Month: August 2016

Hola a todos!

I’ve been in Spain for about a week now on the Bucknell en España program. We flew into Madrid and spent a few days there, and also took day trips to Segovia and Toledo. One of the most interesting things that I learned in El Prado in Madrid (an art museum), is that the Spanish royal family’s lineage may have broken at some time because a king couldn’t have children, and the queen had many lovers and illegitimate children…so people think that the royal family isn’t pure (or something similar to that…it was all in Spanish).

Yesterday we took the four and a half hour bus ride from Toledo to Granada, where I will be spending the next four months. I met my host mom, Pepita. She is so nice and a FANTASTIC cook. I’m about to have major gains (probably in the weight department), so watch out. However, she doesn’t speak English so we have to communicate completely in Spanish. It’s a little daunting, but I really think it’s going to help my language skills and fluency. I’m already thinking about how to say everything I do in Spanish (including what I’m typing here).

Today I had an orientation for mi escuela, and I’ll start classes on Friday. It is hot as el diablo here and they don’t really use air conditioning (except for in stores) so I’m literally sweating it out, because it’s like 90 plus degrees todos las días. Today I got lost on the way home from the school…but I eventually found my way home (after like twenty extra minutes).

I’ll be joining a gym in the coming days, and there are beautiful places along the river to run. Unfortunately the river has very little water, so I won’t be able to row.
I hope everything is going well for everyone at Bucknell! Stay tuned, because my professor wants to do a flamenco class this semester so I’m sure I’ll have entertaining stories about that…

-Bixby 

Haj fra København, Danmark! 

I have been here for a week and two days, and I have loved every second of it.  I am living with a host family; I have a host mom and dad, as well as twin host brothers (12 years old) and twin host sisters (25 years old).  From the second I met them, I have felt like a part of the family, so if you decide to study abroad, definitely choose a home-stay (if that is an option).

The city of Copenhagen is beautiful.  Buildings are no higher than five stories, due to an old prince’s decree.  There are bikes everywhere!!  Bikes are the number one way to commute.  They do not stop for anybody or anything, so I am constantly aware of the bike lanes out of fear for my life.

Classes are in full swing at DIS.  The professors here are often Danes who work in the career of the subject they are instructing.  They are extremely knowledgeable, super laid-back, and they enjoy stories about the United States.  When I am not in class, or taking the thirty minute commute by train to school, I am at home with my family.  We live in an apartment south of Copenhagen.  It is only a five minute drive to reach the beach and the harbor, where they have a beautiful sailing boat.

I have sailed twice since my arrival (see the pictures), and I have been swimming in the Køge Bay.  Most recently, we sailed for an overnight visit to the city Dragør, which is a beautiful old town with uniform buildings.  The yellow walls and red roofs made me feel as though I was walking through a movie scene.

I am looking forward to writing each week and keeping the connection between us rowers abroad and our lovely rowers back home.  If you want to see more pictures, feel free to find me on Snapchat, Instagram, or Facebook, where I will post more pictures!!

Med venlig hilsen,

Bethany

Seven rowers, seven countries, and one place to keep track of it all. Follow us as we travel the world, meet new people, and create memories to last forever!