“Everyone loves an Italian girl.” I had the witty phrase plastered across everyday items ranging from clothing to notebooks back when I was still young enough to consider a screen-printed T-shirt a fashion statement. Even without me broadcasting my heritage via overpriced school supplies, people still never make it very far past my dark features and whopper-of-a-last name without asking, “So, are you Italian or something?”
As everyone back at IU struggled through finals week, I had my own bout of misery as well—Peruvian midterms.
London. Posh, vibrant, historical London. My mind still spins at the idea that I’ll be traveling to this fabulous city on my first trip overseas.
As sad as this makes me, I know my semester abroad in Prague is quickly coming to an end, and this means of course, that the impending doom we all like to call finals is rapidly approaching.
This past weekend, a fellow Hoosier and I decided to spend a weekend away from Lima in Huanchaco, a beach town in northern Peru.
We took surfing lessons, played soccer on the beach, spent time with the locals. We explored archaeological sites, went shopping, danced the nights away. Up until the last hour, it was a picture-perfect getaway.
Before leaving Ireland, our IES abroad advisors and teachers warned us of a phenomenon called “reverse culture shock,” which basically means that some students have trouble acclimating back to their culture at home because they have become so accustomed to their culture abroad. I feared that I would experience this once I got back to the United States, but it turns out it was much easier than I expected.
I’m lucky enough to get two spring breaks of sorts in Madrid. A short while ago it was Semana Santa here which is Holy Week, the week before Easter. We were off classes for a full week plus the Friday before and Monday after. I took full advantage of the break.
IU's Office of Overseas Study helps more than 2,500 students earn IU credit by exploring educational opportunities in over 52 countries and in 17 languages each year.
Written by AnnMarie Schiavone
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