This blog has been created to share the College of Staten Island (CSI) students’ experiences around the world. Dolphins across the Seven Seas provides the opportunity for CSI students, staff, faculty and beyond to gain insight into the study abroad experience. Additionally, Study Abroad Peer Advisors provide reflections upon their experiences as well as advice to potential study abroad participants. CSI is the single senior college of the City University of New York (CUNY), located in the borough of Staten Island.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Sights of England ~Stephanie Randazzo, London, England

An experience to keep with you forever is a wonderful thing and an amazing opportunity. That’s why I knew studying abroad through CSI was the right choice for me. I wanted to grab the chance as soon as possible, which is why I decided to do it at the end of my freshmen year. Knowing exactly where I wanted to go made things that much easier. The place is England, United Kingdom – it has been a dream of mine ever since high school. Luckily CSI made it possible for me to reach that dream through attending Middlesex University in England.

When I applied to this program I didn’t know anyone else that was going, but knew that it would be a great learning experience for me. I had never left the country before, but this brought more excitement than nerves. There is so much out there to see and learn about in the world. The perfect way to learn new things is firsthand, which I was able to do with this program. However, I was able to meet one other person from CSI who was also going to Middlesex University. Right away, she and I got along, so we decided to book our flight together. That made the six and a half hour flight a little more enjoyable by having someone to speak with.

Once I arrived in London, I couldn’t wait to get out and see all of the sights. Although I was a bit jet lagged, that didn’t stop me from wanting to see things right away. We had a welcome dinner that night and were able to mingle with others in the program. I met people from all over the world, including Germany, Austria, and Hong Kong. Everyone was extremely nice and all had the same excitement to be someplace new or someplace they once visited but wanted to explore further. One of the first things that everyone was told is that London is only a twenty-five minute tube ride from our campus. This makes it easy for everyone to just hop on the shuttle and experience the short tube ride during night or day.

The program that I choose to do is five weeks, and I am currently on my third week of being in London.  The sights that I have seen so far are completely marvelous. For example, the second day here I saw Big Ben and the London Eye. The line to get onto the London Eye looked a bit long, but it actually moved fairly quickly. It consists of a forty-minute Ferris wheel ride overlooking London and allows you to take some amazing photos. Along with having the freedom to see any sights I please, the University also put together excursions for students in the program. My favorite trip so far has been the one to Stonehenge and Bath. I’ve always heard people speak of these places and how wonderful they are. Well, we were lucky enough to have the University plan out a trip for all of the students. Within just an hour and a half I was able to see one of the most amazing sights in the world.

One of the things I love about Europe is the train system and how it is very easy it makes travelling. The trains run frequently and have fairly decent prices. For example, I booked a day trip to Scotland. I will be able to see Edinburgh, which I was also told is fabulous. Another part of Europe I will be visiting is Paris, France thanks to the University putting together an optional trip for that. Not only am I fulfilling one of my biggest dreams by being in England, but I am also travelling to other countries within Europe!

This trip has taught me a great deal about myself. I have been able to learn about new cultures and meet people from all over the world. Overall, I suggest to anyone who has ever considered going outside of the country to take an amazing opportunity through CSI to accomplish this. Even if you haven’t thought about going out of the country for study abroad, I highly recommend considering it due to the wonderful time you will have and all of the places you could see. This has truly been a life changing experience that I will cherish forever.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

España…¡VENGA! ~Ryan Weitzel, Santander, Spain

Hello from Spain!

My name is Ryan Weitzel, and I´m currently involved in a one month study abroad program in Santander, Spain. Hopefully after having read a bit about the different programs offered through CSI you´ll take advantage of one of these great experiences.  Study abroad programs are one of the best ways to see the world, meet people, and learn a new language.

I found out about the Center for International Studies at CSI during my fall semester of 2011.   I had just started taking Spanish 113 at that point, and I was also trying to pick my major.  After taking Spanish 113 and coming to the realization that I enjoyed learning this new language, I decided that I wanted to do a study abroad program. After looking over the many different programs, I decided that a summer in Spain was the one for me.  I then prepared for my trip by taking Spanish 114 during the winter semester, and 213 during the spring.  I left from New York on the 29th of June and arrived here in Santander on the 1st of June after a short ten hour trip.

Santander is the small charming capital of the region of Spain called Cantabria.  It´s located on the North Coast of Spain and is honestly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.  There is also an unbelievable amount of stuff to do here.  You can go spelunking, surfing, rock-climbing, kite-surfing, snorkeling, salsa-dancing, sailing, and shopping all in the same week if you were so inclined.  It can be very relaxing or very exciting; the choice is up to you.  Also, in my opinion, the town is the perfect size; from the campus you can walk to either side of the city within 10-20 minutes.

The university I’m attending here is La Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP).  The college itself is awesome.  The classes are small and cater to all levels of Spanish, but the professors are what make it so great.  Most professors are locals but others come from all over the globe.  They are a mix of male and female, young and old. They are enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and extremely personable.  My only real worry when traveling here was interacting with the professors. I had heard that is was very formal and much different than in the States.  This is not that case; I´ve never been so comfortable with my instructors.  The classes are fun and interesting, too.  Language class is from 9am-1pm on Monday-Friday and the rest of the classes you get to choose once you get here.

Although most of my friends here stay in the dorms on campus, I chose to do a homestay.  The dorms are really nice - they have security, they´re clean and they also have common areas where students can meet up to hang out or study.  If you can though, I´d go with a homestay. It´s much more personal, and I think you get a better taste of the culture.  I stay with an older lady by the name of Julia, and I´m only a ten minute walk from campus.  She makes me breakfast in the morning, and she also does my laundry every two days.  She´s extremely sweet, incredibly kind, and I think she really likes me. She speaks no English, but we have a lot of fun communicating with each other.  We get by without any problems whatsoever.  The language barrier is actually a whole lot of fun.  I will admit, it was a little awkward for the first two days, but I settled in right after that and now I´d have it no other way.  I´m able to come and go as I please, and all she asks is that I don´t waste electricity and that I lock the door when I leave.  All my friends that are doing homestays have fantastic families as well; the families do this because they like having people in their homes.
If you have even the slightest itch to study abroad you should absolutely do it.  I´ve only been here two weeks, and I´ve already made a ridiculous amount of friends from all over the world.  The only unfortunate part is that now I have to come up with a way to visit all these people once we return back to our homes.  But honestly, I love exploring, traveling, eating, drinking, and studying with all these different people.  I mean, how many chances will you have to fly to Milan, Italy for the weekend because one of your Polish friends mentioned it at dinner the week before?  If you don´t break out of your shell now, then you never will. Take a chance, be brave, and do it now while you´re still impressionable.  Well, I guess that’s all for now…time to take the ferry to Somo with the Dutch girls to surf. ¡VENGA!