The Pioneer Abroad

October 2013 Issue 11

October Around the World

Germany Its Oktoberfest! Held in Munich over the course of 16 days from late September to early October, this now famous event actually began in 1810 as a horse race. When youve had your fill there, head to Alleenbrcke, Tbingen for the Entenrennen, which involves a truckload of about 7000 rubber duckies floating down the river. Switzerland During the first week of October, an unusual festival occurs in Valais called Combat des Reines. Essentially, this is a cow fighting festival in which Erdinger cows compete to determine who will become queen. This event will have you gripping your seat, that is, until the cows become bored and wander off in search of some tasty grass. Ireland Are you searching desperately for that special somebody? Head to Lisdoonvara, Ireland for the matchmaking festival and pay a basadiri (matchmaker) to help you out. Or just enjoy the atmosphere and have some good old fashioned Irish craic (fun). Thailand Every October for hundreds of years, mysterious fireballs are seen to rise almost 300 feet above the Mekong River . While there are many theories, nobody really knows what causes this phenomenon.

In this Issue
October Around the World and at UW-Platteville Erins European Adventure Meet the Education Abroad Interns Fall 2013 Photo Contest Winners

October at UW-Platteville
Amnesty International : Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7:00 p.m., Karmann Library. Contact: adamskim@uwplatt.edu Global Lunch Hour: Fridays from 11 to 1, Pioneer Room MPSC. October schedule. International Caf: Mondays 6 p.m., 320 Brigham Hall. October schedule. International Students Club: Thursdays, 5 p.m. , Doudna 144 German Club Fussball, Oct. 15 at Ullrich 0112 Contact: sutcliffeh@uwplatt.edu Students for Education Abroad: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 6 p.m. at Ullsvik 105. Contact : smithnico@uwplatt.edu

UW-Plattevilles Education Abroad Blog! pioneerplanet.blogspot.com

Find us at 111 Royce Hall (608) 342-1726 7:45 AM-4:15 PM studyabroad@uwplatt.edu Were on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter! Check out our blog at pioneerplanet.blogspot.com!

Pioneer Bloggers Abroad

Erins European Adventure

August 24, 2013 Today is my final day in Wisconsin before I take off for my semester abroad () I am nervous, yet excited, and I cant wait to see what adventures I will embark on this semester.

August 29, 2013 Bara! Bara! Bara! Tonight was AMAZING. Dave, Jonathan and I went to the Supercopa soccer game in downtown Barcelona. () There really is nothing like a ftbol match in Spain. September 26, 2013 The past few weeks have been quite an adventure! () I think Im finally getting adjusted to life in Seville. (It) is so different from anything Ive ever experienced in the United States. In the morning I have classes or free time for homework and going to the gym. I have lunch every week day at 2:30 and then siesta for a bit after along with working on homework or an afternoon activity sightseeing around the city with the school. Dinner is at 9:30 and then I do homework or go out with friends. It is very typical on a weekend to begin dinner about 10-11 and then you go out to different bars or sit at a table outside the restaurant and enjoy a few drinks with friends. It is a completely different time frame than in the US."

Erin is a UW-Platteville student studying abroad at the Spanish American Institute of International Education in Seville, Spain. You can learn more about Erins European Adventure at http://erbear1818.wordpress.com/.
Find us at 111 Royce Hall (608) 342-1726 7:45 AM-4:15 PM studyabroad@uwplatt.edu Were on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter! Check out our blog at pioneerplanet.blogspot.com!

Q&A with Education Abroad Interns

Meet the Interns

Holly Sutcliffe is a senior studying Animal Science with an emphasis in International Business and minors in German and International Studies. She serves as German Club president and event producer for Campus Programming and Relations. Holly studied abroad in Dronten, Netherlands, and in Darmstadt, Germany. Q: What would you say to students considering Study Abroad? A: Stop considering it. Go! It will change your whole outlook on the world, your future, and most importantly, yourself.

Nate Frentzel is a senior studying Business Administration with an emphasis on International Business and a minor in International Studies. Nate spent a semester at the Mahidol Univeristy International College just outside of Bangkok, Thailand through UW-Plattevilles affiliate GlobaLinks Learning program. He is an active member of the International Student Club and secretary of UW-Plattevilles Amnesty International Program. He is currently studying Chinese, Thai and Khmer (Cambodian). Q: What was your most meaningful experience while studying abroad? A: The most meaningful experience would be when I was invited to help a classroom full of young children learn the English alphabet. Made me realize I should have been a teacher instead. I'm graduating in Business Administration this year, but that's life. You have to take it in stride.

Hannah Helwig is majoring in International Studies and Professional Writing, with a minor in German. She studied abroad in Switzerland from 2008-2009, and in Germany from 2011-2012. She loves to speak German, has studied Spanish and has recently begun learning French. Q: What was the most delicious food you ate while abroad? A: I loved all of the food while abroad! But one of my favorite things was the meals while I was studying abroad in Switzerland. I lived with a host family, and most nights dinner was a long, lingering thing. We had salad, and then some type of main dish, which was usually a take on something Italian. Along with that thered be wine and a lot of conversation. Then there would be coffee and dessert. Dinner, at least on the weekends, would usually last an hour or two, which is completely different that my experience with family dinners here.

Find us at 111 Royce Hall (608) 342-1726 7:45 AM-4:15 PM studyabroad@uwplatt.edu Were on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter! Check out our blog at pioneerplanet.blogspot.com!

Fall 2013 Photo Contest

Congratulations!
Congratulations to all of our contest winners!
Scenery and Nature: Jenna Zimmerman Jenna studied abroad on the UW-P-Townsville, Australia Exchange in the Fall of 2012. People and Culture: Maddie Hughes Maddie studied abroad in Madrid, Spain this past summer. Buildings and Monuments: Kim Laufenberg Pioneer Pete Abroad: Kim Laufenberg Kim studied abroad in Christchurch, New Zealand in the Spring of 2013. Thank you to all participants, voters and sponsors!

Shout out to all recent returnees! Share your stories and fulfill your requirement by becoming an Education Abroad Ambassador! E-mail frentzeln@uwplatt.edu.

Find us at 111 Royce Hall (608) 342-1726 7:45 AM-4:15 PM studyabroad@uwplatt.edu Were on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter! Check out our blog at pioneerplanet.blogspot.com!