Our last weekend trip with the Uni was to Bath and Stonehenge. The trip was bittersweet because it began to sink in that our time here is coming to an end. Regardless, the weekend was a blast!

Stonehenge was our first stop. It was amazing. We were driving down a rather regular road, akin to what I would describe as a country road, and there it was. The stones rose in front of us almost out of nowhere. They are massive and quite an amazing feat of engineering. I found it humorous that Stonehenge is considered a world wonder, but it is in the middle of a field, surrounded by grazing sheep.

Next on the docket was Bath and the ancient Roman Baths. The baths were known for their “healing” powers up until the 19th century, though some were covered along with remnants of a temple for Minerva (or the Greek counterpart, Athena). There is a delightful with artifacts found in the excavations. Then you see the baths. The guides tell you not to touch the water. It has a millennia worth of germs in it. Yet, many did touch it and I understand the temptation. It is an inviting sea foam green and natural gases bubble up while steam floats off the top.

After the baths, we were given free time to explore Bath. I decided to go shopping with some of the girls, then we enjoyed the blooms of the flowering trees. There is a bridge in Bath that, like the Ponte Vecchio, is lined with shops and restaurants. It is said to be one of the most beautiful bridges in Europe.

The Georgian architecture is spectacular and completely transports you to the 19th century.

Sunday, we were given more free time in Bath. A large group decided to use the time to visit the Jane Austen Center. Again we were transported. I would highly recommend a visit. The museum section has an opportunity to dress like a Georgian complete with props like fans, gloves and bonnets. I imagined I was Elizabeth Bennet on my way to Netherfield. After the tour, we climbed the stairs to the tea room on the top floor. It was so cute. We had some tea and crumpets, which completed the 19th century experience.

On the way home we drove through the beautiful countryside of Britain. I will miss it.

To All Who Are Considering This Experience:

Please please please do it! These past few months have been what I would consider the time of my life, and one of the most amazing opportunities for professional and personal growth. Professionally, I have expanded my understanding of how to teach and scaffold for my students. I have picked up new strategies and materials for my classroom, but mostly, I have picked up a new broad scope of education that comes from combining two educational systems.

Personally, I have realized that I am a much more independent person than I thought. This trip has shown me that I am capable of tackling anything that comes my way, whether it is a classroom of unruly year 7s,  making a plan to visit a city with which I am unfamiliar, or communicating in a language I do not speak, I know that I can handle it.

But even if I had not experienced such revelations, I would do this trip all over again just for my host family. John and Pat have made Eastbourne feel like home. Even from the moment I walked through the door they have oozed care and hospitality. The first words after introductions were, “would you like a cup of tea?” I have laughed with them, learned new words from them and now feel like I will be leaving family later this week.

Sure, this opportunity is attractive because you will get to travel like you have never traveled before, and you will get to see places that you have previously seen in books and pictures. But you should choose this opportunity because it is a once in a lifetime experience that will change your life and act as a catalyst for teaching and learning in your future professional and personal lives.

The weeks have flown by. I still feel like I boarded the plane at O’Hare yesterday, and I am so glad I did. At the risk of sounding like an infomercial,  please act on this opportunity. I promise you won’t regret it.

For the last time, Cheers!

Abby

This past weekend, a large group from the Brighton University exchange program trekked to Paris. According to the plan, we took a coach from Eastbourne to Paris. Part of the plan was to travel via the Eurotunnel, or more popularly known as the Chunnel. I was a little skeptical about how we were going get on the Chunnel train with our coach, but it was the coolest thing. The train is set up so that cars and buses can just drive on to the train cars. It was like a train-ferry, which is the best way to describe the operation.

Once we arrived in Paris, we checked into our hotel, then walked through Paris toward the Eiffel Tower and to a tour on the Seine. We were able to snap a few pictures of the Eiffel Tower on the way.

While on the tour, we cruised by all the bridges of Paris, as well as the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, and Notre Dame. It was just like the movies.

The next day, we headed to the Eiffel Tower to either climb the stairs, or take the lift up. I am proud to say that I climbed all 668 steps to the second level, which is the highest level by stairs. Then we took the lift up to the top.

After our time at the Eiffel Tower, the group toured the city by our coach. Sites we saw included Napoleon’s grave,

and the Parisian opera that was the inspiration for Phantom of the Opera

After a quick stop at Sacre Coeur, we continued to Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, The Champs Elysees and the Louvre.

Some of the group decided to stop off at the Louvre, but my roommate and I decided to walk along the Seine and then end the evening at the Eiffel Tower for sunset. It was completely worth it.

Sunday, we packed up and drove to Versailles. The palace was breathtaking, but I was more interested in absorbing real French culture, so my roommate and I wandered around town until we found a farmer’s market lined with cafes and boutiques. We spent the morning people watching and enjoying French pastries. YUM!

We spent the rest of Sunday traveling home and enjoying the scenery. It was an amazing weekend.

Cheers!

Abby

Week Two began and ended in London. The days in between were a whirlwind of travel.

Monday, April 8th 

I spent Monday traveling from London to Rome. Traveler’s tip: London has four airports, the most famous being Heathrow and Gatwick. Of all of the airports, Heathrow is the most central and closest to the city center. Gatwick, Stansted and Luton are not central. Gatwick is south of London by about 45 minutes. Luton and Stansted are North of London by about an hour. Unfortunately, the cheapest flights and airlines fly out of the more remote airports. I flew out of Luton, so my first test of the trip was to get myself to Luton. I had to take the Metro, then a train, but I finally made it to Luton and was on my way to Rome! At the end of the day, I took the Underground, a train, a plane, a bus and a cab. Exhausting!

Tuesday, April 9th

Since I was traveling alone, my parents suggested that I take some walking tours in order to hit all the hot spots. I took their advice and started my day at the Colosseum.

It was amazing to think about all that had happened there, as well as the incredible engineering feats the Romans perfected. We learned that the Colosseum had a canvas roof over it when it was most actively used. It could be moved to cover the amphitheater when the sun was too hot, or the rain threatened to ruin the games.

Next, we moved on to the Roman Forum. Every time I see ruins, it still blows my mind how old they are. The Forum was the center for Roman commerce and government during ancient times. It has been built over during several eras and archeologists are still discovering new artifacts.

After the Forum, we headed up the hill to Palatine Hill which was the home of emperors in the Late Roman era. Palatine is where we get the word palace, and it makes sense, because this place was MASSIVE! It was so big that there was an arena inside the palace. All that remains are ruins, but they still reflect the glory and grandeur that the Caesars expected.

Palatine hill was the end of my first tour and I made my way to the next rendezvous point, Piazza di Spagna and enjoyed the beautiful weather until the next tour started. The next tour started at the Spanish Steps and we saw some amazing views of the city.

Then, we moved on to the Trevi Fountain. I tossed a coin in and made a wish, like the million other people that were there. Okay, that is a slight exaggeration, but the place was packed. It was crazy and our guide warned us about pickpockets because they thrive in places that are crowded like the fountain.

The tour continued through Rome to the Pantheon, which is now a church; Piazza Novona, which was once a circus for racing and other spectacles; and ended in Campo di Fiori.

Wednesday, April 10 

Wednesday, I hopped on an early train to Florence. By train is really the most efficient way to travel here. The first thing I did when I got there was buy a map and map out what I wanted to see.

Travel tip: When traveling by yourself, or in small groups, try your best to avoid looking like a tourist; that includes looking at maps. Looking like a tourist will make you an automatic target for pickpockets and swindlers. With this in mind, I wanted to keep my public map viewing at a minimum.

After I had mapped out where I wanted to, I headed out to take on Florence. First I went to visit the Duomo, which was built during the Renaissance, and at the time, was a major engineering innovation.

After the Duomo, I journeyed to the Accademia Galleria that houses Michelangelo’s David. If you are planning on traveling to see the David, go early. When I arrived, the line stretched around the building and the wait was a little over an hour long. Though, I will assure you, it was completely worth the wait. The David is amazing. Michelangelo’s attention to detail was stunning. David’s eyes are so detailed it is almost like you can see emotion in his gaze, but what I was most impressed with was that Michelangelo included so much detail, he even modeled David with veins in his arms and hands. I was also impressed with the size, I did not expect him to be so tall. He is seventeen feet tall! Unfortunately, pictures are not allowed in the gallery.

Next on my list was the Ponte Vecchio. The bridge is lined with shops and vendors. In fact, it is so crowded with shops that I had not realized that I was even on the bridge until I got the apex and saw the river on either side.

The entire time I was in Florence, I felt like I had been transported back to the Renaissance. It was a stunning city.

My short time in Florence ended and I hopped on another train to Pisa where I was staying for the night. I had heard from a friend that staying in Pisa was more cost effective than staying in Florence itself. It was some of the best advice I received. As soon as I booked my hotel, the hosts emailed me directions from the train station exactly to the hotel. When I arrived at the hotel, the hosts gave me two maps, one of Pisa, with arrows to all the big attractions including the Tower, and another of the area around the hotel including restaurants and markets. They were so helpful!

Thursday, April 11th 

Thursday, I woke up early and headed to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

As I was looking around and circling the tower, I looked up and experienced a moment of panic because the clouds were moving in such a way that it looked like the tower was going to fall down on top of me. I decided it was probably time for me to move on because my eyes were playing tricks on me.

From there, I journeyed toward the airport and prepared for my travel to Barcelona.

Friday, April 12th 

Friday, I spent the day in Barcelona. Again the weather was beautiful – I really lucked out with the weather during the week. First, I went to Parc Guell to see Antonio Gaudi’s surreal genius.

Then I hopped on the Metro and popped over to the Sagrada Famila, another one of Gaudi’s masterpieces; though I think it is more famous for still being under construction. I did not have the opportunity to go inside because the line for tickets wrapped around three sides of the building and was probably at least three hours long. Even from the outside, the building is gorgeous.

After the Sagrada Familia, I popped over to Las Ramblas. Las Ramblas is famous for the shops and kiosks that line the Avenue. It extends all the way to the harbor and beach areas.

Saturday, April 13th 

Saturday, I made a late start and headed to the Gothic quarter, which is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Barcelona. It was a maze of streets lined with little boutiques and restaurants. I spent the entire afternoon wandering up and down the streets. It was a lovely way to end Easter Break.

Cultural Wins/ Travel tips: 

Just to reiterate a few and add some others

• When asking for directions or questions, try to find someone in a uniform to ask.
• When traveling out and about take a business card of your hotel with you so you always have something with the hotel’s address.
• Try to avoid looking like a tourist as much as possible, meaning avoid looking at maps obviously.
• Always be aware of yourself and your belongings to avoid pickpockets.
• Instead of buying maps, look for the tourist information center which usually will give out maps for free.
• Try to use public transportation as much as possible. Not only is it super efficient, but it is more cost effective. Taxis will cost exorbitant amounts of money.

So concludes my Easter Break journey. It was an amazing learning experience as a teacher, and for my own personal growth.

Cheers!

Abby