Five Questions for one of our Summer 2019 #UARK #GilmanScholars, Bridget Milam #HogsAbroad in Spain #FundingFriday

Nursing major Bridget Milam is spending the summer 2019 term in Spain with our U of A Faculty-Led: Spanish in Madrid program with the help of the Gilman Scholarship. We asked five questions about the Gilman Scholarship and the application process.

What do you want to do when you graduate from the University of Arkansas, and how will this study abroad or internship experience help you be better prepared for that? After graduating from the University of Arkansas, I want to serve as a bilingual nurse in a local Northwest Arkansas clinic focusing on prenatal care and sexual education. My study abroad experience is helping me develop my Spanish-speaking skills through immersive classes and cultural activities.

What will you be doing in the summer academically/on your program and what do you think made you a good Gilman candidate? Aside from living with a local Spanish family, I have been taking 6 credit hours (12 total by the end of this summer) in Spanish-language classes. These courses are taught completely in Spanish taught by local professors who enjoy teaching the material. I believe my ability to explain in my essays my goals and how I will achieve them (i.e., bilingualism) is what made me a good Gilman candidate.

What was the application process like? The Gilman Scholarship Application was thorough and intimidating—they want to know almost every detail about you. I am thankful for the countless advisors and professors who looked over my application with me multiple times.

What will your follow-up project be about? Since I am a Resident Assistant, I decided plan my Follow-Up Service Project as an all-hall Study Abroad + Gilman Scholarship program this fall. I hope to host previous Gilman scholars and current advisors who will converse with residents about study abroad and the Gilman Scholarship (oh—and there will be food!).

What tips would you give to others considering applying for the Gilman scholarship? Don’t let the complexity of this keep you from this amazing opportunity—start as soon as you can on the application and talk to your advisors and mentors for help along the way. You don’t have to do it alone!

Anything else to add? As a good rule of thumb, I spent around 40 hours total writing and editing both essays. Start as early as you can!

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About the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (http://www.iie.org/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program) offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. Such international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world.

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Afrikids & Community Health Fair #HogsAbroad in Ghana

Hi everyone! My name is Maggie Temofeew and I am also a senior honors nursing student in Ghana for a few weeks! I am going to share some different highlights from my time here thus far.

I was at Afrikids for the first week in Bolgatanga. It is a clinic here in Bolgatanga. I have enjoyed it so much. My first day was spent with my friend Gracie in the maternity ward learning to detect a heartbeat, assess the position of the baby, and measure the fundal height! I loved this day because I have not had my OB clinical yet, so I did not know any of this before coming to Ghana. The women are so kind and eager to teach us as well as learn from what we know.

This is a picture of me finding fetal heart tones with Porcilla, a nurse at Afrikids!

A baby who was handed to me in the maternity ward—so precious!

One of my other favorite days at Afrikids was spent in the pediatric ward. I want to be a pediatric nurse someday, so this was an amazing experience. The matron, or charge nurse, showed me all of the supplies they use when starting IVs, what specific medication they use as protocol for malaria and other common diseases. They make do with so little in this country. It makes me so thankful for the resources we have in the US.

Here is a picture of the pediatric ward!

My specific project on this trip was to test for and teach about anemia. We had a health fair for the community and I tested around 130 people with the help of my group. Many people were dangerously anemic and did not know it! I enjoyed getting to talk to them about how to increase iron in their diets and even had to refer some to the hospital. Besides the health fair, I tested almost 70 more at Amiah’s clinic.

Testing blood out in the community for anemia.

Testing blood out in the community for anemia.

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Maggie Temofeew is spending the summer 2019 term in Ghana with our U of A Faculty-Led: Community Health Nursing in Ghana program.

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

a list of things i’m homesick for #HogsAbroad in Italy

five weeks is a long time to be in a place so incredibly different than your home. it’s especially difficult because your setup is temporary and you’ve only packed what you could fit. you go without items you’re accustomed to having unlimited access to. adapting to this has been a really valuable experience and has taught me how to lessen my dependency on the material. i still miss my american things, though, and have kept a list of things i felt random longings for.

things i miss about america:

• ice. it’s virtually nonexistent in italy and no matter how hard i try, i can’t get behind lukewarm water. i also miss iced coffee, but italy makes up for that in unmatched hot espresso.
• air conditioning. another rarity due to a more limited access to electricity. we had days as hot as 99 degrees with no way to cool off. when a texan complains about the heat, you know it’s bad.
• walmart. we’re spoiled brats thanks to the convenience of this establishment. an employee whose sole job is to bag our groceries for us? a one-stop shop for all of life’s necessities? italians don’t roll that way.
• instant rice. the pace of life is very different here when it comes to food. it’s all about relaxing and connecting with people. that means that the markets here aren’t stocked in pre-cooked foods. as a college student, i’m having a bit of an identity crisis.
• the ability to look up the menu before meals. i’m absolutely the type of person who already knows what she’s going to order before i even leave the house. most restaurants don’t have websites here, though, because they’re tiny, family owned joints. most don’t even have their hours of operation listed.
• petting dogs. i learned the hard way that it’s not quite normal to pet other people’s dogs here. my theory is that they don’t treat their dogs like children, as we do in america. i actually catch myself pouting and reaching out toward cute dogs i know i can’t touch. it’s hard, okay?

of course, none of the things i miss are necessities and going without it is half the point of traveling and immersing yourself in a new culture. i’m breaking habits in order to step outside myself and gain appreciation for other ways of life. the italian way of life has tons of things they can boast over america, too.

things i’ll miss about italy when i’m home:

• cheap coffee and pastries. most mornings, it costs me 2 euros or less for a coffee beverage. the drinks are smaller here but american coffees have more milk in them so really, you’re getting the same amount of espresso. and 6 chocolate-filled croissants for 1.80 euros? can’t wait to go back to paying $7 for a latte.
• the emphasis on relationships. it’s so fulfilling to create meaningful connections with italians. i truly feel seen and valued by most people i interact with, especially when i wander around alone. italians are predisposed to help you when you’re not walking around with I’M A TOURIST stamped on your forehead.
• pure foods. no gmos, no fake sugars, real fruit. i watched a waiter make my strawberry daiquiri with a handful of real berries and not a trace of syrup. it’s nice not having to worry about what’s hidden in the food i’m consuming.
• the scenery. the weighty history of the buildings i walk past every day on my way to class will never be lost on me. there’s nothing in frisco, texas, as cool as the pantheon.
• not having to tip my waiter. this sounds stingy, but the wait staff actually gets paid at or above minimum wage and so tips aren’t necessary to make sure they earn what they deserve. it’s nice knowing people aren’t solely dependent on other people’s generosity to make a living.

i could make each list go on forever, but you probably get the idea. there are so many things that i appreciate about my homeland and many other things that i’ve learned to love in my new culture. going back to america this weekend will require another adjustment on my part. i’m probably going straight to chipotle after deplaning, and i have a strange urge to sit and watch a load of laundry go through the dryer (we hang our clothes to dry here). it has been pretty cool, though, to see all the ways i’ve grown accustomed to living a different way.

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Junior English/Creative Writing major Rylie Frederick is spending the summer 2019 term at the University of Arkansas Rome Center.

Read more from Rylie at https://rylieinrome.home.blog/

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Interested in becoming a HogsAbroad Social Media Ambassador like Christine? Contact Katie at ksabo@uark.edu.

Teaching & Learning #HogsAbroad in Ireland

Hello! My name is Isabel Mosley and I am a student in the College of Education and Health Professions studying elementary education. This summer, I am studying in Ireland through the U of A faculty-led education program. 

During this program, we visit schools in Ireland to compare and contrast them with American schools. In addition, we get to teach a lesson to each class we attend. My partner and I taught about the geography of the United States, and compared landmarks to Ireland’s landmarks.

I feel that being able to go into schools helped us to really immerse ourselves in Irish culture. The students in each classroom asked us so many questions about America, and in turn took the time to tell us their favorite things about Ireland. If we had not gone into the schools, I do not think I would understand Irish people quite as well as I do now. Some schools even prepared special performances for our visits, including songs and dances. A couple of schools taught us the basics of their national sport, hurling. All in all, this was a wonderful experience for us all.

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Isabel spent the summer 2019 term in Ireland with our faculty-led program, Education in Ireland - The Art of Teaching with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship.

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Hej! My Time with Health Teams Abroad in Sweden #HogsAbroad

Hey! My name is Angel Campos-Melara. I’m a Fulbright College student on a pre-med track majoring in Biology and Spanish. This summer I participated in the faculty-led study abroad program: Health Teams Abroad in Sweden.

This program is ideal for students who are interested in having a career in health care. The purpose of this trip is to compare the health care systems in the United States and in Sweden. Not only does one get to expand their knowledge on two different healthcare systems, they get to immerse themselves in a new culture in a beautiful country. This is an insight to my study abroad experience which includes tips and what to expect if you get selected for this amazing program.

We left for Sweden the Monday after finals week. I didn’t get to pack until after my last final was over. Items that you should definitely bring include a passport (make sure to get one and if you already have one make sure it will be valid during your travels), medications you are on, a credit/debit card with a chip (many places in Sweden only accept cards), a few of your favorite snacks (you might want a taste of home), a reusable water bottle, laptop is a must!, invest in a portable charger, bring an eye mask because it is sunny around 3 am in Stockholm, and if you want to use your electronics you will need to purchase outlet converters (there are pretty cheap options on Amazon). In terms of clothes/accessories bring 2-4 business casual outfits that you can alternate throughout the trip because it is expected that you dress nicely when you visit clinics and hospitals, do bring 1-2 items of athletic clothing because you will go hiking & biking, bring a raincoat because it will rain occasionally, bring comfortable shoes because you do a lot of walking on this trip, and bring a jacket that will go with most of your clothes. The weather was more on the colder side but even if the weather for the first week shows cold weather the temperature may rise during the last two weeks. Therefore, I packed a variety of clothing that is appropriate for both cold and warm days. Also make sure your suitcase does not exceed 40 pounds when you leave the US because you might want to buy souvenirs or clothes while abroad and you are only allowed to have a maximum of 50 pounds before extra baggage fees. It is crucial to not overpack!

I traveled with 20 students and 8 faculty leaders to Sweden. The day I left for Sweden I made sure to dress comfy because I had to take three flights. My first two weeks were spent in the city of Jönköping. I lived in an apartment with people from the program, but I know some people stayed in apartments with students who attend Jönköping University (JU). The apartments you live in are about a 10-minute walk from the nearest supermarket and bus stop. You will travel by bus to JU and various other locations such as nursing homes, clinics, hospitals, and rehab centers. While in Jönköping a typical day is getting up early, meeting with the rest of the group, traveling together to a lecture or study visit, having a group lunch, working on your case study and completing a meta for a day. You are assigned to a particular group that will work on a case study while in the US and you continue that case study while in Sweden to evoke team-based learning. Metas are a way for you to write out your expectations before a lecture or study visit and then to write what you learned and a reflection after a lecture or study visit. Afternoons and weekends were mainly free time and when I could go explore with the group and enjoy fika (a very important part of the culture, it is like a coffee break you take with friends or family to catch up). The majority of Swedes are reserved and quiet, but they are kind, love nature and take care of their environment. The last week of the program is spent in Stockholm and I stayed on a boat hostel. In Stockholm we visited many museums and historical landmarks. Stockholm is beautiful and rich in history. Go out with friends, enjoy some ice cream, and always watch the sunsets because they are magnificent. After this experience I would encourage everyone to study abroad if they have the opportunity because it is life-changing. The knowledge you gain, the friends you make, and the memories you make will last a lifetime.

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Angel spent the summer 2019 term in Sweden with our faculty-led program, Health Teams Abroad with the help of our our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship and the Gilman Scholarship.

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Dangriga, Home Away From Home #HogsAbroad in Belize

Hello! My name is Devan Ramsey! I completed my Bachelor's of Science in Education in Educational Studies through the #HogsAbroad Service Learning trip to Dangriga, Belize this May. My undergraduate journey has been far from traditional with my degree being pieced together by courses from four different universities throughout Arkansas. I had always dreamed of studying abroad, but with the roller-coaster college experience that I had, I had almost given up on that dream. Despite the circumstances and months of planning, I managed to jump through enough hoops to travel for my final course towards my degree one week after I walked in the Spring 2019 College of Education Commencement Ceremony. Once we landed in Dangriga, Belize, I knew that it was all worth it.

Dangriga is a small community about three hours from Belize City. Dangriga is named the Culture Capital of Belize because it is made up of so many different cultures. The group that I traveled with was able to work with several community partners ranging from small groups in the schools to home visits with Palliative Care. All it took was meeting these people one time and we were in love. Everyone we met was so welcoming and excited to see us. They would ask us about our lives and how we were liking our visit in Dangriga. Complete strangers became our friends through one conversation.

The members of the community care so much about Dangriga and the people who live there. They do all they can to work towards the further development of their community using what little resources they have. It was amazing to experience. Dangriga quickly became our home away from home. We were welcomed with open arms and open homes. Everyone we met did everything they could to share what they had with us while asking nothing in return. It was such an honor to work with them. 

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Devan Ramsey spent the summer 2019 term in Belize with our U of A Faculty-Led: Global Community Development in Belize program with the help of our our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship.

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

What to Pack for Ireland #HogsAbroad #TravelTipsTuesday

Hello! My name is Mya Martin. I am a College of Health and Education student studying to receive a degree in Childhood Education. I recently got to participate in my first ever study-abroad and international trip through a three-week education program in Ireland. 

• The Weather - Like most people, before going on my study-abroad trip I was trying to think of what I would need to pack. The problem with Ireland during the May and June time is that the weather is extremely finicky. Our professors had told us that in the past they had weather where the students would wear shorts, or they would have weather where the students were bundled up in jackets, all during the same trip. Their solution was layer layer layer. Ireland during this time experiences weather that is usually around mid 50s to high 60s, so similarly like Arkansas springtime temperatures. I thought that this meant that the weather would be fairly warm during my trip. I was wrong. I did not account for Ireland being extremely cloudy ALL the time, as well as random rain drizzles throughout the day. This made the temperature seem colder than it really was. In order to make sure you’re fully prepared, I’m going to tell you some essential clothing items to pack before you start your journey. 
• Rain Jacket, Rain Boots, and an Umbrella - Part of Ireland is experiencing the beautiful green hills and grass, but also experiencing all of the rain that comes along with it. Many times, you will not have a chance to return back to where you are staying, so you need to be prepared. Always check the weather before you leave so you know if there is a chance for rain or wind. If you become wet from rain throughout the day because you didn’t bring anything to combat it, then chances are your mood is going to steadily decline, as well as your warmth. I suggest getting a rain jacket, rain boots, and an umbrella. I found a cheap rain jacket at JC Penney, and I found a pair of small rain boots at Payless for $15. I would get short rain boots because otherwise they will take up too much space in your suitcase, as well as weigh more. I also found a small pocket umbrella at Walmart. This allowed me to easily put it in my purse without worrying about carrying it around. 
• Clothing - This is going to sound like a big hodge-podge list, but trust me.
• Layers: The professors weren’t lying when they said layer. Layering could be a short-sleeve shirt or tank with a flannel, or jacket, or any other type of layering that fits your style. At least for my trip, the weather was more rainy and chilly, than on the warm side. This made me wish that I had packed a couple of sweaters, especially since the wind in Ireland can make the weather seem colder. I also suggest a sweatshirt for days that are more casual, but you want to be warm. 
• Shirts: If I had to repack, I would most likely have brought more long sleeve shirts instead of short-sleeves, that way I didn’t have to rely so much on bringing a jacket.
• Pants: I would also bring 3 pairs of leggings, 1 pair of fleece leggings, 3 pairs of jeans, 1 pair of nice shorts, and 2 pairs of athletic shorts. Some girls brought dresses, but it was to chilly to wear any of them, so they just ended up taking up space in suitcases. 
• Jackets, Gloves, and Hats: Be sure to pack a light, but warm jacket. Most of our time in Ireland was spent walking everywhere, so I was thankful to have a jacket. My jacket was also one that blocks wind well, this helped cut the wind-chill when walking around, especially when you get high up when seeing cliffs. If you're someone who is cold easily, you might think about bringing some gloves, as well as a hat to cover your ears. I’m not talking about a whole winter-gear ensemble, but a beanie and some light gloves might make you feel warmer. 
• Types of Clothes: My clothing was about 70% more nice but comfy clothing options and 30% casual clothing. My trip was only three-weeks and I knew that I would want to be taking pictures at the places we visited. Also, there were many times where we wouldn’t go back to where we were staying until after we went out for dinner or out to pubs so I wanted outfits that would work for both sight-seeing and going out at night. However, you should pack whatever fits your personality best, and what makes you feel comfortable.
• Shoes - Like I said before, make sure to bring rain boots, they are definitely a life-saver. I would bring tennis shoes for hiking days, a pair of neutral nice shoes that will go with most outfits, and if you have room in your suitcase a pair of comfy shoes of your choice, such as Vans for walking around the towns. Some girls brought sandals, but if you're someone who gets cold like me, I would leave them at home because I never wore mine because my feet would’ve been too cold. You might also pack a pair of thermal socks for rain boot days. I know my feet would have thanked me. 
• Side Note - I am a person who gets cold easily, so this list may contain items that you wouldn’t need if you are more hot-natured. You know yourself best, so stick with your gut on what you’ll need to pack. Unfortunately, the weather when I went was more on the rainy side, however the weather may be sunny when you go. To combat this, check the weather in Ireland the week before you go, so you can gauge what will be best for you. I would stick to the philosophy of it's better to be prepared than unprepared. I hope this packing list helps you figure out what you might need before leaving for your trip to Ireland. Good luck!

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Mya spent the summer 2019 term in Ireland with our faculty-led program, Education in Ireland - The Art of Teaching with the help of our our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship.

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Afrikids & Home Visits: Highlights from Bolgatanga #HogsAbroad in Ghana

My name is Paige Deffenbaugh, and I am a senior honors nursing student in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing. I am currently studying abroad for three weeks in Ghana, Africa with 14 other nursing students and two of our nursing instructors. The first two weeks we are spending in the northern part of Ghana in a city named Bolgatanga. The last week will be spent traveling to a city named Accra in the southern part of Ghana and stopping at multiple places along the way, including Molé Park, Kumasi, and Cape Coast. I’m going to share with you some highlights and pictures from my first week in Ghana!

While in Bolgatanga, we spend every weekday morning at one of the local clinics. This past week I have been at a clinic called Afrikids. Some parts of it that I was able to explore in depth included the consulting rooms, the maternity ward, the pharmacy, and the laboratory. In the consulting rooms, I was able to observe a doctor assessing patients and making diagnoses, as well as learn how to document the patients’ diagnoses in their computer system. In the maternity ward, I learned how to perform the different components of a prenatal assessment. In the pharmacy, I was able to see the kinds of medications that are used and prescribed most commonly in Afrikids. In the laboratory, I learned how to test for malaria and typhoid fever, as well as how they take blood samples from patients. While we were there, we observed the way their healthcare system works and how it is different from ours in the US. All of the staff at Afrikids were so welcoming and willing to teach us all that they could, as well as learn from our nursing school knowledge as well. I enjoyed getting to learn more about the jobs of many different members of the healthcare team, not just the nurses.

Abbey and I on our last day at Afrikids! This is outside of the emergency department waiting room. 

One morning instead of going to the clinics, my friend Meredith and I went on a home visit with one of our instructors Mrs. Agana. She took us to one of the local beauty salons, as the owner of the shop had a baby who wasn’t eating enough and was malnourished. Meredith and I performed a quick physical assessment on the baby and asked the mother questions about his behavior and eating habits at home. At the end of the visit, we gave recommendations to the mother about foods that she should try and feed him in order to provide him with the adequate nutrition he needs to grow up healthy and strong. While we had been assessing the baby, a woman who worked at the beauty salon had gone and pulled her son out of school and brought him to us to have a look at also. The little boy’s mouth and jaw had been hurting for a while, so Meredith and I did a quick physical assessment on him as well. With the help of Mrs. Agana, in the end we concluded that he had an infected tonsil and needed antibiotics. Each of the students will have an opportunity to go on a home visit while we are here. 

During the initial physical assessment, I listened to the baby’s heart and lung sounds. 

At one of our first study abroad meetings right after we were accepted into the program, each of us chose one or two topics to research with a partner that we would later present as a teaching project while in Ghana. One of the topics that I have been responsible for teaching about with my friend Rachel is respiratory illnesses. Many women in Ghana do the cooking for their families and are exposed to smoke via the pots they use to cook with. Therefore, that long term smoke exposure may lead to respiratory symptoms and illnesses over time. Some of the money our study abroad group raised through FundRazor went towards buying about 70 of a new kind of cooking pot that reduces the amount of smoke produced when in use. Rachel and I will present this teaching project multiple times while we are here, giving away cooking pots to each household that attends our teaching until we run out. Our first time teaching was this past week. We went to a group of family houses behind a bakery, so some of the women we were teaching were being exposed to much more smoke than usual because of their occupations as bakers. We taught them the effects that smoke inhalation has on their respiratory system, signs and symptoms of respiratory illnesses, and ways to prevent lots of smoke inhalation and the development of respiratory illnesses (like using the new cooking pots). Some of the other students on the study abroad trip occupied the women’s children so that they would not be a distraction while Rachel and I were teaching.

During our teaching project, Rachel and I taught a little bit about the anatomy of the respiratory system. 

Some of the women who received new cooking pots for their households. 

Those are just a few highlights from my first week in Ghana! Stay tuned for more updates.

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Paige Deffenbaugh is spending the summer 2019 term in Ghana with our U of A Faculty-Led: Community Health Nursing in Ghana program.

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

"could be worse!" #HogsAbroad in Italy

when you’re living it up in italy, only taking two classes that require minimal effort, things could most definitely be worse. in fact, that was our mantra this past weekend. early friday morning, my friends and i got on the first of many metro trains to kick start our miniature vacation to the amalfi coast. we took a metro and then a train to naples (psa: the metro is the superior method of transportation in italy) and that was the only thing we had pre-planned. we completely winged the rest of the weekend.

the only way we could get from naples to our bungalow in sorrento was via the cicumvesuviana. you’ve probably never heard of it and you definitely don’t want to ever ride on it. it was the sketchiest, most crowded tram we could have found. it creaked and jerked like it was about to fall apart. we stood shoulder to shoulder without a/c while straddling our luggage and inhaling cigarette smoke for an hour. just when we thought the cart couldn’t fit one more body, the italian equivalent of a mariachi band pushed their way on and began blasting despacito. even if we wanted to drop coins in their basket, we couldn’t physically move to get into our purses. we did what we had to do, though, and made it to sorrento with smiles on our faces.

we were able to drop our bags off at the bungalow, which boasted a private view of the sea, and then went on a search for a bus to positano. evidently the sita bus doesn’t have an official stop. after flagging down every bus that passed by, we found what we assumed to be the right bus and lo and behold, it was filled to the brim with people. my best comparison is a can of sardines, but like, vacuum sealed. it’s important to note that the route to positano consists entirely of switchbacks on the edge of the cliff. one of us had to focus on not throwing up, another was being launched across the aisle, and all of our hands were so sweaty that we couldn’t grip the poles. for another hour, we were hysterically laughing and also trying not to fall into the doors and tumble down the face of the mountain.

don’t worry, though; we arrived safely and the process of getting there made the breathtaking view that much more incredible. positano was the most beautiful place i’ve ever seen. we laid out on the beach, swam around the crystal clear water, ate lunch at a restaurant on the sand, and browsed in little linen shops until the sun began to set. we watched it go down while drinking fresh strawberry daiquiris and eating pasta on a rooftop bar. when it got dark, we went down to the bottom of the city to retrace our original path back to where the bus had dropped us off. no one talks about the amount of stairs you have to climb in positano, either. climbing 400 steps to the top of the duomo was child’s play compared to this. at the top, we decided to taxi back to sorrento and managed to wave down a van that fit us all. our driver was lovely and gave us a history lesson while teasing us about our american obsession with ice water.

day two proceeded in similar fashion. we took the circumvesuviana, bless our hearts, to the port of sorrento after missing the tram we intended to take. a ferry took us to capri and as soon as we docked, we hightailed it to a pastry shop and munched on some of the best croissants and coffees we’ve had yet at grotta azzurra. then, we bought passage on a boat that sailed us around the entire island of capri. halfway through, we literally jumped off that boat into a 4-seater rowboat and when the waves subsided, lay flat on our backs as the guide launched us into an underwater cave. we slipped him 5 euros to let us jump into the blue grotto, which illuminates a neon blue due to the reflection of the sunlight through the tiny opening. back on the island, we sprinted back onto the ferry as the crew was untying the boat from the dock and waving at us to hurry. to save a little money after an expensive day, we swam at the public beach in sorrento and took home some zucchini flower pizzas from the beach bar. we ate them on our little porch in our damp swimsuits, watching the sun go down. then we got gelato from a bakery and stayed up late belly laughing at all our attempts of getting good pictures of such a hectic and fulfilling day.

this has been my favorite weekend of the trip, not in spite of the challenges, but because of them. not many people share the realistic aspects of traveling in a country where you don’t speak the language. the destinations are picture-perfect but the process can be messy. i mean, the hotel van got into an accident at the bottom of the driveway on the way to drop us off at the tram station. the driver of said van loaded our suitcases upright on their wheels and we were doubled over trying to stifle our laughter as they crashed around the trunk the entire way. we got kicked out of a pool for not buying a swim cap. we spent an eternity trying to get cute pictures in capri and ended up with maybe two acceptable shots. if you have the wrong attitude, these things can cast an irreversible shadow on your trip. luckily, i made friends with some girls who would rather laugh til they cried than complain.

we accomplished what we set out to do. we figured it all out on our own (special thanks to apple maps and universal hand gestures). we saw so many beautiful things, met tons of wonderful people, made unforgettable memories, and learned to be independent. i could have written this entire blog post without mentioning any of the less-than-ideal stuff, but that’s not always how life works. of course the view was great, but the path that lead us there brought so much meaning to the experience. miley cyrus really hit the nail on the head when she said it’s the climb.

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Junior English/Creative Writing major Rylie Frederick is spending the summer 2019 term at the University of Arkansas Rome Center. 

Read more from Rylie at https://rylieinrome.home.blog/

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Interested in becoming a HogsAbroad Social Media Ambassador like Christine? Contact Katie at ksabo@uark.edu.

Adventuring with a Food Allergy #HogsAbroad in Ireland #FoodieFriday

Hi y’all! My name is Mackenzie Appleby. I am adual degree student here at the U of A studying Public Health and Anthropology. My love for medicine is what brought me to Ireland on my first ever study abroad experience during the Summer 1 session with the Health Professions in Ireland team! 

I have been in country about two and a half weeks, and I’m wrapping up my experience learning about the Irish healthcare system, the local culture, and, of course, the fabulous food. Now, my experience over here has been mostly observing agencies and hospitals, so I have had a lot of free time to go explore and enjoy the local flavors. However, I have to stick to a strict gluten free diet since I have Celiac disease (which basically means I get really sick if I eat wheat, rye, or barley). This has led to lots of adventures trying to find places and things to eat, but the food I have had, has been phenomenal for the most part! So, I wanted to leave a few tips for anyone thinking (or worrying) about traveling abroad with any kind of dietary restriction!

 

1. Do your research before you go. Oh boy, do I wish I had done this! I knew going into Ireland that I should be able to find food and options to fit my diet, but once I got in country I had no clue where to begin. Google and even a few short phone calls have saved me more than once from getting to a restaurant and not being able to have anything to eat. However, meals would have gone smoother if I had a few places in each town picked out beforehand.
2. Keep doing what you do at home. If you use an app to find restaurants back home, odds are that it (or one similar) will work in your host country. If you look at the menu before you go, keep doing that. Whatever works at home, will probably work while you’re abroad – the same goes for the kinds of restaurants you go to. Trust me on this one. I found out the hard way on one occasion.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask. Seriously! The locals here were so helpful and understanding. We’ve been in four cities in Ireland and I have not had any issues once I communicated my restrictions to the staff at each restaurant! Also, if you ask around, you may find some really cool places recommended by other people with similar needs!
4. Be open with the groups you’re traveling with. This is probably the most important thing because if you feel like you can’t meet your dietary needs, then you’re probably not going to have the best time. It took me about a week to be open and honest about my thoughts on places and to give counter ideas 

Those are the basic things to remember when travelling with any kind of dietary restriction. As I said, I have had some great food while in country. If you make it to Ireland and are looking for some good gluten free options, check out The Front Door in Galway or Goose on the Loose in Dublin! Both have some really great options (I even had fish and chips for the first time in forever!). My biggest suggestion is to just be open about what you need so you can have the best experience possible!

Best of luck in all your travels,

Kenzie

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Mackenzie spent the summer 2019 with the U of A Faculty-Led program, Health Professions in Ireland - Focus on InterProfessional Practice with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship.

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

a weekend in firenze #HogsAbroad in Italy

this weekend, half of the students in my program traveled by train to florence for roughly three days of museum tours, eating, and exploring. we saw many cool things, including an aerial view of the city from the top of the duomo, the gucci gardens (gucci began in florence fyi), and famous paintings such as the birth of venus.

day one, we stepped off the train and went straight into the medici family mausoleum. multiple sculptures crafted by michelangelo rest here along with late members of the most important family in florence. we took a break for lunch, where i devoured the best cacio e pepe at a little place called trattoria da guido. of course, we had to test out the gelato around and unanimously concluded that the ice cream from don nino right next to the duomo was the best we’d had in the country. they also had a nice build-your-own cannoli bar and who wouldn’t love that?

our professors then sent us to the top of the duomo. i’ve actually climbed it before, but walking off that final step into the blinding sunlight still made my chest compress. that feeling of almost flying, of being able to see the entire city and the mountains that surround it- that’s worth the four-hundred-something stairs. we then rewarded ourselves with florence’s specialty: wild boar. i had mine served in a red sauce over noodles and let me just say that the university of arkansas has a very tasty mascot.

day two began bright and early with a tour of the ufitzi gallery and the basilica of santa maria novella, which provide access to some of the most breathtaking ceilings. we followed that up with lunch at mercato di san lorenzo, which sits in the middle of the city. it’s a two-story building housing dozens of different restaurants and bars. we split up and picked from sushi, fried chicken, classic italian, smoothies, burgers, seafood, and restaurants dedicated entirely to truffle dishes. we spent the rest of the afternoon shopping around for some of the best leather in the world. florence, after all, was founded on the industry (pro tip: the famous market in the middle of the city doesn’t have an ounce of real leather for sale. explore the brick and mortar shops a little bit away from the crowds to find real italian masterpieces).

our activity for the evening was sipping some wine in the rooftop bar at the grand hotel minerva while the sun set on the duomo. we then had some cocktails and snacks at konnubio, a quaint and intimate lounge with an open roof and tons of greenery. to conclude our saturday in florence, we managed to find an irish pub popular among american students. in fact, we met lots of other students from arkansas and even caught the end of a championship football game that ended quite favorably for the italians.

our third and final day was a brief walking tour of the city, which is so small that we walked down every single street in a couple of hours. at volume, i tried my first shakerato, which is the italian equivalent of iced coffee. hot espresso, simple syrup, and ice in a cocktail shaker. the coffee froths at the top and cuts out the need for any milk. i might start making my coffee that way back home! for lunch, we came across rosalía, a precious salad bar offering fresh juices and american-style coffee. and then it was back on the train to rome.

i’ve always loved florence and how the vibe is more laid back and relaxed compared to rome’s hustle and bustle. it’s a lot smaller and less urban, which is why a couple days was all we needed to exhaust the city of sights and sounds. the one thing we didn’t get to do this time around was see michelangelo’s david due to ticket scarcity. i highly, highly recommend it to other travelers, though. it puts every other sculpture to shame (except bernini’s apollo and daphne. they’re tied for first). if you’re an arkansas student considering this program, just know that florence is one of the best cities in italy and the fact that it’s included in the curriculum is truly amazing! if you’re just someone keeping up with my time here, i guess all you need to know is that florence will always have a special place in my heart.

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Junior English/Creative Writing major Rylie Frederick is spending the summer 2019 term at the University of Arkansas Rome Center.

Read more from Rylie at https://rylieinrome.home.blog/

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Interested in becoming a HogsAbroad Social Media Ambassador like Christine? Contact Katie at ksabo@uark.edu.

Wrapping Up #HogsAbroad in Australia

Hey there blog,

I’m starting to wrap up the semester. I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say I was sad. We have finals coming up in a few weeks and then it’ll be time to go home.

Last week, Austin, Christy, and I went on a little girls trip to Singapore. It was unreal. It was about an 8 hour flight to Changai Airport. After the flight from Dallas to Sydney (about 17 hours), any flight seems short.

Singapore Airport

The Singapore airport was unreal. It’s been ranked as the world's nicest airport and after walking around, you can definitely tell why.

We walked around the city and did all the typical touristy things like going to the Gardens by the Bay and the museum.

Garden by the Bay

On Saturday night, we decided to do a once in a lifetime thing. We booked a room to stay in the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel. It’s ranked as one of the most iconic hotels in the world. I’m not sure how many times in this life I’ll get the opportunity to be in Singapore so we thought it would be such a fun memory to have.

Roof Top Pool at Marina Bay Sands

The hotel was lovely and the pool on top is absolutely unreal. It was such an amazing experience and trip. I’m so grateful for all the memories and opportunities I’ve had by studying abroad.

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Junior Donna Quedens is spending the spring 2019 term in Australia through our U of A Exchange program at the University of Newcastle.

Read more from Donna at https://lifedownunder.blog/

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/