Studying Abroad Stands Out to Employers

The FSU International Programs trip to Moscow was the experience I needed as a student studying Russian and International Affairs to take my learning and post-undergrad career to the next level. I was able to apply much of what I had learned in class at Florida State, which allowed me to build upon that already solid foundation. The excursions and activities provided for us gave me a glimpse into the Russian spirit, its proud, yet somber, past, and its optimistic future. We were privileged to experience things that a normal tourist visiting Russia would never be able to experience. I explored the districts of Moscow, studied at the one of the world’s most preeminent universities, saw two performances at the Bolshoi Theatre and one at the Kremlin Palace, visited countless art galleries and museums, climbed the tallest tower in Europe, rode on the train of the Communist Party Elite to St. Petersburg, stayed in luxurious hotels, saw grand and historic cities, spent hours meandering about Gorki Park, gazed at historic and awe-inspiring architecture, walked the path of Dostoevsky, visited Tolstoy’s estate, marveled at the Russian countryside, ate some of the greatest cuisine Europe has to offer. And I was treated like a welcomed guest by tour guides and civilians alike. Any student who plans on specializing in Russian studies must do themselves the favor of going on the IP trip to Moscow. I am proof that the program is a sound investment in one’s future – especially if one wants a career in American-Russian affairs.

When I returned from Moscow, I applied to the Department of State’s Student Internship Program and Virtual Student Foreign Service Program. To date, I have received a total of four offers from both programs in fields pertaining to Russian foreign affairs. I received an offer from the Embassy in Riga to intern in the Public Affairs office to engage in outreach to the country’s Russian minority. The Embassy in Moscow contacted me soon afterwards to offer me a position in the Political Section to assist the political and military affairs team. Finally, I was offered a position to work in Washington D.C. with the Department of State’s Bureau of Research and Intelligence. I ultimately decided to take the position in Moscow because of my love and knowledge of the city and the fact that the position falls perfectly in line with what I would like to do as a career. The final offer I received came from the Department of State’s Virtual Student Foreign Service Program which allows students to work on different projects through different organizations. I was offered a position from the Embassy in Moscow to perform outreach to Russian youth and to provide a cultural bridge aimed at linking our nations together through mutual understanding and respect. This internship will last the remainder of fall semester and will continue while I am in Moscow for the spring. I could never have imagined so many opportunities falling into place after having studied abroad in Moscow. I can speak with confidence when I say that going on the trip was not only the greatest decision I’ve made, but also the greatest experience I have ever had. Thank you, Dr. Efimov, for making the program what it is. Thank you for convincing me to join, and thank you for doing what you do for all of your students. We know how much you put into this program and I hope that I can repay you in some small way in the future. But until then, you should know that you have sparked a love and an interest for culture, people, and a nation, and I will continue to keep that passion burning bright until the day I die.

Written by: Nate Lanaghan
Photos by: Nate Lanaghan

 

 

Budgeting- Let’s Be Realistic

London is an expensive place to live- and eat. Especially when the conversion rate is around 1.5 US Dollars to 1 GB Pound. No, London is not just a large but still quaint, English city. It is the business capital of the world and an international melting pot equitable to living in New York City. In preparation for my study abroad this summer I thought, “It’ll be so great to have a flat where I can cook all of my meals. I’ll average about $4 per meal!”- No.

            Any place you study abroad you will want to experience the local cuisine as much as possible. As someone who enjoys cooking, I have found myself cooking dinners at home only about one night a week. I eat lunches at home another 1-2 days and most breakfasts. Other than that, I’m always out and about in the city, traveling, exploring new places, not worrying about getting back to the flat to make myself a sandwich when I can pick one up on every street corner- beautifully prepared with a side of crisps from Pret a Manger.

           Problem #2 with trying to plan ahead and keep a well-stocked fridge: the food goes bad within a matter of days. Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve found the downside of the fresh, non-GMO, preservative-free food populating the grocery stores in the UK- it rots at rapid speed. Here, it’s the social norm to run to your local Sainsbury’s or Waitrose to grab your next meal every day, maybe twice a day. Keeping large amounts of food at home isn’t realistic for a busy student like you or me. When your bread, deli meats, and cheese are all perishing at different paces and you don’t want to buy a whole bottle of mustard or mayonnaise for the 1 to 2 months you’ll be here, why bother? Just go to Itsu and get some half-priced sushi between 7-8pm and punch another notch in your loyalty card.

            BUT don’t let all this get you down! There are still plenty of ways to stay on track and on budget while studying abroad in London:

-Sainsbury’s offers a meal deal of either a sandwich, pasta, or salad with crisps (chips) and a drink for 3 pounds (about $4.5). Stop by in the morning and bring it with while you’re traipsing around town.

-Have “family dinners” with your flat mates. As often as we can, my flat mates and I take turn cooking for each other. When you buy ingredients from the store, it’s going to be enough to feed 5 anyways.

-Don’t spend money on water bottles. All of the tap water in London is safe to drink and tastes fine! Keep 1 or 2 bottles at home and reuse them.

            Be sensible with your spending on food but know that a typical meal out is going to average 6-10 GBP (tack on 4 GBP if you plan on getting a drink). This will come out to about $15-$20 per meal. 

Budget accordingly and you’ll have a recipe for success. Cheers!

Nine Trouble-Saving Tips in Valencia

By Devyn Fussman
It’s true that there’s no teacher like experience, but there are still a few things that are helpful to know- and that I wish I’d known – before going to Valencia.

 

1. When you go to talk to your bank about using money overseas, ask if they can give you a chip card (a credit card with a computer chip in it). Most places in Europe won’t take cards that don’t have the chips, and it’s much easier than trying to count out cash in a long line. Also ask if they can order euros for you, and get a decent amount. I did this before leaving and it made the first week a much smoother transition since I didn’t have to run around trying to find a place to exchange money. When you place your order, ask that the denominations be mixed up so you’re not weighed down with too many little bills or at risk with too many big ones. 

 

2. The tables and chairs on the streets are not public; they belong to the restaurants in front of them. This isn’t obvious because the umbrellas will sometimes have different logos, but if you sit down it means you’re going to buy something. I had no idea that was the case and almost annoyed a server by eating another restaurant’s food at one of her tables! To save face, I quickly ordered water (which, by the way, is not free in Spain). The way cafés work in Valencia and in other parts of Europe is the customer sits down and the server walks over and takes the order. Unlike in America, the servers aren’t going to keep checking on you to see if you need anything. They don’t rush you at all and won’t give you the bill until you ask for it. When you want to pay, remember the magic words: La cuenta, por favor.

 

3. Another difference from America is that in Valencia, cafés are treated more like actual restaurants and less like makeshift office spaces. People don’t sit and stay; nobody breaks out a laptop and studies for finals like they do in Tallahassee. The one place that might be an exception is Starbucks, but even then you should expect to buy some food and drink in exchange for your stay.

 

4. Buy a reusable tote bag at the Bazar Feliz (the convenience store near the study center) or bring one with you. This is a huge help when it comes to grocery shopping, because you have to carry everything you buy and the stores here will charge you for plastic bags.  Bring a tote or buy one at the grocery store, and take a backpack too for extra space. Publix has spoiled us by always bagging our groceries, providing the bags free of charge, and loading up our cars for us. In Valencia, not only do you have to pay for the bags, you have to fill them yourself! That was a bit of a surprise to me when the cashier rang me up and immediately pushed my stuff to the side and helped the next customer. 

 

5. Don’t disregard the coins. In America, quarters are the only coins with any real value most of the time, so we tend to just throw them aside. But with the euro that’s not the case. There are coins that are worth one or two euros, and you can actually buy things with them.

 

6. Restaurants in Valencia don’t provide free refills. But what they do provide is a bottle for your drink in addition to a glass, so you can take it with you if you don’t finish. The portions they give tend to be reasonable, so if you pace yourself well you shouldn’t even need a refill.

 

7. Don’t expect a lot from breakfast time. At FSU we’re used to having big breakfasts at Dennys, Einsteins and Dunkin Donuts, but in Spain breakfast isn’t as much of a thing. It’s usually a piece of bread, some coffee, and maybe a piece of fruit. The main meal of the day is lunch, so you’re not likely to find a lot in terms of pancakes or omelets. But Pan de Queso, which is right across the street from the Gold building, has some delicious bread for good prices, and they accept cheques too.

 

8. When you go on the excursions, pay attention to the directions used to get where you’re going. The way they usually work is that you’ll be escorted to the site, but once you get there you’re on your own, so it’s important to know how to get back. Take notes if you have to, and be sure to use landmarks that are unique. I made the mistake of using a pharmacy as my landmark, not realizing that there are two of them on every corner! Try something more specific, like a graffiti drawing or a historical site.

 

9. If you start to feel homesick, the best medicine is to distract yourself. I always found that it hit me the hardest when I was just lying around my room doing nothing; as soon as I left I felt much better. Get out and do something to take your mind off it, even if all you do is go for a walk. The beauty of Valencia and all that goes on will give you something else to think about, and when classes and excursions start, you’ll be so busy you won’t have time to be homesick!

 

London's Top 5 Places to Eat

 By Kristen Kemp

You’re going to hear of lot of people advising you to “eat in” if you want to save money. While I agree that eating in is extremely cost efficient in the world’s most expensive city, I tried to eat out A LOT in London, and I’m so glad I did. 

It’s common knowledge that the English have never been necessarily known for their “world class cuisine.” However, London is very demographically diverse, which is reflected in the cuisines seen throughout the city. It is a common sight to see an authentic Indian restaurant right next-door to a 200 year old pub. Below, I have ranked a few of my absolute favorite places to eat around Central London (trying to hit a variety of palettes) all of which are less than a 20 minute walk from the FSU Study Center. 
 
#5 Scoop 
In the states, to satisfy the American sweet tooth we usually go for the classic pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. In London, locals head to Scoop…not for ice cream, but for gelato. My first trip (out of so many I lost count) to Scoop I got a small cup of Pistachio gelato and I was instantly hooked. After that my standard order became a triple scoop in a large cone, or nothing at all. Some of my favorite flavors were Nocciola (hazelnut), Tiramisu (with fresh Italian Mascarpone cheese), and of course, Pistachio. So make, one, two, three trips to Scoop. They have multiple locations around the city, but I loved the Scoop on 40 Short’s Garden the best. 


#4 The Sherlock Holmes 
No, unfortunately the real Sherlock Holmes never hung out here. However, the pub features a replica of Holme’s and Watson’s sitting room and study. If you’re looking for the perfect place to escape the London rain (what happened to us) and have a delicious, authentic fish and chips, this is your place. The Fish and Chips here are the best,  especially paired with a Kopparberg Cider. The Sherlock Holmes is located very close to the River Thames and Big Ben area. 




#3 Kiku Kiku Sushi 
This goes out to all my fellow sushi lovers. You will notice in London a lot of grab and go sushi joints, like Itsu (which has really good Miso soup), and Wasabi. These places aren’t bad, but if you want freshly made, top grade sushi, head to Kiku Kiku. I went there a few times, and usually got the Prawn Tempura & Avocado Roll and the Sake Avocado Maki (salmon avocado roll). Note, that they do sell sushi by the piece, but prices are reasonable. I loved Kiku also because of its close proximity. Head toward Shaftesbury Avenue and at the big intersection, go down Endell Street, it's 5 minutes down on the left, tucked away. 

#2 Nando’s 
Nando’s has a very big place in my heart, and on my travel debit card. It’s hard to compare Nando’s to anything we have in the states, because it truly is one of the only chains of its kind. Nando’s in three words would be fresh, zesty and saucy. With multiple locations around London, drop into Nando’s for a hot, seasoned to perfection meal. I usually got the wings with fries and peri peri salt. Don’t forget to go crazy with the Nando's sauces, they are all good. If you will be in London for more than 4 weeks I would recommend getting a loyalty card, it also makes a fun scrapbook souvenir. 



#1 VQ 24-Hour Restaurant

Sometimes the BEST places are the ones that are right out your door. In this case, I mean that literally. VQ is located on the same street as the study center, just take a right out the door and you’re there in 45 seconds. VQ became my favorite place to eat very quickly into my program. Their menu offers everything, from 24 hour delicious full english breakfasts to the most amazing Salmon I have ever had. It’s also one of the best places to grab a book or school work and go chill and have a meal. The waiters are very used to students and business professionals coming in and dining/working. The wait staff is extremely nice and inviting, and after about my 4th visit, eventually started noticing how much I liked their food. Right when you get to London, make VQ one of your first stops. 

 

 

Why I Love This City

By Jasmine Crane

The summer that changed my life involved a week-long trip to the one and only City of Lights that included an extensive tour of all that is Paris that left me obsessed and begging for more.  When the week was up, I remember leaving with such a heavy heart, thinking that I might never get to venture back to this side of the world again and be with my city.  But, as life would have it, two years later I finally got another opportunity to visit Paris again!  After some hard work and serious planning, I found myself on a plane headed for Charles de Gaulle airport for my now month-long stay in the summer where I would be soaking up every bit of French culture that was possible.  And you better believe I was ready to take on that city one baguette at a time. 

So, you’re probably wondering, as most people I know do, why I was so unbelievably excited to be in Paris!  I mean, once you’ve seen the Eiffel Tower, eaten some bread, and ridden the metro, you’ve seen it all, right?  Well my friends, that is simply not true.  There is so much more to Paris than just what you see on the postcards.  While the famous monuments and idea of glamour are what draw most people into the city, the rich culture, decadent foods, and simple beauty are usually what make people to want to stay. 



I know this might sound crazy, but I would honestly go back to Paris simply for the food itself.  And I’m not talking about the cuisine that you might find in those tourist cafes on Rue de Rivoli or by La Tour Eiffel.  I’m talking about the unknown gems that lie all around the city, the ones that house the best meals and drinks you’ll only hope to find.  Taking a chance on a cafe, restaurant, brasserie, or boulangerie that you have never heard of while in Paris will be one of the best decisions you make.  You will always be able to find food that is uniquely French in places where the French themselves go to eat!

 

To me, Paris remains so enticing because it is home to some important small parts of its culture. For example, on the way to the Latin Quarter, you might find the old apartment where Ernest Hemingway used to live or the building that Sigmund Freud had once inhabited in the 1800s.  If you find yourself in Montmartre on your way up to see the breathtaking Sacré Cœur, you could wander through the streets behind the church and learn about the famous artists that used to work there, marvel at the beautifully handcrafted buildings, or even visit the Musée de Montmartre and walk through the Jardins Renoir.  And afterwards, if you are lucky, you might find a wonderful fondue place down and around the corner that has a special way of serving you wine!            

                                                

   

Whatever you decide to do while in Paris, I guarantee that you will always be able to find little gems hidden around the city that you can call “mine.”  I still believe the fun part lies in being able to find them all.  Guess you’ll just have to keep visiting this wonderful city until you do! 

 

 

 

London Through a Lens

By Kayluis Peña

It was halfway through my junior year when I realized that my time at FSU was quickly coming to an end. I knew it would be very difficult to travel abroad for an extended period of time after I was out in the workforce, so I decided that I needed to pack up my things and study abroad. I quickly realized that it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

While in London I did all the typical "tourist" things during the first week, and lived there as a resident the rest of the time. I mingled with locals on afternoons at the pub and enjoyed various plates of fish and chips. On lazy evenings I would go to Trafalgar Square with some friends and just hang out.

Studying abroad through FSU was an amazing experience! Check out the link below to see London through my eyes!

Click here to see Kayluis' video

Throwback Thursday: Foreign Fare

Yesterday was the second edition of Throwback Thursday! Here are the scrumptious snapshots you sent in!

The next Throwback Thursday's (10/25) theme is "Goofy Globetrotters". Send in pictures of you and your friends being silly all around the world!

To send in your photos on Instagram, use #NolesAbroad in the description. You can also submit them through our Facebook page or on Twitter (@fsuip) and we'll share them throughout the day! Get those pictures ready!

Lebanese Cuisine in Panama!

By Morgan Welsh


If you’re studying abroad in Panama and want to go out for Lebanese food, then Beirut is the restaurant for you! They are great at accommodating large parties and offer a variety of indoor and outdoor seating. Convieniently located on the causeway, any taxi driver can take you there for about $5-8. The food is great and fairly priced. Everything from housemade hummus and stone baked pita bread to falafels and pizza. Their menu is several pages long with many different options so there is something for everyone. If you choose to dine outside you can enjoy your meal with a view of the sunsetting over the Pacific Ocean!

Beirut - Comida Libanesa International 

Must Do Markets In London

By Kelsey Repins

Part of being a “true Londoner” is experiencing the weekend shopping at the various markets scattered around the city. Come back to the States with cool, one-of-a-kind souvenirs and gifts!

Borough Market: This market is a wonderful place to find fresh bread, homemade jams, cheeses, meats, and all sorts of yummy goodies! Do your weekly food shopping here and enjoy all of the sights and smells.  Spend the morning picking up snacks and go on a picnic with the food you buy.

• Make sure you try an ostrich burger!

Borough Market

Brick Lane: This was one of my favorite markets! Brick Lane is a string of markets that open on Sundays only.  Find cool jewelry and funky screen tee shirts. Locals make headbands, purses, dresses, and so much more.

• There is lots of food from all over the world here but make sure to try the Moroccan cuisine!

Camden Market: Come here to barter on anything from clothes to antiques. Camden is more the alternative scene and residents of this area are generally young. Camden is a known as the home for the struggling artist, fashion designer, and musician.  Just walking through Camden is an experience!

• After a morning bartering in Camden, get on the bus and take the short trip out to Primrose Hill. Here you will get a wonderful view of the whole city.

Camden Market

Covent Garden Market: My favorite place in all of London would have to be Covent Garden and the area surrounding it. Covent Garden is a little shopping plaza filled with great stores to buy little gifts and funky trinkets. Make sure you not only visit the stores but the actually market itself on the weekends.

• One time when I was shopping in Covent Garden I stumbled across a flash mob!

Portobello Road Market: Anyone who has seen Hugh Grant and Julia Robert’s Notting Hill has heard of Portobello Road Market. Here you can fight the crowds for antiques on the main street. Make sure you go off the main road because there are smaller stores and venders who are willing to haggle! Keep in mind that this market is only open on Saturdays.

• Even if you are not in the market for antiques or clothing go for the atmosphere. Notting Hill is a very fashionable and “posh” neighborhood.  The rows pale blue, pink, and yellow houses are adorable and a must see for anyone visiting London.

Knotting Hill

Spitalfields Market: Like most of the other markets, Spitalfield vendors sell clothing, antiques, homemade crafts and much more. There are actual stores as well as venders and booths. The market itself is only on Sundays but the stores are open during the week.

• When I was in London, I would go to Brick Lane in the morning and Spitalfields in the late afternoon!

Keep in mind some of the items are sold by multiple vendors in multiple markets. Shop around for the best price and don’t buy the first thing you see! 

 

Now, That’s Amore: A Culinary Love Affair

By Erin "Caterina" Heffernan

I went to Italy hoping to fall in love.  I wanted to find my future husband there.  Instead, I fell in love with a plate of pasta (and one of the world’s most beautiful cities).

I thought that I knew what to expect from Italian food: spaghetti, pizza, panini, mozzarella, etc but I could never have anticipated the love affair that would inevitably ensue.  From the beginning, I had moments of hesitation, but as I began to eat, I realized that I had nothing to fear.

This love began with a sandwich, a particular sandwich.  This sandwich is numero 9 from Antico Noè, a panino shop near FSU’s study center that serves some of the most delicious sandwiches I have ever eaten.  Turkey, onions, brie cheese, spicy sauce: in a word, magic.  My love for numero 9 was unrivalled by anything I had ever eaten previous to that point in my life.  That is, until I met numero 11: sausage, spinach, pecorino cheese: in a word, life-changing.    As I ate these sandwiches and walked around the beautiful city of Florence, I realized that I had never loved an item of food so much before.  My life had been changed forever and I thought that it could not possibly get better than it was at that moment.

Andrea, me and Luca in Antico Noè

I could never have guessed what fate had in store for me just around the corner, literally. 

There is a restaurant in Florence called Trattoria all’Anita.  It is just behind the Piazza della Signoria, one of Florence’s most historic squares.  Affectionately known to travelling Noles as Anita’s, this is a favorite of locals, travelers and foreign students alike.  It is here that I would first lay eyes upon the love of my life, a little dish called tortellini alla norcina.  Tortellini, sausage, tomatoes, truffle cream: in a word, everything that is good about life.  I guess you could say that it was love at first bite (pun absolutely intended).  One day, I tasted some tortellini from a friend’s plate by chance, and was so smitten that I returned to the same restaurant the next night.  I needed a whole plate of this pasta for myself, sharing was simply not an option.

Tortellini alla norcina—the goodness can just not be conveyed in a photo

As I finished the plate, Nicola, one of the waiters, walked by to ask how everything was.  I looked up at him and, without hesitation or irony, said:

           

            “C’è un posto riservato in Paradiso per il cuoco di questo piatto.”

           

            “There’s a special place in Heaven for the cook of this meal.” 

Gianni, me, Nicola, and Maurizio; the brothers who own Anita’s

This is what the plate looked like after eating norcina.

He laughed and called his brothers over so that I could tell them what I had said and everyone laughed.  Honestly, I don’t know what came over me at that moment. I was just so overcome with emotion.  It was a sublime, divine, experience; something that I only imagine could be compared to falling in love or a divine revelation.  From that day on, the brothers at Anita’s always brought me tortellini alla norcina, without even asking.  They understand that there is only one dish in the world for me.

Believe me when I say, the churches in Italy are beautiful, but if you are looking for a religious experience, you should try searching the restaurants in addition to the cathedrals. 

Restaurant Suggestions in Florence

By Christine Lacayo

Although all programs in Florence provide meal tickets for most days of the week, I enjoyed eating at some of the other local restaurants. Below are some of my favorites.

Il Gatto e La Volpe- Via Ghibellina 151/r. This great Osteria serves big portions for very cheap prices. The breadsticks here are to die for and it has some of the best tasting pasta and pizza. Many American students come eat here and, apart from the food, students always return only because the friendly waiters make your evening so much more enjoyable.


Trattoria Anita- Via del Parlascio 2/r. The three brothers who own this little trattoria are very sociable and love for you to practice your Italian with them! They are open for dinner as well as lunch and they have a fantastic lunch menu. My favorite antipasto here was the bruschetta.


Gusta Pizza and Gusta Panino- Via Maggio 46. This restaurant is on the other side of the river. You should definitely venture out to Gusta Pizza because they serve the best pizza you will ever try!  Gusta Panino is right next to the pizza place and they serve delicious pastas and salads.


La Loggia degli Albizi- This little café serves great pastries, coffee, cappuccinos and lunch as well! Located a few doors down from the study center.


Antico Noe- Volta di San Piero 6/r. Located right around the corner from the study center. Here you can get the best panini you will ever try! There are about 16 or 17 different panini and they all taste amazing! You stand in line and there is menu of all of the different panini, feel free to make up your own! Try to go straight from class the line gets long quickly during lunch hours.