Below you will find the stories filed by Temple Update correspondents during their Study Abroad semesters, including reports from London, Tokyo and Barcelona. To find out more about Temple’s Study Abroad programs, click here. For more information about Study Away programs through the School of Media and Communication, click here.
REPORT FROM LONDON: ON A BUDGET (April 2014)
TU student Jade Jarvis is reporting this semester from London. Her fourth report is on the ways that students studying abroad have saved money.
With their semester abroad quickly coming to an end, most Temple London students have finessed the art of budgeting; saving money on transportation and other amenities by taking advantage of various resources.
“My favorite mode of transportation is the Tube. Its quick and easy—it gets you wherever you have to go and it comes about every 1 to 3 minutes,” said Temple student Olivia Hawkins. “And it’s very fairly easy to use!”
However the Tube isn’t the only mode of transportation in London; there are plenty of other options to satisfy even the pickiest of travelers.
“I like taking the bus. I think its cool because you still get to see everything that you’re going by,” said Temple student, Sabrina Iglesias. “And if you are on a route you’ve never been on before, you get to see a lot of things that you might want to go to in the future and you know how to get there.”
And each Temple student has been equipped with an Oyster card, which helps them save money on bus and Tube fare.
“Basically I use my Oyster card to the most of my ability,” said Hawkins. “Like I take it for the Tube because it goes to Zones 1 and Zones 2, so it’s really helpful and its unlimited for the bus as well.”
Temple students have also discovered that antique, food, and craft markets are relatively inexpensive when compared to department stores and grocery stores.
“Once I found the markets, like Camden and everything,” said Iglesias. “I found that I could buy a lot more for a lot less money.”
During their time abroad, Temple students have learned just as much outside of the classroom as they have inside. One of these life lessons is getting the best bang for your buck—or pound. Hopefully these good habits will remain with these students even after they return to Philadelphia.
This was Jade’s final report from London. Watch for more of Temple Update in London during the Fall 2014 semester.
REPORT FROM TOKYO: TSUKIJI FISH MARKET (April 2014)
Temple student Adam Glazer is reporting this semester from Tokyo, Japan. His third report is on his visit to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market.
If you are in the fish dealing business in Japan, most likely your days begin between five and six a.m. at Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market, one of the busiest in the world, where buyers and sellers meet daily for the Tsukiji fish market auctions.
Tsukiji Fish Market Tourists are allowed into small sections of the market during the early busy hours, but most photography is prohibited as well as large bags. If you do visit in the early morning, be aware as the activity is non-stop and few workers slow down for tourists. The market opens at nine a.m. to the general public, and will move about 2,000 tons of fish a day.
The market itself, as well as many smaller fish markets in surrounding neighborhoods, sell a variety of products. One can find all manner of edible sea creatures in vast quantities, with the Bluefin Tuna in highest demand. The Tsukiji market is known for its Bluefin Tuna, which by nine a.m., the catches are nearly sold out at market prices of tens of thousands of dollars. The sale of tuna has become a point of controversy for some, as the species is endangered.
Watch for Adam’s reports from Tokyo all semester long on Temple Update and templeupdate.com.
REPORT FROM TOKYO: JAPANESE BASEBALL – EAST MEETS WEST (April 2014)
Baseball may be America’s favorite pastime, but in Japan the love of the game is equally as fervent. At the Yokohama Bay Stars game against the Tokyo Swallows, American baseball enthusiasts could see for themselves Japan’s love of the game.
“As far as the game play goes, there weren’t a whole lot of differences, except that Japanese officials didn’t mark errors often, but the atmosphere and the way the audience behaved was definitely different” said Ryan Raesly, a Temple University of Japan student.
Japanese baseball draws crowdsAt the Yokohama-Tokyo Swallows game, the Yokohama team was fighting their way out of the last place in the division. Though a pivotal game for the Yokohama players, fan attendance was modest. Perhaps one of the greatest differences between American baseball and Japanese game play is the level of crowd participation. Japanese fans are far more enthusiastic than American fans, chanting incessantly from the stands for each individual player.
Each player also has his own original theme song fans memorize to cheer him on. Also, unlike American baseball teams, the Japanese teams have cheerleaders that come out between innings to entertain fans. Though there are still popcorn and hotdogs for sale, the Japanese also enjoy sushi, beef bowls and other Japanese culinary staples.
“Food is still expensive, and they did the t-shirt thing where they fire the memorabilia into the crowd, so that was similar. They still had people walking up and down the stands selling food and whatnot for baseball park prices,” said Raesly.
Baseball is said to be Japan’s number one sport, with many players beginning to focus their intentions and hone their skills in high school.
Adam Glazer is a TUJ student who is a special correspondent for Temple Update.
REPORT FROM BARCELONA: CATALAN RADIO (March 2014)
Temple Spain student Simone Cuccurullo is reporting this semester from Barcelona, Spain. Her second report is on her visit to the famous Catalunya Radio station.
Students studying communications in Barcelona had the opportunity to witness the power of radio as they toured the city’s most famous radio station.
“People in Spain and an urban network like Barcelona, move around a lot, so headphones are very important,” said Christopher Tulloch, a Catalunya Radio Employee. “You see a lot of Spanish motorcyclists with their radio on their headphones.”
Living abroad has given students the chance to experience Catalunya radio. Catalunya radio is Catalonia’s public radio network that broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, exclusively in Catalan.
“The key to the project is being able to, sort of, take the pulse of the differential characteristics of Catalan people in comparison to the Spaniards, “ said Tulloch.
Those aspiring to pursue a career in media learned the in’s and out’s of the different departments that Catalunya Radio has to offer.
“I get to listen to a broadcast fully in the language that they grew upon, and it’s their language they’re trying to gain independence with,” said Casey Holgan, Temple Study Abroad student. “I thought it was a great experience to see where it comes from.”
“I enjoyed it because I’ve never, I always listen to the radio, but I’ve never seen people actually live reporting,” said Matt Spiros, Temple Study Abroad student. “There was a soccer game on when we went, and they were reporting live with the play-by-play which was pretty cool to see.”
Although listeners mainly tune in on their radios in their homes or in their cars, students in Barcelona and all over the world can stay connected by visiting catradio.cat or downloading the app on their mobile devices.
Watch for Simone’s reports from Barcelona all semester long on Temple Update and templeupdate.com.
REPORT FROM TOKYO: TOY STORY (March 2014)
TUJ student Adam Glazer is reporting this semester from Tokyo. His second report is on Japan’s interest in toys, and interest that spans all age groups, and in some cases, is definitely not for children.
Tokyo is well known for many things, should toys be one of them? There are many idiosyncrasies to this city. But for toy enthusiasts, this particular one must be nearly overwhelming.
“It’s weird to see toys so acceptable for adults, I guess, it is is what it is,” said Alex Galambos, a Temple University Japan. “It’s just very different from how it is in America.”
One does not have to travel far to find impressive toys, most convenience stores sell some. But no district in the city has a greater collection and variety than the attention grabbing anime and video epicenter of Akihabara.
Is Japan quickly becoming toy haven?
Is Japan quickly becoming toy haven?
Most of the toys are of popular, or even obscure, anime, movie and video game characters. But there is also a dark side to these toys. Some toys are rather explicit, and yet they are prominently displayed next to the more mundane toys such as Goku from Dragon Ball Z.
Tokyo is also home to the biggest toy of them all: the 60 foot statue of Gundam from the immensely popular and long-running Gundam series. He now stands in the man-made island of Odaiba in Tokyo Harbor after being relocated several times. The statue attracts crowds from all over and emits steam, lights up and moves its head.
“The toy shops…are really neat because you have these stores where its just these walls and shelves and glass cases with tons of toys and figurines that will range from a couple hundred yen to what would be the equivalent of a couple hundred dollars” said Galambos.
Watch for Adam’s reports from Tokyo all semester long on Temple Update and templeupdate.com
REPORT FROM LONDON: FASHION WEEK INTERN (March 2014)
Temple student Marc Anthony Gardner is participating in the opportunity of a lifetime by interning for one of the local designers who took part in London Fashion Week: Nico Didonna. As the Autumn-Winter 2014 Fashion Week approached, Marc had his hands full.
“I promote for his social media, I use Photoshop a lot. I actually helped a lot with London Fashion Week, creating boards and creating flyers. And sending out press releases, invitations, and making the guest list. It’s different than anything I’ve done before,” said Gardner.
didonnaDidonna’s main concern—other than his new collection—is for his interns to gain something from their internship experiences, rather than sitting back and taking the easy way out. The designer says that he views interning, particularly in the fashion world, as the gateway to getting a permanent job in the future. As a designer who utilizes interns, Didonna takes note of what his interns are doing–their attitude, their motivation and their creativity–for later reference.
Gardner has taken Didonna’s advice in stride, working hard throughout the semester and encountering only one problem while working with Didonna.
“Marc has been very good. Sometimes I don’t understand his strong accent. But yes, it’s been very good. He’s a very good student,” said Didonna.
Interning abroad is an opportunity that only about one percent of American college students take advantage of, so with his positive attitude and strong work ethic, Marc is sure to leave his mark, not only in the London fashion industry, but with employers back at home as well.
Jade Jarvis and KaRa Dorman will be reporting for Temple Update while in London for the rest of the Spring ’14 semester. Stay tuned for all things London.
REPORT FROM TOKYO: TUJ LAW SCHOOL CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY (March 2014)
TUJ student Adam Glazer is reporting this semester from Tokyo. His second report is on the 20th Anniversary of the Beasley School of Law on Temple’s Japan campus.
Japan’s premier English language Law program at the Temple University Japan (TUF) school of Law, celebrated their 20th anniversary in the country March 14th.
TUJ speakers address students and staff
To celebrate, law professors from Temple’s Philadelphia campus shared their experiences in Intellectual Property Law, Cyber Law, Anti-Trust Law and Human Rights and Development Law with students and spectators at TUJ.
“It’s really significant that Temple University made a commitment to this country 32 years ago and that our program made a commitment 20 years ago,” said JoAnne Epps, TUJ Dean and Professor of Law. “And I’m really proud that we get to celebrate this passage of time and dedicate our commitment to Japan.”
Watch for Adam’s reports from Tokyo all semester long on Temple Update and templeupdate.com
REPORT FROM BARCELONA: HISTORY AND FUTBOL (February 2014)
“Victory on the grass means more than just a win,” said Marcos Garcia, Spain Professor about the bonding effect of futbol in Catalonia culture.
The FC Barcelona futbol team has adopted “Mes Que Un Club” or “More Than a Club” as their team motto. This saying represents the ongoing struggle for Catalonian culture to connect to the greater Spanish region. The region’s government instability has spilled over to complicate the personal interactions of its people, ostracizing them from one another and threatening their national identity. Futbol has become a method of integration and acceptance in the Barcelona community, where FC Barcelona itself symbolizes the ongoing fight for unity during a time of political controversy.
FC Barcelona’s efforts are bridging culture gaps, creating a similar effect on Spanish culture that American football has on American culture. This represents a slow separation of political issues and social interaction, to allow more of Barcelona to be community members.
“[It’s] the single opportunity for them to feel free, to feel like they were expressing themselves for a complete portion of time,” said Garcia about FC Barcelona’s dedication to inclusion.
Garcia is sharing Barcelona’s struggles with his Foreign Culture class, as part of Culture Experiences Abroad’s Spain program. Students enrolled in this program take classes in Barcelona, Spain learning Spanish language, literature, history, art and culture at either the intermediate or advanced levels of Spanish comprehension.
Though strong utility of the Spanish language and interest in Spanish culture is important to the program, there are classes offered in English as well. Students in Garcia’s class toured FC Barcelona’s futbol stadium, Camp Nou, to see the depth of “Mes Que Un Club” in Spanish culture.
“We realized at the end of the tour how big of a symbol it is for the Catalonian culture,” said junior study abroad student, Liza Branella.
REPORT FROM TOKYO: COMING OF AGE (February 2014)
TUJ student Adam Glazer reports for Temple Update from Tokyo on a national holiday that signals an important turning point for young adults.
Here is his first report:
Coming of age is celebrated in unique ways by different cultures, in Japan, a nationally celebrated holiday is dedicated to Coming of Age, specifically the 20th birthday. In Japanese culture, the 20th birthday marks the passage into adulthood.
“Coming of the age day used to be on January 15th, til the year 2000,” said Temple University Japan Dorm Manager, Aki Kudo. “After that is set on the second Monday in January,”
As with many Japanese holidays, crowds gather at the various Buddhist Temples to purify themselves and wish for good luck.
In the historic district of Asakusa, the 7th Century Buddhist Temple, Sensoji is one of the popular Temples visited on the holiday.
Coins are customarily thrown before blessings are asked for, which is really a small price to pay for a streak of good luck.
“The right to vote is given to those 20 years old,” said Kudo. “Legal drinking age is 20, legal smoking age is 20.”
Market stalls are set up outside the Temple that boasts an array of interesting street food. Yet being in the presence of a historic building such as Sensoji, one cannot help think of the history that is behind this tradition.
“The origin of the coming of age day dates back to the medieval samurai warlord era,” said Kudo. “Boys after they came of age, were allowed to fight in the battlefields against the other clans.”
While the days of the samurai and warlords are long over, coming of age day is a reminder and honors ones adult responsibilities.
Watch for Adam’s reports from Tokyo all semester long on Temple Update and templeupdate.com
TEMPLE STUDENTS ADJUST TO LIFE IN LONDON (February 2014)
Temple study abroad students have been in London for just about a month. While adjusting to a new city and culture can be an experience in itself, some students have taken the chance to partake in daily life as Londoner. Temple junior Jamie Martorana, has taken time to indulge in one of Britain’s favorite past times, afternoon tea.
“Everyone’s been very nice and friendly and asking me about America and telling me things about London,” said Temple junior Jamie Martorana. “So far it’s been a great experience.”
However, there has been one question from the Brits that’s caught Jamie a little by surprise.
“I had a man on the bus ask me if I knew Chuck Norris,” said Martorana. “I do not know Chuck Norris, I wish I knew Chuck Norris.”
Jamie’s experiences are just a small insight into what Temple students are experiencing here in London.
Culture shock and adjusting to a new environment comes at a different pace for each individual student, and this first month in London has been a definite learning experience for all.
Jade Jarvis and KaRa Dorman will be reporting for Temple Update while in London for the rest of the Spring ’14 semester. Stay tuned for all things London.
REPORT FROM LONDON: STUDENTS HEAD HOME (December, 2013)
Robert Monroe and Mariana Zimmerman have been reporting from London for Temple Update all semester. For their final report, they asked fellow Temple-in-London students about their experience and what they will miss the most.
Communications Studies major Jennifer Hutz says she’ll miss interacting with Londoners: “It was really unique to be able to discover the differences between our cultures, even though we both speak the same language.” She says she’ll also miss the ease of traveling to other countries.
Journalism major Sunil Chopade also mentioned transportation – the double-decker buses. She also said she’ll miss “the general atmosphere of being here in a new place.”
Tara Levine, a Strategic Communications major will miss British children, her favorite sushi restaurant (Wasabi), and the “Tube:” “I’m going to miss the efficiency of the Tube, even when it’s down it’s still better than the Philly subway.” And Tara wholeheartedly endorsed the London experience, saying, “If anyone has the chance to study abroad, London is the perfect place to go.”
REPORT FROM LONDON: FALL BREAK (November, 2013)
Temple students studying in London have taken full advantage of their opportunities to travel during their fall break. They are now halfway through their semester of classes and internships.
Marianna Zimmerman and Robert Monroe talked to some of their fellow Temple London students before and after their break.
Some chose to stay and explore London more thoroughly, while others planned trips around Europe. Tara Levine, a Strategic Communications and Jewish Studies major, was heading to Barcelona, Venice and Rome. Communications Studies major Jennifer Hutz also had an ambitious itinerary.“I’m going to Switzerland first, and then I’m meeting a friend in Rome, and then to Bologna, and then Warsaw after that, and then Brussels, and finally back to London.”
But Kyle Schuerger, a Media Studies and Production major, was going to stick close to home. “I’m going to be staying in London over the fall break because I want to make sure I see as much of London as possible. I figured it was going to be cheaper, and there’s still plenty to do.”
After the break, students who left London talked about exploring different languages, different cuisine and of course, different landscapes. “Being in Geneva, you were surrounded by the Swiss Alps and it was surreal – it was the coolest thing,” remembers Jennifer. Tara says her visit to Spain revived her language skills. “In Barcelona I actually got to speak Spanish. I took eight years of it in high school and I was really excited to use it and I used it a lot, so that was exciting.”
Kyle didn’t regret his decision to stay in London. “I think i twas the first time that I didn’t have to worry about studying in London or working in London. It was just living in London, meeting more locals, you know, just living the London life.” And he was happy to see his traveling classmates return. “Everybody was hugging each other,” he remembers, “really happy to see everyone. It was really cool.”
Musical Theatre major Melissa Wolner was one of those travelers who was happy to return. “Because I was constantly picking up and moving, I couldn’t wait to get back to London because I really love London. I really liked the places I travelled to, but I definitely chose the right place to study abroad.”
“I’m having the time of my live abroad,” says Jennifer Hutz. “I can’t even believe I was in all those places.” She has advice for those considering studying abroad: “Just keep an open mind when traveling, because those are probably the best experiences you’ll have.”
REPORT FROM LONDON: ADVISING STUDENTS OVERSEAS (October 2013)
(Robert Monroe and Mariana Zimmerman are reporting for Temple Update while participating in the Temple London Study Abroad program this semester. Robert Monroe reports on the dual role of one faculty member.)
Temple Students are entering their seventh week in London, but they didn’t travel across the pond alone. Advertising Professor Sheryl Kantrowitz is their faculty advisor and is experiencing London along with the students.
During this semester Professor Kantrowitz is living in Chelsea, just like the students, and also had to adjust to London living. “I wasn’t able to live in the faculty housing – they had run out of room, explains Kantrowitz, “ so I went on to a realty company and put in the post code and ended up in a flat that I can basically see the school from.” The location turned out to be a big help, she says. “Before the students arrived I actually had been running around London and I explored quite a few neighbourhoods in zones 1 and 2 already, so that was a big part of my adjustment , kind of getting my bearings.”
In addition to teaching a class about social media and personal branding, Professor Kantrowitz also organizes trips and outings for the 30-plus Temple students. She also serves as a mentor for their time in London. “It’s a different dynamic,” says Kantrowitz, “being here as an advisor and mentor. It’s more mentoring outside of academics in many ways. It’s kind of like I feel I am the students’ tie to home.”
“She has gone way past being a professor at this point,” says Communications Studies major Katie Leva. “She just made the whole experience personal, and she showed that she really cares about us and she wants to see us succeed as much as possible. She can relate to us on a really personal level being also in the communications field. I would definitely consider her a mentor.”
Professor Kantrowitz wants the semester to have a lasting impact on the students. “I hope that this will be a semester they won’t forget. I hope that they’ll want to travel more in their life and learn about different cultures, and hopefully get a lot out of learning about a different media environment, and that that will stay with them throughout their careers.”
REPORT FROM LONDON: ON THE TRAIL OF JACK THE RIPPER (October 2013)
(Robert Monroe and Mariana Zimmerman are reporting for Temple Update while participating in the Temple London Study Abroad program this semester. Mariana Zimmerman reports here on an unusual night for one class.)
Instead of sitting in a classroom on Wednesday evenings, Temple students can be found roaming the streets of London exploring all the different neighbourhoods and sampling some of the fine cuisine.
Professor Brian Ridgers, who teaches a Travel Writing class for the Temple London program, has an unorthodox teaching style, and he knows what he wants his students to take away. “Experience, thinking critically, engaging London as a place,’ Ridgers says, instead of “sitting in and doing things when we could be out and exploring — there’s no substitute.” Journalism major Sunil Chopade agrees. “It’s a really engaging class. It’s traveling, in a sense.”
On a recent Wednesday evening, Professor Ridgers and his students explored the famous Brick Lane, and walked the same path as an infamous serial killer: Jack the Ripper. “I thought the tour was great – a little creepy,” says MSP major Nick Senft,, “it’s really great to have a teacher who could show us small alleyways and get to different sides of the city and explain why, all of a sudden, we are in a different structure.”
With Halloween just around the corner, the Jack the Ripper tour made for a perfect Travel Writing class adventure. “Jack the Ripper stuff is sensationalist,” says Professor Ridgers, “and it’s also amazing to come to the place it happened, which is still a part of the city that is still pretty vibrant.”
With their appetite for history — and crime — satisfied, Professor Ridgers took his class to a fainl stop: dinner at a nearby Indian restaurant.
REPORT FROM LONDON: TEMPLE STUDENTS ADJUST (September, 2013)
(Mariana Zimmerman and Robert Monroe are reporting for Temple Update during their semester with the SMC Study Abroad program in London. In her first report, Mariana looks at how Temple students are adjusting to live across the pond.)
The Royal Borough of Chelsea, London: What was once home to historical figures such as Sir Thomas More and Henry VIII, is now home to Temple University Students studying abroad.
With about thirty Temple Students attending, there are many different experiences. Paige Temos, a Strategic Communications Major, remembers being surprised. “My first impression when I got into London was that everything was backwards. The car situation really freaked me out. Everything was a lot more fast-paced – it was very “British.” People talk funny, but it was good.”
Journalism major Christasia Wilson says her background was good preparation. “My first impression was that it was a city. I’m from a city, so I was pretty comfortable,” says Wilson, “everything was moving around fast-paced, so I was used to it.”
Before arriving in London, most of the students didn’t know each other. But Advertising major Shannon King says being in a foreign country helped form friendships. “I think it’s good that we all went to the same school, so we have some destinations at home we can talk about,” says Shannon, “and kind of know some friends of each other, so that was a way to bond. Also, we are all in the same position.”
In addition to making new friends, students have also had to quickly grow accustomed to the currency exchange rate and a new transportation system. “I’m constantly just converting money in my head,” says Christasia, “so even when I want to do certain things, I’m just thinking about how much it really is in American dollars.”
Brandon Spain, and MSP major, is already a big fan of the London transport system: “Since we have our Oyster Cards, which we get to use for all our transportation, it’s a lot more efficient than SEPTA. I can pretty much get a bus whenever I need to, to wherever I need to. There’s never a time where I felt like I was relying on something that wasn’t going to work.”