http://abroadblogs.newpaltz.edu/blog Home and Away: Tales from abroad and from the office - the study abroad experience as it happens, and updates from the program staff Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:49:57 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Welcome to China! What's new you ask? Hmm...well...its COLD, really really, COLD!! Sure, I've been in New Paltz for the last 3 years. I've had my share of cold winters, but its wet and cold in a place that's supposed to be at the latitude of Macon, Georgia. This city was hot ... http://abroadblogs.newpaltz.edu/blog/?p=317 Last day in New Zealand. It's currently 9PM here in Sydney and I haven't slept in about 36 hours. But these have been some crazy awesome hours. After a 2AM drive to the airport with Maggie and Emily, I hung out with them before they had to go through security, on their ... http://abroadblogs.newpaltz.edu/blog/?p=316 1 day left in New Zealand. Today was an eerie repeat déjà vu of my first day in the country. After an amazing New Zealand style breakfast of eggs, sausage and bacon, and four hours of conversation with Franesca's mom, where we explained the importance of tipping American service staff, we ... http://abroadblogs.newpaltz.edu/blog/?p=314 3 days left in New Zealand. Last day in Wellington. I cannot even begin to describe how I feel right now. Its 4AM and I just said "Good Night" to Natalie for the last time. These past 4 1/2 months have absolutely flown by and I wish I could scrape a few ... http://abroadblogs.newpaltz.edu/blog/?p=312 I really need to apologize in advance, it seems that I always forget to right about my best adventures. Usually, I am in such a lull of excitement afterward, that words seem to spoil the experience. So, I retell this adventure of mine, about a week ... http://abroadblogs.newpaltz.edu/blog/?p=310 I'm taking a class called Experiences in Japanese Culture, where the students go on excursions and participate in Japanese cultural events. It is such a fun class! Today we did Ikebana, which is the Japanese art of flower arranging. We went into the mountain and collected materials (branches, berries, flowers, ... http://abroadblogs.newpaltz.edu/blog/?p=296 Five weeks of class and more than one month later, here I am. Living in Kanazawa, Japan as an international student at Kanazawa University. Speaking Japanese every single day. I never thought I would actually be here. I am living my dream and loving every second of it! [caption id="attachment_289" align="alignleft" ... http://abroadblogs.newpaltz.edu/blog/?p=287 5 days left in New Zealand. In order to get my housing deposit back, I need to have a clean house. My hands smell like cleaner. The soap has completely dried out my hands. I saw things I didn't want to see. Positive - It was raining. Negative - I'm really leaving. - Liam http://abroadblogs.newpaltz.edu/blog/?p=285 Our first full day in London ended on a very successful note. We enjoyed some of London’s top attractions without incident and were able to navigate the streets of London without getting lost; and when we did miss a street or lose sense of direction, we the map we were ... http://abroadblogs.newpaltz.edu/blog/?p=280 7 days left in New Zealand. Today, I sat my last exam at Victoria University. I've successfully(?) finished my academic career here in New Zealand and it can't feel weirder. First, I don't ever think I'll be finishing a fall semester in the first week of November while putting aloe on ... http://abroadblogs.newpaltz.edu/blog/?p=276