Experiential #9

The most meaningful experience on this trip would have to be the many encounters with locals in all the cities we visited and the better understanding of the history of the Empire. The people I've met in Vienna at local restaurant have made a everlasting impression on how nice the city could people could be. The people I met in Prague, London and even Paris have been full of the most interest people I have ever meet. After learning about the Empire I also have a better understanding of the history if people from Vienna, Prague and London. By learning the different heritage of the different countries I can better understand where they came from. This past year I have been living in Cincinnati traveling to the exactly to the same places every week so this experience might not have help me in the past year but it will definitely help me in the future. By making me more open to new countries around the world I feel like I could understand better understand people from other countries.

Experiential Blog 8

Classes in Harlaxton have been different then classes in the States. We are being taught in a castle. This fact hits me every other class when I just look around our classroom in the Gold Room. Its a room with gigantic ceiling with painting, giant mirrors, and a garden right next to it. The German history class I'm in has been almost all new information I never got back in the States. The only think I new before going into the class was probably who were Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Sigmund Freud. I now know a plethora of information of what the Empire was, who was in control, and how they were able to keep power longer than other European empires. The main difference of studying abroad here is that we actually go and visit the places we talk about. In being able to physically go to the places we learn about and see things with m own eye definitely give me a better appreciation for the information I'm learning. Learning who the Habsburg were, visiting their palaces and other places that represent the Empire has given me a new experience I will never forget. As well as being in different European countries have given me a new perspectives on how I should behave and pack for my next excursion.

Experiential Blog #7

As we wrap our final days abroad I have taken a notice to the different attitudes/characteristic behaviors of many of the people across Europe. First thing I notice was how polite people are in England. On the way back from Manchester, this one gentlemen looked up the train we needed to get back to Grantham then proceeded to stand with my friends and I until we physically got on the train. If it was someone for the US I could never image someone, sacrificing their time, waiting for a complete stranger and making sure they get on the correct train. Another think I notice is how on time people across the world are on time. The tubes in almost all the cities are very accurate in the approach time. While the public transportation in Columbus and Cincinnati are almost never on time. It might have to do with the lack of punctuality we as Americans have as a whole. We could joke that its always nice to be punctual, but over here its implied. Before this trip I didn't know what to except, I was going to try my best not to stand out as a person from the States but to my surprise I stick out like a sore thumb everyday of the week. I came on this trip with an open mind and I feel like I am leaving with a better understanding of the different atmosphere of different countries. In London and Vienna it would be better to be more quiet during the day and night but while in Prague you can be as loud as you want. Another thing I learned would to make sure I speak a little bit of the language or at least a few phrases so I don't always have to play charades with the non-English speaking locals. The main thing I learned is to always be respectful of culture the city I travel to and always be mindful of my surroundings.

Visual Essay