Fiestas and Siestas: Barcelona, Spain 2013

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Melanie Horne

Ever dreamed of a city that not only stops all types of activity from two p.m. to five p.m. in the afternoon, but also parties till six o’clock in the morning? Then you have never been to Barcelona, Spain. “What happens in Barcelona, stays in Barcelona,” J.D. Wolfe states as we return back home from our trip, but Barcelona was much more than a city that knew how to entertain their guests. The city is also filled with some of the most magnificent and stunning artwork, architecture, and an experience one will never forget.

During spring break 2013 Christian Brothers University took students, family, and friends to visit and study in Barcelona, Spain and Carcassonne, France. Not only were we taken out of our comfort zone, being my first time out of the country, but we were easily adapted due the the group we were with and the outstanding kindness of everyone in the city.

“‘Take the path less traveled’: The cab rides in Barcelona were always eventful. For example, when no one spoke a lick of Spanish except for me and we got dropped off in an alley behind our hotel. We were all thinking our cab driver was going to kill us and he actually led us directly back to where we were suppose to be,” says University of Memphis student, Melody Caldwell. Most of the greatness of the trip should be accredited to the CBU study abroad program. Their tentativeness and particulars to detail made this trip a trip I will never forget. Honestly, my first time out of the country was with the CBU study abroad program, I graduate in May, and I am planning on going abroad with them again in 2014.

”CBU Study Abroad trips are extraordinary for students of all ages. Our trip to Barcelona last month was an experience not to be forgotten. Seeing the Sagrada Familia and La Pedrera, strolling down La Rambla, dining at tapas bars, ascending Montjuic on the funicular, descending to the Underground City Museum to see excavations of Barcelona 2,000 years ago, enjoying a Flamenco performance, traveling to the Salvador Dali museum and the unbelievable medieval city of Carcassonne, France were all feasts for the senses. Our walking classroom led us to places beyond our expectations, and we were amazed,” says Ms. Barbara Kernan (and put very well I might add). I will always hold that week abroad with CBU near to my heart. You do not just learn about a new culture, you gain a deeper understanding for who you are as a person. For that, I thank CBU for having such a phenomenal itinerary planned for us in which we got to participate and live fully as a part of Barcelona, Spain and Carcassonne, France.” -Taylor Tartera, English ’13

You can view more photos on the Study Abroad’s Facebook page or Spain album.

Student Standpoint: Traveling Testimonials

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Posted on April 29, 2013 by Melanie Horne

Daryl Stephens – Florence University of the Arts

“I am currently studying abroad in Florence, Italy. I live in an apartment with four other students and if you were to walk out of my front door to the left, you’d hit the Arno river; to the right, Piazza della Republica and Florence’s famous Duomo. I take classes three days a week, which leaves plenty of time for me to travel and explore Florence (even though the city is extremely small). So far I’ve been all over Italy and also to France, Monaco, the Czech Republic, Ireland, and Greece. I’m headed to Munich in two weeks, and I might even be planning a trip back to Ireland before I come back home! Although I love traveling and seeing new places, it always feels great when my train or bus comes rolling back into Florence on Sunday nights. I fell in love with this city so quickly, and I know it is a place I want my family to see and experience at some point. I’m headed back to the states in less than four weeks, and I know that it is going to be hard adjusting since there is such a big cultural gap. I know it’s cheesy and every one who studies abroad says it, but I really have grown so much and learned so much more about Italy, America, and just people in general. I have made great friends and learned so much about myself and our own society by meeting other American students going through this same experience. It has been a great journey, and I’d give just about anything to comeback and do it again someday!”

- Daryl Stephens, Junior Psychology Major

P. Brennen Reynolds – Fudan University

“From the moment I landed in Beijing, I knew this was going to be a fantastic semester. After a week of touring the Great Wall, Tian’anmen Square and The Forbidden City, I flew to Shanghai to begin classes at Fudan University. It’s amazing from both an academic and social perspective! Ranked third in China, Fudan offers numerous classes taught in English about China’s society and economic development. My favorites are Western Culture from an Eastern Perspective and Financial Development in China. In the first couple of months I have made friends from all over the world and planned a trip to Nha Trang, Vietnam with them for the end of April. Everyone should study abroad. This is my second semester abroad and I can honestly say that it is a priceless experience!”

- Peter Brennen Reynolds, Senior Business Administration Major

Where Have CBU Students Been Studying?

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Cory Dugan

Gina Bui (Business Administration ’13) and Patrick Ghant (Business Administration ’14) at FH Joanneum University in the Austrian Alps. Their experieces so far are “beyond awesome.”

Left: Madeline Faber (English ’14) at St. Mary’s Belfast College at Cave Hill, a high summit overlooking the city of Belfast. “This experience is unparallel to anything in my life…. My time has been so enriching, and school has barely begun.”
Center: Brittney Sails (Business Administration ’13) with the fabulous city of Barcelona in the background. “It’s the experience of a lifetime.”
Right: Peter Brennen Reynolds (Business Administration ’14) sitting in one of Russia’s seats in a UN conference room. ”My summer in Fribourg, Switzerland was one that I will cherish forever. Sitting in the seats of diplomats from around the world at the United Nations Headquarters while listening to various specialists speak on everything from disarmament to intellectual property rights offers indescribable inspiration. Thanks to the many new friends and globally-influential people that I met in Switzerland, I am looking forward to leaving my mark on the world.”
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Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training (MHIRT)
Students in the MHIRT program have the opportunity to participate in research projects in different parts of the world and present their findings at CBU and at various conferences.

Left: Liz Booker (Psychology ’12) performing her first successful dissection of a beetle larva at the biochemistry lab the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in Florianopolis, Brazil.
Right: Justin King (Biology ’12, right) and Stephen Juel (University of Memphis, left) in the lab at the Universidade de São Paulo in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

What Are CBU Students Saying About Study Abroad?

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Cory Dugan

Emily Flechas is a sophomore Psychology major who is originally from Alabama. In order to get to know more about her studies abroad, we asked her a few questions about some of the highlights from her trip.

What was your favorite place to visit in Italy and why? (Assisi, Rome, etc.)
Assisi, it just took my breath away.
What was your favorite site to see?
The underground Roman house.
What food should every one traveling to Italy try?
Everything!
What did you gain most out of this experience?
A better understanding of a culture different from my own.
What would you tell students who are thinking about studying abroad?
Do it. Somehow, someway, make it work.
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Maxime Boisdron (left) and Piruntha Muthukumaru (right) are both senior foreign exchange students from France majoring in Engineering. In order to get to know more about them and their native country, we asked a few questions about their hometown and their stay in America.

What are your favorite things to do in Memphis? France?
While in Memphis, they both enjoy Tiger football games and going to Beale Street. In France, Maxime enjoys eating French food while Piruntha enjoys hanging out with friends.
What is the biggest difference between France and America?
They both agree that the biggest difference is the food. Another difference is the layout of the campus; in France, that have many schools on one campus while CBU is just one university.
What French food would you suggest to Americans traveling to France?
French baguette: bread with a nice cheese and wine to compliment it.
What American food would you suggest to French citizens traveling to America?
Taco Bell.

Ask Albert: Spanish Culture Interview with Albert Furnells Ribas

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Lauren South

Albert Furnells Ribas is a member of the soccer team here at CBU from Barcelona, Spain. In order to get to know about him and his native country, we asked him a few questions about his home town and his stay here in America. This is what he had to say…

Q: What is the biggest difference between Memphis and Barcelona?
A: Memphis is a smaller town and Barcelona is a big city!

Q:What is your favorite thing to do while you are in Memphis? Barcelona?
A: In Memphis, hanging out with the friends I have made here. When I am in Barcelona I love to eat!

Q:What Spanish food should Americans traveling to Barcelona try?
A: We have so much food to choose from, but the most popular are tortilla de patatas, jamón serrano y tapas.

Q: What would you tell students who are thinking about studying abroad?
A: Enjoy yourself in Barcelona because there are so many things to do there like eating great food and experiencing the night life!

Q: What is your favorite thing about America?
A: Everything here is BIG!

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