Archives for August 2018

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Post Study Abroad: Reflection

August 31, 2018 by Nanik Song Leave a Comment

Study Abroad is officially over, but my time in Europe isn’t! I still have about a week left to enjoy, and I’d be going to Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna during that time. Much of my time spent was dedicated to sight seeing (unsurprising) and to eating great food (even less surprising).

Over all, I can say that my experience abroad has helped me learn more about myself. I’ve had a fun time exploring Europe with my fellow classmates, but I also gained a greater appreciation for the times I’ve spent on my own- I’m not the sort to do well with constant close contact, and this trip has only reinforced this idea in me. At the same time, I find that my patience has grown- staying together with the same people 24/7 for five weeks will do that to you.

And this one loaded in upside down because why not

The trip has also changed the way I see the landscape, and taught me a lot about the different ways we can change and design to better plan for the future, as well as manage every day life. It was made especially clear just how wasteful Americans tend to be when compared to the rest of the world, which was reflected even in the way Germans seem to shop for groceries, versus Americans. Produce and the like are usually bought the day they will be used, or only a day or to in advance. It is rare for things to sit in the fridge for a week or two, the way we tend to here. Groceries in Germany therefore do not last quite as long as groceries in America do- they aren’t expected to sit in storage for so long, so there is little to no need to add preservatives or engineer them to last so long.

I also have noticed a need for better planning in terms of bikes- the usage of bikes is growing, and yet infrastructure has yet to be built with them in mind in most places. It makes it a frustrating experience for bikers, who are in considerably more danger in America, where there are few bike lanes and the like, to Germany, where bike lanes and streets are generally ubiquitous.

I would recommend everyone to take the time to go abroad- it doesn’t have to be to study, but the experience of going to places with a different culture, learning how other people live, I strongly believe that these are all things that are important for people to experience things that are different from what they are used to, and step outside of their comfort zone, so that they may grow as a person. I know that it sounds general to say it, but it really is an experience everyone who can should strive to have.

Travel to Japan – Start!

August 31, 2018 by Mouli Luo Leave a Comment

The theme of my trip to Japan is to seek for the historic city and gardens. I am very interested in the traditional Japanese gardens and would like to see how they survive for hundreds of years and how they look like today. Are they isolated from the rest of the city, or they are influencing the cities or surrounding areas? That is why I choose Nara, Osaka, and Tokyo as my destinations. All of them are historic cities in Japan, and Nara and Kyoto used to be the capital. With my background in urban planning and landscape architecture, my travel notes will based on these two perspectives.

(the intersection of drive way and railway. photo is taken from a moving train)

The public transportation is famous for its wide coverage, so I decided to try to take train and bus during the whole travel. After arrived in Kansai International Airport, I head to Nara by train, where is my first destination. The way to purchase train ticket in Japan is similar with the way we do in the US, except in Japan you need pay by cash.

(left: a sign in Kansai International Airport; right: Nara Railway Station)

I feel everything looks so familiar to me, even I have not been to Japan before. With those Japanese and Chinese characters and asian faces, I even got deja vu and feel that I’m in Shanghai. Anyway, I’m glad that I studied Japanese before I left. I used to be able to speak Japanese with my friends a few years ago, but without practice it is totally rusted. So I spent 4 weeks to refresh myself. Everything seems to be good so far. I can’t wait to see more.

(A plaza in Nara. The structure is a temporary memorial to celebrate the completion of a temple.)

Off to The Windmills!

August 30, 2018 by Stacy Lopez Leave a Comment

Today we got to experience the real Dutch life! Throughout the past three days, we witnessed Dutch people only travel on bikes, from individuals in the corporate world, to farmers, to kids, and grandparents, everyone was an expert at bike riding. Despite the fact we knew their main means of transportation was the bicycle, we really did not get it until we saw it. As part of our Dutch experience, we could not leave Netherlands without riding on bikes and seeing their famously sustainable windmills. Netherland’s lowest point of elevation is 22 feet below sea level, so in order to not flood and remain above water, the Dutch make use of windmills that pump their water constantly. In front of our hotel, we hopped onto the metro into the center city of Rotterdam. We made our way to the waterfront where we caught a water taxi that would take us to Kinderdijk. Along the boat ride we enjoyed the city aspect of the Netherlands’ hidden beauty. At one point we sailed right past a huge wooden boat known as Noah’s Ark.

It was AMAZING. Once we arrived we all got to the bike shop, we all picked out our bikes, and were ready to ride off. It’s true! One never forgets how to ride a bike. I couldn’t tell you the last time I was on a bike, since it was so long ago. I was nervous at first because falling off the bike was a great possibility, which I did not want to experience, especially in the middle of the town’s traffic.

It was a bumpy road until we got on the actual bike path to the wind mills. It was quiet, calm, and so soothing to watch all the animals grazing on the green fields. Riding past the town houses felt like I was in a European movie. Their attention to detail in life is outstanding, I could observe it in the details of the houses, between the tiling and flowers. I was so caught up in all of its natural beauty, I did not realize I made my way to the front of the caravan on tourist bikes. After three miles on a bike, we finally made it; all I saw were windmills everywhere. They were a cute, small, and housed the windmiller and their family. Being that there location is by water channels and remote, the millers all had their bikes and steamboats in front of the mill. It is crazy to think windmills have maintained Netherlands above water. But now it was time to head back another 3 miles to the bike shop. I was looking forward to today, I was nervous but once I was on a roll, it was so easy. I am happy to say I got to experience the whole Dutch life.

Kicking off the Netherlands Adventure

August 30, 2018 by Stacy Lopez Leave a Comment

This was my first time in Europe, and it was the longest day I have ever experienced, literally. We departed from Newark Airport on Monday at 5:00 pm, and landed at Schiphol on Tuesday at 6:00 am, where the adventure began. Starting from the airport we proceeded to our first stop of the day, The U.S. Embassy. As a traveling leadership in agriculture class, each student was responsible for introductions, and being the meeting manager for part of the day. I was held responsible for the first part of the first day. Although I was off to a bumpy start with pink eye irritations on both eyes, I was able to successfully lead 21 individuals through airport traffic and onto our tour bus. At our first stop, we had the honor of meeting Susan Phillips, USDA Agricultural Counselor of the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. Mrs. Philips gave us a brief presentation on her role within imports/exports, marketing of products from/to the U.S., and the four countries she is responsible for. She was currently on a four year tour in Europe and will be returning to the States within the next two years. Like myself, Mrs. Philips, majored in Food Economics. As I aspire to receive a masters degree within the field, being able to understand her presentation and relate to the terminology she referenced was truly comforting. Her presentation was a great way to expand my horizons and view of my chosen career path. Following the Embassy, we made our way to the Hague Center city.

I immediately took the opportunity to explore the city life of Netherlands and get some assistance for my eyes. I visited a small pharmacy where I was able to get eye drops and heal for the rest of my trip. I observed that most Dutch do in fact speak english well, making language less of a barrier. While in the city, we took a tour of the Hague and made our way to the Rooftop Urban farmers. Their main focus is on growing convenient, healthier, and fresher food closer to home through means of Aquaponics. The last stop on the list for Day 1 was dinner and a walk along the promenade, fishery harbor of Scheveningen, and North Sea Beach. It was one of the best, cleanest, well organized, and structured beaches I have visited. It’s beauty really is found within the detail from every restaurant to the art located on it’s boardwalk. After thirty-two hours of no sleep, I could not wait to make it to the Art Hotel in Rotterdam, where we were lodging all week.

Central Caribbean Marine Institute- Week 2 Part 3

August 28, 2018 by Nicole Deck Leave a Comment

The interns started the day off with a snorkel in Grape Tree Bay. The focus of the snorkel was sampling of Acropora palmata, Elkhorn coral, looking for new growth. The interns practiced taking scientific pictures using a quadrat. Black band disease was also recorded is found. After lunch the interns focused on planning their research projects. The class broke up into 2 larger groups focusing on coral bleaching, specifically Acropora cervicornis, and coral disease.

The interns then went for a beach sweep. The amount of trash collected was incredible and also very sad. We only collected trash from 30m of beach and filled up 6 large trash bags. We all agreed to go another time to help keep the beaches clean.

After dinner the interns gathered in the classroom and watched the proposal for a more relaxed evening.