The Beauty of Fukuoka ~Michael Gigante, CSI Exchange Ambassador to Japan

日本から　こんにちは！　私の名前は　マイクル　ジガンテ　です。私は　西南大学の　留学生　です。どうぞよろしくおねがいします！　日本が　大すきです。たのして、おもしろいです！　スタテンアイランドに　かえりたくない！

What, you don’t understand Japanese? Okay then!

Hello from Japan! My name is Michael Gigante, and I am an exchange student at Seinan Gakuin University. It is very nice to meet you! I love Japan. It is very fun and interesting. I don’t want to return to Staten Island!

Fukuoka, Japan is probably the most amazing city on Earth. I don’t say that very lightly, and I can’t really pinpoint one specific thing. From the language, to the people, to the general atmosphere - Japan is just incredible. The only thing I dislike so far is the fact that time seems to be moving so quickly! One of the coolest little things by far, and something that tells me I am in Japan every day, is the view from my room. Can you see the picture? Mountains! It is absolutely beautiful.

Probably one of my favorite places to visit in Japan is Fukuoka’s Castle ruins, right next to Ohori Park. It is absolutely the most beautiful place in the city, and from the top you can see the entirety of Fukuoka. It really shows off the beauty of the city. The architecture is also incredibly interesting and is nothing like European castles. For one thing, the walls are sloped, which makes them a little easy to climb…don’t ask how I know that, but it raises such interesting questions on the nature of siege warfare in Japan!

The language is also incredibly interesting. I didn’t realize this until I came here, but there are almost like three separate languages within Japanese. First is the very polite form you use to superiors, second is the polite form you use upon meeting someone for the first time, and third is the friendly form. A good example of this can be shown with help of my favorite words: まじ、and ほんとですか.  Both have similar meanings, but the first, まじ, cannot be used to superiors. It basically means: “are you kidding me???” Whereas, ほんとですか, means: “really?” It’s a lot like English, but honestly, I don’t even know any words in extremely formal Japanese, and it feels like such a daunting task to actually have to learn three ways to say a lot of things.

とても　おもしろいね？

(Very interesting, right?) Oh wait…

The people are also very cool here, and probably one of my best Japanese friends is a Japanese student named Yuki. He lives at my dorm, but does not go to Seinan Gakuin. He is a fashion student, and we have seen some of his work at student fashion shows. A few weeks ago, I held a birthday party for him in my room…it was a little cramped, but it was a lot of fun! After, he was so grateful that he gave me a small tub of jelly beans. It was very nice of him, but…I hate jelly beans…

おわりました！　ありがとう！　またね。

(I’m finished! Thanks! Until next time!)

Nanjing and New York ~Matthew Greger, Nanjing, China, Spring 2010

 

Once you give someone the taste for adventure, they will eat the world up. My name is Matt and I was born in Colombia, adopted by an Italian, German/ Irish American family, and raised in New York City. Oh, and I studied in Nanjing, China for four months in the Spring of 2010. This is the common description the president of my college, Dr. Tomás D. Morales, will give of me when he talks about study abroad to aspiring students. It’s humbling, but so is the fact that we first met at the top of a Shanghai skyscraper, and then proceeded to walk the promenade of the busiest river in the world.

The most common question I was asked when I chose to study abroad was: Why China? The answer is simple, and always has been: “It’s the farthest away from here I could possibly get.” Before studying abroad reinvigorated my life, I was slacking in school, partying all the time, and losing track of my goals. I had no idea that I could undergo such a complete reversal and stimulation of knowledge until I defeated the concept of fear and got out of my comfort zone in a way I never thought possible. Study abroad provided me with a gateway to a new world, and now I’m living in one… even after being home for almost two years!

China is a very misunderstood place from people who view it afar compared to those who actually go there. For all you will hear about it and study it, by the time you arrive, the state of things could have changed dramatically. Sometimes even the citizens of that country admit their assumptions about the nation are adapted daily. Imagine all of America’s advances in the past 3 centuries being solved and debated in as much time as the Internet has existed, and you get the kind of confusion and grandeur that Chinese people deal with regularly.

New York City is the greatest city in the world for many different reasons, but I can agree on that and also say I might just enjoy living in Nanjing more. The two cities are similar in many ways – they are about the same size, have a huge river flowing by them, have massive pollution, a giant park, skyscrapers, subways, and lots of history. What most people don’t understand about China is that crime isn’t much of a problem there, and that’s not from a lack of government intervention! The two cities also share elements of racism, apathy, poverty, and religious idealism. What I believe sets the cities (and countries) apart is the kindness and generosity of people to one another, the sense of togetherness and respect.

In Nanjing, you can walk down a city alleyway at night in the dark, (although it is discouraged by study abroad advisors) feel completely safe and at home. That’s not to discount the miraculous work of New York’s police department and public service, which do incredible things to keep society safe, civil, prosperous, clean and fair. Nanjing has police; they just don’t generally need them. Nanjing has poverty, but those people are fine and content with what they are doing, and manage to survive. The city is a magical place where wealth is overflowing from foreign and local investment and population growth. Everyone gets by somehow and manages to give even more to people they don’t know. New York is a different place, where it’s large enough so that diversity and morality fuel philanthropy, individuality and originality which are driving factors, and justice is needed to keep people in their place when they feel discontent towards one another.

Basically, what I’m saying is that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, especially in my situation. Some may consider study abroad beyond their level of comfort, taste, knowledge, or predisposition, but it’s really not. Study abroad can be for everyone because it’s pure discovery. That’s what life is all about, discovery and adventure and though some people lose their way, it’s most important to find them and put them through these trials of recovery. Through education, the world can be yours, and it’s not such a chore as people may think.

Taking the Plunge in Florence ~Zachary Schwartz, Florence, Italy

Hello Readers,

My name is Zachary Schwartz, and I am a sophomore English major at the College of Staten Island. I am currently studying abroad in Florence, Italy for this current Spring Semester until May 13^th. My goal in writing this blog for CSI is to hopefully convince one reader to take the plunge, grab the opportunity and consider taking up CSI on its wonderful offer to study abroad. You will not be disappointed.

Study abroad has always been a goal of mine. Just the idea of being hundreds of miles away from my home in a distant country sounded appealing to me. Not in any way because I hate living with my family but because the freedom I would have would be very gratifying.  I also recognized study abroad as a crucial growing experience in my young life. I feel it is very important to learn about other cultures and not just focus on your own at home. My feelings before leaving for Florence were emotions of anxiety, excitement and restlessness. I KNEW I was going to have a great time when I saw the seat next to me on my seven hour flight was unoccupied. I couldn't wait to start this new adventure of my life. Nothing sounded (and sounds) better to me than an espresso and pastry in the morning for breakfast and wine and pasta for dinner.

I arrived in Florence on January 18^th. I was in Florence a week before school started so I decided to do all of the “tourist-y” things, so I could get them out of the way. The things to do in Florence seem almost endless. There are countless museums which hold the greatest art work in the world (one of which holds the Michelangelo masterpiece David - you can’t take a picture of it, but I’m determined to do so), as well as hundred year old ancient churches that you wish the United States had to offer. The most incredible sight of Florence is the one thing you cannot avoid even if you tried. Florence’s Duomo is a 600 year relic sitting right smack in the middle of the city. If you feel man (or woman) enough, you can climb up 426 steps all the way to the top and bear witness to the beautiful scenery Florence has to offer.

I’m only a month into my experience and so far it’s been more than great. Classes are interesting, food has been great and the people are awesome. I can’t wait to see what else Florence, Italy and Europe have to offer me. I’ll make sure to give you the most information that I can. Until next time…

                                                                                                                             Zachary

International Business in Dublin ~Jeff Drouillard, CSI Exchange Ambassador to Ireland

Not many students get the opportunity to travel miles away from home to study in a beautiful country of their choice. On the verge of graduation, I decided to pursue an International Business Degree, and what is better than doing an International Business Degree “internationally”, and did I mention it’s in Europe. I knew an opportunity such as this does not come around too often, so I was both intrigued and excited. Thus without any hesitation, I seized the opportunity, and on January 20^th I landed in Dublin, Ireland. My name is Jeff Drouillard, 22-year-old student studying International Business and Marketing at DIT, Dublin Institute of Technology.

Going to a foreign country at my age seems a little mind boggling, stepping out of my social norms and taking on this foreign country seems a bit intimidating, nonetheless I was ready to take on the adventure.  I prepared myself to be surprised and not expect the norm. I expect Dublin to be, well, quite “foreign.” Surprisingly, some of the features of Dublin actually remind me of New York City. Although Dublin isn’t nearly as big as New York and does not have any skyscrapers, the City Centre where DIT is located reminds me of SOHO and the village. The highest point in Dublin as advertised is at the Guinness Distillery Store House, which I visited in my second week in Dublin. There is this little area that even reminded me of Times Square, well somewhat. One particular area would be Temple bar, which is composed of tons of pubs and clubs. It is known to be the biggest tourist attraction here. It was the first place I was able to enjoy and also be able to refrain from any culture shock, which sometimes we all know can be a bit overwhelming (at least in the beginning). One of my Irish lads informed me that if I went anywhere else in Ireland, I would have had a major culture shock.

Even though there are places I grew accustomed to, there are still some adjustments needed. Especially when it comes down to time, currency and paying for shopping bags. Most places open around 10a.m. and close between 5p.m. - 6p.m. They have a late day, which is Thursday which stores close 2 hours later.  The euro to the dollar is something I still can’t get used to.  Everything here is more expensive than New York, especially when thinking in terms of dollars; the current exchange rate is 1 euro for every $1.33. When going shopping, it is suggested to bring your own bag; if not, one would need to pay for a shopping bag for their items. The first time I went grocery shopping, I was lucky I had my book bag. So far Dublin is “grand” (Irish terminology equivalent to Ok or Cool). Classes are “grand” as well. The people are great the weather is gloomy, but it’s great so far and it only has begun. But besides the adjusting I still need to get used to, I am truly enjoying my stay here and the new experiences.