Bulldogs Abroad Blog

Written by: Jocelin Diaz  |  Spring 2023
IFSA Study in Barcelona Plus

My first mistake when it came to study abroad (and you will make plenty of them but that’s totally okay!!) was thinking that I would be a changed person the first day I got to Barcelona, Spain. To give a bit of background on the type of person I am: I am a super chilled, laid-back individual who is also very reserved and shy, with a hint of anxiety. Also, I have never been out of the country before. So with no major travel experience, I told myself I was going to make up for never having the opportunity to do so in my life before.  

As soon as I arrived in Barcelona, I was very much in that honeymoon stage. I explored everyday, I went out at nights, and I met so many different people. And then after the first week I began to travel all over Europe. The first month involved trips every weekend: weekend trip to Madrid, weekend trip to Switzerland, then Sevilla. Then following these weekend trips, friends began to visit from other parts of Europe and even America for days at a time (and let me tell you, hosting can be tiring, even if it isn’t your friend visiting!). While in the midst of this all, I still had school (with exams around the corner). 

Now this all sounds amazing, and it 100% was! I gained experiences like I never had in my life and will cherish forever. But the one problem with all of this is that I did not give myself the time to relax. My time in Barcelona is short, only 3 months. But I saw that short time as “There is no time to relax and take these moments for granted, so go wild!” When I look at that statement now, that is so not true! There were nights (even while I was traveling) where I would be so stressed about so many different things at the same time. Most of the time it would be things like I have homework, my internship, making flights on time, my money situation, homesickness, etc. To make things worst, I was barely getting any sleep.  

Finally the day hit me that I needed to chill out and take a break. And this happened because my boyfriend had visited for a week and he left to go home. Seems typical – your boyfriend visits and he goes home. But for some reason that really hit me like a rock. My homesickness HIT. I never gave myself time to relax and register that I was not home anymore or time to miss anyone. I was always go go go. But as soon as I let those feelings in (a month and half later), it was harder to push them away. I think I stayed in my apartment (obviously went to class but did not do much other than that) for almost a week after that. My relaxation that I was supposed to be giving myself time for in the beginning was catching up to me now in a not-so-healthy way. 

What I realized during that time was that it is totally okay to combine relaxation and exploring the country of Europe. It may not be easy 100% of the time, but it will definitely make it easier to give myself a good nights rest with a movie day every once in a while.  

Now that my time is almost up here in Barcelona, I would not change a thing. After my little upset halfway through my study abroad experience, I was able to pick myself up and even spend a week in Paris, France. And since then, I have been spending my last couple weeks in the beautiful city of Barcelona. Everything that has happened, has led me to here, and again, I would not change a thing.  

My advice – surround yourself with your support system of friends, TAKE TIME TO RELAX, and explore. 

Written by: Maddy Simpson  |  Spring 2023
ISEP Exchange in Buenos Aires – Universidad del Salvador

As I was preparing for my time here in Argentina, I was constantly thinking about finances. How was I going to afford to live there? Was I going to run out of money? What if I get stranded somewhere and don’t have any cash? How was I going to exchange money? 

However, after a couple of weeks here in Buenos Aires, I’ve adjusted to the different economic system. While I can’t use my debit card or Venmo like I’m used to, cash is easy to use and it’s easy to keep track of how much money I have. I’d like to acknowledge that while living in Argentina is cheaper for me because of a favorable exchange rate, that does not mean that the same is true for the Argentines who live here. Every day, Argentines face higher and higher inflation which makes budgeting difficult and makes necessary goods cost twice as much in a year. Here are some examples of how this has affected daily life in Argentina:

1. The Exchange Rate(s)

In Argentina, there are two exchange rates. The first is the Red exchange rate. This is the official exchange rate set forth by the government’s central bank. This is the rate that you’ll see when you look it up online. The second rate is the Blue rate. This rate is an unofficial rate that changes more frequently and more accurately represents the current exchange rate. 

When I was preparing for Argentina, I was told to wait to exchange my money until I got there so that I could use the blue rate and get more pesos for my buck. One of the first things I did after I arrived at my homestay was go to the exchange shop to exchange my money. At the shop, I got 366 pesos per dollar. If I had gone to the bank to exchange my money, I would have only gotten 170 pesos per dollar. 

   2. Cash, Cash, Cash

Almost all business in Argentina is done in cash, from buying lunch to paying the guy who comes to fix the sink. Even when using services like Uber, you can opt to pay in cash. Many Argentines are reluctant to store their money in the bank because they don’t trust it. So they’ll hide their money in a safe place at home, often in US Dollars. Then they’ll take out what they need for the day, convert it, and carry on. 

   3. Prices

When you first look at prices in Argentina, you may be shocked to find that a simple Big Mac costs $1800. But don’t worry, that is a reasonable price for a good meal in Argentina. Inflation has led to higher and higher prices in Argentina with the peso valuing less and less. The cheapest product I’ve seen during my time here cost 25 pesos. Argentina has a cent (called the centavo), but inflation has made prices so high that it’s almost never used. 

Not only are prices high, but they change frequently. It’s not unusual to be handed a menu with prices crossed out and changed. A coffee that cost 540 pesos this week may cost 620 pesos next week.

   4. Installment Plans aka Cuotas

It’s not uncommon to see signs outside of stores advertising payment plans for larger items, like bedding sets or expensive new shoes. These items can cost thousands of pesos and most people don’t have the full amount on hand. So, it’s not uncommon for people to set up monthly payments to make the purchase more reasonable. 

   5. Rounding Down

Because most business is done in cash using larger bills, most stores prefer exact change. But if something comes out to 566 pesos, the store will simply round down to 560 pesos. Some stores will even give discounts if you don’t have exact change. For example, I bought something that cost 520 pesos, but I didn’t have any smaller denominations, so I only paid 500 pesos. 

While it definitely took a little getting used to, I’ve adapted to the Argentine economic system. Like all of my experience here, all it took was the first step and some practice. While I don’t know exactly what these next 3 months will be like, I’m looking forward to all the new things I’ll get to experience. My advice to you future exchange students is this: Do some research and take that first step. It’ll turn out okay.

Written by: Cody Estep  |  Spring 2023
ISEP Exchange in Belfast & Northern Ireland

I chose to study abroad in Europe because of the possibilities for travel. Being in Europe opens up countless possibilities for travel. Possibly the biggest change I still have not gotten used to is that sights a nd cities that used to feel so far away were now close enough to hop between over short breaks. For most of my life, I had simply accepted that France was at least a fourteen-hour flight away (not to mention the expense of crossing the ocean). Now I find myself only a short two-hour flight away from the same place. How could I not take advantage of this amazing opportunity?

However, the largest challenge I have run into has been trying to find friends to travel with. There are a number of roadblocks for travelling, not unknown to myself, that prevent people (especially locals) from travelling as much as I intended to while over here. Friends I have met have familial responsibilities and financial limitations. While I have budgeted and saved for this specific purpose, they are more accustomed to life in Europe and have also previously seen many of the locations I have been waiting to see. This feels extremely disheartening.

If I am truly honest, I never saw myself as much of a traveller. Moving to Indianapolis from my hometown in Colorado was stressful enough, let alone moving across the Atlantic Ocean. Before now, most of my travel experience came from across the US. It is incredibly intimidating to even consider exploring a brand new place alone, especially a place that doesn’t primarily speak English. But something I’ve learned throughout this experience is that nothing is insurmountable. Nothing.

All it takes is a small moment of confidence. I thought to myself, here I am in Europe. For the first time in my life with real agency and the money to go anywhere I want. I was only missing one thing: a group of friends to complete my dreams of world travel.

When you go abroad, whether you go with friends or alone, you have to think about what you want from the experience. I was thinking about this from the moment I was accepted into the program. Did I want to go along with friends from America or did I want to embark into the unknown on my own? Did I want to go to an English-speaking country or not? I considered what I wanted. I wanted to see the world. So, I packed my things and went out on my own. I never realized what a freeing experience it could be.

Making friends abroad is hard. I mean, making new friends in any situation is hard, but possible. However, spending time with yourself can be incredibly rewarding. My first solo trip was to the Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland. It is a sight popularized by the television series “Game of Thrones.” It was only a few hours from my university, but was far more challenging to get there then I could ever imagine. After taking a train, a bus, a cab, and then grabbing a ride with a friendly local, I finally made it. At the end of the trip, all I could think about was that I did that. I have always been extremely independent but now I am halfway across the word from any support system I had built, and I had just travelled across a foreign country completely on my own. From there I began to expand my realm of travel to the South of France and Spain. Although not completely alone throughout this entire experience, I have had to learn a myriad of new skills and confidences in myself. I have made countless connections with friendly locals anywhere I go and experienced real life in a number of unique countries.

Though it maybe isn’t ideal. I certainly am not living an idealized film of a life. But then again, who does? Life is simply a series of challenges and our experience is comprised of how we respond to said challenges. These past few months I attacked each roadblock head on, not always with unbridled confidence but with the understanding that no matter what happened I would make it out with a new experience under my belt and an even better story to tell when I return home.

My point is, be afraid. It’s what drives us. The feeling of fear and passion combined is powerful within us. Its motivating more than anything else. But do not let those feelings squander your desire to do something amazing. The world is larger than I ever thought it could be. There are more people than I could, personally, ever imagine. I thought I had everything figured out, but nothing could have been more wrong. So, travel. Try new things. Take risks. You can be the wind beneath your own sails and accomplish all of your goals on your own terms. It is possible. Trust me, its worth it.

Written by: Elizabeth Bocksenbaum  |  Spring 2023
ISEP Exchange at the University of Malta

When coming to Malta, I expected to appreciate the history and practice the principles I learned as an anthropology major. I knew the Island had been described as a living museum and had worked to preserve many incredible archaeological sites and historical buildings. Little did I know how my courses at the University of Malta would connect me directly to the people and narratives that heavily developed the ways in which archeology is performed globally. I also wasn’t anticipating the closeness I would have to see the historical sites and artifacts that made this Island so important in history.

Archeological site of Ħaġar Qim

Within my first week of classes, I discovered that each of my archeology professors were active participants in the ongoing digs and archaeological research throughout Malta. Not only do some of the professors actively work on the Maltese sites, but they encourage current students from the university to work on digs with them to gain field experience. Other professors produce main academic journals and excerpts that update the research of the Maltese archeological sites. Because of this close connection to the archeological sites and research on the Island, many professors will even incorporate Maltese archeological history into lectures as a main point of reference. For every archeological concept given in a history lecture, a reference to Malta is used to further explain and provide context to a specific practice.

Not only was I amazed by the direct connection to the archeological sites and research in Malta, but how fully immersive my experience was in understanding the practice and art of archaeology. Throughout my weekly lectures, I go from understanding the development of archeology, seeing how research translates into our understanding of ancient civilizations, learning how to draw and scale pottery and artifacts, to physically conserving and strengthening historical books and documents in the National Library in Valletta.

Archeological structure in Mellieha

For my archaeology theory course, I learn about the foundations of archaeology and how it has developed into the ever-changing process it is today. I then take these ideas to my Ancient Civilizations of the Mediterranean course and my Ancient Israel course and attempt to understand the records and information found on groups of ancient peoples. Later in the week, I take a course on how to draw different artifacts with tools and record them into a digital archeology database. I then take all this information into my conservation placement where I work with the National Library in Valletta and help conservators conserve historical documents and books. Once my classes are done for the day, I then get to explore the different museums and historical sites on the Island and see how the content of my lectures manifests into the physical displays of archaeology. By the end of the week, I not only learn about the history of archeology and Mediterranean discoveries, but the ethnocentric perspective of how an archeologist theorizes, performs, and perceives. Ultimately gathering an anthropological insight into a very anthropological field.

In my experience, the most beautiful part about the archaeology in Malta is that it is far from being done. When Maltese archeological sites were first excavated in the mid-1800s, most of the remains found were simply thought to be just Phoenician. The idea was that remains found in the west were believed to always be newer and remains found in the east would always date older. When the use of Carbon dating was developed after World War II, the entire dating system used to identify archeological remains and sites was completely demolished and renewed. When carbon dating was applied to the remains found in these Maltese sites, it revealed the sites to date back to 3600 BCE, older than the great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. This discovery not only changed Maltese practices of archaeological dating, but the principles used to develop archaeology as a whole.

Valletta, Malta

This discovery still influences the ways in which archaeology is practiced in Malta through the displays presented next to archaeological remains in museums. When walking through the National Museum of Archeology in Valletta, you can see a diverse set of artifacts and pieces of architecture on display along with signs that admit the lack of information on particular pieces. The beauty in this is the acceptance of a need for further research rather than blindly guiding guests into believing we have discovered everything there is to know about the archeological sites and artifacts. Not only is this practice displayed in the museums, but is heavily reflected in the lectures I take at the University of Malta. While there had been many discoveries in the archaeological community in Malta, there will always be more perceptions, practices, and principles to discover and consider. 

National Museum of Archeology, Valletta

The entire experience moves full circle and brings me back to the initial excitement of coming to this Island. From the personal relations with the professors and conservationists, the physical practices of conservation and archeological illustration, to the exposure of historical sites and museums, my time in Malta has provided an immersive archeological experience that has developed the ways in which I appreciate the practice of anthropology and archeology. While the art of archaeology may begin with the physical remains and structures of the past, it continues to be fueled by the ever-changing perspectives and practices of people.

Written by: Cassidy Davis  |  Spring 2023
IFSA Barcelona: UPF (Universitat Pompeu Fabra)

Ever since I was young, I knew I was going to study abroad. In high school, I had the opportunity to study in Mexico for 5 weeks between my junior and senior year. I lived with a host family, went to school, and committed to speaking Spanish the entire time. After this experience, I wanted to study abroad again in college. I chose to go to Butler University because almost half of the students study abroad while at Butler. I sought a program that would complement all three of my majors. As a Spanish major, I wanted to study at a university in a Spanish-speaking country. To fit my other majors in political science and international studies, I also needed to find a university that specialized in these degrees. I decided to study for a semester in Barcelona, Spain through the IFSA Barcelona program where I could take classes at the local university Universitat Pompeu Fabra. I specifically chose this program so I could continue taking Spanish classes as well as participate in an international internship. This program places students with a local organization based on our individual majors and interests. I was placed at a local non-profit organization called Homeless Entrepreneur, whose mission is to promote economic empowerment and poverty reduction via work and active citizenship. I am working as a social-policy intern and researching for a report that will be presented to the European Parliament in 2024. This is my first internship and there are a few things I wish I would have known prior to starting my position. Here are some tips for future students participating in an international internship:

1. Be patient.

I assumed I would arrive in Barcelona with an internship position ready for me when classes started. After seeing classmate after classmate being placed in their internships, I became worried that I wouldn’t be placed in an internship that fit my needs. It wasn’t until a few weeks after classes started that I was placed in my internship with another student in my program. The first few weeks were hard to get into the swing of things but as the semester went on I became more comfortable and confident with my work.

2. Don’t be scared to ask for help.

You will not be able to do your job well if you don’t understand what is expected of you. There is no shame in asking your supervisors or fellow interns for help because everyone at your internship wants to see you succeed.

3. Research the cultural differences before you start.

In the United States, the work mentality is completely different from most areas of the world. If you text or email your supervisor, you can expect a response relatively soon. Spain has a much more relaxed work environment, and my supervisors have even told me that they do not want me to work on the weekends because this is time that I should reserve for myself.

4. Have a positive attitude.

It is extremely important to show your supervisors and peers that you are enthusiastic about working with them. Even if you aren’t placed at an internship that you think fits your interests, you can still make an effort to make the best of the situation. The semester is not going to be easy if you don’t show up to work with a positive attitude. Use this time as a learning experience!

5. Stay organized.

This is especially important if you are working remotely like I was for the majority of the time. It can be very easy to not do work throughout the week because you get caught up with other classes and being abroad in general. You are ultimately interning to work and to advance your skills for future opportunities and will only be hurting yourself and your team by not contributing.

Written by: Enali Rogers  |  Spring 2023
BU Exchange at Flinders University

Every stop on my way to Australia, I told time by how many layers I had on. At first, I had a whole winter ensemble: two sweaters, a coat, beanie and scarf. Then a sweater and a beanie. Hours later, just a sweater. When all the layers had melted off leaving t-shirt and pants, I knew had arrived. Waves of heat reflecting off of the airport tarmac made it pretty evident that I made it to the opposite hemisphere.

My name is Enali Rogers, and I am doing an exchange in Adelaide, South Australia. A little over a month into my stay here, I have seen one koala, unfortunately no kangaroos [yet], tons of colorful birds, and an echidna (which I didn’t expect, but hey, I’ll take it.) As far as I am concerned, I wouldn’t mind staying here for longer than a semester. But alas, I have a semester… *sigh*

One thing that I am definitely going to miss about this place  
is how easy it is to go to the beach just to watch the sunset. It’s such a common thing to do here. Friends will just text and say, “Hey, I feel like going to watch the sunset. Wanna come?” And within the next 15 minutes you’re on a tram to the beach to end your day with some ice cream, the sounds of water ebbing and flowing, the soft sand under your toes and a beautiful sunset. It’s been about 5 years since I’ve been to the beach, but now I’ve been going at least twice a week.

Another thing I’ll miss is the opportunity to take classes and join clubs that I never would’ve been able to experience at my much smaller home university. Along with two classes that go towards my bachelors in physics, I decided to take two fun classes. The first class is a class where I learn to draw from life. The second fun class is titled “Zombie Apocalypse: Microbes and Toxins” and the topic overview says the following:

“Adelaide has been invaded by Zombies, and most of the population is now living in hiding in the buildings at Flinders University. It is your responsibility to provide safe drinking water and safe foraged and preserved food.”

So far, I have fished out dirty water from the campus lake and “cleaned” it using a filter made from sand, gravel, cotton balls, and a coffee filter and then boiling out the rest of the bad stuff, hopefully making it drinkable for the hypothetical apocalypse civilians. (Don’t worry no one actually drank the dirty filtered lake water. That would be a hazard). I have found this class to be a fun, hands-on opportunity to learn about microbes and the prevention of such, something I never would have been able to do had I not studied abroad.

Experiencing the city part of Australia is only part of the visit. “You have to visit rural Australia too! It’s a different type of life and you’ll love it.” Something along these lines has been told to me multiple times, with some who have extended invitations to their hometown just so that I don’t miss out on that experience. I want more than ever to see the night sky without any light pollution. So, what better way to do so than by signing up for a speleology club (study of caves). This club does an outing every month to explore a different cave while occasionally staying overnight at different sites away from the city. Although the first outing hasn’t happened yet, I look forward to being immersed in a different side of Australia (maybe I’ll even see a kangaroo!).

I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to meet people from around the world (as nearly half of Australians have a parent that was born overseas), and had plenty of fish and chips, picked the sweetest strawberries in a little German town, and felt the cool ocean breeze and warm sunshine on my face. I am happy that I picked Australia to study abroad in and can’t wait to see what awaits in the remaining months. Six months seems like a long time, but time flies when you’re having fun!

Written by: Taylor George  |  Spring 2023
ISEP Exchange in Southern Spain – Universidad de Almeria

With “identity,” I wear many different hats. My parents’ place of birth are the islands of Jamaica and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. I am cared for, encouraged, and loved by my family as a daughter, granddaughter, niece, and cousin. I have visited my parents’ birth places, and I’m introduced to cultures that I hold dear to my heart.

I have lived in three different states. I was born in Jacksonville, Florida and grew up in Tampa, Florida. My home base is now Memphis, Tennessee. I am a friend, mentor, co-worker for many in my home states. As a student, I live in Indianapolis, Indiana. At Butler, I’m many things. I’m a bible study leader, discipler, student, and intern. On top of that, since I was adopted, my identity has always been a struggle for me sense I always felt like I didn’t fit into just one.

I wonder about what will change as I study abroad. I will be in a new country, and not around the familiar. I have previously traveled to another part of Spain, so I’m curious to learn about Almeria, Spain. One thing I know won’t change, is my identity as someone who values self-improvement. I’ll continue to grow and work to achieve my personal and professional goals. I will likely gain a new identity as a “study abroad” student, and I will have learned how to relate with others who have different identities, learning from them by creating deep and rich relationships.

Fast forward to me landing in Almeria, Spain. Almeria is a very interesting city, because not only does it border the coast line, but it also is next to other popular cities, such as Granada, Malaga, Murcia, and those other little cities in between. Regarding culture and identity, to me, my world flipped  practically upside down. There’s a lot of things that surprised me because of my assumptions early on.

For example, I know that Spain in general is a homogenous country, so I wasn’t really expecting anything new from Almeria, since it is not a big city like Madrid or Barcelona. I was shocked to find out through operating in daily life and practically becoming like one of the locals that a lot of people here have immigrated from South America and Africa.

Also, my interactions with other people, the same race as me, have been eye-opening in regards to how our identities are different, even though we are the same race. For example, I made a friend at church, and she was a black woman. She spoke little to no English, but she offered to invite me to her house. I practically knowing no one, obliged happily, and she took me over to her house to have a meal and talk a little until the afternoon. She talked about the things that she loved, and where she’s from, Columbia. It was so interesting to hear her story, and how she of all people would come to Almería. It seems like with all the people I’ve talked to whether they are local or have for some reason or another end up here. It seems like people don’t choose Almeria, but Almeria chooses them.

The final part of identity in Spain is taking into account that I am an international student. This has been the first time that I’ve met so many different people and every person is diverse. It’s one thing to be part of a small group that is diverse on your college campus, it’s another thing to be part of hundreds of students that are extremely diverse. Being in the group this big, where diversity is common instead of uncommon, really makes me question a lot of things. I, myself, am a diversity leader at Butler and a Morton Finney scholar. Obviously because of that, my main goal is to make Butler‘s campus a more diverse place. Now I’m in a place that has accomplished that goal that I’m striving for in my college in the US. And as I’ve had time to think about it, not a lot of things are different really. Of course, you have different points of view on things as well as different experiences in different cultures that you can learn from or talk about, but I think it’s much more interesting to talk about everything we have in common instead of everything that is different about us. I don’t know, it’s just some food for thought, but I think it’s good to think about these things. You know, university in Spain is so different because they don’t have a lot of homework unlike the US so I’ve had some more time to think about these bigger questions which has really blessed me in a way.

Written by: Diana Fernandez Caumol  |  Spring 2023
BU Exchange at University College Cork

The day I left the United States I was carrying two brand suitcases and a HUGE backpack
that I had never picked up before. It was raining, Los Angeles traffic was heavy, and we got to the wrong gate…twice. Little did I know that was only the beginning.

Let me paint you a picture. You are naturally bad at escalators, having to count three lines
before daring to set foot. You are carrying a 40-pound backpack that you can barely hold, a
carry-on that keeps tipping off, and a pillow that has touched the ground so many times you are ready to leave it in a seat and wave it goodbye. To make matters worse, you are overheating because you ran out of space with three jackets still unpacked. How does it go?

As expected, horribly wrong.

I remember thinking that maybe once I got to my gate the bad luck would end, but then the flight was delayed three hours because the plane got hit by lightning. And when I finally boarded, the real fun began.

In all my years flying, I have NEVER heard classical music as the boarding choice of an
airline, but right there and then Lakmé’s, Duo Des Fleurs started playing.
I looked inside and realized just how small the hallway was, to the point I could not physically fit in it. And so in a sea of annoyed glances, accidental bumps, things falling over, and fancy music, I made my way to my seat in row 77. There I encountered the next problem: all the over-the-head cabin spaces near me were full and the backpack could not fit under the seat.

And so in a second round of annoyed glances, accidental bumps, and my muscles failing to
carry the backpack, I made my way to row 50.

“Diana, sit down”, I told myself, and then the tears began. Sticky substances, dinners I could not eat and nausea all made a memorable flight. To close it off, my luggage got damaged and all my belongings got wet. Now hear me out, I am not intending to spike your fears. But in case you have a rocky start, I am here to tell you and reassure you that it gets better!

So here is my short guide to surviving a rocky start:

1. Pack travel adaptors. Fun fact: The UK and Ireland use different plugins than the
   rest of Europe and Europe uses different ones than the US!
2. Check the voltage of any electronics you have before plugging them in
3. Make sure you have some essentials in your carry-on in case anything happens to
   your luggage (including a change of clothes!)
4. Do not underestimate the power of sleep. Jet lag is not the nicest experience, so
   please make sure you are sleeping well.
5. Try to stick to the schedules you had at home! It is very easy to get lost amidst the
   chaos and some sense of familiarity can definitely help. Do you have a specific
   skin-care routine? Do you have comfort meals? Stick to those while you adjust to a
   new place.
6. Don’t feel like you have to do it all your first week! There will be plenty of time to socialize and explore. Make sure you can still focus on yourself : )
7. Ask questions. Even if it feels weird or self-explanatory. Here’s a little secret, I got
   late to orientation because I did not know how to open the main door of my housing.
8. Make sure to reach out! Whether that is your family or friends at home, people at
   your university, or licensed professionals, having a support system makes everything
   easier. Side note: even if you are having a great time, it is good to keep your loved
   ones updated on your well-being!
9. Allow yourself to feel and be gentle with yourself. Sometimes we forget we are
   humans with needs and desires. Your study abroad experience is not meant to be
   utopic, but it is meant to be a new adventure where you find out more about yourself
   and the world. Allow yourself to reflect on anything that comes up and allow yourself
   to go through the motions. And please remember to breathe! You got this.

I am pleased to announce that despite one of the worst flights of my life, I enjoy Cork every day. From some of the kindest people to some really good triangle hash browns, this place has brought many wonderful memories in the first month.

Written by: Tessa Fackrell  |  Summer 2022
French Language and Culture in Quebec

Learning a second language in a class setting, and speaking said language to a native speaker are completely different experiences. In class, mistakes are common and forgettable. You’re in class to learn, so why would you stress about using la instead of le.

In theory, that principle should work when speaking abroad; it’s easy to tell you’re a foreigner because of anything from your accent to your clothes, most people can guess that you’re learning. So why is it that speaking the language you’re practicing is such a scary hurdle? Simple tasks like ordering coffee, or checking out at the grocery store seem daunting. Walking back and forth in front of a market for half an hour trying to find the nerve to potentially butcher the employee’s language is a struggle all on it’s own.

This was on of my biggest anxieties when I was abroad and practicing French in Québec city this summer. Instead of letting you wander back and forth in front of the market trying to memorize a script of exactly what to say, below are five ways I eventually made myself more comfortable speaking in French.

How to Speak a Language Abroad:

1. Acceptance – Were skipping to the last step of the grieving process for our opening tip because the first thing that helped me was understanding that I was going to mess up the article, or the tense, or the pronunciation of whatever I was trying to say. Instead of being embarrassed about this, I took on the mindset that I would probably never see this waiter again, so the fact that I asked for grilled leaves wasn’t such a big problem for me in the long run, and he’ll leave with a funny story so both of us come away winners.
2. Practice – I was lucky enough to stay with a host family who let me stumble through sentences and would graciously help me sort out the more blaring errors. If you don’t have a host family, find a bilingual friend who’s willing to sit through some incoherent sentences for the sake of learning.
3. Patience – Being frustrated at yourself for not learning fast enough simply will not help you, unfortunately. You are learning a new language with intricacies that take native speakers years to learn, be patient with yourself.
4. Laugh at your mess ups – When you do make a mistake, it will probably be small. But if you’re like me and you use the word that you think means silly but it actually means ugly, and you use it in a classroom setting (confidently), you’re going to either dwell on it for your trip, or laugh about it and move on. If the worst thing that happens on your trip is a miscommunication, it’s been an incredible trip.
5. Enjoy the moment – Trying to soak up all that you can about a new language and culture while worrying about not embarrassing yourself is impossible. We’re humans and our brains only have so much room, don’t waste it on trying to be perfect. The other side to that is don’t waste your time learning the language worrying about what’s going to happen when you get home. If you spend more time worrying about how much you’re learning, you won’t have anything to practice and build on when you get back.

All of this is to say that you can walk into that store and order that croissant, I believe in you! Even if you mess up you can just explore a different bakery next time! Be a sponge, soak up everything you can with your experience, and take it with you as you continue to learn and grow.

Written by: Samantha Mauter  |  Summer 2022
Butler in Asia Summer Internship: Singapore

One of the first things I did when I found out that I was accepted in the Butler in Asia program and it would be in Singapore (not Tokyo, which I applied for) was look up the LGBTQ+ rights there. During the information session, the words “homosexuality is illegal in Singapore” were said but never further explained. My  friends told me that I should “just be careful there” in fear that something might happen to me. I tried to find more information on what it’s like to live in Singapore as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but the information was scarce. All this to say, I did not really know what to expect.

Although my experience with the queer community in  Singapore was limited, I did have a few interactions that have shaped my view of what it’s like compared to France since I studied abroad there for a year.

I came out as gay in France, so before this trip, I haven’t really experienced being “out” to people from the US. In spite of someone outing me during this trip without my consent, I was received with acceptance and a sense of normalcy within the Butler group. That is to say that I wasn’t treated as the odd one out.

One of the big changes in Singapore was that casually talked about the men they were seeing. Although they might have been I was working there, not studying like I was in France, which was a very different dynamic. Many people believe that our personal lives, specifically who we date or marry, have no place in the workplace, and that simply isn’t true. In my experience, coworkers talk to each other about their personal lives, which includes who they’re dating or who their partner is. This happened to me when I went out to dinner with some of my coworkers in Singapore, and they accepting, I couldn’t risk ruining our dynamic in the workplace, so I stayed quiet.

In France I discovered my love of going to one bar and becoming a regular there, and this was no different in Singapore. One night, I was walking down this street filled with bars and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw a pride flag hanging inside this one bar. After talking to the owner, it turned out that he hung it up so that everyone would feel accepted there, which was so heartwarming since I hadn’t really found a place like that in Singapore yet. In the many times that I went to that bar, it felt like a cozy little place that I could sneak off to where I wasn’t afraid to be myself.

The one time when I truly feel like I experienced the queer community in Singapore was when I went to a queer party a local who I met on Tinder and became friends with told me about at the Hard Rock Cafe of all places. I was lucky enough to be invited by her and sit at her table, so I was able to get to know her friends who were all queer women. It was there that for the first time on my trip, I felt at home there. The drag shows, the dancing, the music – it was all incredible and I’ll never forget that night. I was able to really be my most authentic self while I was abroad in France and Singapore for the first time in my whole life. While I don’t think my short two-month stay in Singapore is a full reflection of the LGBTQ+ experience in the country, the little slice I did experience gave me hope for the future there.