Allegheny College Study Abroad Fall 2007

As my friend Pip and I wander through the pedestrian dominated back-roads of Chester, freezing under our winter coats, we decide to pop into a pub and order drinks to escape the cold December air. After some deliberation, we eventually find a restaurant where we can soak up the grease of authentic English meals. Our tummies filled with bangers and mash, fish and chips, and mushy peas, we venture out to the street again. As we walk along the Roman walls with the sun setting in the distance, I stop for a moment and glance at the people below us, busy completing their holiday shopping, too wrapped up with material concerns to take note of their surroundings. Mothers hurriedly drag their children past the Christmas displays, no doubt uneasy about the late hour and the need to cook dinner. They were moving so fast. Everyone was moving was fast.

I stare at their carelessness.

A minute passes; my eyes continue to scan the crowd. And then, frantically, defensively, as if to justify my own use of time, I begin to recall memories of my time in England over the last five months...Ballroom dancing to MIKA, drifting off in the backseat of a standard shift, trash talking as playing cards fly in the pursuit of victory, tossing Euros over our right shoulder to ensure our return to Rome, Guy Fawkes sparklers, candy apples, Mavis hot tea, HobNobs, muddy shoes in an English field once inhabited by Gypsies, hiking through the Lake District, late night talks in a grungy kitchen, sketching in an Amsterdam café, seeing Wicked in London, getting ready to go out, stumbling back, learning the art of pool, Thanksgiving multi-colored, cardboard turkey feathers, the tension of Cranium, standing in awe of the endless amount of artwork in the Louvre, terrified and lost in the suburbs of Paris, reevaluating why I believe what I believe, the sound of the choir in a Dublin cathedral, the way I felt when I was with my friends.

I close my eyes, forget the people in front of me, and let the memories wash over me like a flood. We walk on.

Posted by Erin O'Boyle at 6:51 PM | Permalink

Duke Marine Lab opened up so many opportunities that I would have never had any place else. Unique experiments, satellite tagging sea turtles, and fishing with local pound fishermen. The most memorable experience I had was not at the lab, but in Bocas del Toro, an island off the coast of Panama. Here we conducted several research topics, got to practice our Spanish (or lack there of), explore a foreign town, talk to locals about their town, and grow closer as a group.
I believe that study away programs are very beneficial in a non-academic sense. Being out of your comfort zone and exploring a new area on your own, forces you to grow and mature as an individual. I can only imagine how studying out of the country requires a great amount of adjustment not just academically but socially. I believe that offering study away programs to college students is crucial in a great education. It enhances and highlights an undergraduate experience in more ways than solely academic. Looking back on last semester, the most memorable memories will be those of my individual growth and opportunities both academic and non-academic that I experienced throughout my 4 months away from Allegheny

Posted by Katherine Kump at 10:06 PM | Permalink

Duke Marine Lab opened up so many opportunities that I would have never had any place else. Unique experiments, satellite tagging sea turtles, and fishing with local pound fishermen. The most memorable experience I had was not at the lab, but in Bocas del Toro, an island off the coast of Panama. Here we conducted several research topics, got to practice our Spanish (or lack there of), explore a foreign town, talk to locals about their town, and grow closer as a group.
I believe that study away programs are very beneficial in a non-academic sense. Being out of your comfort zone and exploring a new area on your own, forces you to grow and mature as an individual. I can only imagine how studying out of the country requires a great amount of adjustment not just academically but socially. I believe that offering study away programs to college students is crucial in a great education. It enhances and highlights an undergraduate experience in more ways than solely academic. Looking back on last semester, the most memorable memories will be those of my individual growth and opportunities both academic and non-academic that I experienced throughout my four months away from Allegheny.

Posted by Katherine Kump at 10:06 PM | Permalink

I have lots of great memories from my semester abroad. Perhaps one of my fondest memories of Cologne is the Sunday that I went to the stadium to see a soccer game with my host family, went to a youth mass, after which the priest invited the attendees to go to the bar with him, and then for dinner that evening my host family and I ate stuffed pig’s stomach. Soccer, beer with a priest after church, and pig’s stomach: a winning combination.

The things that I learned outside of the classroom will be more helpful to me in the long-run. After completing my program in Cologne, I have become a more independent, responsible, adaptable, and open person.

Posted by Brandon Goeller at 6:11 PM | Permalink

There is never any one memory which turns out to be more prominent then the others; only stories that are told over and over. When asked about my experiences and life in Köln, one of the things I am most likely to talk about is the time I spent hanging out with my host sister. She and I got to know each other pretty well and we had such a good time watching movies and just talking.

I absolutely believe that there are non-academic benefits involved in an exchange program. The majority of benefits, in my opinion, have nothing to do with academics. The experiences and memories that come with such a program far out weigh any academic achievements. The ability and strength it takes to get something more than academia out of an exchange is the entire reason to participate.

Posted by Meghan Fatzinger at 7:23 AM | Permalink

This might be the hardest question yet. I’m not sure that I can choose from three and a half months of amazing experiences in Germany to pick just one memory as being the one that stands out. I can remember my first overwhelming and last moments in Köln and each of the new experiences in between. Each of the memories I have are so different; I have memories of my trips throughout Germany and into other parts of Europe, the time spent with my host family, and my explorations of Köln and the German culture.
I definitely think that study abroad programs are beneficial. Not only did I learn a lot academically, but I also learned so much about myself, my culture, and other cultures. I have had experiences that I never could have had at Allegheny, or even in the US. Having studied abroad, I now have a much broader world view and a clearer understanding of the world around me. This past semester was a challenge and a test for me, and now that it is done, I realize what a great learning experience it was.

Posted by Lauren W at 4:40 PM | Permalink

Coming Home

So, as this semester comes to a close, I'd like you to think of a couple of things. First, what is the one stand-alone memory of this trip that you will be taking home with you? Second, do you believe that study away programs at other institutions are beneficial in a non-academic sense? Explain your answer.

Please limit your response to two screens of text, and include pictures.

DUE DATE: JAN. 4, 2008

Posted by Ishita Sinha Roy at 12:00 PM | Permalink

The youthscapes is something that is difficult to define at the Duke Marine Lab. Because there was only 15 of us, the youthscape was fairly small. However, every undergrad enrolled was unique and different in so many ways. As an overall body of students, I think that the students were very aware of their surrounding environment and were very free thinking individuals. Everyone focused on talking and enjoying eachothers company. Meals lasted as long as possible and people took the time to catch up.
It was interesting to observe the differences between various social groups. Some cared about what they wore, while most did not. Some talked about their research at the lunch table, others gossiped. However, the finals were done and the rooms were packed up we realized that we had all bonded in an unforgettable and irreplaceable friendship. But it is amazing how 15 people from the United States can be so different and still overcome those differences and accept one another for who they truly are.

Posted by Katherine Kump at 9:39 PM | Permalink

My best memory is when I was coming from Kianjokoma back to Nairobi and my host father picked me up at the matatu stop. This moment was better than game drives in Nakuru game reserve, or going into the Mount Kenya forest with the medical students and three armed policemen. The reason this is such a good memory is that I was very alone in Kianjokoma, everyone liked speaking their tribal language, of which I only knew greeting and the words come and go. People there treated me like I was a 7 year old girl and didn’t think that I could do anything. I was the first white person that most people had seen and I spent most of my time there trying to dispel all of the misconceptions they had about white people such as: all white people are rich, they can’t walk long distances or stand for long periods of time, they have servants to do all the work for them so they can’t cook or use a knife without cutting themselves, they can’t climb fences, they have met and intimately know all of the Americans who appear on movies. When I got to Nairobi I was instantly accepted back into my host family and felt comfortable. They spoke English and could understand me when I spoke English and they didn’t treat me differently just because I was white. I was finally treated as an equal and it was the best feeling.
Study abroad programs I would think teach you the least about academics. I mean yes I did attend classes and learn a lot in my classes. But better than sitting in a classroom was coming home and discussing with my host family about the things I learned about in class, like colonialism, and getting their opinion of it. I learned about different cultures, even the reasons for such practices as female genital manipulation. I learned a lot about myself and how I handle situations. I learned I have the ability to get through 6 weeks of having virtually no independence and easily go back to life in Nairobi where I can go wherever I want. I learned more about how countries affect one another: Kenya has a democracy because the must in order to get funding from other countries, and they have a multi party political system so the US will give them money. I learned all of the problems that come from relying on foreign aid as well as having a government that was not created by your own people (Kenya was given independence, a government system, as well as a constitution from the British). I also learned that my tax money goes to Kenya through USAID to supply free ARVs to people in Kianjokoma and elsewhere around the country. These are things that even if I learned them in the classroom they wouldn’t have as much impact. I also am beginning to learn the real meaning of poverty from seeing the slums in Kibera, where people walk hours to work in the factory and where their means consist of kale and ugali which is maze meal mixed with water to form something that is kinda like thick mashed potatoes, only harder, and that is if they are lucky. In Kibera people get their water from streams like the one in the picture, and then do not have the money to go to clinics and cure the diseases they get from drinking that water. I have seen people picking through the garbage of the houses I am staying in hoping to find a little bit of food scraps they can eat. This is not something anyone can be taught, it is something that must be experienced.

Posted by Caroline Lewis at 6:15 AM | Permalink

Posted by Angela Couse at 2:03 AM | Permalink

The youthscape of Spain, at least in Seville, is made up of the streets, parks, bars, and cafés in the city. It’s been said that Spaniards are a “gente de la calle”, or people of the streets. This can be said of Spaniards in general, but especially of youths. It’s uncommon for people to entertain themselves and others in their own homes; they would much rather spend time just relaxing in a bar with friends, or just hanging out in the street or in a park. There’s a strong emphasis on just enjoying life in a stress-free environment. However, this creates a problem that the police have been dealing a lot with recently: the botellón. A botellón is a huge group of young people congregating in the streets to drink, and it’s illegal as of last year. It can start off as a harmless group of kids socializing and drinking in the streets and plazas, but it can really get out of hand. Now the government is looking at the idea of designating a specific area for youths to botellón, but that may or may not solve the problem. So in terms of geographic location, the youthscape might not be a black and white answer after all.

Posted by Wendy Paddock at 12:03 AM | Permalink

Washington DC is filled with political space! As our nation’s capital and living quarters for our president and Congress, politics is everywhere you turn. When I moved here in August I jumped right into the political scene by reading the Washington Post everyday. Pretty soon it became an addiction and I found myself feeling completely lost if I did not read the paper or tune into the news everyday. There is such a powerful aura surrounding Washington that I simply cannot explain, but even in the first few weeks of living here I noticed how caught up I was in the political and journalism scene. I realized just how much of the world revolves around this small city; the happenings of Washington and our politicians affect not only our country but others worldwide as well.

And for some reason the program is not allowing me to post a picture.

Posted by Elizabeth Andrews at 11:45 PM | Permalink

The youthscape in Spain is something that, for me, is very hard to define. It is a much more diverse group than what exists here in the US, because the idea of youth lasts until a person is around 30. Los jovenes, or the youth consists of everyone from 13-30. For me, with the friends I made in Spain, it is easier to focus in on the university age. One thing that shocked me, was their involvement in politics and in their community. The idea of activism was very important to them. On the news and in the papers, it was very common to hear about riots and protests. My friends told me about them, participated in them, and would constantly discuss what was going on with their schools, and communities. Just before I left one friend told me about how she was protesting the change in the university system (In Spain, and the rest of Europe, countries are changing to conform to the same system). This idea of being active within your school, and trying to change what you see needed shocked me. While this is not shared by all Spanish university youth, it was a side that I have never seen. Students rallying around a cause, and attempting to change the system. While seemingly powerless in the matter, they still proclaimed their opinions.

Posted by Thomas Rodgers at 11:33 PM | Permalink

Washington D.C. is a city of and for the young. There are young people everywhere, from all walks of life, taking their chances in the political powerhouse of the U.S. They are there for school, or internships, or for their first job after graduation. Because there are so many young people, the youthscape basically consists of the entire city. D.C. really isn't that large, and there are schools, organizations, and institutions all over the place where youth are active both socially and politically.
The current political atmosphere in D.C. is even more charged than usual, as the presidential election this coming fall already has Washington all stirred up. If you haven't been to D.C., or if it's been awhile, now is the time to go. In September, I had the privilege of hearing Barack Obama speak at a rally. The vast majority of his supporters there were youth, and it was great to see so many young people fired up for something. The youth in D.C. are a different breed than anywhere else - they are largely there because they have ambitions and motivations that drive them to this power-dense city, and they have left a distinct and heavy imprint on the District.

Posted by Rachel Jurkowski at 11:11 PM | Permalink

In some ways, I think Australian youth are forced to take up political power in their youthscape. After they turn 18, Australian citizens are required to vote. If they do not, they face a fine. Though some choose to cast a "donkey" vote, or one that is invalidated because of errors on the ballot, many of the students I knew thought critically about who they were voting for in the national election in November. The money of Australian youth also shapes their power. Minimum wage for a 20 year old is $18 per hour. Even with the higher cost of living, that is a good wage. If Australian youth choose to work, they have the money to dictate portions of the market and when they vote they can make large impacts on elections. Their youthscape is defined only by the limits they impose on themselves.

Posted by Erin Horning at 10:17 PM | Permalink

I would say that the entire city of Cologne is a huge youthscape. The nightlife here is never dull no matter what day of the week it is. It is packed with student clubs and bars. One of the huge differences in what youth in Germany compared to youth in America do is that obviously the drinking age in Germany is 16, and by the time students are our age in their early 20's the phase of "lets get wasted" kind of fades out. They don't drink to get drunk but more of a cultural and lifestyle. Without a doubt they drink wayyy more alcohol here, but probably aren't "wasted" as much. Another important cultural youthscape difference is that its not uncomon to hang out or go to parties our brauhauses with adults. It is a very mixed atmosphere of young students, parents, and grandparents.

Posted by Alaina Smith at 6:20 PM | Permalink

The Youthscape in England is the pub/bar/restaurant scene. These places provide a relaxing atmosphere that many students and young adults go to to take a load off and enjoy themselves. Because the drinking age is 18, many students and young adults are used to going out and having a nice time with some drinks, and it is not something that gets out of hand or turns into an all night drinking binge. In fact, it is normal for kids around the age of 14 or 15 to begin having drinks with family dinners or holidays. This reinforces the ritual of having a few drinks when enjoying a dinner or a small get together with friends or family. The bars, restaurants and pubs are places where the youth get together for a nice meal or a small get together to enjoy conversation, laughs, and good times. In the US, bars are also popular venues for youth to get together but the atmosphere does not seem to be the same as in England. The bars seem more uptight looking for underage drinkers and it seems like everyone is just trying to get wasted. My experience of the pub youthscape scene in England was very enjoyable - good times spent in a relaxing atmosphere with a few drinks and new friends enjoying conversation and laughs.

Posted by Ashton Kohler at 1:53 PM | Permalink

Youthscapes in Spain exist and they are both similar and different to the ones in the United States. Youth in Spain are called jovenes and they are in the stage of la juventud. This stage can be part of a very long process in growing up. It begins when you are a young teen and can last until your late thirties. The youth of Spain live in the streets. The apartments are very small and it is uncommon to invite friends over. Oftentimes children share rooms and there is very little space. The youth meet their friends and lovers in the streets. The weather is so enjoyable and warm that their living rooms are the plazas and parks

Some youth may dress differently and be placed into different groups such as the Goths, but many dress just like we do. They also like being individuals by getting tattoos and piercings but also fitting in with their peers. The youth have very few responsibilities and very little is expected of them. I was not used to being called a niña which is a little girl or being treated like one in my house. One time during a meal, I was showed how to properly cut my orange with a knife or it was it was done for me. I think guidance is important but we need to be able to make mistakes and learn from them. In the United States we are considered an adult and on our own at age eighteen, where as they live with their families until age thirty four for example. They also do not have to pay very much for university or anything for room and board in their own home. I think that money is a something that makes you an adult and here money is not that important and taken care of by your parents. Therefore these youth have a very care free environment. They hang out by the river and in the main plazas. They are interested in making a statement socially but not politically or religiously.

Posted by Alexandra Papa at 12:15 PM | Permalink

Within Kenya, there are 42 different ethnic tribes that one can recognize with. That means 42 different mother-tongues and traditions that stretch back thousands of years. The youth of Kenya are starting to change. The politics has always been filled with the same men who were around at the time of independence in 1962, but the youth are changing this. While the older generations of Kenya are very focused on tribal politics, the youth are more focused on progress especially in the field of development. These deeply engrained tribal issues that have plagued Kenyans since independence slowly seem as if they are being removed. This will take generations, but the progress is coming. This is a big step for any sub-Saharan African country due to the violent rule of the Europeans and their exploitation of tribalism. The youthscape in Kenya is changing the country in a way that has not ever been done.

Posted by Michael Rooney at 10:58 AM | Permalink

Youthscapes are not hard to come by in England. Following in the footsteps of the US, England and the rest of the UK has become very youth oriented. Restaurants, stores, ads-everything is targeted at the younger generations. The focus of attention on young adults is even more apparent in Lancaster, as it is a "university area". Most locations and attractions cater towards the university population. Although there is a plethora of places that can be considered youthscapes in Lancaster, the most frequented establishments are the bars and night clubs.

University students in the UK are much like students in the US. After classes and papers, they just want to unwind, relax, and be free from inhibitions. The setting provides much more than alcohol, however. The atmosphere is often inviting, and students sit around and talk about the simple things. Bars are more about fitting into the social networks of the area, and one can often find students just chatting about life and such. Mind you, there are always those people interested in partying and causing chaos hanging around, but there is also a great chance that you will find a group of intelligent students indulging in conversation about every issue under the sun.

Posted by Caroline Hilty at 7:03 AM | Permalink

When I was thinking about how I wanted to answer this question I realized that I could answer it several ways. Of course like in almost any culture, German youth tend to congregate almost any night of the week in clubs, bars, and discos. German culture is in many ways much more open than American culture; teenagers can drink legally and parents often encourage their children to go out into the city and have fun. Bars, clubs, and discos might be popular locations for youth in Germany to gather, but I think youth will gather almost anywhere. My pictures shows a group of teenagers I saw gathered in front of the Dom, the famous cathedral in Cologne. The Dom is in the center of the city and is a popular gathering place among the population, especially at Christmas when there is a Christmas market right next to the Dom.

Posted by Lauren W at 8:16 PM | Permalink

I think the most common youthscapes in Köln are its many student bars. Seeing as the legal drinking age here is much younger than in the United States, it is much more common to spend time in a local bar. In Köln the most common youthscape would be a Brauhaus. Students and adults alike go here to relax and talk. It has become a common place to discuss movies and music as well as politics.

Posted by Meghan Fatzinger at 4:27 AM | Permalink

The youthscape of especially Nairobi is very westernized and with that they are fighting against the problems of the older generations. The youth are very politically active and working hard towards their future. They are trying to fight against tribalism by befriending and even marrying people from different times, which in their parents’ generation would have been completely unheard of and is still looked down upon. Many youth understand the power of education more than their parents. Therefore most youth are very ambitious. This is partially due to the schooling system. All school in Kenya are extraordinarily competitive and if you don’t make the grades on the exams you don’t go on, and if you don’t make the grades on the final after form four (US equivalent is 12th grade) then they just don’t get into university. Since most of the youth especially those without a land inheritance, know that the only way to survive in life it to achieve a good education, the youth work extremely hard in school. One thing that showcases part of the youthscape of Kenya is that matatus. The matatus are colorful with “youth like” sayings on them, playing loud music and having colored lights in it. Many youth will not get into a matatu that does not look “fun”. So although they are very into their education and trying to improve their country, it seems like they are trying to almost run away from their parents generation and the conservativeness of it. Thus creating interesting looking matatus.

Posted by Caroline Lewis at 3:14 PM | Permalink

Youthscapes in Angers definitely exist. I think that the youth here feel that it is there right to express their opinion in any way they feel fit. I don’t believe that the youth here feel that they need to be “socialized into adult norms of political involvement”. One of the things that struck me the most about “the Youthscapes here” was that they seem to congregate on the street. Yes, they congregate in cafes, at school and in restaurants but where I live the majority of the youth congregate outside. When they want to be heard, they go to the streets because that is where they seem to be the most comfortable and feel they can have the most impact. For example, right now in France there is a possibility that laws will be passed in the next few years that will make entrance into university harder and they will privatize more public universities. This posses a major problem in France because all public universities are for the most part free. All of the students in the Lycees have been fighting this idea for weeks by protesting at the schools, organizing student marches through the streets of Angers, barricading the doors to the Lycees etc. Because of their sentiments, the students have literally taken this to the streets because they know this is where they will be heard. Being a bystander of this and seeing it firsthand, I don’t think the youth of France at all feel they will be molded into anything they don’t want to be. They will congregate and discuss politics, globalization, religion etc. where they want. Where they seem to want to congregate is the street because no one influences them when they are in their element. Frankly, to sum “youthscape” up for me in Angers, for them it’s the streets.

Posted by Kristin Isabelli at 8:41 AM | Permalink

Youthscapes in France are not hard to find, particularly in Angers. The entire town is nothing but college people—there are 3 or 4 universities, and therefore the majority of the inhabitants are “youths.” It was hard for me to decide on a Youthscape for Angers, because there are so many places where college students frequent. In the end, I decided on the broad spectrum of bars/cafés. School is all well and good, but you’ll find it’s pretty dogmatic. Not that it’s bad, it’s just not open to many discussions and opinions (at least, in my experience here). It’s after school, when people want to relax and talk, that you find the true exchanges, whether it be political, social, material, what-have-you. Students stay until well past midnight at bars and cafés, buying drinks for themselves and others, discussing what they learned that day, current politics, fashion, television, goals in life, religion, hopes and dreams for their future and the future of the world, anything you can imagine. They may not be the most sophisticated spots in the world, but I think you’re more inclined to find interesting, free-flowing debate in local bars and cafés in France than anywhere else you could go, and that includes libraries and schools.

Posted by Susannah Bender at 9:37 AM | Permalink

Being in our nation’s capital, politics is very hot here. You simply cannot avoid politics if you live in Washington. What I love about Washington is that everything happens here in this small town that affects our entire nation and even world. As an aspiring journalist, I have realized how much news is generated in this city and how much this world is affected by the actions of our American politicians. Everyday I read the Washington Post and see the front page covered with stories regarding American involvement in the Iraq war, President Bush and Congress. Even the weekly Sunday news shows revolve around the political happenings of the week. On the other side, Washington is such an international city. So many people living in Washington come from all over the world, either as diplomats or people just looking to come to the United States to start fresh. If you go to Adams Morgan, H Street is filled with so many ethnic restaurants, ranging from Ethiopian to Indian. Washington is the embodiment of the melting pot in the United States and for this reason Washington represents a little bit of every country.

Posted by Elizabeth Andrews at 4:31 PM | Permalink

Youthscapes

In her piece, Sunaina Maira (see course readings) describes her concept of Youthscape as not just a geographic or temporal location, but as a social and political space, "a 'place' that is bound up with questions of power and materiality" (210).

In not more than two screens of text (with an image) explain how the youthscape of your particular location is constituted.

DUE DATE: DEC. 20, 2007

Posted by Ishita Sinha Roy at 12:00 PM | Permalink

What I've noticed that is different between here and Allegheny is awareness. People here, especially at the Marine Lab, are much more involved with the protecting the environment and promoting awareness of it. Everyone's bumper sticker has to do with saving some aspect of the environment in one way or the other. I guess that would be expected at a marine lab, however it is interesting how much more people seem to care about our environment. People don't care as much about politics, just the environmental part of politics. Being cool here, is not worrying about your outward appearence, it's not about formality, it's about being who you are, being comfortable, and learning in one of the most relaxed atmospheres. It's about caring about and respecting the environment and promoting awareness to others. It's about being involved with the community and receiving input from them. It's a great environmental community and I think that other places could really learn from this lab.

Posted by Katherine Kump at 1:29 AM | Permalink

What I've noticed that is different between here and Allegheny is awareness. People here, especially at the Marine Lab, are much more involved with the protecting the environment and promoting awareness of it. Everyone's bumper sticker has to do with saving some aspect of the environment in one way or the other. I guess that would be expected at a marine lab, however it is interesting how much more people seem to care about our environment. People don't care as much about politics, just the environmental part of politics. Being cool here, is not worrying about your outward appearence, it's not about formality, it's about being who you are, being comfortable, and learning in one of the most relaxed atmospheres. It's about caring about and respecting the environment and promoting awareness to others. It's about being involved with the community and receiving input from them. It's a great environmental community and I think that other places could really learn from this lab.

Posted by Katherine Kump at 1:29 AM | Permalink

During the three weeks I spent in the Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia studying Peace and Conflict Resolution, the things that were "hot" in those cultures were an interesting mix of American and European influences. Though the Balkans is recognized as being in Southeast Europe, this region fell far behind Europeans (culturally) due to the destructive war that occurred in the early 90s. Their desire to be a part of Europe is evident in many of the things they emphasize in their culture. For instance, smoking was hot literally everywhere - my professor explained that people were basically expected to smoke when they reached a certain age there. This is definitely European. Cafes (again, European inspired) were also very cool all around the Balkans; they were always busy, from morning until late at night. However, the music we heard in restaurants and bars was nearly ALWAYS American - and the music was not recently released either. It was funny to realize they thought music we American considered old (from the 80s and 90s) was cool. Another aspect of their culture that is highly valued is the ability to speak English (both an American and European influence). To get a good job and have a decent future in the region, you must be able to communicate in English.

Posted by Rachel Jurkowski at 10:21 PM | Permalink

When I first got to Australia and asked the inevitable question, “Do you have Facebook?” I was met initially with confusion. No one knew what Facebook was or how it worked. First, let me preface by saying I was not the driving factor in my dorm for facebook acquisition; I was merely a bystander. However, somehow over the course of the semester almost everyone in my college got Facebook and all of their friends all over the country were getting it too! Everyone I saw had at least 300 friends from all over the country. Australians also really seemed to like the ad – ins I thought were silly, such as Christmas trees, “superpoke,” and gift sending. I really got to witness a Facebook boom all over Australia! Interestingly, it happened three years after Facebook truly broke through the American market. Though Facebook counters Freedmon’s idea of the American ambition gap, but it is still a great example of an American company quickly breaking and being accepted into the worldwide market.

Posted by Erin Horning at 9:46 PM | Permalink

I would say that America is definitely the standard to aspire to in some aspects of the culture. In Spain, American chains such as Starbucks and McDonald’s are everywhere, the restaurant Pans & Company has a hamburger called the “US Burger”, and American music can be heard from car stereos and on city buses. In terms of food and popular culture, Spain has borrowed many ideas from America, but has also managed to put its own mark on everyday life. While fashion and popular culture are important here, something that’s very hot and cool is the rhythm of daily life. While Americans are constantly rushing everywhere, Spaniards are criticizing them for not taking more time to just enjoy life. Families are always seen walking together on the streets, and couples are everywhere (with their PDA). There’s so much stress placed on relaxing everyday after lunch instead of rushing off to work or to class, and I hope it stays that way. American culture may be influencing Spanish culture in some ways, but I feel like the lifestyle here is something that Spaniards can call their own…at least for now.

Posted by Wendy Paddock at 1:22 PM | Permalink

The definition of hot and cool is basically westernization. People seem to be attracted to a western style of dress. Also lighter skin is seen as better. There are creams to lighten their skin to they will be light brown instead of black. People in Nairobi are seen as cool if they dress in western clothes and act in a more westernized way. Westernization is what everyone here seems to be striving for, to be individualistic and rich. One thing I noticed by watching TV here is that Miss Kenya, the beauty pageant winner, has very European features. So traditional Kenyan features usually involve a flat wide nose, while Europeans have skinnier more pointed noses. Yet Miss Kenya could have looked like a European if she was white. While I spent six weeks in a rural village near the base of Mount Kenya so many of the people I worked with commented on my hair, because it is long, strait, and soft. They all played with it and said how they wish that could have hair like mine.
Due to the colonial legacy and the continued control from countries of the west, basically everything white is good. They see whites as rich, especially if they come from America, and many guys if they had the chance would get with a white girl, hence the marriage proposals that I get randomly on the street. My little brother here says things to me like “I wish my skin was lighter like my mom’s or when I was a baby”. The cool thing here is to be westernized and look like you come fro Europe instead of Kenya, or any African country for that matter.

Posted by Caroline Lewis at 11:58 AM | Permalink

The American Pop-Culture is very popular in Germany. American movies, songs, and Hollywood gossip are just are very popular among the German youth. American fashion, in some regards, is also "cool". But of course the Germans have their own music, films, and fashion. Night Clubs, Discos, and Bars are "hot" places to hang out in the city, and there is a good variety of these to suit everyones indivdual tastes. Personally, I have found some popular trends among the German youth in Cologne to be quite absurd, such as mullet hairstyles, high school-style varsity letter jackets, and baseball hats worn so small, that they sit on top of the head. One "cool" popular fashion that I do like and is very diferent from in the US is the absurdly stylish dress shoes, that men wear whether going to work or to the bar.

Posted by Brandon Goeller at 11:54 AM | Permalink

When first arriving in France, there were certain trends that I noticed right away: the fashion, the food, smoking, and small cars. Here what's "hot" in fashion for girls are H&M, skinny jeans, scarves, ballet flats, lots of jewelry, and anything "bohemian." As for the guys, let's just say that French men are very secure with their masculinity. They enjoy man purses, tight jeans, and anything we in the states would define as "feminine." With food, the stereotypes don't lie: cheese and bread everyday, sometimes twice a day. And it’s not just a myth we associate with France, cheese and bread are an integral part of the diet. Smoking has almost become a French tradition. The French without cigarettes would be like Americans without red, white, and blue. In France, and in a lot of European countries, cars are much smaller compared to the behemoth ones we drive in the states. Because the roads (or what they sometimes call roads and are really just dirt paths) are smaller, and gas is tremendously more expensive here, owning a big car is just considered obnoxious. Obviously, these are only some of the most noticed trends and tendencies at a glance. However, after having lived here even for only a month, other things that are “hot and cool,” that weren’t necessarily as apparent from the beginning, have caught my eye: socialism, "les grèves" (which we have been very well exposed to), organic products, public displays of affection, nudity in the media, and really strong coffee. All of these tendencies are very French. There are also things here that are “hot and cool” that have come to be popular through other cultures. A lot of American products are considered hip and cool. Clothing with American writing is very much in style, and it’s actually almost impossible to find anything with French writing, because for that, one has to go to the States. Ironic isn’t it? Ultimately though, at least in Angers, I don’t feel like I’m constantly surrounded by “Americana” and it’s kind of refreshing. In the bigger cities, such as Paris, there is much more of an American presence. With an endless variety of American food options such as MacDonald’s, Burger King, Starbucks, and KFC, it’s almost like being right at home. For the most part though, even with globalization in full swing, Europeans tend to set their own styles, even if they’re sometimes influenced by international products.

Posted by Carolyn Kuzell at 11:39 AM | Permalink

Friedman poses an interesting arguement in his article with repsect to American and other cultures. What stuck me the most was his opening quote "Close games for the Americans were rare in previous olympics, but now it appears to be something that Americans should get used too." ('The Queit Crisis" 250) This sports analogy makes a lot of sense to me in believing perhaps the the exact opposite in Spain.

Here in Spain, I see the typical American influences in popular culture. There are McDonalds and Starbucks floating around various street corners, popular American rap artists blaring from cars, and many clearly American students walking throughout the streets. In my opnion, however, I do not see Spanish citizens as having an ultimate goal to be like Americans, rather incorporating both cultures. The score is not close in many ways, and they do not seem to mind.

Hot in Spain is being social and in style. No on ever wears sweatpants. Everyone always dresses up and the culture is generally more formal in dress over here. Kids of all ages go out all the time. Sure there are movie theatres, but no one goes there as much as going out to the streets or "a la calle." Spain is more fashionable, not as overweight, and generally healthier and less stressed. 60-30 at halftime, Spain in the lead......

What is cold in Spain is perhaps the dependence on technology. Not everyone runs to a computer every chance they get. At home, I have Internet access all the time. Here, that is harder to come by. Even the internet at my school is slightly slower and not as up to date as in America. Instead of using and wasting electricity, many here put in a great effort to try to conserve it, and are not content to waste it. The infrastructure is not as up to date, and this is not good or bad, it just is. That does not seem to matter. US is gaining ground with 15 points in the last 10 minutes.....

So as far as a basketball game between the US and Spain goes, the scores have to be put into perspective. Socially, America is losing bad, and needs to form a new game plan. Infrastructuraly, America has a superstar team, complete with Lebron James and Michael Jordon in the line up. Different things are important to different cultures. Certain things from America have instilled themselves in Spain, but they have not taken over.

Posted by Margaret Hiestand at 6:51 AM | Permalink

For any country to compete in the global market they need an educated work force, lots of people, and ambition to do better. Friedman states that, “the truth is, we are in a crisis now, but it is a crisis that is unfolding very slowly and very quietly. It is a quite crisis.” (“The Quiet Crisis” 252). As you can see from Friedman’s article America is in a crisis, although many ignore our present state other countries are prepared and determined to beat us. But this is not the case for all countries. Spain thinks American is “cool” in that we are pushy and very competitive. America thinks they can solve any problem by fighting a war and competing with weapons. Many Spanish associate Americans with President Bush and the War in Iraq. We are a very independent culture and the Spanish look down upon these characteristics.

Spain too has Burger King, Starbucks, and H&M but they have their own cafes and famous clothing stores such as Mango and Zara. Spain is not in the world wide competition against America nor do they want to be like them. Rushing and being in a hurry is “cool” in Spain. You are meant to walk slow with your lover or friend at hand and enjoy your walk outside. Violence and crime are considered cool as is not having a culture and traditions. Advances in technology are not on Spain’s daily docket. At times they see cell phones and computers as a waste of time and that even modern conveniences such as these have their limitations. Spain is afraid of entering the global market because if they do so they may have to give up their traditions such as the siesta.

What is hot in Spain is spending time with your family. In Spain one works in order to live and do the things they enjoy to do. One needs to earn money in order to have a house and live an enjoyable life. Spain is not centered on work. They are not worried about where they stand in the global market and may not work hard enough to be financially successful. Although at this point in time the euro is doing much better than the dollar. But this is not important to them. They thrive when it comes to culture and traditions such as bullfights and dancing flamenco. They depend on one another and children will live with their parents until age thirty four. Relaxing and taking your siesta is a necessity. Spain acknowledges the prowess in the global market but they choose to ignore it and live life the way they see it should be lived. People do not like to change and either do countries.

Posted by Alexandra Papa at 6:40 AM | Permalink

The main difference I noticed between Australia and the US is that Australians value economical and political awareness much more than any other culture I've experienced. Grocery stores sell reusable bags (at a very reasonable price - most American eco-friendly products seem to be more expensive), and the toilets have a half-flush or full-flush button so as not to waste water when it isn't necessary. While watching the news (which happened more frequently than I'd expected), we learned about the water shortages and how we can help reduce our energy usage. In addition, I saw a lot of political awareness - both on tv and in discussions during meals - before the election really got started. Being politically aware, for Australians, is part of being an Australian. One of my roommates was from New Zealand, and didn't care much for Australian politics; her friends chastised her for not wanting to take an interest in the country in which we were all living. Admittedly, I tend to not follow politics, but I do think Americans have a lot to learn from other countries - especially Australia.

Posted by Rachel Clark at 12:49 AM | Permalink

Coming to France, I knew that the culture would be very different and I was not disappointed, at all. But what I noticed the most what was the similarities between that of my home culture and the french culture. I never realized the American influence on other cultures until now for obvious reasons. There are so many different stores, restaurants, and companies like Coca-Cola and McDonalds that are all over France and are obviously a direct result of American influence. But what made the biggest impression on me of these American influences, was how the French had made them theirs in a sense. Coca Cola here tastes different, is bottled different, and there are no free refills but it is still the same company. The menus at American based restaurants is not the same, usually with a big variation of the menu you would see at home. The McDonalds are really clean here, there is free wi-fi, you have to ask for ketchup when you order, there are no free refills, and a cheeseburger here is called a 'royal cheese.' Though I have no idea how anything at McDonalds could be called 'royal.' So all of these companies that have influenced France and are supposed to be the same as in the states are actually really different, and all have their hot and cool components within.
Here, fashion is very hot, as well are strikes, which are VERY popular. Hot is also having most people dress very similiar and preppy, whereas at home, I have friends who have very different definitions of 'high fashion'. Hot is also many American things, such as our music and entertainment industry. Cool is customer service, which is basically non-existant, so don't even try to get your money back because it just wont work. Cool is having to carry all your groceries in your backpack because they will not give you a plastic bag. Cool is not having plastic to go coffee cups and having people stare at you because you brought one from target. The one thing that interests me the most is how while french culture has many things unique (baguettes and cheese!) many aspects of their culture are drawn from other cultures. And while I want to jump to criticize, I realize how the US is actually a nation of immigrants. Immigrants who bring many different cultures together into one, which we call our own. Funny how the idea of hot and cool comes full circle huh?

Posted by Erin Geiser at 5:39 PM | Permalink

This is one of the things that actually really bothers me about Costa Rica. What's hot and cool is exactly what's hot and cool in the US. I came here expecting to see all this fabulous culture and individualism, but what I saw was an extension of the US. I walk along the streets and see people my age clad in Billabong, Roxy, Independence, and all the skating brands of the US. This is what my kid brother wears and not what I was expecting. The music on the radio was another shocker. Many of the most popular songs were American. Fergie's hit "Big Girls Don't Cry", and Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls" were gigantic songs here. The people that I got to know here are practically obsessed with the US. They think it's the ultimate in cool. They're prefectly willing to give up all they're culture to become just like us Americans. What is the world coming to?

Posted by Eliza Czolowski at 5:24 PM | Permalink

What is "hot and cool" in Germany is very much influenced by other countries. There is a huge influence of American culture. Its is hard to walk around the streets of Germany without seeing a mc donalds or a Starbucks. Germans are obsessed with American television, movies, and American actors and actresses. The majority of music heard around Germany comes from American artists. There are also a lot of influence form other countries in Europe. For example, on the main shopping street is at least 4 different H & M stores. Germans really love the H & M. There is also a large influence of turkish foods, especially in Cologne. Most of what is "hot and cool" in Germany also applies for the United States.

Posted by Alaina Smith at 11:10 AM | Permalink

There are many similarities between what's 'cool' in America and what's 'cool' in England. However, there is one difference that I have experienced myself and that is image. A person's image seems to be what's 'hot' or 'cool' over here, and it is something that is very important and very different from image in America. Back at Allegheny, the closest I have come to dressing up for class (or most anything for that matter) is wearing jeans and a shirt, otherwise you can most always find me in a hoodie and sweatpants. The first couple times I wore this ensemble over here, I got a lot of stares, weird looks, and my floor mates kept asking me if I had just come back from the gym. I was confused at first as to why these reactions were occuring, but as I became more observant I began to notice that everyone was always dressed up, male or female, day or night, class or no class. Another difference that I found, is that people aren't trying to hide behind this image of looking nice and being fashionable -- as it seems in America. Walking down the street back home you see people dressing in many different ways, all giving off an image or identity. People may avoid certain people or be enticed to go up to them just because they dress a certain way. However, since everyone basically dresses the same over here, there isn't as big of a distinction and that is not necessarily an issue. Back home, I have friends that dress in tie-die and have dreadlocks, etc. that call themselves 'hippies,' I have friends that dress in baggy jeans and huge t-shirts with baseball caps that call themselves 'gangster,' and they have a certain image they live up to. However, over here, as far as I have experienced everyone that I have met that dresses the way they do seems to dress as such just because its part of the culture and they like to look presentable, and they dont seem to create an identity out of the way they look. To me, the thing that is 'hot' or 'cool' in England is having a fashionable and presentable image but not hiding behind it or identifying oneself with it.

Posted by Ashton Kohler at 7:47 AM | Permalink

The hot/cold commodity here in Angers for me seems to be the ability to live and thrive in a global society. The life to strive for in France, is to get the best education possible, work as hard as one can to pass the Bac, go to the best university or even better a grand ecole. If the student can get into the Grand Ecole and work as hard as possible for five years, one can then "gagne" or win a diploma and have a better chance at getting a job either in France or another country in the world. The problem with France is that there are not enough jobs for all of the educated students in France so competition is fierce. The hot commodity in France is to have as much ambition as possible in order to have the best chance at a successful life. Education is definitely considered a hot commodity and if one doesn't pass the BAC, the French definitely look down upon those people. Not passing the BAC and being able to go onto university would be considered a cold commodity. The French are obsessed with education and from 3 to 25 education is valued way before anything else. French students are taught to work hard, be competitive and be ambitious and if they don't they have in a sense failed.
The French also want to prepare their students for finding a job in other countries because there are not enough jobs in France. For example, engineering students at grand ecoles are required to read engineerings books in english as well as present the books in english because professors know that there is a good chance that the majority of their students will one day work and live in a different country. In our global society, the French know, that in order to be able to compete one has to work hard because they are not just up against other Frenchmen but the rest of the world. Since France isn't the like the United States, the French know that they have to work harder in order to achieve the "American dream". So, they try to achieve it in the best way they know how and that is through education.

Posted by Kristin Isabelli at 6:58 AM | Permalink

I am glad that I got to spend the semester in Townsville, a smaller Australian city because I don’t feel that it was as affected by the U.S. culture. When I traveled to larger cities, such as Sydney and Melbourne, there were many more American influences (Starbucks, coca-cola, American Eagle clothing, McDonalds, etc.) While Townsville had McDonalds (aka Macca’s), there were no other brand name American places. However, Hungry Jacks fast food was exactly the same as our Burger King and The Big W was almost identical to Wal-Mart. Kentucky Fried Chicken was a favorite among the students and I doubt that most of them even know what Kentucky is. The ideals of American culture are overwhelming; however they find ways to make American ideals into Australian items. Like others have said about European fashion being ahead of American fashion, it is the same in Australia as well. People are more open to wear what they like. One thing that is hot or cool is being environmentally friendly. Everyone uses cloth grocery bags, and the stores refuse to give out plastic bags if someone buys less than 3 items. Even clothing stores give out reusable cloth bags with their store name printed on them. Australians carry these bags to class, the beach, and the store, almost everywhere they go. Having a Supre or Cotton On clothing store bag was definitely hot. Since these were cool places to shop, it was good to be seen with the stores bag (not the mention the advertising perks). Also, it wasn’t hot to buy bottled water in bulk. In the U.S. everyone drinks from bottled water, because we think it is more pure and it looks cooler. In Australia, they care more about the problems bottles are causing the environment, so most people drink water out of the tap. The U.S. is just beginning to catch on to these environment projects. Since I have been home, the grocery store by my house is beginning to sell the reusable bags and I just saw a commercial for them on TV. Australia has had them for awhile, not to mention a half flush and full flush on the toilet to conserve water and a switch on the electric outlets to save electricity. In this respect, the U.S. is behind, and is just beginning to catch up with Australia. Hopefully, for the environments sake, we catch on quickly and it becomes cool in American culture.

Posted by Theresa Clem at 7:00 PM | Permalink

What is “cool and hot” in Germany is not easily definable and the source of trends is not easy to distinguish because Germany is influenced by so many other countries and cultures. Of course the United States plays a big role. A lot of the music in Germany is in English, and there are plenty of American stores (lots of Starbucks, McDonalds, etc). Although the US is very influential, other European countries also help to define trends. Germany has a large population of Turkish immigrants, so Turkish culture can be seen everywhere, from women using scarves to cover their hair to the Döner stands on almost every corner. One of the most popular stores in Köln is a Swedish store, H&M. It’s almost impossible to ride the S-Bahn without seeing someone carrying an H&M bag and there are three stores (with different clothing) on one of the main shopping streets, Schildergasse. Trends in Germany change quickly and provide an excellent example of how Germany is becoming more internationally involved.

Posted by Lauren W at 3:18 PM | Permalink

In terms of England, the trends and popular mindsets seem to be attained from somewhat backward influences. As a culture known for its propriety and diplomacy, it shocks me to see the effect American culture has had here. The fashion world is constantly striving for the glamorous "LA look" and every magazine I have read here includes some bit on how to achieve some version of the American dream. The hot, new trends are almost always based on something straight out of Hollywood. Even the food and linguistics of the country are changing rapidly. The cheap supermarkets and fast food chains are booming, as everyone looks for the easy meal. I hear an increasing amount of American slang being spoken by the students as well. It's truly eye-opening to see how a country like America, essentially the much younger offshoot of the UK can quickly over turn years of tradition. England and the UK still maintain distinct identities though, with their extreme focus on political activism and activism for a green society. The issues at the core of the nation still stand strong and from what I have seen, uninfluenced by the ways of America. Hopefully, what is considered hot and cool in the States will only leave its mark on the lesser aspects of British lifestyle.

Posted by Caroline Hilty at 11:21 AM | Permalink

When talking about American influence overseas, there is a hot and cool mindset that follows it. In the developing world, (Kenya as an example) you can see the American influence everywhere. As I travel around to extremely rural areas, you can always find a Coca Cola stand with the slogan “live on the coke side of life” tattooed across it. In a town where there is not access to water and people still live in small huts with no electricity you can get a coke. This is the hot aspect of the argument. Nairobi especially is very western, people dress western with brands like GAP, Quicksilver, Nike, and Adidas. Billboards everywhere boast Hummer advertisements and just recently there was a motor show that my host family took me to where you could see all the American cars. People swarm to the western way of life; they want to absorb our music and products. If you turn on the television at any point in the day, you will see either American hip hop music videos or American sitcoms. There is no local African culture in Nairobi, but what I like to call borrowed culture. This is part of the problem locally, there is no market for small fabric makers, or musicians because it is all imported from the States. Once again, I want to stress that the “hot” portion is solely based on the consumerism society of the west that is being imported to Kenya. The cold argument definitely takes the side of America’s foreign policy. People will ask where you are from (assuming either the U.K. or the U.S.) and when you say America, they will more times than not reply with something to the effect of “good people, bad leader” I think that the past seven years have been extremely bad for America’s standing everywhere over the world. People see the Iraq war and do not understand why, they constantly ask me and I have no answers for them. American politics is huge here, especially because Obama is Luo and has visited and spoke within the country. It is eye-opening to see how in a traditionally pro-American country, our reputation has been tarnished over the past few years. People here like Americans, they are just somewhat puzzled as to why we would elect Bush again. I feel like telling them to stop buying U.S. products and develop their own markets if they don’t agree with American policy, but globalization has truly set in here and this is somewhat impossible. The American movies, music and products definitely run hot while our government runs cold in Kenya.

Posted by Michael Rooney at 9:47 AM | Permalink

When I was getting ready to come to France, my best friend was really excited that I would see all the fashion over here, so I could bring back tips and let her know what was “in,” since, generally speaking, European countries are ahead of the US in fashion. While it’s true that I have discovered a slightly different fashion over here, I have also discovered many other things that the French consider “in” or “cool” that I would never have guessed over in the States. Obviously, there’s certain clothing that’s “in,” which the French get either from Hollywood or designers (Prada, Gucci, etc). However, there are many other things that hold weight—political activism certainly has it’s place in French society, and though it’s not necessarily “cool,” everyone participates. The entire country has been going on strike—the railroads, the metro, the trams, even the university students! Though France is not considered the “land of the free,” they certainly like to exercise their rights and freedoms. Among other things that are “in vogue” with the French are small businesses, owning dogs and taking them EVERYWHERE, and being ecologically friendly. None of these come from the States, but are more traditional (in the case of the first two) and due to world politics (the first and the latter). A typical French person dresses up every day (even weekends), buys their groceries from either an open-air market or a tiny store, has a dog that goes into restaurants with them, watches the news every night on either channel 1 or 2, engages in political debate and/or goes on strike, and is very wary of their consummation, from food to water to plastic. Though some aspects of this can be annoying (an unreliable transportation system), maybe, someday, the positive aspects (a politically active public, a green society, etc) will become “hot” in the States, too.

Posted by Susannah Bender at 8:00 AM | Permalink

Living in Germany not only allows for the experience of German culture, but European culture as well. It has become cool to be a world citizen, rather than just a citizen of your own country. Since the creation of the European Union, Europe has become more and more dependent on its neighbors, especially for trade. It is not surprising than, that the fashion industry has become a part of that. Through my travels here I have seen many different countries and their peoples. Teenagers in Germany are dressed the same as teenagers in Amsterdam. This has all been made possible by a Swedish clothing store, H&M. H&M has some of the "coolest" clothes and the "hottest" trends. ANd what is popular here now, will be popular in the US in just a few months. The teenagers or Europe are setting the style for the world.

Posted by Meghan Fatzinger at 2:38 AM | Permalink