The Claremont Globetrotter
Office of Off-Campus study
Volume 4, Issue 2: Spring 2013
Editor: Catherine Raney ‘13
Featuring Stories and Photos from Students in Jordan, Scotland, Australia, Botswana and a Professor’s Perspective on Studying Abroad
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Natural Beauty in Jordan
1
By Samantha LaPierre ‘14
Diversity in Southern Africa
2
By Lauren Kecskes ‘14
In Pursuit of “Roomy” Travel 3
By Professor Ferguson
Scottish Adventures
5
By Nicole Appleton ‘14
Subtle Differences in the
7
Aussie Lifestyle
By Kendyl Klein ‘14
Samantha LaPierre CMC ‘14 rides a camel through
the Wadi Rum desert
PAGE 1
Natural beauty in Jordan
By Samantha LaPierre, ‘14
CIEE — Amman, Jordan: Diplomacy and Policy Studies
After a weekend spent frolicking in the depth of the
Jordanian desert, I am safely at home in Amman. Cozy under
a fluffy blanket and sipping on delicious hot chocolate, I am
once again at my favorite cafe at a place called "Sharia Rinbuw" or "Rainbow Street." This weekend, however, was
truly amazing. I rode a camel lead by a Bedouin man through
the seemingly never ending desert called Wadi Rum, or
"Valley of the Moon." I toured Petra and hiked to a place they
call the "the view of the end of the world." I met new people
in other CIEE programs. And I counted 23 shooting stars
while laying in the sand in the middle of the desert in the middle of the night.
It was a humbling experience. As a total sucker for
natural beauty, I long for experiences in remote, beautiful
places. This definitely qualified. As I was climbing up rocks in
the middle of Wadi Rum to a proper lookout from which I
planned on watching the sunset, I couldn't help but feel so in
my element. Surrounded by such fragile beauty and sharing
the experience with new, but good, friends...I was in awe.
Definitely nice to get away from the hustle/bustle of the big
city and see the infamous deserts of the Middle East.
The Claremont Globetrotter
It was so serene, so peaceful, so beautiful.
Anyways, I am now back in Amman and I have a full
week ahead-classes, lectures, interviews, not to
mention complete cultural immersion. The culmination of the week will be a trip to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs on Thursday afternoon. Following
this outing, I will hopefully be departing for the
Dead Sea with a few friends for the weekend. We
are likely going to relax, explore, and of course,
float in the salty sea.
Samantha at “the view of the end of the world”
This past week completed my first month in
Jordan--so crazy! I am absolutely loving it here and
am already realizing how much I am going to miss it
when I leave in May. The weather is warming and
the sun is shining; my Arabic is improving and my
classes are stimulating; and my friendships are growing and deepening. All is well!
Sunset in the Wadi Rum or “Valley of the Moon” desert
At Petra, I successfully hiked 15 miles to the end of
the world, where I overlooked staggering rock peaks and carefully carved valleys as far as the eye could see. Occasionally, I
spotted a Bedouin man singing loudly while traversing the
rocky cliffs with his heard of goats. Although I loved seeing
the ancient city and the rock carvings that most people think of
when they hear "Petra," the supposed end of the world was
my favorite part of the experience.
Jordanian Countryside
PAGE 2
T HE C LAREMONT G LOBETROTTER
D IVERSITY IN S OUTHERN A FRICA
B Y L AUREN K ECSKES ‘14
CIEE — G ABORONE , B OTSWANA : A RTS
AND S CIENCES
From the pictures, you can tell that the southern African region is very diverse, ranging from dry desert and bush, to
coastal beaches and lush river deltas. The differences between
cultures and mannerisms of people often mirror the diversity in
the landscape.
This picture of the Victoria Falls was taken on the
bridge that connects Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Lauren’s friend, Hunter, sits with the chief and his
son.
A giraffe wanders in a game reserve in South
Africa.
This is Lauren’s daily walk to the bus stop on her
way to the University of Gaborone.
Children play at the water’s edge in Myoli Beach
in South Africa.
st
PAGE 3
T HE C LAREMONT G LOBETROTTER
This is clearly visible in the shape and
details
of
my last major international trip to
I N PURSUIT OF “ ROOMY ” TRAVEL
Spain over spring break. It seemed that all the
trails, trials, and exuberant experiences acBy Dr. Heather Ferguson
quired across the course of my journeys since
Assistant Professor of Middle East and Ottoman History
that spring and summer in 1993 were fully emClaremont McKenna College
bodied in the eight days and eight cities whirlwind architectural tour that served as my introIt’s quite possible that I’m a travel extremist. My first maduction to the region. I was still an extremist,
jor international trip alone was to a small village off a topsy-turvy
amply illustrated by my itinerary, but I was
road between Bangkok and Chiang Mai where I spent six months
outfitted by one backpack, a GPS, a car to
building an English-language library for a small private college in
transport me from Madrid to Granada and beThailand. I had NO idea what I was doing. I sat in a dark room
yond, and a firm knowledge of the medieval
painstakingly applying the Dewey Decimal system to a strange asand early modern landscape in which Muslim,
sortment of donated books (this was 1993, cards and an old typeChristian, and Jewish lives left still
writer were my primary aids) and my only form of
transportation was a dirt bike that was desperately “I gradually learned that visible traces across the Iberian
too large for me. Thus, my time spent in Thailand the best way to travel or Peninsula. I didn’t put on a sarong,
obviously, but I was also better at
was a crash-course (quite literally, given the afore- live abroad is to make
sure
to
leave
room
for
approximating that illusive physical
mentioned dirt bike) in what not to do when transthe
unexpected.”
and mental agility to become fluporting oneself to a foreign clime. Don’t pack two
idly transported across geographic
huge suitcases of clothes, because you might end
spaces and layers of architectural time. Having
up wearing cotton sarongs the whole time. Don’t assume that just
lived for short and long periods in Cairo, Ambecause you’ve eaten Thai food you know about the cuisine, as
man, Beirut, Damascus, Budapest, Istanbul and
villagers survive on cups of rice and boiled greens. Don’t assume
Ankara, I gradually learned that the best way to
that you can just “pick up the language” because you might distravel or live abroad is to make sure to leave
cover that a six-toned system makes even an order of fruit a perroom for the unexpected and to not stuff either
plexing trial. Don’t travel without maps, as one day’s journey up
bags or heads with conjectures about the destiand down a railroad track looking for the turn-off to the village
nation.
might leave you drenched
in sweat and horrified by a
seeming lack of direction
without the paraphernalia
of urban sign-posting. And
most importantly, don’t
assume you know what
such a trip can “give” you,
as the rewards of even old
library cards and dirt bike
accidents may have reverberations that last a life
time.
The Alcazàr in Seville was constructed with shared artisanal knowledge from workshops in the Muslim stronghold of Granada and the
grandeur of the Alhambra.
The bridge to Toledo was a major site of the
Reconquista. It was taken by the Christian militia from Muslim overlords in 1085.
Page 4
T HE C LAREMONT G LOBETROTTER
This is harder than it might sound. Travel is an industry that revels in destination guides, TripAdvisors, constant blogospheric commentary, advice and photo galleries that may exceed in quality any picture taken on your own
journey. My most treasured travel experience was an impromptu trip to Italy during an archival year spent in Istanbul. I had formed a friendship with an Italian actor from Pisa, and simply got on a plane with her when she went on
tour with a traveling troupe. We parted ways in Verona, and I rather haphazardly boarded trains, grabbed local
maps, and wandered the streets of Venice, Florence, and Luca. I thus had room for what is now recognizably the
most profound moment of my traveling life: I turned a Florentine corner and “ran into” Brunelleschi’s Dome—that
masterpiece of Italian Renaissance architecture. I vividly remember dropping my water bottle and spending the next
hour circling the building with jaw-dropped awe wearing a sopping t-shirt. It was sheer pleasure. As was the plate du
jour ordered in a back street off the many canals in Venice where I determinedly ate the baby octopus despite having
been raised a vegetarian. Both acquired a sense of the exquisite because I hadn’t charted my way to them but had
instead followed the natural arc of the city and the natural flow of the lunch crowds. We can’t, and perhaps even
shouldn’t, always travel with such heedless abandon. Yet the idea of “roomy” travel can still play a role even when
our itineraries or lives require more structure. Get lost, for example. Preferably in an area more stimulating than a
dusty train track, but certainly turning off the main street can open surprising new vistas. Small arbors with the best
fresh lemonade in Budapest, for example, or tiny tiled mosques on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus with a stooped
door opened by an old imam with an iron key. The most frustrating aspect of my spring break trip was that I didn’t
have time to get lost, and so I longingly await the moment of return when the true discovery can begin; when I take
a left instead of the right glaringly indicated by the little blue bobble on my iPhone.
Left : 15th century liturgical robes that astonishingly use Arabic script as a decorative motif some 300 years after
the reconquest
Middle: Cordoba retains a semblance of a Jewish quarter yet only three synagogues remain in the entire country
Right: Hebrew and Arabic script decorating walls of a Toledo synagogue
PAGE 5
T HE C LAREMONT G LOBETROTTER
S COTTISH A DVENTURES
B Y N ICOLE A PPLETON ‘14, S TUDIED ABROAD F ALL ‘13
B UTLER , IFSA — E DINBURGH , S COTLAND : U NIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
The view of Edinburgh from atop
Arthur’s seat! I, along with some of
the more adventure-inclined friends
from the program, climbed Arthur’s
seat on the afternoon we landed. It
still amazes me that such a beautiful
scene can sit a mere 15 minute walk
from the city’s center. Another thing
making this study abroad experience
so incredible is how warm and
friendly the locals are; once we made
it to the top (with 60+ year old, inshape Scotsmen passing us every
other minute), a local (yes, wearing a
kilt!) offered us a panoramic tour of
the city, pointing out the highlights.
Me and some of my program enjoying the
views while at our home stay weekend in Appleby-in-Westmorland (Northern England).
The majority of what I’ve seen of Scotland
and England is this green and beautiful all the
time (I’m sure the rain contributes, but it’s
well worth it!).
Castles and sheep, sheep and castles. Almost every
weekend trip I’ve attended makes sure to highlight
the city/town’s castles, most of which are surrounded by flocks of sheep, cows, peacocks, etc.
This picture is of me climbing on top of Pendragon
Castle (yeah, awesome name), which was definitely
a memorable couple hours during my home stay
weekend in Cumbria. This castle was constructed
in 1360 and was home to King Arthur’s father; so
much history can be found in each place we visit!
Page 6
T HE C LAREMONT G LOBETROTTER
Amazing little waterfalls are all around the city and make for quite the relaxed picnic spot! Some friends
and I picked up some sandwich fixings and enjoyed this view (a mere 10 minute stroll outside of the city).
Four proud stagthenas (Ellie Smith ‘14, Candace Filippelli ‘14, me ‘14, Eric Van Wart ‘14) commemorating an incredible trip in front of a stag statue we found in Inverness. Great company, great sights,
great memories- no words ring truer.
PAGE 7
The Claremont Globetrotter
SUBTLE DIFFERENCES IN THE
AUSSIE LIFESTYLE
By Kendyl Klein ‘14
Arcadia, Australia: University of Melbourne
So how’s life in Melbourne, you ask? “Mel-bin”, as the
Aussies pronounce it, is the California of the other side of the
world – I don’t even know if I can consider it as being
“abroad.” Its very similar to home. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am here, because it really just feels like I am
in a combination of San Francisco and Los Angeles. Whereas
last semester, whilst in Madrid, every second of the day reminded me that I was most definitely NOT at home – the language barrier, the old buildings, the metro, the strange stores.
Melbourne has Target, Costco, K-mart, even 7/11. Yes, they
do have accents, but I hardly notice them anymore.
The city of Melbourne is beautiful. I think it is a combination of SF and LA because it is fairly walkable, but also has
a public tram system. The tram is doable, but like in San Francisco, life would be a lot easier if I had a car. It is by the water,
the majority of people walk everywhere while in the Central
Business District (downtown), but there are still thousands of
cars in the streets. It was rated the number one most livable
city last year and my friends and I decided that it is so livable
because of the location, the cool architecture, the emphasis on
sports, and the attitudes of the people. EVERYONE is so nice.
All of the Aussies talk to you like they have known you for
years and love to help if you seem lost.
Beach near Melbourne
I am still trying to get the hang of cars and
bikes coming from opposite directions – crossing
the street is probably one of the more dangerous
parts of the city, but only because I am American. It
is also weird to walk on the sidewalks because if a
biker is coming toward me I have the desire to dart
to the right but each time I have done that I have
nearly died. So now I am at the stage where the
biker and I do a little dance until we decide who will
move to which side of the sidewalk. It is weird to
train myself to jump to the left to get out of the
way. You also stand on the left on escalators. So
different!
“It is so livable because of the location,
the cool architecture, the emphasis on
sports, and the attitudes of the people.”
View of “Mel-bin”
PAGE 8
T HE C LAREMONT G LOBETROTTER
The weather here is very strange. So far it has
been quite hot and humid everyday. In the mid 30s,
which is about high 90s in Fahrenheit. The weird part is,
though, that Melbourne has the tendency to go through
four seasons in one day. For example, my friend and
fellow CMCer, Matt Lee, and I were walking in tank
tops, shorts, and sandals the other day, and all of a sudden the wind picked up and it was pouring rain. Apparently that is common and we should start carrying umbrellas everywhere, especially when summer is actually
over.
During the past month, we have all learned the
hard way that the sun is much stronger over here. Did
you know that Australia has no ozone layer? It only takes
10 minutes to get sunburnt. I think I got my first one
while waiting for the bus at the airport. Australia has the
highest melanoma statistics in the world, which is also
scary. Don’t worry; I now wear sunscreen every single
day. Our leaders scared us when they casually said, “one
day you’ll find a mole, and six weeks later you may no
longer be with us.”
A lot of Aussies follow NFL and NBA and even
know more about it than we do, which is impressive.
Apparently Melbourne is THE sport city so hopefully I
will be able to go to a cricket game, soccer match, and a
footie game. Footie is Australian Rules football and it
looks nuts. Look it up! I watched my first game last
night! Pretty intense.
Recently, I hit my four week mark. Four
weeks since the16 hour flight to the place that is now
my home. I feel like I have gotten to see a lot and
meet a lot of people in little over a month’s time. I
have definitely started noticing the weird Aussie-isms
and am still unsure if I ever will pick them up. Instead
of saying “I think” most people say “I reckon,” which
to me sounds silly, especially when kids my age say it.
I only seem to picture an old man from Texas saying
that phrase.
In America, we tend to say “I’m down” or “I
want to,” but here the phrase is “I’m keen.” For example, “is anyone keen on watching a movie tonight?”
Weird, right? The common greeting is “how ya going,” which I still have trouble answering…” I’m going…good?” It seems like improper English to me.
Instead of taking a nap or shower, they “have” a nap or
shower. Sounds strange. They also use the word
dodgy a lot. An equivalent would be sketchy. Bogans
is a word used to describe people from the country.
Interestingly enough, I have yet to hear anyone say
“G’Day Mate! Or “crikey.” Not everything you hear
about Australia is true.
For more information on study abroad, please
contact:
Office of Off-Campus
Study
Heggblade Center
850 Columbia Avenue
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 621-8267
fax: (909) 607-8690
studyabroad@cmc.edu
“Melbourne is THE sports city.”