Guest Blogger: Meet Rayen from Tunisia!

Hi all - Rei here! 

I hope you are doing well and getting ready for the rain/cold season that is about to come! A lot of people say that people in Washington do not own an umbrella, however there is actually quite a number of people who use their umbrellas on campus! So don't hesitate to use them and protect yourself from the wind and the rain! 

📍Pike Place Market

Today's blog is the take over of the guest blogger, Rayen! Rayen is from Tunisia, an exchange student at PLU, and he is majoring in Communication. Rayen is joining PLU as an exchange student for one academic year supported by the US department of States and IREX (A global development & education organization). He is the first international student to join PLU as a Thomas Jefferson Program scholar! Even though he has a limited time to study in PLU, he is actively getting involved with a variety of clubs and organizations here such as the founder of the African Student Association at PLU, and volunteer as a tutor at PLU Literacy Center. I asked Rayen some questions about student life in PLU which I hope would be helpful for students who are considering applying to PLU and for current PLU students! 

How long have you been living in the U.S. and how did you feel about the transition from your hometown to the U.S.?

'Aslema!' - as we usually say to greet our friends and family in Tunisia.

I have now called the U.S. my home for nearly two months, and I must say, it has been an incredible experience so far. Everything is GREAT! As an international student, I'm fully committed to seizing every opportunity, forging new connections, and getting the most out of my exchange year. My enthusiasm has no bounds! Reflecting on my journey, my transition from Tunisia to the U.S. was the hardest part. The first two weeks were undoubtedly challenging, as I found myself alone, on a different continent, and extremely out of my comfort zone. Still, I am immensely grateful for all the people I have met so far for making my journey easier and helping me adapt to this new life. The unfamiliarity of a new culture and environment has now become a source of fascination, and I am constantly learning and growing from it.

What surprised you the most when coming to the U.S.? 

Rayen with members of the African Student Union 

The diversity of the campus and the opportunities available have pleasantly surprised me. The United States is indeed a melting pot of cultures and perspectives, and my experience on campus reflects this beautifully. Interacting with students from all corners of the globe has been incredibly rewarding and consistently helped broaden my horizons. I am lucky enough to have built friendships with people from all over the world with whom I had a unique opportunity for both personal and intellectual growth. 

What are the things you like the most about PLU so far? 

The student life at PLU is incredibly amazing! I am really impressed by all the clubs on campus and their work. The events at PLU are also so diverse and there is always something exciting happening on campus. PLU is not just a place to attend classes but it also presents an exceptional campus environment! Whether you're interested in sports, arts, cultures, or anything between, there's a club for you. 

Group photo from ISS Hiking Trip! 

What/where are your favorite places or things to do in PLU? 

There are many things I enjoy at PLU, but I can undoubtedly say that the hiking trips are making my exchange year unforgettable. I am truly impressed by how green Washington is, and the mountains are absolutely breathtaking. I also enjoy spending time in the African Student Association, working on the upcoming meeting with all the members, hearing their ideas, and working collaboratively to make our events successful. All of these have created a sense of belonging and friendship that has been part of my exchange year so far. 

What are some advice that you would give future international students wanting to come to PLU? 

Enjoy the process! Applying for college can be stressful but it's a lifetime experience so get the most out of it. 

Once you are at PLU, be active! Make sure to join clubs, meet new people, and make the four years memorable. The International Student Office on campus is a great support so make sure to attend all the events and meet all the great people there. Always remember, you are not alone on this journey, there are plenty of international students who also look forward to meeting you and becoming your friend!  

And that wraps up this week's Guest blogger post! I hope this helps not only the student who is considering applying for PLU but also the current international students for your future life in PLU! After the Midterm break, school work may get harder and stressful but we got this! Go Lutes! 

-Rei 

"Embracing the American Dream: My Journey as a Business Student at Pacific Lutheran University"

 Hello everyone - it's Blen, welcome to my blog!

When I first arrived in the United States as Freshman student at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), I was filled with excitement and anxiety. Growing up in Ethiopia, I had always dreamed of studying business in America and pursuing my passions on a global scale. However, I was also faced with a new set of challenges and cultural differences that I wasn't fully prepared for. 

One of the biggest adjustments I had to make was the fast-paced lifestyle at PLU. Classes were more demanding, and I was expected to take a more proactive role in my education. But despite these challenges, I quickly discovered that PLU was a place where incredibly supportive, and I was able to connect with a diverse group of classmates from all over the world. 

Another significant change for me was the American approach to education. In Ethiopia, I was used to a more lecture-based style of learning, but at PLU, I was encouraged to participate in group discussions and presentations. This allowed me to develop my communication and leadership skills, and I was able to contribute to class discussions in a meaningful way. 

Outside of the classroom, PLU offered numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. I joined the Business Club and was able to attend networking events and workshops that helped me develop skills and connect with industry professionals. I was also able to participate in various community service projects that allowed me to give back to the local community and make a positive impact. Living in the US has also given me the opportunity to explore my personal interests and hobbies. I have been able to attend concerts, sporting events, and try new foods that I wouldn't have had access to in Ethiopia. I have also been able to travel to different cities and states, which has allowed me to gain a better understanding of the country and its diverse cultures. 

Overall, my experience at PLU has been nothing short of amazing. I have grown both academically and personally, and I have made connections and memories that will last a lifetime. I am proud to be a student at PLU and grateful for the opportunities that I have been given. 

In conclusion, coming to the United States and studying at PLU has been an incredible journey. It has challenged me in ways I never thought possible, but it has also allowed me to grow and develop in ways that I never could have imagined. I am excited to see what the future holds and can't wait to see where my journey at PLU will take me next. 

 

-Blen

Around the World 2022 Recap!

Hey everyone - it's Rei! Surprisingly, it is already late November! It has been cold everyday, and there is only about a month left in the fall semester. In the meantime, last week was International Education Week (IEW) 2022, and various events related to international affaires were held at PLU! In fact, IEW is the official national education week, celebrating the benefits of international education and exchange around the world! 

PLU's International Student Office hosted an annual event called Around the World, which allowed students to travel around the world without having to leave campus. This year, students from a total of six different countries: Denmark, Vietnam, Chili, Taiwan, U.K., and Japan (relatively fewer than past years, sad...) hosted tables and displays to present their unique histories, characters, and cultures to other students. Here is a recap of that event and my hosting of Japan, and a blog version Around the World for those of you who were unable to come to the event. I hope this will be helpful to those who would like to host a table next year! 

Japan's Onsen Culture

Onsen, is the Japanese word for "hot springs," or "bath" which is warmed by the heat of the earth. In other words, Onsens are natural hot springs, fueled by volcanic activity, as well as the resort atmosphere that has emerged around many such springs. In Japan, there are also public bathhouses where tap water is boiled. However, there are significant differences between them in terms of the texture and aroma of the hot water, and the warmth of the water after bathing. The minerals in Onsen water make the experience completely different. Once you try it, you will surely understand the charm id Japanese hot springs. 

History of Onsen

In Japan, there have long been myths about hot springs in various parts of the country, such as the healing of injured animals, and the Japanese people's belief in hot spring was born out of their "gratitude and reverence for gifts of nature." The benefits of hot springs were initially known only to the residents living near the hot springs, but when Prince Shotoku (picture below) took medical treatment at a hot spring called Dogo Onsen, a memorial monument (picture in left side) was built to celebrate his recovery, and the Dogo Onsen and Onsen itself became famous. After that, other emperors and members of the royal family in Japan began to visit hot springs in various regions, and people began to believe more and more in the efficiency of hot springs. 

Later, in the Edo period, more and more people began to develop hot springs as a business opportunity. Hot springs inns began to built in places such as Hakone and Atami, where the springs were located nearby. The hot springs in Onsen inns were marketed as a way to "become one with nature" when bathing in the hot springs, without any particular modifications from the source of Onsen. Hot springs used to be located in the middle of nowhere or in the countryside where the springs are located nearby, but due to urbanization, public bathhouses began to appear in the city, and now some super public bathhouses carry hot spring water. They are well equipped and are often used by businessmen after work or college students after their classes as a place to relax. 

Place to visit for Onsen

Ginzan Onsen in winter time

The retro scenery of Ginzan Onsen is like stepping back in time. In the hot spring resort area where wooden inns line both banks of the Ginzan River, gas lamps are lit at night, creating a nostalgic Japanese atmosphere. It is just like the setting of the movie "Spirit Away." The most photogenic time to visit is on a snowy night. The snow-covered streets look great against the outside lights. Soaking in hot spring resort can offer. There are many cafes, eating spots, and souvenir shops within walking distance, making it an enjoyable hot spring resort to stroll around. It is one of the hot spring resorts I would definitely recommend!

To sum it up, Onsen is one of the healthiest cultures that Japan has to offer, and one that you should definitely experience when you visit Japan! I hope this information has been helpful to you, and below are photos of everyone who hosted a table at Around the World 2022! I am looking forward to next year's IEW events and hope that more tables and visitors will be added. Have fun during the Thanksgiving break while getting a good rest, and start preparing for Finals week well in advance!

-Rei

Japanese Drum Lessons

Study Away at UK! 

Taiwan!

Denmark!

Vietnam!

Chile!

　                                    

Meet Amandine - Our first guest blogger!

 Hi everyone, this is Silje! 

Long time, no see - Things have been super stressful with moving into a house off-campus, being a student leader at the New International Student Orientation and the beginning of classes (which are finally in-person again!). But, we are back on track to our regular blog schedule, and this week is our guest blogger week! This is a new concept that we are introducing to our blog, which will either feature interviews with the guest or a blog-takeover. 

Amandine at the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum

For our first guest blog, we have Amandine Barban (22), who came to PLU during our current semester, Fall of 2021, and is doing a semester exchange for her MBA program! Amandine is from the Auvergne region in France, which she describes as a beautiful, green region with a lot of volcanos (that are thankfully inactive), but she was born in Montpellier in the south of France. Amandine is a student at NEOMA Business School in Rouen, which is located in the north of France, and we are really excited that she is spending a semester of her education here with us at PLU! I asked Amandine a few questions about what she has experienced during her first 3 weeks in Washington. 

You came to PLU for fall semester 2021. Why did you want to do an exchange year from France, and what made you choose PLU as opposed to other colleges in the US?
    I had already had the awesome opportunity to do an exchange program six years ago in Ontario, Canada for 3 months, from which I have met wonderful people and made several great memories. I really wanted to re-live an international experience because I love to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone! I think it is a very fulfilling and enriching experience and I would recommend it to anyone. Also this time is different because I am not living with a family but I am more " on my own '', since I am living on campus and I didn't know anyone before coming here. And the main reason I chose PLU as opposed to other colleges in the US is mainly its location: I didn't want to end up in a state in the middle of nowhere haha! I liked that the Washington state was on the West coast and not too far away from Seattle and other great cities that I wanted to discover.

 What has been the biggest culture shock that you have experienced since coming here?
    There have already been several: first of all, living on a huge campus like this is really something that we don't get to experience in France. Also, I was surprised at the beginning that everybody would ask me how I was doing, at any time: when passing someone on the street, when ordering food, when going to a store... But I have to admit that the biggest culture shock I have experienced here is with the food: even if I love fast food, I really miss eating actual cooked meals. I never thought I would have said that but I miss vegetables and healthy food hahaha! 

Is there anything you noticed were more similar to France than you thought, or anything that you did not expect to be different but were? Anything new that you have learned in the last month of being in Washington? 
    I have learnt to always be careful when looking at prices, since here the tax is not included and also you have to tip almost everywhere! In France, tips are like a bonus for waiters and waitresses, contrary to here where it is the way they actually get paid. Also I did not expect food to be so expensive, I feel like you pay the same amount for fast food here than for actual "restaurant" food in France. Eventually I didn't expect Americans to eat dinner so early, that required some adaptation from me in the beginning.

If your family or friends came to visit you in Washington, what is something that you would really like to show them?

    First I would want to show them the campus and its accommodations; but apart from that, I would take them to Seattle and visit Pike Place Market, as well as show them Dale Chihuly's glass sculptures.

Do you have anything on your bucket list of what you'd like to see or do during your time? Any bucket list experiences that you have already crossed off?

    As said above, I have already had the opportunity to go to Seattle (4 times already!), which was something I was really looking forward to. I have also been to Tacoma several times, and done a hike in Mount Rainier! Next locations on my bucket list would be Portland, the Olympic National Park, Vancouver and New York. I would also like to experience life on campus and I am really looking forward to attending on-campus events such as PLU's Theatre and Dance musical.

You're currently doing an MBA program, which for someone who might not know, stands for Masters in Business Administration. To provide a slight insight on Amandine's masters, she is enrolled in "Organizations, Leadership and Change Management", "Quantitative and Managerial Decision Analysis", "Marketing Management" and "Project Management". How has the first couple weeks of classes been? What are your favorite classes, and why?

    The first couple weeks of classes have been good! I already have a lot of projects and presentations, which is a bit stressful but also stimulating. Also the teachers are very understanding and have a close relationship to their students, which is something that I really appreciate. One of my favorite classes so far is the Marketing class because our teacher is very "entertaining", by that I mean that his course is very dynamic, which is important to me since all my classes are in the evening. I also appreciate that the class is not presented as a lecture but rather as interactive presentations made by students themselves.

What are some advice that you would give future international students wanting to come to PLU?

    I would advise to bring some snacks from home because food will be the second thing you miss the most after your friends and family ahaha! And other than that, just be open to any opportunity that is given to you and to live your exchange year/semester 100% - time flies and you don't get to live this kind of experience everyday, so make sure to take advantage of it as much as possible. This way you will meet amazing people and make wonderful memories! 

And that concludes the interview with our first guest blogger! I want to thank Amandine for her time, and wish her good luck with the rest of her exchange program. 

Until next time, 

    - Silje