Go for it! #HogsAbroad in France

No matter where you are in your academic career, if you have the desire to study abroad, go for it! Yes, most people do go during their undergraduate years, but take me for example… I didn’t go until after graduating with my master’s degree at the University of Arkansas. I had been taking French since high school and I really wanted to study abroad in France, but it just wasn’t possible for me until after I finished my studies. I found a program in the South of France, Aix-en-Provence to be exact, and I decided to enroll independently after graduation. Since I took supplemental French courses during my master’s program, I decided to talk to an adviser to see if I could re-enroll as an undergraduate because why not get a bachelor’s degree while I was at it? I remember feeling nervous that it might not be possible, but to my surprise, there was no impediment at all! Once I re-enrolled, I realized I was eligible to apply to the study abroad scholarships. I took advantage of the opportunity, and I was awarded the Office of Study Abroad scholarship! I was so happy when I got the news because it felt like everything was coming together.

My time in Aix-en-Provence was definitely worth it. Its size is comparable to Fayetteville’s, so it felt like I was home. Because it’s a student city, I found a lot of cute little coffee and tea shops where I would often go to study. I made several friends from all over the world as my school had students from many different nationalities. Outside of school I took advantage of the region’s natural beauty by joining a local hiking group. Through this group, I met a lot of locals and two of my best friends in France. My favorite outing was when we hiked up a mountain at night to see a lunar eclipse! I also attended weekly language exchange meetings that helped me progress tremendously in French. Being involved in the community is also important for me, so I volunteered at culture exchange workshops at after-school associations around town. I would teach French kids and teens about Mexican and American culture and they would teach about France.

Of course there were times in the beginning where I felt lonely; after all I didn’t know anyone yet and it was my first time living abroad. Still, even when I did feel that way, I never regretted my decision. I pushed myself to get out there and meet people and so I did! Studying abroad is all about pushing your limits and stepping out of your comfort zone. Yes, it can be difficult in the beginning, but that shouldn’t stop you from exploring the world! Like me, maybe you’re nervous or unsure about where to start, but the good folks at the Study Abroad Office will help you get on your way. Bon voyage!

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Ariana spent the 2017-2018 academic year in France at Aix-Marseille Université 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/

Las Fallas 2018 in Valencia #HogsAbroad in Spain

The second blog post of 2018 shall be my recent roundtrip to Valencia. The city is in the east of Spain located next to the Mediterranean sea. Once we’d arrived to the downtown city we noticed the traffic and also the Mascletà, the constant firework popping off, was a sign the party and celebration was on. My friends and I decided to first arrive to a very well visited place of Valencia, especially in the summer:

Arriving to the beach, it was best to admire the Mediterranean sea…

A little background to what exactly I’ve arrived for is because it is a traditional celebration in commemoration of Saint Joseph. In late 2016 it was added to the cultural humanity list of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Below you’re about to witness is the celebration and the several monuments to be burned due to the term Falles refers both to them.

Now on-forth into our adventure, we needed to grab some food real quick. While in Valencia, it’s best to have Spanish cuisine, and we decided on the beach restaurants nearby.

At the first location we ordered Patatas Bravas con Allioli and doble cañas (potato with mild sauce and garlicky mayonnaise-like sauce).

The next place was next to the shoreline and we placed an order for for Valencia Paella con pollo, but decided to exclude rabbit.

After replenishing our energy and leaving our automobile at the designated parking lot, we headed into central Valencia.

Many streets were setup with the monuments as we encountered them. I wanted to also purchase some fireworks because a lot of people were out here having the time of their life.

The night goes on and the La Cremà (the Burning) was to commence. Furthermore I luckily photographed as many art monuments displaying the humorous character of Valencians. It is said these started in the Middle Ages as wood art and during the Spanish Civil War they were almost banned! The timing of the festival is between March 15-19 due to celebrate the spring equinox and burning of wood is for the end of winter, the feast day of Saint Joseph.

About midnight the burning i.e. La Cremà is to begin and is the main event because the torches on use for the falles huge bonfires begin. Above is the closest to the Plaça de l'Ajuntament, the center of Valencia, and tallest monument that I’ve seen, as my friends and I arrived for the last day of Las Fallas we were excited.

At last one of the few small bonfires is to be torched as midnight is approaching..

The preparation is beginning..

One of the Falleras is here for the hug for whom I think is who did the artwork and soon after that the burning began… (I was video chatting here but further below I have videos).

Once about it is decimated to no more than than ashes and rubber, people began to leave in search of the next burning. The decorations throughout the streets of Valencia are very beautiful.

Eventually we ran across one of the larger La Cremás and we got closer for a better view.

Large crowd of people awaited around here and with the street being closed off, no cars were to interrupt.

A BIG firework show was displayed (I’m jokingly foreshadowing here).

Then the fire commenced right after I captured the video and my friends and I enjoyed the bonfire and a few pictures below of the La Cremá.

According to the geolocation given by my cell phone of the photographs above and below, my friends and I were in the area of Valencia known as Eixample. The street they closed off was Aveneda del Regne de València and two blocks away we came across one of the smaller Fallas just about commence.

One of the Falleras came along right away and we were lucky to be in the frontline. She was given the torch and La Cremá began.

One of the staff helped with Las Fallas and gave a little boost to the burning.

At this point it was half past 12 A.M. and my friends and I were walking as the flock of people led us yet to another burning. The location we arrived is La Plaça del Baró de Cortés and I captured footage.

At this point it was nearing 1 A.M. and fireworks being shot into the sky and with no doubt its origin was from La plaça de l'Ajuntament. The plaza was about 1km away and we toiled towards the source of the screeching poppers blazing the night.

It went on for minutes and smoke with lights glazed everyone’s eyes.

Being at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento meant this is the gran finale of Las Fallas 2018 as well as the final La Cremá afterwards…

(below is footage of BIG fireworks; best video settings to be full HD and take caution of your sound volume).

The firework show above was very loud and spectacular. At last the final bonfire was further towards the crowd but from the distance you can witness the flames and ashes circulating in Plaça de l'Ajuntament.

I hope to return to the celebration and stay for more than just the last day of this festival. Much more is presented in the city of Valencia e.g. more Mascletà, daily fireworks in the evening or the La despertà, the wind instruments in the morning. Thank you for reading and for your time, have a blessed day.

-Luis F. Palafox

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Biomedical Engineering major Luis Palafox is spending the 2017-2018 academic year in Spain with our U of A Exchange Program at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid with the help of the Gilman Scholarship and 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 Cádiz #HogsAbroad in Spain

My first blog post of 2018 will be about my trip to Cádiz. This city is on a peninsula located southwest of Spain. People from around the world arrive for this festival, as it occurs only in February every year. (Photos taken by me on 2/09/18).

Once I’d arrived at the Plaza de San Juan de Dios, many people were here selling costumes, e.g. hats, masquerades, wigs. I’d just come from the bus parking lot, about a 4 minute walk away.

As you can see, a lady was standing next to her merchandise; she’d offered me some accessories, but I already was partly-dressed. I then ambled over to view a street performer dressed as the Predator.

Even the Ayuntamiento de Cádiz was decorated, i.e. the Town Hall of Cádiz.

It was about that time to vacate the Plaza de San Juan de Dios, and my friends and I followed the horde of people into Calle Pelota. We were excited for this Cádiz de Carnaval 2018 since all of us traveled from Madrid, Spain.

The Plaza de la Catedral was the next stop. More people were dressed here talking within their posse. Some disguised as Jesters and Pirates here, but we’ll witness more costumes as we venture throughout the Carnival.

A quick selfie picture with my friends, couple of guys from Peru, girls in the middle from Italy, other girls from South Korea and me, standing in the back.

Afterwards we wandered over to the Mercado Central and I was able to capture an image of a seafood salesmen. He was selling Erizos de mar, sea urchin seafood. The street we were on was called Calle Libertad and even FBI agents were here, but there was some loud noise down the road…

Anda! A chirigota del Carnaval de Cádiz, a group of friends in a chorus, and dressed as miners. They sang about issues in the workplace as we watched and enjoyed our drinks.

The streets in the carnival were getting a bit too crowded and we decided it was time for a break. The Atlantic ocean was the place to be, it was a beautiful view and a great moment for ocean gazing.

We eventually found a cowboy pig! I believe this boy should win best costume for the 2018 carnival, lol.

We decided to saunter throughout the peninsula of Cádiz and sight-see different parts of the city. At last we reached the Plaza de San Antonio, as an event was getting prepared. The show was scheduled to happen, and we assumed it’d start after dusk. This gave us time to head to the store to get snacks and drinks, and hang out.

The show was scheduled to begin in about twenty minutes, but a couple of guys and I decided to go for a trek to the Mercado Central for seafood real quickly.

The Bar Merodio was the location we’d chosen and between the three of us we decided on the ½ ration of each Cazón en adobo and Puntillitas. It’s marinated dogfish and small portion of fried squid, as we waited for our delicious food, more chirigotas were nearby and people dressed up walking by.

Furthermore, we showed up fashionability late to Plaza de San Antonio. The show lasted about two hours or so and the people around were enjoying the entertainment. There was a handful of acts and one large chirigota on stage with most of them using guitars or brass instruments. Carnaval de Cádiz for my friends and I was to conclude as our bus was scheduled to leave at midnight.

Thank you for reading, I hope to return to Cádiz again, dress up with silly costumes with friends, and most importantly get some seafood.

-Luis F. Palafox

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Biomedical Engineering major Luis Palafox is spending the 2017-2018 academic year in Spain with our U of A Exchange Program at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid with the help of the Gilman Scholarship and 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/