The problem with crossing the street

I think one of my favorite things about studying abroad is being surprised by things that one never expects could be surprising.  I enjoy this because I think it says a lot about what we as people are used to in our daily lives, about what just happens around us without much notice.  So along these lines, I find it funny that one of my bigger concerns in the month that I’ve been in Australia hasn’t been anything like adjusting to the culture, feeling overwhelmed by being in a new city, or not knowing where to go (though of course, these are applicable), but rather one of those little things that one never expects couple be surprising: crossing the street.

Yes, crossing the street. (more…)

Maybe Studying, Definitely Abroad

I should probably start this entry off by introducing myself: Hi UCSB, I’m Drea. I’m a third-year history major studying abroad in Lyon, France. I’ve been here since August and let’s just say that it’s been one hell of a vacation. I’m not going to beat around the bush with that because it’s true – sure, I “go” to class. But I don’t like to let “class” get in the way of my travels or joie de vivre (See what I did there? Tried to be cross-cultural by saying “joy of living” in French).

If you’ve already stopped and asked yourself, “But Drea? I’ve heard of Paris, France – but Lyon? That’s crazy speak. Where is that?” To you, I say: I had that exact same question seven months ago. Lyon is the 2nd largest metropolitan in France – the first being Paris. It’s situated in the Rhone Alps (which makes snowboarding, or as I like to call it “shredding the gnar-gnar,” the Alps is a mere 1-hour train ride away), it’s the hometown of modern cinema (thanks to the Lumière Brothers), and it’s the gastronomical capital of France.

What does “gastronomical capital of France” mean exactly? It means that Lyon’s culture and reputation is based largely on food – mouth-watering, taste bud titillating, “I wish it were more socially acceptable to wear sweat pants out to dinner” food. Allow me to start by explaining (while salivating) their assortment of French cheeses: they have hundreds of specialty cheese shops and open-air markets dedicated to just finding the perfect cheese, from Camembert to Roquefort to anything in between.
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Big West Men’s Final Live Blog!

Hello everyone, and welcome to Anaheim. We’ll keep you updated in today’s men’s finals as the action goes.

Check in every couple of minutes for instant analysis on all the action, starting right before tipoff. (more…)

Recent Incidents of Intolerance and Hate on UC Campuses

This letter was sent to all UCSB students registered with a umail account. While the Daily Nexus editorial staff issued a staff editorial about ASUCSD President Utsav Gupta’s funding freeze for UC San Diego campus media(viewable here), this letter from Student Affairs leadership tackles the sentiment at the core of the issue.

March 4, 2010

Dear UCSB Student:

As in the lives of individuals, there come significant moments in every community that define what it stands for, what it believes in, what principles it espouses and lives by—moments that define how each and every member of a community should act and should be treated. The UC Santa Barbara community is experiencing one of those moments, one that demands that we take stock of ourselves—what we aspire to be and what we work to be as a community.

It is important to bring this moment into sharper focus with some details of the recent incidents of incivility, intolerance, hate, stupidity, and criminal behavior occurring across the University of California campuses. Among others, these include a racial “theme” party mocking Black History Month that was sponsored by a fraternity at UC San Diego, race baiting comments by some student media there, a rope noose found hanging from a bookshelf in the library, and a Klan-style hood placed on a statue on campus. (more…)

Sounds From Down Under

Waking up to the sounds of La Trobe University is my favorite part of the day. The sounds of Australia are vivid, fresh, and new; they reiterate the fact that I am currently “down under”. Having only been here at La Trobe University for three weeks, I have felt as though I have been here for two months. The campus is active with sporting clubs, picnics, and movements of students just beginning classes. I do find, however, that it is great to escape the movements of campus by taking a tram ride into the city of Melbourne for an evening or day- it is the most beautiful city in the world. The tram ride into the city is about 45 minutes, but it goes by fast—and once you are there, it’s worth the crowded tram ride. My favorite food to get in the city is sushi (It is the cheapest food here—you can get 2 rolls for $3.00!). The best place I have found to eat, however, was in Fitzroy (just about a 10 minute tram ride out of the Melbourne CBD (Central Business District): a Thai restaurant called “Patee Thai.” There I took off my shoes and sat on the floor to enjoy a delicious lamb curry after an evening of exploring Federation Square. (more…)

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