have relaxing conversations, and people drink to enjoy the drink and not to get drunk. 

Oh, almost forgot everyone’s favorite day of the week – Wednesday! Why? Because we got to learn something interesting from a guest speaker, have a warm conversation with each other during the reception and indulge our palates with a very nice three-course dinner. 

Another bonus is that I made some really amazing friends from the program. Thank you, family and friends, for giving me this opportunity and making my time in Oxford wonderful and unforgettable.

The photo was taken on July 14, a one-day excursion to London organized by the program, by Altamash Rafiq.

But Québec was the ideal place for me this summer. This was the best experience for me, not only in preparation to study abroad, but also in the development of my independence as an adult. It developed me.

Québec opened my eyes to life in a city, filled with Canadian restaurants, hobos, BIXI stations, and pedestrians. It opened my nose to the smell of poutine, and introduced my taste buds to variations of maple flavor. It opened my lungs to new air (that I needed to run) and strengthened my arms with each photo I took. It strengthened my legs with all the hills, and my feet with each tour of the town.

Québec challenged me. It forced me to speak French when I walked into a store, and forced me to be brave when I was volunteering (not only among people who spoke French, but very fast French). It forced me to speak to professionals—in a variety of domains—about their work, and to ask questions. It encouraged me to speak to taxi drivers about the town, and to artisans (specifically in Jean-Talon and the International Festival Nuits d’Afrique), and awarded me when I spoke in French. It forced me to be flexible and curious, with each meeting, class, and excursion. It forced me out of my English-speaking shell, and into the beautiful world of French.

“[Our professor] introduced us to the town, in both an academic and cultural sense."

I am very grateful for this experience. I now know that advertisements aren’t just images of models holding products, but strategies aimed at a certain audience. I now know that street art isn’t just personal expression, but a reflection of culture. I understand that Montréal isn’t a “French town in a English country,” but she is her own living entity. 

I appreciate all the kind artisans, taxi drivers, and waiters who encouraged my usage of French, and I admire all my classmates for always trying to better their comprehension. I am very grateful for Madame, who was always encouraging, and for her efforts to introduce us to the town, in both an academic and cultural sense. I’m grateful for Marianne, who was a great friend, mentor, and friendly expert. 

From this experience, I am confident to go to France and to improve my comprehension and usage of the language. But my heart will always rest with Québec, the place that really taught me the joy of cultural immersion.

We chatted with each other the whole walk to the fería. In addition, I met some neighbors there and my host mother introduced me to them. Afterwards, we inspected the locally grown fruits and vegetables of each stand and talked to the vendors. For dinner, in addition to the rice and beans, I had a full plate of fruits, which we just bought together. There were papayas, mangos, pineapples, and watermelon slices!

The Pura Vida lifestyle is best summed up as the combination of the many daily experiences that Tico has. The experiences I’ve had taught me that in order to fully immerse yourself in and understand a culture, you have to keep an open mind, be flexible, and completely embrace it. In other words, you have to challenge yourself to try new things. 

The photograph of the fería shows just one of the many unforgettable memories that I have had this summer. It is the everyday interactions with my host family that I cherish and will miss the most!

Each neighborhood spent an entire year creating controversial statues that pointedly embellish current political and cultural issues. 

For an entire week, the Festival of San Juan dominated Alicante with music from 10am to 4am and ear-shattering fireworks every day. 

After a tense competition, in which this particular hoguera won the best overall prize, firemen proceed to systematically ignite each hoguera. From statue to statue, the entire city rushes to watch beautiful sculptures turn to mute ashes. 

I’ve never before seen or heard of such a festival, but participating in the excitement revealed to me the degree by which I had adopted the culture through the immersive Duke in Alicante program. 

My experience demonstrates that, in order to truly understand a culture, you must commit yourself completely, becoming part of that which may baffle you. 

Thank you, Duke, for encouraging me to forsake my ignorance and providing me with this unbelievable opportunity to do so!

Not only did my host mom help me with French, she became a good friend, and I always looked forward to our dinners and daily conversations. Before arriving in Paris, I did not anticipate that living with a homestay would play such an integral role in my study abroad experience. I still keep in touch with my host mom, and I am excited to visit her when I return to Paris in the future.

My six weeks in Paris ignited a desire to travel and to become fluent in French. It is hard to believe how much my French improved over six weeks, and I hope that I will be fluent in French after more French classes and travel (fingers crossed!). 

If you are thinking about studying abroad, I would definitely recommend taking the leap: you will make incredible friends, immerse yourself in a new culture, become more independent, and have so much fun.

One notable example of these is when we were visiting Asturias and a couple of us saw a mountain in the distance which looked fun to climb. We then proceeded to run to the mountain and climb through what seemed like miles of prickly plants in order to reach one of the most incredible views I have ever seen. Of course, we also almost missed lunch, but small details. 

Adventures aside, this opportunity has allowed me to become much more comfortable with the Spanish language, which will be of great assistance in finishing my Spanish minor and my eventual goal of becoming completely fluent. 

I now realize the importance of mixing and understanding different cultures, and will definitely attempt to integrate that into any future job that I find. To any future students studying abroad, all I can say is to let your mind remain open to any possibilities that may occur, no matter how strange.

Although the quarters may have been a bit tight, I felt this part of the Duke in Greece program was one of the most valuable. We sat at the living room tables and ate a delicious and simple, homemade lunch everyday.  We visited the most spectacular islands I have ever seen. Each morning I would peek out of my bathroom window, and even though it was the same sea, it was always stunningly different from the morning prior. 

By the end of this week, we became a true family. I have no doubt that we will continue to keep in touch when we return to Duke.