Tag: postgrad

Is Teaching English in a Foreign Country Ethical?

Over the past few years, as I’ve gotten more involved in the world of teaching English, I’ve wondered if it’s ethical to teach English in foreign countries. Am I imposing my culture on someone else? How is this different than some of the practices of cultural imperialists? These are all things I considered while taking Anthropology courses and considering the Peace Corps during undergrad. In order to find answers, I spoke with former Peace Corps volunteers and decided to go to China for a month to teach for the first time. The answer to this question? Well, there is no exact answer. But I do believe that teaching can be done in a way that truly helps people live and work in this globalized world, without undermining their native language and culture.

English is becoming the new global language. I’m not saying this is a good thing or a bad thing. It just is what it is. In almost every tourist city to which I’ve traveled, English is the bridge between locals and people visiting from all over the world. Chances are, most tourists you meet in Czech Republic, for example, probably don’t speak Czech. But they might speak English, allowing them to get around, order food, and read signs while traveling. Additionally, most job advertisements working internationally require applicants to speak at least some English. Without a basic understanding of the language, the job pool shrinks tremendously.

Having seen the necessity of English in traveling, working, and general social settings, I know that by helping others learn the language, I am helping to expand their opportunities in life. This does not mean that the English language is superior and that you should not make an effort to learn local languages. If you are living and teaching in a foreign country, you must respect that culture, do your best to learn their language, and never ever impose your ways on your students. But language is a gift, and if you can give someone a gift that can open countless doors for them, then I believe it is absolutely ethical. So whether your native language is English, Japanese, Portuguese, or Mandarin (all of the languages in my apartment), take the opportunity to teach! Not only is it rewarding for you as a teacher, but all of your students will have access to a brand new culture and a world of opportunities.

What are your thoughts? I would love to hear your opinion.

Feel Great and Stay Healthy While Traveling

Oftentimes, when people hear the word healthy in association with travel, they assume that it requires missing out on experiences like food and drinks. But when done properly, prioritizing your health can add so much more to your trip and you’ll end up feeling amazing, rather than weighed down and tired. When I’m traveling for a week or so, I’ll admit that my health routine takes a back seat. But with longer periods of travel, I find myself longing for the trip to end so my body can start feeling good again. With how much I like to travel, I knew I needed to find a way to combine taking care of my body with seeing the world. So here are a few tips for feeling your best without missing out on great experiences:

1. Choose at least one healthy meal per day.

By no means should you skip out on all your travel destination has to offer, but you’d be amazed at how much better you will feel if you make sure you’re eating vegetables. Pizza for every meal sounds like a great idea but sometimes your body just needs a break. “But I can get veggies on my pizza, and order a Bloody Mary!” says my father. Hey, whatever works. Eat those waffles, fries, cupcakes, and drink all the beer your heart desires. But make sure you get yourself a salad too.

2. Walk as much as you can.

It’s tempting to take public transportation or an Uber when you’re trying to get somewhere. But if you take the extra time to walk, not only are you getting some exercise, but you will see new things along the way! As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, I love finding free walking tours on my first day in a new city.

3. Incorporate physical activity into your schedule.

Rent a bike. Take a hike. Go for a morning run to explore. If you’re at the beach, don’t lay around all day. Play volleyball or swim or even just take a walk. Try something new like surfing. I personally love finding beautiful parks and working out or doing some yoga. You may get some strange looks but you’ll feel like a new person.

4. Try to maintain your at-home routine.

I’ll admit, I’m still working on this. When I’m at home, I usually spend 5-10 minutes doing yoga every morning to stretch and wake up my body. When I’m traveling, I don’t always prioritize this and I can really feel the difference.

5. Get enough sleep.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t go out or do pub crawls but just don’t do them every night. Yes, you have to take advantage of every moment but if you don’t get enough sleep, you simply won’t enjoy your travels and you might even get sick. So make sleep a priority….at least some nights.

6. Hydrate hydrate hydrate!

It’s very easy to get dehydrated while flying, walking around, and drinking alcohol. Carry around a reusable water bottle and your body will thank you. If it’s safe to drink the tap water wherever you’re traveling, just fill up your bottle in bathroom sinks. It’s not weird, I promise.

When traveling, it’s important not to miss out on new opportunities. It’s also important to give yourself time to relax and truly enjoy taking a break from the stress of everyday life. But making a small effort in maintaining healthy habits can really change how you feel which in turn, can transform your entire vacation. Take care of yourself and enjoy your travels!

Becoming a Champagne Expert in Epernay, France

Okay I’ll admit, I’m still no expert. But after a weekend in Epernay, I do know what good champagne tastes like. I also know how it’s produced, sold, and that the Avenue de Champagne is arguably the most expensive avenue in the world. For this knowledge alone, I would encourage you to take a trip to Epernay. But this unique little town in France has a lot more to offer than just its champagne. The three days I spent in and around Epernay gave me a glimpse at why this town is so popular among European tourists.

Upon arriving in Epernay, I felt as if I had been transported into a fairytale. The architecture is beautiful, the streets were clean, and the weather was perfect. My family and I stayed in an Airbnb in the city center, surrounded by restaurants and shops. My first meal? Onion soup – a MUST whenever you are in France. Trust me, there’s a reason why Americans called it French Onion Soup.

We spent that first night getting acquainted with the town. The small tourist office near the town hall provides services such as bike rentals, maps, and even a tourist train that drives around the city while playing an audio tour. Yes, my mom and I rode the train and yes, it was worth every penny. We also may or may not have ridden rides in the street carnival taking place that weekend. I have no regrets regarding this decision.

 

 

 

The next day, we embarked on a champagne tour with our Air Bnb host; she runs her own tourism business – Aÿ Champagne Experience. We visited several vineyards in the town of Ay and a family-owned home champagne house that produces the brand Ergot et Filles. The family showed us the cellars, the fermentation process and gave us a taste of a few different types of champagne: Brut, Extra-Brut, and a vintage called Millèsime. I personally preferred this experience over the large champagne houses on Avenue de Champagne. However, after our tour, we weren’t quite done tasting champagne so we tried a flight at Champagne Janisson-Baradon et Fils (yes, champagne flights exist and yes, they are amazing). Check out the picture below.

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My family and I are outdoorsy people. So on day three we decided to hike to a nearby town called Hautvillers. The hike consisted of a beautiful walk along a river and through famous vineyards such as Moët et Chandon. While in Hautvillers, we explored the Abbey d’Hautvillers where Don Perignon is buried, and stumbled upon a small market where we spilt a bottle of champagne in a garden. It was about as magical as it sounds.

 

 

 

We knew our visit wouldn’t be complete without trying some champagne on the Avenue de Champagne, known for its cellars storing copious amounts of the world’s finest champagne. So after our return hike, we stopped inside Champagne Georges Cartier for a tasting. At this point in the trip, I started to feel like I could really compare and contrast the different types of champagne we’ve had. So basically, I’m declaring myself a champagne aficionado.

The only problem we ran into while in Epernay was limited restaurant and store hours. Many businesses close in the middle of the day and don’t reopen until around 7pm. We had a few failed searches for food. Additionally, it is harder to find English speakers here than in bigger cities like Paris. This trip forced me to use more French than I have since moving to Brussels. So if you’re looking for immersion, this is a great place to be. However, the people were incredibly helpful and gave me pointers when they heard me struggling with my French. I truly loved every minute in this town. For champagne rookies and experts alike, I definitely recommend a weekend trip to Epernay.

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5 Reasons to Try Solo Travel

Last week, I decided to take a bus to London for a few days by myself. My time alone involved lots of Chinese food, discounted West End musical tickets, and ultimately missing my bus back to Brussels. It was an adventure, to say the least, and it was much needed. Not only did this trip remind me of my love for London, but it reminded me of how much I enjoy traveling alone. Stepping off of a plane (or bus, in this case) into a city where you don’t know anyone provides a fresh start, even if only for a few days. You can be whoever you want. You can do whatever you want. And when you are in charge of your own plans, you are bound to gain lots of confidence. Although the list is endless, let’s talk about 5 reasons you should try traveling alone.

1. Your plans are the only plans

Have you ever been with a group of people who wanted to go to one museum while you wanted to go to another? Or who wanted to eat sushi while you wanted Italian food? Compromise is the key to successfully traveling with groups. But when you’re traveling alone, the only person you have to compromise with is yourself! You make all the decisions throughout your travels, allowing you to shape your trip exactly the way you want.

2. You will be more focused on your surroundings

Oftentimes when I am traveling with friends, I am focused on our conversations, rather than the beautiful architecture and landmarks surrounding us. When I am alone, however, I am simply free to marvel at the world around me.

3. You are more likely to meet new people

When I am traveling alone, I find myself more willing to talk to people around me – especially to those who are also solo traveling! This past week in London, I made two new friends in my hostel and had a great conversation with a guy from Australia while seeing Heathers the Musical. It’s easy to interact solely with the people you’re traveling with so being alone gives you that extra push to branch out.

4. You will learn to appreciate your own company

Eating alone in a restaurant or park may sound uncomfortable in the beginning. But I promise that once you overcome the awkwardness, doing activities alone can be peaceful. I can’t promise that you won’t receive some odd looks from people but just brush them off and appreciate your own company.

5. Most importantly, it’s empowering!

As a woman, I have felt especially discouraged in the past when it came to traveling alone. After all, there are certain safety concerns while traveling that women have to worry about that often aren’t issues for men. But I’ve found that with the right research and general awareness of my surroundings, traveling alone is absolutely possible. Additionally, packing up my bags and heading to a foreign country despite doubts from others is empowering and a testament to my own courage. I encourage every woman to take a trip alone at some point in her life. You will see that you are so much more capable than you think. With that being said, this also goes for men too. It can be a daunting task for anyone and tackling your fears is the only way to grow.

Solo travel can seem intimidating or perhaps even lonely. But with the right mindset, it can be an adventure full of growth and reflection. So be brave and buy that plane ticket!

 

Check out some pictures from my most recent trip!

 

 

A Word on Homesickness

Some days I really miss Ohio.

I miss my family.

I miss my friends.

I miss good Mexican food.

I miss little conveniences like 24-hour Walgreens and the infinite possibilities within Target.

And of course, I miss my dog.

Before I moved to Brussels, the longest I had been outside of the U.S. was two months. Obviously, I had never experienced real homesickness. So when I started feeling homesick the first WEEK I was in Brussels, I panicked.

Something must be wrong, I thought.

Maybe I wasn’t supposed to be here.

Maybe I made a huge mistake leaving my beautiful life in Ohio.

It was scary to move to Belgium with no friends and no knowledge of French. I like adventures and challenges, but this?

This was another level.

The homesickness I felt during those first few weeks was intense. It made me question my dreams of traveling the world. It made me doubt my abilities and my career choice. Homesickness is different for everyone. But over the past eight months, it has given me a new perspective on many aspects of my life.

Missing my home does not mean I shouldn’t travel. It means that I have something beautiful to go home to. And that’s something for which I am very grateful.

It also doesn’t mean that I can’t handle the challenges of living abroad. Sure, being able to speak the same language as the cashier at the grocery store is convenient, but learning French through trial and error is challenging and can sometimes even be fun.

Even on days when I really miss my family, I have to remind myself how much easier it is to stay in touch with them through technology. Whatsapp is a godsend and allows me to talk to my parents every single day, just like I would do if I were living in the U.S. I mean, when my dad studied in Ireland, he had to walk to use a payphone in the middle of the night when he wanted to call his parents. If he could do that, I can sure as hell live abroad with access to the internet

Most importantly, on days when I long to be back in the U.S., I remind myself that this time in Brussels is temporary. Soon, I won’t have access to the amazing history, the great beer, and the waffles that are to-die-for. I won’t be able to hop on a quick train to Paris or grab a cheap flight to Italy for the weekend. This homesickness has taught me so much about staying in the present moment and soaking in the incredible life that I’m currently living. Because before I know it, I will be homesick for what I have right now.

Why Go to Grad School Abroad?

In 2018, graduate school is a path that more and more students are choosing to pursue after obtaining their Bachelor’s degrees. But if you’re anything like me, the cost of graduate programs in the U.S. is enough to make you cringe, if not discourage you from pursuing your dream altogether. Well, I decided to find another solution, one that many Americans are discovering as the perfect alternative to spending the rest of your life in debt from education. I decided to find a graduate program abroad.

My experience in grad school has been nothing short of incredible. There have been ups and downs, to say the least. But I would recommend this experience to anyone. The program I chose is part of a British university with a campus located in Brussels, Belgium. On January 1, 2018, I packed my bags and started a new life here in Brussels. Not only has this decision saved me from extra financial burden, but I have learned so much about myself and the world through this experience. Here are 6 reasons why you should go to grad school abroad.

  1. You will be exposed to a new culture 

Travel is the best way to change your perspective and learn about other cultures. But living in a new country is very different than being a tourist. Becoming a resident allows you to discover the places that locals like and learn how they view the world. As a politics student, this is fascinating to me. Not only can you immerse yourself in the culture you’re living in but you’ll meet people from all over the world. My current roommates are from China, India, and Brazil, and my classmates are from every corner of the globe. The relationships and knowledge that I’ve gained would not have been possible without moving to Belgium.

2.  You can acquire new language skills 

Although my graduate program is in English, I’ve had to work on learning French for things as simple as reading food labels at the grocery store. Tourist destinations are flooded with English speakers but when you venture out of the city center, you are forced to learn a bit of the local language. After 8 months, my French isn’t great but hey, at least I can read food labels! There’s nothing like immersion, friends.

3. You can find a city that is tailored to your studies

I currently study Political Strategy and Communication with a specialization in Foreign Policy. With the European Union and NATO headquarters here, Brussels is the perfect place for my studies. When choosing my program, I took into account the school location and I am incredibly grateful that I did. Regardless of what you study, you can find a city where you will thrive.

4. Proximity to other travel destinations

I’m on a student budget. So picking up and going to Paris for a weekend isn’t realistic if I’m living in the U.S. But in Europe? Flights and trains to major European cities are obscenely cheap. And if you pair those with budget hostels, you’ve got a student-friendly travel itinerary. Regardless of where you go to school, you will have the opportunity to explore a new continent for prices that aren’t possible from the U.S.

5. Should I mention cost again?

I’ve already touched on this, but international grad schools make American grad school tuition fees look like a crime. If you can find cheap housing, you are bound to save money by heading to a new country.

6. Resume, Resume, Resume 

It doesn’t matter if you study art, politics, or business. International experience shows future employers that you can bring a global perspective to your work. It shows that you are comfortable interacting with people from other cultures. It shows that you have the initiative and independence to move to a new country and start a life for yourself. The skills that I’ve acquired through my move to Brussels outweigh anything I could learn in a classroom. And trust me, this is something that most employers know too.

Moving abroad isn’t always as glamorous as it seems. It can be challenging and of course, homesickness is very real (let me tell you, my first week in Brussels was rough). But the lessons I’ve learned in just 8 months have been fundamental to my growth as a person and will stay with me for the rest of my life. When people ask me if I recommend grad school abroad, my answer is and always will be – absolutely.

 

My school – https://www.kent.ac.uk/brussels/

Instagram – @christineoswald