For people soon to study abroad

This blog is two fold. One bit is just a journal, the second is when i have time add knowledge of what I know about studying abroad. This is the second subject.

Being july you begin to start thinking about what am I going to pack? It doesnt matter if it is a semester or a year, your going to bring basically the same thing. Clothes, camera, etc. But there is something I have found most people including myself the first time forget one important thing. Your own culture!

when studying abroad you are obviously excited at the chance to learn a new culture and society. however do not forget that the exchange goes both ways. The people you will meet or live with most likely have never been to your country, and likely know nothing of your culture. Before you leave remember to bring your culture with you.

This may seem counter intuitive, especially for americans. The world knows our culture right? No, mcdonalds and KFC do not count as culture. Kung Fu Panda is a fad. When I say american culture I mean family recipies, your music collection, games, hobbies and movies.

family recipies explain itself, if the world thinks that American food is what is found on the menu on KFC then show them what real american food is. Games you remember as a kid, like cards. You have card games that are popular, speed, egyptian rat screw, popular with americans are new to your new friends abroad. Whats easier than a 2$ deck of cards? Movies also seems a little unimaginative as the internet makes every blockbuster online illegally but this pirate world leaves out basically everything over 5 years old.

Your favorite movies when you were younger are ones most likely your family has never seen or heard of. I remember watching space jam with my host family in Japan and watching my host mother get a fit of giggles every time tweety bird came on screen. I remember introducing my host brother to Austin Powers and trying to explain all the jokes... It was great fun. My personal list of a few I am bringing to China include; Jack, ninja turtles, mrs doubtfire, forest gump, Austin Powers, War Games, Ferris Bullers day off. You get the idea.

also When you are planning what you pack think also of gifts. Especially if you are going to live in someone's home bring a gift. Calandars, hats of local teams or show a city logo, posters, or stuff from your city giftshop. Personally I like to bring children books, usually found from a library for pennies, they make great gifts for friends learning your language or just donations to the school.

Somethin to think about when you are planning for your trip.

The badass French

What happens when you take a bunch of internationals to a Texan Gun Range? You get some bad mudas. Ha ha. Arno, Enders, Victor, Alissa and myself went out today to enjoy a good ol' American passtime, skeet! This range was great. Just off 290E 10$ gets a round of 25 shoots from a skeet range. With electronic shooters no more hand cranking or figuring out just the right way to load a bird so it does not shatter during the launch is worth the drive.

Believe it or not the best shooter today was the Frenchman! Yea his first time handling a weapon and he outshot everyone. 5 solid hits and nicked two more! That was out of about 125 rounds. So if that was the best no one did well. But the important thing is that everyone hit something! First time out and wow.


The day did not end there. We all go shooting what else to do afterwards but some good BBQ! Heck yea! Dive out, 2 lbs of brisket, half pound of sasuage, chiken, turkey, ribs, bread, onions, pickles, cole slaw, potato salad, and beans. 9$ each it is a feast. The meat done so well there is no need for BBQ sauce, just a light sprinkle of salt and pepper and wooo, good eats.

yay texas fun.

I got a chinese name!!

Special thanks to Jack and Leo for helping me come up with this name and translate it. But I am told that the three symbols are not to be translated seperatly, so I am not an enlightened gloomy wheat stock. But I am told this pronunciation is very close to my name.

Texas Gal

HoO-Rah! Yea that's my gal. Yea boy. Alissa learned to shoot a shotgun. I headed up to Georgetown with my Remington and a case of ammo and we went to town. Well technically we went out of town as this range was a bit out there. But heck any trip is worth it if there is a chance to shoot a gun.

You should see the way Alissa took to that gun. She may never of fired a shotgun but she handled it like she was born with it. The first shot may have knocked her back but a couple of rounds later she was hitting 1 in 4. Those birds few up, flew out and BAM! Vaporized...

Did she enjoy it? She is a TEXAS GAL! She LOVED it. I swear God doesnt make'em like he does in Texas. Of course the problem with dating a hot blonde is that every dude west of the Mississippi will give chase. We first walked in to this gun range the big beer gut belly dudes running it nearly dropped thier sandwitches when she walked in and said she wanted to shoot. They started offering her food, and all sorts. You think they never saw a skirt before. And before you think it yes, one did come out to "check in" on "us" to see how we were doing. Oh my Alissa ate up attention. She loved the free lesson and tips.

Texas not only has the greatest ladies, Texas makes way too many dirty old men. But then again who can blame em? Well after all that we had lunch and I had to head home. Got home and what do you do after a skeet shoot? Clean the gun! As it was my first time I actually had to use Youtube to figure out how to take the gun apart. My cleaning kit had a good clear directions how to clean it. Only took a couple of hours to clean the gun. But wow what a day.

July 4

HAPPY JULY 4th!

It is the Fourth of July! A time to celebrate the freedom and just awsomness of this country. I am proud to be American. I know that in this country we have more opportunities and freedoms than in any other country.

Believe it or not there are people in this country who say there is nothing in this country to be proud of! It is scary. How can you live in this country, and not be proud of it? I can understand if you are not happy with the government or our president etc, but how is it possible somone could have no pride in their home?

The comments by one blogger I saw was along the lines that there is nothing to be proud of, it is just a hunk of rock, a place full of comumer hungry whores or my favorite reason not to be proud of this country is that we are less free than under Bush.

Really? How do you buy this? How can you live here and not be proud? A hunk of rock? Nothing to be proud of? This is sad. How do Americans buy into this rhetoric? Especially that there is no reason to be proud of this country because of our president.

I am not terribly happy with our President but how can I not be happy with my country because of my leaders? Do we quit a sport team because the coach is a jerk? NO! We are Americans. WE DONT QUIT!

This country is great because we exist because a bunch of farmers stood up for thier ideals and beliefs to the worlds strongest power at the time. I am proud to be Americans because a rag tag group of militas defeated the world superpower. We are a country that is declared our Independance not because of money, power but for freedom and liberty!

We have never quit! You think it just lucky that America the nation of freedoms is the nation to be the first to fly in the air and to the moon. I do not think it a coincidence that our freedom has nothing to do with our success. Yes we like any other nation has problems but that is a reason to be proud because WE CAN CHANGE IT!

July 4th is the day I celebrate the freedom and rights. I salute every civil servent from the local police to our national soldiers. I give thanks to god that I was fortunate enough to be born to this country. I am proud to be American.

Advice for going Abroad

I have been to several countries by either backpacking or studying there. I do have some advice, For now I will focu on backpacking through countries.

Backpacking Europe is a popular college dream and adventure, so much so some terrible films have been made about it. Backpacking through europe is not nearly as difficult or expensive as you might first think. Of course it does cost a pretty penny but it is worth every bit. If you are young DO IT! Never tell yourself you can just do it later, start now! Start right now by putting money aside each month. It took me one year to save the money for it, and I was a highschool student, I am sure you can spend a year of saving for an amazing adventure.

So my short bit on backpacking across europe.
1. Research
-figure where you want to go and why
-find out what it would cost to go from america to europe
2. Go with a friend
3. Save $
-your trip will be much more pleasureable if you do not have to count pennies every time you want to see something
-medical reasearch is a great way to get a little extra disposable income. Medical research is not always as scary as it sounds. I've been paid 400$ to get a flu shot...
4. Plan to not have plans
-this may be the hardest but most significant thing to look at when backpacking. It is a good idea to plan ahead and reserve your hostel ahead of time but do not go so far as to schedual what you will see and what you don't.
-Don't reserve every hostel room for the entire trip. Only plan a few days ahead. this allows you to change your plans and go somewhere else on the fly.
-Euro Rail has great options. You can hop on a train in any city and go to any city! It does not get easier
-Don't discount airlines. In Europe flying place to place can be dirt cheap! But it is a pain to get to airports vs walking to a train station. There is something to be said for no security lines, walk in, self service, no terminals to get lost in.
5. Pack light
-you want everything to fit into one backpack
-the most rediculous thing is to see girls "backpacking" with a backpack, rolling suit case, and giant purse.
-you do not need a lot! You only need at max 3 outfits. One to wear, one to wash, one in case it rains. that is it!
-Worry about having comfortable shoes vs pretty shoes.
6. Work on a Budget
-Know what you money you have and what you dont
-Chain stores are the same, that is the point. Don't bother shopping unless you want a little nicknack or where you are is famous for something, like leather in florence...
-Go to hostels, not hotels. You will be out walking around the city all day. All you need is a bed and place to shower. You did not fly around the world to hang out in a hotel.
-carrying a guide book can be a great reference book to carry for extra information
-Tip for eating cheap. Don't go out for every meal. Stop at a store and get some fruit. It sounds ridiculous but a day pack with a loaf of bread and fruit will cost 10$ and keep you full all day. It is amazing how much some fruit and bread will keep you happy.
7. Trade!
-you will meet people from all over the world! Bring stuff from your hometown and share and trade. Tee shirts, recipies, buttons, etc. I have traded stuff like this for other tee shirts.


This is from my experience. I went on a 6 week trek across Europe and the bulk of the money spent was on the trip was the euro rail ticket and airline ticket. I went with my cousin and I and we hit France, Monaco, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Netherland. Do not pass up the opportunity to go and do this.