First Experience with Culture Shock and Enjoyed it - UNL Faculty Led Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My studying abroad was about learning about the art and architecture in other countries. This was done through visiting many art museums and physically viewing the local architecture in these cities that are so rich in both art and architecture. We were assigned an artist and some of his works of art before we went and had to provide a handout for the other students as well as give a presentation on that artist. We were to do research about the artist and give the background of the paintings we were assigned. This allowed me to engage in what I was viewing instead of mindlessly wondering through the many art museums we visited. The amount of art museums and history museums (20 or so) was a little overwhelming, but I'm glad that I saw them. I was also thankful for the one day a week that we got as a free day. We could go anywhere we wanted as well as do what we wanted. I was able to see the Tower of London and some of the buildings in the financial district that I studied in my classes previous to this trip. After we got back from the trip we were to write a 30-40 page journal. This journal was to have a theme, which I had trouble coming up with because of the lack of architecture, my major, focus on the trip. Though, I did find this journal to be helpful in processing most of what I saw and heard on the trip.

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How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We were housed in hotels for duration of the trip. The hotels were close to eateries or grocery stores, so food wasn't a problem to acquire. The location of the hotels were wonderful because of their proximity to the Tube or Metro stations.

The restraunts around the hotels were somewhat local. In London, the restaurants close to the hotel were varied in ethnicities, it was interesting to try the foods, recommended for anyone willing to try foods from other countries. There was an indian restraunt close to the hotel that wasn't too bad, I don't remember the name of it. I don't think I ate or saw any restaurants that I wouldn't eat at. There were a lot of choices at most of the stops along the tube, just look for something that sounds good and it probably will be. There is a wonderful pizza restraunt across the way from St. Paul's that I would recommend. I don't think my classmates and I had one complaint about it. In Paris, it was a little harder because of the language barrier. The restraunts around the hotel usually had english speaking people there, this was helpful. But the further you get from the hotels, the less people speak english. I was a little afraid of some of the food here because I wasn't sure what was in it or how much I was going to get. Most of the time I found something that sounded good and went for it. There are a lot of pizza places here, if that is what you enjoy. THe pizza in Paris isn't like the pizza in the U.S. but it is still pretty tasty.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Our whole trip was a cultural experience. We jumped into the London culture as soon as we got off the train and onto the Tube. Coming from Nebraska, where there isn't a subway system, this was a brand new experience for me. I loved every minute of it. The most cultural experience I had was in Paris. Most of it had to do with my lack of french language knowledge. I actually experienced culture shock here because of it. I kept talking to my instructor about it all and she helped me to understand that the feelings I was having was because of culture shock and I just needed to remember that Paris isn't very different from New York City. There is a lot of people. It was a little overwheling because it was such a large city.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Culture shock was something that was wonderfully addressed and then revisited as needed throughout the trip. We didn't have to get any special shots or anything to visit London or Paris. We were made aware of the differences in safety Between Paris and London. London has a lot of cameras around the city where as Paris doesn't. This was something that was pointed out to us before going to Paris, so we knew to be a little more cautious there.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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