#oxford program

City One: Rome

Like other many other students who grew up in Metro Atlanta, I distinctly recall how significant Stone Mountain was to the curriculum. In 6th grade, I remember how, after a week of learning about the rock cycle, igneous rocks, batholiths, etc. we actually took a field trip to Stone Mountain. I was completely awestruck with the fact that this picture in a textbook had become what I was standing in front of. The intangible concepts that our teacher had taught us were suddenly evident right before our eyes. 

The Roman Colosseum (outside)

When I initially signed up for the Oxford Program, I was completely unaware that this same feeling- the astonishment rendered by learning the ins and outs of a landmark or an art piece in class and stepping out the door only to find it right in front of your eyes-would multiply tenfold in the first city.

The Roman Pietà- Michelangelo

The way our class is structured, our professor, Dr. Kemling will first lecture at the hotel, providing a brief summary of each piece of art or architecture we’ll see, and then lecture at the actual locations of each piece. Such a structure adds a new level of appreciation of what we see.

The Roman Forum

Seeing the Sistine chapel is incredible in itself. The beauty of Michelangelo’s frescoes is in surmountable and anyone from any culture could recognize that.

But to understand the iconography behind the work- the significance behind the poses of God and Adam, or why Michelangelo’s Garden of Eden is full of rocks, and whether or not God is really supposed to be shaped like a human brain- that’s what makes study abroad program like Oxford so meaningful. 

Mosè-Michelangelo

Outside of the classroom, our 4 days in Rome were full of adventures. I had been told that the entire city felt like you were walking through the world’s largest museum- that statement couldn’t be truer. In each little nook and cranny of the city, you would find something marvelous- whether it be something larger than life like Trevi Fountain or the Vatican City...

St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City-taken from the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

or a hidden gem- a small bas relief on a wall or the ruins of an Ancient Monastery. 

Ruins of Ancient Monastery

It was these hidden gems that I truly love the most. Pedestrians would casually stroll past them, some stopping to add a cool photo to their scrapbook, some not even noticing them. Unlike the bigger names, they did not immediately demand your attention. They lie in wait for the right person to come around and pay just a little more attention than average, that’s when they emerge and their beauty becomes apparent to the passerby.

Via del Governo Vecchio

Now onto the clearly more beautiful and poetic subject- FOOD.

Here are just a few of the foods I enjoyed in Rome. 

Pizza

Pizza

Caffe con Leche

Salty Peanut Gelato

Caprese

Fried Artichoke

You might notice how tomato-heavy this list of pictures is. While that does reflect how important this Italian staple is to the cuisine, I learned quickly that tomatoes in Italy are a force to be reckoned with. Every tomato dish I ever had in the US immediately became sub-par as I tasted some of the freshest ones I ever had. Some other highlights included gelato, pizza, and of course coffee.

Combining the language barrier with small, local restaurants made for several humorous interactions. See below Jackson who ordered a “latte” at a cafe close to our hotel. In any American Starbucks, such an order would be mutually understood between patron and barista. Jackson, however, failed to account for the fact that “latte” translates simply to “milk”.

Jackson with his “latte”

In another faux pas, Jackson and Ansley ordered two slices of white pizza and got, well, two slices of plain bread.

Jackson and Ansley with their “white pizza”

I want to conclude this first big post with the first installment of what I hope will be a tradition for every city- trying the local McDonalds’s. No, this isn’t what you’re thinking- your average American tourist refusing to branch out. Actually, the opposite.

The way I see it, there are very few constants between cultures-even those that are only 50 kilometers apart. The cuisine, the language, the music, the art and architecture, the local demeanor, the tourist culture- every discrepancy, small and large, between cultures guarantees absolutely nothing to the ignorant nomad.

McDonald’s, however, is a phenomenon. You go to any major city in the West and you are guaranteed that there will be a McDonald’s. It is one of the only cultural constants with which I can truly compare each city. Unfortunately (or perhaps, fortunately) I wouldn’t give myself the honor (or perhaps, dishonor) of a McDonald’s Connoisseur, but I’ve been enough times to understand how the restaurant functions, the subtle taste of preservatives evident in each meal, etc.

I tried McDonald’s in Rome at about 9:00 PM. It was relatively empty compared to the bar next door which I found relatively interesting. 

McDonald’s

Walking in, it looked almost congruent to the one by Georgia Tech. I noticed quickly, however, that an entire section of the restaurant was solely dedicated to McCafe which included a plethora of coffee options as well as several desserts and pastries.

Having had dinner recently, i opted to satiate my sweet tooth and try a shot of espresso and a slice of Cheesecake.

Cheesecake con fragole e una espresso

As much as it pains me to say this, the shot of espresso was one of the most delicious ones I had in Rome. And believe me, my already-cultivated caffeine addiction along with a bad case of jet lag was a recipe for MANY espresso shots. The cheesecake had a strange level of freshness- something I wasn’t expecting from a McDonald’s at night, especially in a different country. I’m eager to see if anything differs in Florence.

As I write this, we’re currently en route to Florence- the city which I am the most excited for on this entire trip. Expect a long, long post next time. Thank you again.

Alla prossima avventura!

Hey there! 

I’m Elizabeth Balinao. Third year. Majoring in Public Policy and minoring in International Affairs. And I’m here to talk about my awesome study abroad experience this past summer! I can’t wait tell you about all the awesome things I did and learned and why you should study abroad too. 

In addition to study abroad, I’ll also talk about how I, a non-engineer, ended up going to an engineering-focused university and why I love it so much. My experiences here have been so great and it’s been such a whirlwind here at Tech that there’s no way I can give a single sentence summary of my time here so far. All I can say is this: you’ll see. 

Fun fact: This picture was taken in Rome on the first day of my program. I was walking around with a friend and realized I absolutely love traveling. I haven’t been able to shake the travel bug since. 

Around campus, I serve as an officer for my sorority, a piano accompanist for Chamber Choir, am active in a political organization, and regularly volunteer for the Ivan Allen College Shadow Day. 

Stay tuned for super excited posts about my experiences here at Tech. They’re going to be great. 

City Six: Prague, Czech Republic

As of today, it’s officially been three weeks that we’ve been in Europe. Rome feels like such a distant memory, and yet I still find myself remembering certain details about it as if it were only several days ago- the fresh tomatoes, the museum all around you, the streets crowded with tourists and trams and nuns and Vespas; it’s hard to believe I’ve been in five different cities since, each with their own set of unique characteristics. I appreciate everyone who reads these for sticking with me this long; we’ve still got a few more left so hang with me!

Much like Venice, we only had around two days in Prague, so making the most of our time was critical.  Here are a few highlights of Prague from compressed schedule!

The Astronomical Clock.

Prague Castle

The Lennon Wall. Started as a memorial to John Lennon after his assassination in 1980 and soon became a tribute to the values of peace, art, and expression.

I’d have to say, my favorite thing about Prague is how it feels like you’re walking on the set of a Disney movie.

 The gothic architecture provides this enchanted background almost anywhere you go.

I realized quickly that the Czech cuisine was full of sweets and greasy foods, I almost forgot I wasn’t in the American Deep South anymore. 

Trdelník- similar to the “Chimney Cone” in Budapest

For my McDonalds adventure this time around, I tried an interesting chicken sandwich they had. It essentially had an entire side salad on top of it- not one of my favorites but nevertheless unique.

I had no idea that Prague was such a significant city for music, but class was filled with some really incredible experiences. For one, we visited the Estates Theatre where Mozart often conducted many of his operas, including one of the most famous- Don Giovanni. The theatre itself was featured in the film Amadeus- a biopic about the artist himself.

A commemoration of Mozart’s Don Giovanni opening here at the Estates Theatre in the form of a statue I found extremely creepy, yet simultaneously really cool.

City Five: Vienna, Austria

The Belvedere Museum

Much like Budapest, I was completely unsure of what to expect from Vienna. The Sound of Music. A little World War II background from AP World History. And yes, Billy Joel’s 1977 hit. That was pretty much the extent of my Vienna knowledge.

Prater Amusement Park

What was waiting for me, however, was a beautiful city full of beautiful palaces, unique food, and some of the friendliest strangers I’ve encountered.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Like all cities, we had our pre-adventure class time. at the hotel. Instead of his usual lecture, however, Dr. Kemling opted to show us the 2015 movie Woman in Gold starring Ryan Reynolds and Helen Mirren. The movie chronicled Maria Altman’s effort to reunite with a painting of her Aunt- the iconic Woman in Gold painting by Gustav Klimt- after it was stolen by the Nazis and subsequently given to the Belvedere Museum’s collection in Austria. It was the absolute perfect introduction to understanding the complexity behind Vienna’s beauty. As we strolled through the Belvedere, one of my classmates remarked, “I wonder how many of these (works of art) were actually stolen from someone.”

Despite seeing almost every noteworthy Michelangelo piece in the past few cities (and completely nerding out about each one), Vienna was the first city that made me think about art as a general concept. 

St. Anne’s Church

When does art stop belonging to the artist? Does it belong to the commissioner or the people? Or perhaps, does art belong to any passerby who finds it the least bit appealing?

Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss”

 Regarding Klimt’s Woman in Gold (which if I may add, now resides in Manhattan), can a piece of art ever really belong to an entire people as long as it’s original owner still sees it as their property? Perhaps I won’t answer these questions during this trip, but they’re certainly interesting to ponder while walking among some of the most decorated cities in the world.

Jacques Louis David’s “Napoleon Crossing the Alps”

Vienna was also an incredible city regarding music. Throughout the past few centuries, the city has been a hearth for musical innovation as composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn all completed some of their most notable work in the city. We toured several great museums such as the Haus der Musik and the Vienna State Opera House.

Interior of Vienna State Opera House

Regarding food, Austrian cuisine was similar to both Hungarian and German cuisine. Common sights included coffee, schnitzel, and strudel.

Apple strudel and iced coffee

Wienerschnitzel

I was especially excited for this McDonald’s Adventure, and not just for the food. According to a new policy, every McDonalds in Austria can be recognized as a mini US embassy. Having issues with the law in Austria? Find the nearest Mickey D’s. Though I was technically on US soil, I still wanted to branch out and try the local cuisine. I opted this time for a Schnitzel sandwich, which was just as amazing as it sounds.

Vienna, like the rest of the cities I’ve visited so far, is a place I very much intend to spend more time in. Despite everything I saw, I would still love to soak in the beauty I didn’t discover during my brief time there. But for now, that will have to wait. I’ll see you all in Prague!

Zum nächsten Abenteuer!

City Four: Budapest, Hungary

“BudapeSHt” in case anyone was curious. Don’t worry, George Ezra led me astray as well.

Heroes’ Square

When we arrived here on Sunday night, one of the things I was immediately struck by was how much the city had been influenced by American culture. Walking around after sunset and seeing the brightly lit golden arches of McDonald’s along with the familiar signs for Pizza Hut, Subway, Burger King among tall buildings, and the taxicabs honking at too-slow pedestrians, I would have believed you if you had told me we were in Manhattan (sans the street signs in Hungarian.)

Budapest was the first city not in Italy and therefore the first city that I wasn’t sure what to expect of. Before hearing the talk of the town, I couldn’t have told you a single thing about the city, from their famous dish Goulash to the fact that Budapest is split up by the Danube River into two sections- Buda and Pest. 

Hungarian Parliament Building

After only three days here, I must admit myself impressed by the city. The blending of modern and older architectural styles, the Hungarian cuisine, and the rich history from the past two centuries took me by pleasant surprise.

 Central Market Hall

As far as our Art History class went, our only excursion in the city was the Museum of Fine Arts which housed many original sketches by Michelangelo. If you read my entry from Florence, you can imagine how much I was nerding out. For our Music class, we attended a concert at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music where we saw a men’s choir. Being a member of Sympathetic Vibrations, Georgia Tech’s male a capella group, I was especially excited for this one.

Grand Hall

While not studying for mid-terms, I enjoyed walking around town and taking in the sights. As someone who enjoys history, I was intrigued to find out that Budapest was a major center of World War II, Holocaust, and Cold War history. I visited several locations related to these events that I found interesting.

Shoes on the Danube Memorial- a tribute to the Jews executed by the Hungarian Nazis in 1944-45.

The House of Terror- Both the Nazi and Soviet Governments were headquartered in this building- now converted into a museum. 

As far as cuisine went, I, again, found myself pleasantly surprised with how good the food was. Back home in Atlanta, I can’t think of a single Hungarian restaurant that I’ve ever seen (but if you have, let me know!) but quickly found that their cuisine was absolutely worthy of attention. It was a funny change of pace from Italy given that Italian food is almost always grain-based, and then there’s Hungary where everything is meat, meat, and more meat. Here are some highlights.

Chimney Cone- a popular dessert here.

Goulash- the National Dish of Hungary

Langos- similar to an elephant ear, but better.

This installment of My McDonald’s Adventure is unfortunately rather uninteresting. 

Following suit with much of the rest of the city of Budapest, there really weren’t too many discrepancies between this one and the American one besides the language of the menu. I opted to try the “Borsos Burgonya” which translates directly to “Pepper Potatoes.” I realized that the locals around me were actually ordering these more than the classic fries which I found pretty interesting and after trying them, definitely understood why!

It’s been an eye-opening few days in this beautiful city, and I hope to come back one day to explore it even further. 

St. Stephen’s Basilica

a következő kalandig!

In the summer of 2017, I was lucky enough to take a trip to Iberia with my family. Among the few cities we visited in Spain and Portugal, my favorite was Granada. It was in this city that the beautiful Alhambra is located. Walking through and looking around, I noticed something that changed the way I think about the concept of a place: the Alhambra’s beauty was, by any definition of the word, ubiquitous. It seemed that in any direction you looked, you were bound to find something that had been created for the sole purpose of aesthetic value. I found that fascinating- that in so many different locations in such a small space, someone had seen a simple wall or garden or ceiling and thought “How can I possible make this a little more beautiful?” Returning to my good old suburban bubble of Suwanee, Georgia, I found myself bitterly disappointed by the fact that the same aesthetic value had been sacrificed in the name of practicality. I realized that an emphasis on purely aesthetic value is not something commonly found in American culture, or at least not anymore.  Walking around Florence, I found myself realizing the same thing that I had back in Granada. The same intentional beauty really was everywhere like the Alhambra. 

Il duomo

The difference is that Alhambra is a small portion of the city of Granada; the entirety of Florence felt like that to me.

Sunset over Florence from the Ponte Vecchio

Perhaps I should have prefaced this post with the fact that I recently read a book that had flooded my mind with only the highest expectations for Florence-Irving Stone’s “The Agony and the Ecstasy.” 

Michelangelo’s Madonna of the Stairs

The book is a biographical novel of the artist Michelangelo, a Florence native. The novel reads like fictional prose rather than the usual biography and I often had to remind myself that Michelangelo, Ghirlandaio, Il Magnifico, and Leonardo were real historical figures as opposed to characters in a story. Consequently, strolling through the streets of Florence, for me, was akin to a Game of Thrones fan visiting King’s Landing or a Harry Potter fan seeing Hogwarts.

Standing next to the Battle of the Centaurs. I realized while taking this picture that I was just about as close to the sculpture as Michelangelo was when he carved it which really freaked me out. Some really cool stops in Art class included the Galleria del’Accademia- the museum that houses Michelangelo’s David,

Michelangelo’s David. I was not prepared at all for how big this was in person. 

the Uffizi Gallery- which housed too many household names to list,

The Birth of Venus, Botticelli

and the Bargello, an old prison-turned-museum.

Michelangelo’s Bacchus

We were also fortunate enough to see our Music professor, Dr. Scibelli play the violin in a string quartet! She absolutely killed it, and we were so thrilled to watch her play.

Outside of the classroom, I indulged my fascination with Michelangelo, and explored some of the locations I knew from the book with the help of Dr. Kemling who, believe me, knows his Michelangelo.

Tomb of Michelangelo, Basilica di Santa Croce di Firenze

Dr. Kemling also happened to be our resident expert of Florence in general, showing us his favorite coffee and gelato in the city- some of the best I’ve ever had.

Cappuccino at Caffe Gilli

My (empty because delicious) cup of Gelato from Vivoli

Regarding my McDonald’s Adventure of Florence, I opted to get an actual meal. I decided to try the “My Selection Chicken”- a fried chicken sandwich with tomato, provolone, and an Italian truffle mushroom sauce. On the side, I chose to get fried cheese balls-two items unique to Italian McDonald’s that definitely invoked that classic “Oh man, I ate too much,” feeling that McDonald’s usually does. 

Well, it’s been a few hours since we left Florence and I can genuinely say that I miss it dearly already- the coffee and gelato, the culture dedicated to celebrating the work of Michelangelo, and the ubiquitous beauty.

Florence at dusk from Piazzale Michelangelo

Alla prossima avventura!

And...

And...

Oh. Gosh.

Help me.

I'm crying.

It's too beautiful.

"I have known cities with the strong-armed Rhine

Clasping their mouldered quays in lordly sweep;

And lingered where the Maine's low waters shine

Through Tyrian Frankfort; and been fain to weep

Mid the green cliffs where pale Mosella laves

That Roman sepulchre, imperial Trèves.

Ghent boasts her steet, and Bruges her moonlight square;

And holy Mechlin, Rome of Flanders, stands

Like a queen-mother on her spacious lands;

And Antwerp shoots her glowing spire in air.

Yet have I seen no place, by inland brook,

Hill-top, or plain, or trim arcaded bowers,

That carries age so nobly in its look

As Oxford with the sun upon her towers." - F.W. Faber