A Little Advice

As a graduate student studying abroad I think I have had a very different experience than I would have as an undergraduate. Study abroad for nontraditional students is just not that common, especially at my school. I have to say that there were a lot of unknowns before I left. Even after I arrived there were days in which I was not sure that a year abroad as a graduate student was the best idea. I am happy that I decided to go through with my studies here in Nicaragua, my experiences are giving me new perspectives on my field every day. For the rest of this post I would like to give future graduate students thinking of study abroad some advice.

First and most importantly, make sure your work abroad will be beneficial to your program at home. It can be especially hard for graduate students to get credit for all the courses they want to take abroad. In my case, I am only receiving credit from my home institution for half of my courses but I am receiving a postgrad certificate in my field from my host institution. Second, do not think because you are a more mature student that you will not experience home sickness and culture shock. Home sickness and culture shock happen to all of us and both get better once you make friends and find people you can talk to about these things. Also do not be afraid to reach out to your fellow international students, even if they are undergraduates. You are all in the same situation more or less and they will be more helpful than you may realize. Lastly do not lose sight of why you are studying abroad, if it is to supplement your research then start working on it right away but do not forget to have a social life just as at home. Studying abroad is one of the best ways to compliment your graduate education. Have fun exploring another country and make yourself more employable while you are at it! It is worth it.    

- James Nash

Exploring Big Ideas Via Tiny Country

“What did you do over the summer?” I grin from ear to ear when I hear that question.

“Oh, you know. I hiked up an active volcano, watched sea turtles nest and scuba dived in one of the most biologically isolated crater lakes in the world. No big deal.” And then I waited for the open-mouthed stare.

This summer I was presented with a unique opportunity to participate in the ISEP-sponsored Green Adventure Program at the Universidad Americana in Managua, Nicaragua. For three weeks, my two classmates, my professor and myself traveled around the country exploring the culture, geography and the various ways in which they affect and build the environment. Over the whirlwind tour, I saw sights that included various examples of natural resource management including two protected crater lakes, a sustainable wind farm, a soap stone quarry and the largest freshwater island in the world. All of the sites provided fascinating cultural, social, political and environmental insights into sustainability that (albeit, unpredictably) intertwined to create a not only thought provoking, but also a life changing, experience.

I particularly enjoyed visiting Laguna de Apoyo, a breathtakingly beautiful crater lake formed by a massive volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. It is considered an ecological treasure of Nicaragua, and its protection is taken seriously. It is currently under submission to become a World Heritage Site because of its incredibly diverse and ancient fish population. The surrounding community’s dedication to environmental awareness, especially among its younger residents, is an inspiring example of what collective collaboration can do for sustainable practices worldwide.

Ometepe, the world’s largest freshwater island, was another of my favorite sites. A nine and a half hour hike to the summit of one of two active volcanoes on the island was both rigorous and rewarding. Upon reaching the top, one realizes how admirable the natural world truly is and how intricate its relationships are. We, as I learned, have not just a moral, but also an ecological obligation to protect those relationships

Unfortunately, I cannot begin to describe all that I learned during the excursion—a fact due the sad truth that there are some things words and pictures simply cannot accurately depict. How can one fully recount the smiles on the faces of artisans, so eager to show off their life’s work, or the children chattering away in Spanish and English in the same breath? I long to be able to describe the horror and wonder of peering into an active volcano, the awe of watching thousands of bats whizzing passed my ears, or the gentle fluttering of mariposas (much more elegant sounding than butterflies). But the truth is, I cannot. This is my best attempt to capture my experience, though I know it is in fact a sorry substitute for the real thing.

What I took away most from Nicaragua was the attitude with which it approaches everything—with heart and care, but careful to never take anything too seriously. A country of contradictions, you are just as likely to see a parade of cattle wandering down a street as you are a pedestrian with an iPhone. They are both ingenious and incorrigible. They may not have running water or reliable electricity, but they will have satellite television and will always be cleanly dressed. Their “Nica-logic” will have you shaking your head with frustration until you throw up your hands and give into it, laughing all the way

“So,” I grin again, “how was your summer?”

- Emily Guillaume

Hot Like Fire

An ISEP student from California lives across the street from me, and we travel most days to school together. We live the farthest away from the university, which means about a 10 minute walk through our neighborhood and through a shopping mall and hotel area. If the bus comes in a timely manner, the ride is about 15 minutes, but there is no schedule or route or map to know where the stops are or when it will come, so we never know. A man who works for my host mom showed me how to take the bus to the school the first day I got here, otherwise I would be even more confused. From where we get off of the bus, it is another 5-10 minute walk to the university. The bus costs C$2.50. That is approximately 10 cents, because the exchange of the Cordoba changes frequently. The journey is not relaxing or straightforward, but it gives me the experience to squeeze in a cramped, incredibly hot bus with Nicaraguans, as they do everyday. I did not come to a developing country to have a driver and a red carpet laid down. Instead I walk over sewers, next to women cooking street food, by men making kissing noises, and around dogs eating trash. It make me feel a little more comfortable, although the amount I sweat on the other hand, is not so much. 

- Gracie Bronson

Mi Madre Nicaraguense

Señora Teresa is awake every morning by at least 6am, although I have not been up that early yet, bustling around making desayuno, and other food for the rest of the day. Dona Fatima is her elderly maid, who has been in the family for a while, but looks damn good for her age, and comes over every morning to help cook, clean the house, and do laundry. I open my door when I wake up and say “Buenas Dias,” and am automatically served breakfast of fresh fruit and juego, café, and one of many options like eggs and ham, pancakes (some of the best I have ever tasted), Nicaraguan toast, beans, bread and jelly. Teresa cooks much of the day, watches some TV, gets up to serve and play with her granddaughters who are 5 and 2 years old and come over everyday until her son comes and gets them, goes to the market, and lord knows what else. She puts everyone in her family first. I have seen her eat a meal once, but she says she snacks all day when I ask if she has eaten yet. She speaks fast Spanish, and does not know any English, but is very patient and humored by my efforts to communicate. It is my favorite part of the day when I come back from school and get to talk to her. She has prepared food for my dinner already, although most times I just want to tell her to relax and let me cook for myself. She makes me feel welcomed and cared for, and is an amazing woman all together. 

- Gracie Bronson

Studying Abroad Is Not For Everyone

Studying abroad is not for everyone. You have to have a mindset that allows you to be open and the ability to overcome vast differences in a short amount of time. Furthermore, living in a developing country, regardless of the economic class you come from, is a shock. Managua is a city that only operates on chaos and speed. Everyone is always moving, sweating, and hustling. Women are on the street selling bags of water that you bit the end off of, but who knows where the water comes from. There are carts with portable grills that send smoke into the air to contribute to the strong smell of exhaust. A taxi driver honks at you every five steps. Men turn all the way around on their motorcycles to get a better view of the gringa. Trash liters the streets where there are no traffic rules or police. Sweat drips off you like water. For me, studying here is not about what I do in the classroom. It is living in a place where nothing feels like the comfort of my life before. It is learning and evolving. Thats traveling, but it is not for everyone. It is for me, though.

- Gracie Bronson

Less than a Stranger

Starting school at Universidad Americana de Managua is like starting freshman year all over again. I do not have a full schedule, I do not know where my classes are, I do not have any books and only brought two pens with me, and I do not know anyone except the other nine ISEP exchange students. I am speaking English to the few people I know, which I do not want to do, but I do not know how to communicate well enough in Spanish, and honestly, I barely feel like I can communicate in English. The pit of my stomach still feels like it has tight knots in it. I am not nervous. Those knots are there because I do not know how else to feel about this surreal experience. I have been going back and forth between Spanish and English, I am exhausted after my wearing summer and time change, and I have to go to a new school somewhere totally different than my own. I am so excited, but overwhelmed. I did not have any time to prepare for this adventure, mentally. I seem to figure many things out though…usually. 

- Gracie Bronson