Spartans Abroad

                                                                      Final Post

As my first trip abroad comes to an end I sit here in the Amsterdam Airport reflecting on all of my experiences. I made my decision study Advertising abroad in Europe very late in the school year. I did not book my flight until 3 weeks before and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had seen pictures from friends and heard about trips abroad and how in order to understand the experience you have to actually go experience it. I was hesitant to actually follow through with my decision but as I sit here I am realizing that it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

When we first arrived in Barcelona I felt uncomfortable with the culture. I did not like it and I wanted to go home. I have had some ups and downs this trip but the good times have helped me appreciate everything that I was able to accomplish. In the USA, we are so privileged and coming to a culture that is so different was hard for me at first.  Yes, I knew that it was going to be different but not that different. It was a culture shock that took me by surprise. It took me a few days to get acclimated to the time difference and the city I was in and when I eventually got comfortable I ended up liking it a lot more. 

This study abroad trip has was given the opportunity to learn about different cultures and groups of people in a way that I never knew possible. I have learned so much about people, food, music, art, business, marketing and many other things.The way our program was structured allowed us to really immerse ourselves into the culture that we were in. I have learned a lot about myself and what I want to do with my life. This trip offered new and different perspectives from people that challenged mine. We have faced with many barriers this trip and knowing that we can overcome them together is empowering and motivating.  Before this trip, I was unaware of my desire to travel but after being here for 3 weeks I can't wait to plan my trip. 

My group and our Professor, Juan Mundel, are the people who made this trip so life changing. It would not have been the same without these people. They were always there to challenge one another and try to bring out the best in one another. I am very thankful that I had this group by my side throughout this trip because I couldn't have done it without them.

My overall experience with food was an incredible one. I have never been able to try so many different types of food in such a short time. My goal in Amsterdam was to eat as much traditional, local Dutch food as possible. When we first arrived we stopped at a local dutch/french restaurant and tried all different types of pattes, cheese, sausage and much more. The options were endless. A standout restaurant in Amsterdam would have to be The Avacado show. This small lunch joint incorporates Avacado in all of their food dishes. I had an Avacado bowl that was filled with all sorts of vegetables and hummus. I also had a poke bowl that was made entirely out of avocado.

As I reflect on my food experiences throughout Europe I feel that I am much more cultured and knowledgeable about the way I view food. I have a better understanding of the traditions attached and how drastically it can differ from area to area.I am overall very pleased that I had to opportunity to tour these 3 countries.

I would like to thank my family, friends, Juan, Mundel, and ASE group for making this such an awesome experience.

-Jack C. Warren

France Pt.2

Bonjour,

We arrived in Amsterdam this afternoon but I still have so much to say about France. This past weekend a few members of our group and I took a trip to St. Tropez. I have always wanted to visit this coastal town that is part of the French Riveria and I realized that this could be my only opportunity. We arrived there on Thursday in a helicopter which was one of the coolest experiences I have ever had and from that moment we touched down I never wanted to leave. The views, people, food, and culture all amazed it. It was similar to Cannes but it was also very different St.Tropez  was a much smaller town and although had less going on it was like something I have never seen before. The overall culture in France was much different than I expected but I am very lucky to have had the opportunity to explore all parts of France in such a short period of time.

Cuisine this week has been Interesting. Everything we eat here has a certain touch of elegance. In the states, I am so accustomed to the food at home coming out so quickly with no personal touch. At Saint-Marguerite on Wednesday, we stopped at a handmade ice cream roll shop. The way he created it was eloquent and took actual skill.

In St.Tropez, we ate at a restaurant n that offered more than just good food. L'Opera is an outstanding restaurant that offers full entertainment while indulging in fresh fish caught daily. For dinner, I had a type of flatfish called turbot with sides of freshly steamed vegetables s and truffled potatoes.The entertainment consisted of a Cirque do sole type performance right on our tables.

My overall experience this trip has been very fulfilling. I have learned about people, cultures, food and of course advertising in ways I never knew possible. The Cannes festival had so much to offer and I wish that I was able to see everything. I will 100% be attending the festival in future years because I feel like I still have so much to learn. My experience here has exceeded my expectations and I am truly living a dream

Bonjur des amis cannes de retour à la maison. J'espère que tu vas bien. We arrived yesterday and are on our next journey in Cannes, French Riveria, France. This is the most beautiful place I have ever been and I don't think I will ever be ready to leave. The cuisine so far is drastically different than that of Barcelona. In Barcelona, we ate tapas and various small portions of all different types of food which were amazing. I definitely have a better taste for the food in Cannes. The difference is tremendous even though they are so close in distance.Cannes seems to have a cleaner more fresh feel throughout. The seafood and vegetables are of a much higher caliber than in Barcelona. The flavors of all the different cuisine really wake your taste buds and Introduce you to a whole new world of food. I have been searching for a market but I haven't come across one thus far. 

Throughout my short time here I have had the opportunity to try a plethora of foods that I could not try elsewhere. The Crepes were especially delicious. One has stuffed with prosciutto, mozzarella, bacon, lettuce, and pesto. It was quite possibly the best thing I have ever eaten. Another outstanding dish I had was at a quaint beachside cafe that had was covered in meats, cheese, and vegetables with a light oil based dressing. 

The culture of food and drinking and the way they celebrate in the French Riveria is much different in Barcelona. Cannes is much more reserved and professional. Restaurants, bars, and stores all close early. It is a quieter town with an Americanized feel. Barcelona, on the other hand, is a wild town and everything is open late. The social cues and acceptable behavior are much different then Cannes.It seems acceptable to do almost anything in Spain. 

Cannes is an amazing city and I cannot see what more it has to offer.

Au Revior!!

Jack

Blog Post 2

Hey everyone!! I  finally made it to Barcelona. This week had been an amazing experience and I have learned so much about the Catalan and Spanish culture. The best experience I have had so far with food would have to be at The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boque, usually referred to as. La Boqueria Market in Barcelona. The current name is believed to derive from the Catalan boc, meaning "goat", therefore a boqueria would be a place where goat meat is sold. It was an amazing sight to see with so many different varities of food. The market has been around for hundreds of years and is a huge part of the Catalan culture. I sampled all different types of fruits, fetch vegetables, tapas and more. The market is a great place to go check out the deep-rooted culture while enjoying some delicious local food. Barcelona is a city with many talents and has beautiful things to offer. I will miss the hot subways, salty sardines, tomato bread and the complex architecture.

adéu per ara

Hello, My name is Jack Warren and I am currently a junior at Michigan State University. I am majoring in Advertising with a double minor in Public Relations and Political Science. During my time abroad I will be visiting 3 countries and various cities within these countries.I have chosen the topic of “Food Across Europe” to be my main focus for my blog during my trip abroad. I will be embarking on my journey on June 10, 2017, and will leave my footprint in Barcelona, Cannes, and Amsterdam. My goal throughout this process is to identify and admire the different types of cuisine in each of these cities and relate them to their culture and society which they are a part of. I am looking forward to experiencing food in a completely different form then I am used to. This blog will mainly focus on the way that the food is created and the way it is celebrated. I want to learn more about the different ritualistic routines that cultures perform before and during a meal. I will be posting pictures and video logs on my Instagram to demonstrate these creations and celebrations and I cannot wait to learn more.

Bon Voyage!

Jack