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Memories from Rome
By Zhuzhen Xie (Nina), Babylangues, Paris, France The first weekend of June, I had the opportunity to visit Rome, where I met up with my friend who was a French exchange student in Manchester last year. Before arriving, I struggled to imagine what the city would look like. Having heard about the city from storybooks, travel guides, and all the iconic movies, I was extremely curious and yet a little scared to visit the actual place. Would it be as romantic and ethereal as it appears? Immediately after arriving, I took the bus directly to Vatican City, which is right next to Rome’s city center. After a week of gloomy…
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Mitacs: Summer Research at UBC, Canada
by Kevin Shi This summer, I had the privilege of interning at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan (UBCO) under the mentorship of Dr. Sumi Siddiqua through the fully funded MITACS program while following PhD candidate Shayan Narani. My research focused on understanding the influence of water content and superplasticizer on geopolymers made from blast furnace slag and wood fly ash—sustainable alternatives to traditional cement that help reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry. The project’s goal was to optimize the mechanical properties and workability of these geopolymers by adjusting water content and superplasticizer dosage. Water is a critical factor in the strength and durability of geopolymers, as too…
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The 2024 U.S. Election
By Frances Connoly, University of Maryland, United States One of the first things that I did once the term had started was join the UMD College Democrats. I knew that this election was incredibly important, and that I was in the unique position of being in the states to witness it, so I wanted to get as involved as much as possible. Joining the dems was such a good decision. I’ve experienced so many new things and met lots of passionate people who have given me hope for America’s future!
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Adventures in America
By Sarah Westgate, University of Maryland, College Park, USA To be honest with you, I didn’t fancy a year in the US. However, I was placed here anyway, and in hindsight I don’t know why I was so against it. Sure, the politics leave something to be desired, and you can turn right on a red light (insanity!) but there are so many other things that make this country totally awesome.
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The Symphony of Paris: Gardens, Musicians, and Everyday Encounters
By Zhuzhen Xie (Nina), Babylangues, Paris, France I love leaving early to take the subway when it is less crowded. The difference that five minutes can make! Just by arriving one minute later, I could have been shoved onto the train and suffocated by heavy coats and mixed odors.
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A Storybook Adventure: Lyon and the Little Prince
By Zhuzhen Xie (Nina), Université Lumière Lyon 2, Lyon, France Just a few days before leaving for the holidays, I finally set up a day to trace the footsteps of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of the renowned The Little Prince. Recalling the first time I researched Lyon, the city where I would be living for my study abroad program, my heart leaped as I discovered that it was the hometown of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Immediately, I was embraced by a soft and familiar comfort as I built a connection to my childhood memories of reading The Little Prince. As it was one of my mother’s favorite books, I had already…
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Market Marvels – a visit to the Saturday markets in Lyon
By Zhuzhen Xie (Nina), Université Lumière Lyon 2, Lyon, France Have you seen the opening scene of Beauty and the Beast? It’s the moment when Belle walks through her hometown, greeting the morning crowd on her way to the library. Showered by the morning freshness, she makes her way through the market, saying good morning to the baker, the food merchants, and the housewives sitting by the street, chatting about this “bizarre” and unusual girl. In the background, Belle opens the scene with a light and joyful tune, which crescendos into a more intense symphony as the townspeople gradually join in.
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A Comprehensive Student Guide to life on a Year Abroad in Rennes
By Isabelle Hatton-Williams, Universite Haute-Bretagne Rennes 2, France So, you’ve made it through your first year. You’ve figured out the balance of student life: cooking semi-decent meals, living with housemates you actually like, and maybe even settling into some sort of routine. Maybe you’re on the hockey team, or maybe you’re on the committee for chess society. And just when you’ve started to feel comfortable, along comes the next big leap: a year abroad. I get it. I was you. I was in love with my routine – knowing where to get the best coffee, where to brunch, knowing where was hot, and where was not. The thought of packing…
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Lights Throuhg Time: La Fête des Lumières
By Zhuzhen Xie (Nina), Université Lumière Lyon 2, Lyon, France As we entered the festive month of December, vibrant neon lights and sparkling snowflakes appeared on apartment doors, shop windows, and streetlamps overnight. Just a few weeks before the long-anticipated family gatherings and holiday feasts at the end of the month, Lyon invites its residents and visitors to another flamboyant spectacle: La Fête des Lumières.
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Rolling in Comfort
By Zhuzhen Xie (Nina), Université Lumière Lyon 2, Lyon, France “Would you like to come over and make cinnamon rolls?” my friend texted me. Although I hesitated for a few minutes, thinking about the full day of classes and exams ahead, I thought of the relaxation I would feel from a baking session after a long day. “Yes, let’s do it!”
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Memories from a Mixing Bowl
By Zhuzhen Xie (Nina), Université Lumière Lyon 2, Lyon, France It has been two months since I started my residence abroad in Lyon, France. Among all the exciting changes in environment and lifestyle, I found myself a little baffled by the challenges of language and adaptation that would take some time to overcome. However, I think I have discovered one way to find my own rhythm: baking. After a busy week, I would spend an afternoon in the kitchen, playing with sugar, butter, and flour while listening to the soft tunes of the cello or piano. With my successful attempts, I would share the results with my friends who lived…
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My Year Abroad Experience with Christevie – Manchester 10/10
My name is Christevie, and I study Philosophy, Politics & Economics. I moved to Manchester from London and I am from the Democratic Republic of Congo. I spent a year abroad at The University of Toronto (UofT) in Canada. During this time I got to do a lot of exciting things. Canada bordering the US meant I got to travel to New York, Los Angeles and San Diego for affordable prices with friends! I also got to live in a multicultural city on the 41st floor with an amazing view. Of course, my year abroad was for studying, and since UofT has such a diverse range of courses I got…
A study abroad journal by students, for students.
