Philly: Birthplace of America where theliberty bell rings Nestled within the vibrant heart of Philadelphia lies a quartet of treasures, each reflecting a unique aspect of the city’s dynamic spirit and character. Stepping into the vibrant hubbub of Reading Terminal Market, I was immediately engulfed by the tantalizing scents and bustling energy. The aroma of freshly baked pretzels mingled with the sizzle of grilled cheesesteaks, drawing me deeper into this culinary wonderland. With each bite of my first cheesesteak, I was transported to the heart of Philadelphia’s food scene – a melting pot ..read more

Johanna Jarvis, Class of ’27, is a Graphic Design major studying at Tamagawa University this Spring/Summer 2024. As a spring-term study abroad student, I would be lying if I said I didn’t spend my entire spring break freaking out about packing. I had to have been the most stressed I have ever been… in regards to packing suitcases. At least Drexel was thirty minutes away from home, but Japan was a whole other realm of “if I don’t pack this, I won’t have it for four months. Am I okay with that?”. Luckily enough our program directors, the packing expert: Mom, and some other helpful resources guid ..read more

Barcelona is such a magnificent city with everything you can hope for. On one side, you have the mountains, and on the other, you have the beach. But with this abundance of options, how can you decide on what to see first? Here are my top 5 recommendations (in no particular order!). 5. Gothic Quarter Wander around the narrow corners of the Gothic Quarters and get lost in the maze-like paths! Every street is filled with a unique variety of shops and restaurants, you will never run out of options. The architecture in this neighborhood is preserved from the Middle Ages, s ..read more

This week marked an exciting milestone for me as an incoming exchange student at Drexel University – my first trip with my roommates, and what a trip it was! Late Thursday night, we boarded a flight bound for the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois. The excitement was tangible, and I couldn’t wait to delve into the adventure that awaited us. In this blog, I’ll share the highlights of our whirlwind trip and offer some recommendations for fellow travelers. On Friday morning, we kicked off our day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, ready for a full day of exploration. Our first stop was Millenni ..read more

Catalan, is one of the official languages in Barcelona, as well as Catalonia, the region it is in. When I first became aware of Catalan, I thought it was just another language. However, through continuous exposure, I soon realized how culturally significant Catalan is to its people. If you plan to visit Catalonia, it is beneficial to learn about the language’s rich history, including the persecution it has faced.   Like Spanish, Catalan is also a Romance language that originated from Latin. Over centuries, it evolved to have its own distinct vocabulary, gramm ..read more

Johanna Jarvis, Class of ’27, is a Graphic Design major studying at Tamagawa University this Spring/Summer 2024. After settling in, we decided that our first-ever weekend would be a venture into the city! A common, and understandable, misconception about Tokyo is that it’s one city– which is correct! But, it’s also a METROPOLIS (the king and main city of many others within its region!!). This is where you hear the areas like Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku, and many others. So, we decided on Shibuya, explore, and hopefully see some cherry blossoms! Before we got there, one essential thing to ment ..read more

Arriving in Korea was 50% of my study abroad… the abroad part. As for the other 50%, that’s where the struggle begins. Though there are so many things to do in Korea aside from studying, not every moment can be spent having great food, seeing beautiful sights, and trying new things. Studying in Korea in and of itself is a fun time, paired with great food for thought, seeing the beautiful sight of your textbooks, and trying new study methods. All jokes aside, studying at cafes is quite a vibe, leaving you satisfied with your productivity and sometimes the price you paid for a coffee. In this bl ..read more

This week, I truly embraced the tourist experience! I realized that I had been putting off visiting some of Philadelphia’s essential destinations for too long, prompting me to delve deeper into exploring the city. Here, I share my top five must-visit destinations that every newcomer to Philadelphia should experience at least once. 1. Independence National Historical Park: My adventure began with the hallowed grounds of Independence National Historical Park, where the very foundations of American democracy were laid. Walking in the footsteps of the founding fathers, I marveled at the historic s ..read more

Sensory Adventures.Blossom scents & Savory delights In the heart of the nation’s capital, where history echoes through every corner, lies the enchanting canvas of the National Mall. As I walked down the streets adorned with cherry blossoms, every step felt like a stroll through a painting. This was an irreplaceable feeling because it was always summer all year long back in Singapore. And I thought to myself: “so this is how Spring feels like“. I found myself immersed in a whirlwind of captivating experiences, where the sweet scent of cherry blossoms mingled with the melody of laughter an ..read more

Johanna Jarvis, ’27, is a Graphic Design major studying at the Tamagawa University this Spring 2024. As a first-year, already having moved out of the house into a dorm was a big enough move. So, if you were to tell me that I’d be halfway across the globe 6 months later, I would have to laugh! Three of my classmates and I were all accepted as the first students to join the Graphic Design exchange program with Tamagawa University (in person). As trailblazers, we’ve definitely had our fair share of trials and tribulations during our preparation process. But after all that, a 14-hour plane ride, a ..read more