Travel Tales – International Arts & Artists

Travel Tales from the Team: Megan

April 14, 2023July 12, 2019 by CEP Intern

At International Arts & Artists, we love hearing about the incredible experiences our exchange visitors have during their programs! From exploring new cities to experiencing different cultures, exchanges expand our understanding of the world around us. We know all about the power of exchanges — in fact, many of our team members have studied, worked, or lived abroad! So, we’re launching a new blog series called “Travel Tales from the Team” where we’ll share more about our own travel experiences.

Meet Megan, our fantastic Program Officer! A native East Coaster, Megan grew up in Massachusetts and received her Bachelor’s degree in environmental and sustainability studies from Bard College. Invested in language and the arts, you can find her teaching English, attending a play or dance class, or continuing her intense study of Arabic.

Keep reading for more on what Megan had to say about her experiences traveling and living abroad!

Have you ever lived abroad for an extended period of time?

Yes, I am very fortunate that I had the opportunity to live abroad for an extended period of time. I have traveled to Jordan a number of times. My first trip was on a semester-long rugged travel and exploration program in college. The program was focused on exploring different lifestyles in different parts of Jordan. I had the opportunity to live in Bedouin style tents and try traditional Jordanian cuisine. It was an adjustment at first, but I grew to appreciate a style of life completely different from my own. I also spent a lot of time living with a Jordanian host family who I became very close to. I visit them every time I return to Jordan. During my recent trip, I stayed in the capital city of Amman for six months learning the local Arabic dialect. The more familiar with the language I became, the easier it was for me to assimilate.

What was the first place you traveled to outside of the country?

The first place I traveled outside of the United States was Canada. I went on a school trip with my middle school French class to Quebec. I had an amazing time with my friends. We were amazed by how different the culture was despite it being so close to us geographically. We went in December, and felt like we had entered a winter paradise. We loved the food that we tried: traditional Canadian and French foods. I still think about the first time I tried boiled maple syrup poured over snow on a freezing day. By going on that first trip, I was able to have my first experience of travel and independence, and it only made me yearn for more.

What did you learn about yourself while abroad?

I learned that I am able to adapt to new situations, and that I can rely on myself when traveling. This has helped build my feeling of independence and self-reliance. Once I realized that I could take care of myself in a cultural context completely different than my own, I knew that I was going to be alright no matter where I went. This confidence has helped me in my work and travel life. It has helped me conquer my fears and step outside of my comfort zone.

What advice do you have for people traveling or looking to travel abroad?

My biggest piece of advice is to be open to spontaneous adventures. It is always important to plan certain aspects of a trip and to have an understanding of the country in order to keep yourself safe, but some of the greatest adventures I’ve ever been on were ones that I stumbled upon. By giving myself the freedom to stray from my plans to explore something unexpected, I have seen amazing spots that aren’t listed in tour guides because I spoke with locals. Always be open to a new adventure because it will be different from what you expect it to be.

Travel Tales from the Team: Abby

August 22, 2019March 13, 2019 by CEP Intern

Meet Abby, our amazing spring intern! A senior at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, she is currently majoring in Cultural Anthropology and International Studies with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa.

Keep reading for more on what Abby had to say about her experiences traveling and living abroad!

Have you ever lived abroad for an extended period of time?

Yes! I had the opportunity to live and study in Tanzania for a semester during undergrad. While in Tanzania, I stayed with a host family and took courses in Swahili, anthropology, and ecology. Additionally, I completed an independent research project and paper, living in the field for a month and conducting interviews with Maasai women and men.

I miss the vibrancy of the people, my host mother’s coconut chicken curry and chapti, dancing around with my toddler-aged host brother. I also miss the brilliant cobalt, lemon and crimson kangas, juicy and succulent produce, and swinging monkeys. It was such an incredible experience that it sometimes seems surreal!

Do you have a favorite place that you’ve traveled abroad?

This is a tough question! One very memorable trip was when my family went to Scotland for several weeks. We stayed in a writer’s mansion, explored the cobblestone streets, ate a lot of sausage patties, learned Scottish history, how to clay shoot, and, of course, visited a ton of castles. My favorite day was when we ventured far into Stonehaven to visit Dunnottar Castle on the coast. Crisp wind whipped our hair as we climbed the beige ruins who stood tall as turquoise waves rushed below. It was fun to imagine the royalty living there in medieval times.

Another trip that is highly memorable is the month I spent in Scandinavia! I had the opportunity to travel to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. I was with a college group so we had a fairly busy agenda. I wish I could have spent more time in one or all of the countries. Especially because the locals kept asking, “Why did you come in the winter?” So, I would love to go back during the summer; hiking along the fjords in Norway or cruising the secret lanes of Copenhagen!

Travel Tales from the Team: Ashley

August 22, 2019January 30, 2019 by CEP Intern

Meet Ashley, our amazing Program Officer! Besides pursuing her Master’s degree in intercultural and international communication at American University, this native West Coaster loves wandering around DC’s unique neighborhoods and exploring its many museums. Like the rest of the team, Ashley is a living example of the benefits of cultural exchange, and has many interesting things to say about her exchange experiences!

Keep reading for more on what Ashley had to say about her experiences traveling and living abroad!

Have you ever lived abroad for an extended period of time?

Yes! I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, for a year during my undergraduate degree and lived in Mongolia as a Peace Corps Volunteer for 3 years. During my time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mongolia I lived in a rural village and taught students English at the local school as well as engaged in community development activities. I lived in a yurt or "ger" and I learned to make my own fires as a source of heat, fetched water from the well, and used an outhouse as my toilet. Although I lived in spartan conditions, I enjoyed my simple lifestyle. As the only American person in my town I integrated in to Mongolian culture and learned many traditions and partook in lots of customs. Learning the Mongolian language also helped me to connect to my community members and form long lasting friendships.

What was the first place you traveled to outside of the country?

Being from southern California, the closest and most convenient place to travel outside the country is Mexico, so naturally it was the first place I traveled to outside the United States. I remember being very young and shocked by the differences of Tijuana, even though it was just a couple hours away from my home. I remember the children on the streets coming up to me yelling "chicle, chicle". At the time I was intrigued that kids my age or younger that were trying to sell me gum, to me, another child as well. I realized their situation and remembered feeling grateful for my life in the United States.

What did you learn about yourself while abroad?

I’ve learned that I'm an open-minded person. I somehow end up always talking to locals, while listening and learning how their everyday lives revolve is always a humbling and eye-opening experience. An interesting conversation I had with a local during my time in Mongolia was the insight of an elderly Mongolian woman in my village that showed me the value of community. She said that in such small communities as hers, everyone was dependent on the friendliness and willingness of each other to help during harsh or unforeseeable situations. This idea resonated with me, as I witnessed firsthand community members selflessly helping each other and expecting nothing in return. I learned one does these things for others only because if they were in a difficult situation they would want people in their community to be there for them as well.

Travel Tales from the Team: Pauline

August 22, 2019October 1, 2018 by CEP Intern

Meet Pauline, our incredible fall intern! A student at the Sciences Po Rennes, Pauline is majoring in Politics & Society in a dual French/German curriculum. She also spent her fall semester studying abroad at American University through the Exchange Visitor Program. In her spare time, Pauline loves exploring new museums, discovering new street art, and listening to as much French rap music as she can!

Keep reading for more on what Pauline had to say about her experiences traveling and living abroad!

Have you ever lived abroad for an extended period of time?

Yes, several times! I was born in Germany to a German father and a French mother, and was always brought up in this bi-national environment. I lived the 6 first years of my life in Cologne, Germany, before moving to the west coast of France with my family where I lived for 12 years. I now study in a French/German curriculum and have had the opportunity to live, study, and work in Bavaria, Germany. Even though I’m half-German and spoke German at a high level when I arrived, I still noticed some cultural differences and needed to adapt myself to that environment and communication context.

Since I was socialized as a French kid, going to school there, interacting and sharing contents with French classmates, learning about French history and eating French food, listening to French music and watching French movies, going to Germany kind of made me realize how “French” I actually was or had become over the years. Even though I was “The German” in France, I was “The French” in Germany.

I studied in Brittany, France, for 3 years before that. This fall, I studied International Law & Organizations at American University and interned in Washington, DC, for one semester. After that, I went back to Germany for one semester in order to complete my Master’s degree and then I’ll have to decide if I am going back to France or not for my second Master’s program. America is the third country I’ve lived in for an extended period of time, and it’s always a great experience to live and study in different environments! The academia, work, and everyday culture are quite different, even in countries that are part of the so-called “Western” world.

What was the first place you traveled to outside of the country?

The first place I went outside Germany was France, and we went there every summer after I was born. But since I consider France to be my home country, I guess that doesn’t really count! I visited Turkey and the Dominican Republic when I was younger, but since then I traveled mostly in Europe. By now, I visited 14 European countries! I am using the chance I have to be a European citizen and to be able to move freely in the Schengen area without having to ask for a visa or to change my currency. It’s also very easy to find cheap ways of travelling, for instance by taking long-distance buses or trains or low-cost flights. When I travel inside a country, I also use a lot of car-sharing to reduce my expenses – it’s also a great way to meet people you probably wouldn't have met otherwise!

Do you have a favorite place that you’ve traveled abroad?

I really enjoyed most of my travels, so it’s hard to pick a favorite place! I would say that instead of places, I mostly enjoy specific moments within each of my travels. If I had to choose a favorite however, I would say that I particularly enjoyed discovering Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. I went there for one week last November and was really amazed by the beauty and the energy of this city. Going for a night walk along the Danube River and looking at the monuments is absolutely breathtaking. The people are very friendly and the whole history (ancient and recent) is very well reflected in the city and its inhabitants. Budapest is also an important center for music, film, theatre, dance, and visual art. You can find a vibrant underground culture, and a great number of museums and galleries, plenty of temporary exhibitions in the most unlikely of settings!

What did you learn about yourself while abroad?

I love to travel and to live in other places, because it puts you out of your comfort zone. Being abroad and far away from your common environment, your family, your friends, or the place you like to go forces you to explore new things, even if they don’t look appealing to you in the first place. I think that it’s very important to learn to question one’s own cultural customs and challenge one’s own beliefs. It’s also a good way to reconnect with oneself and take some time to reflect about what you want to do and the kind of people you want around you.

Is there a place you’ve always wanted to go?

I would love to go to Asia, because I’ve never been on that continent and am very puzzled by it. I would like to discover the landscapes, the food, and especially the difference in mindset. For now, I pretty much stayed in the “Western” world, so even if there are a lot of differences between Europe and the United States, I guess that it would be a completely different experience that would challenge me again to reflect on how my view of the world was constructed.

What advice do you have for people traveling or looking to travel abroad?

My best advice is to try and meet as many local people as possible. Doing an exchange program and staying with people from your home country makes no real sense, and you will improve both your languages skills and your understanding of the other’s culture much more if you try to blend with the locals. Instead of trying to recreate the environment you are used to be in or looking for things resembling what you already know, try to embrace the way of life of the locals! What do they do to have fun? How is their relationship to food, family, or work? These are the questions that I think can help you get the most “un-touristic” experience of a place.

Travel Tales from the Team: Erin

August 22, 2019July 25, 2018 by CEP Intern

At International Arts & Artists, we love hearing about the incredible experiences our exchange visitors have during their programs! From exploring new cities to experiencing different cultures, exchanges expand our understanding of the world around us. We know all about the power of exchanges — in fact, many of our team members have studied, worked, or lived abroad! So, we’re launching a new blog series called “Travel Tales from the Team,” where we’ll share more about our own travel experiences.

First up is Erin, our amazing summer intern! A senior at the George Washington University in Washington, DC, Erin is studying International Affairs and minoring in Spanish and Theatre. In her spare time, she’s involved with student theatre, and also enjoys reading and painting recycled glass bottles. Fun Fact: Erin absolutely loves sloths, and has several sloth-themed decorations in her apartment!

Keep reading for more on what Erin had to say about her experiences traveling abroad!

Have you ever lived abroad for an extended period of time?

I’ve traveled abroad for vacation, a service trip, and an exchange program, but I have yet to work or live abroad for an extended period of time. The closest I’ve come is when I lived with a family in Madrid for a two-week exchange program in high school. I also spent a week working as a translator in clinics for Haitian refugees in the Dominican Republic a few years ago.

Do you have a favorite place that you’ve traveled abroad?

Probably a tie between the Aran Islands/Galway, Ireland, and Madrid, Spain.

What did you learn about yourself while abroad?

I learned that I can be more adventurous than I think, and my travels push me to live outside my comfort zone more often. I also love learning more about the culture and trying the local food of wherever I’m visiting.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time abroad?

I have had very different experiences abroad, so it’s hard to say. Spending time with my family in Edinburgh, helping nurses communicate with people in the Dominican Republic, visiting the Reina Sofia, and seeing Stonehenge to name a few.

Is there a place you’ve always wanted to go?

There are so many places I want to travel! I want to check off at least one place in every major area of the world, and so far I only have North America, Central America, and Europe.

What advice do you have for people traveling or looking to travel abroad?

My advice would probably be to look for authentic places to stay and visit. Exploring the more local areas of a place is so much more interesting and fulfilling than just sticking with the tourist areas. Also, choose your traveling companions wisely; travel with people you want to experience new things and go on adventures with.