Name: Alice Philipp
Program: Communication Studies BA
Year: 3rd
Place of Study: Pamplona, Navarra, at Universidad de Navarra
Why did you choose this place?
I chose Universidad de Navarra for many reasons; I noticed their intense focus on exchange students while researching universities for my exchange. I knew I wanted to go to Spain because I wanted to learn the language, but also wanted to have the feeling of truly knowing my city after I finished my exchange. While cities like Madrid were tempting, the small scale of Pamplona in comparison had some sort of pull for me.
FCOM building (left) and Amigos (economics) building (right) at UNAV
What is your favourite thing about your abroad school?I think meeting people from all over the world. Like I said above, there are so many exchange students that come to UNAV. Not only for a semester or a year (like me), but a lot of students come from North and South America as well as Europe to do their entire degrees here. I like it so much that I’ve even considered transferring.
Where are you right now? Just studying in Pamplona! Exams are coming soon. Due to my being here for a year, I’ve taken travelling a lot less seriously because I feel I have more time on my hands, unlike my other friends who had to leave at the end of December.
Overlooking Pamplona from La Parque de Taconera
La Parque de Taconera, Pamplona
I know you are passionate about photography. Could you share some of the photos you have taken abroad with us?
Streets of Lisbon, Portugal in September
Following friends through Lisbon, Portugal
Praia da Ursa in Sintra, Portugal
Julia (from Texas) and Millie (my roommate from Melbourne) sharing some laughs in Porto, Portugal
Tourists overlooking Boca de Inferno in Cascais, Portugal
Fishing in Cascais
Boca de Inferno in Cascais, Portugal
The Dom Luís Bridge in Porto, Portugal
Overlooking The Medina of Tangier, Morocco from our hostel
Two women in Asilah, Morocco
The Medina of Tangier, Morocco
A man in Chefchaouen, Morocco
Overlooking Chefchaouen after sunset from a now-closed Mosque
Overlooking Chefchaouen from a now-closed Mosque with Jacquie, Millie, Sophia, Mahek and Anahita
Tell me about your favourite place so far?
That’s tough! So far every place I’ve been has had its own charm; it’s hard to pick a favourite. I have to say, I really loved Lisbon and I can’t even pinpoint why. All of the people we met were incredibly nice, welcoming, and helpful. I am still in touch with one of the clerks who worked at our hostel, and we’re friends now. Morocco in general was pretty amazing, too. What I really enjoyed about Tangier especially was having to immerse myself into a different culture completely. It was definitely a huge culture shock in the beginning, but I think that’s one of the most important things you can do to yourself! It puts your own culture, way of living, and thinking into perspective.
Not to ramble, but I cannot pick a favourite. Every place has made an impact on me and I’ve made friends everywhere. I think my favourite thing about that is having contacts in places all over the world.
Chefchaouen, Morocco: a city painted blue, we were told, for two reasons. One, that the blue walls represent flowing water, which apparently drives away mosquitos. Another is that this is where Jewish refugees fled to during WWII and painted the walls blue to represent freedom and the sky (heaven).
What is something people wouldn’t expect about studying abroad?
I think something that really surprised me about studying abroad is how easy it would be to immerse myself in the city, its culture, and language. I thought I would be sitting in my room crying and being homesick, but in my time of being here, I didn’t miss home once! I think the biggest thing is to do whatever you can to get involved.
I joined a soccer team, became a nanny teaching English, and I’ve taken Spanish lessons outside of school. Doing things like this is so important because you claim your space in your exchange city and it starts to feel like home.
Playing on el equipo futbol femenino for Universidad de Navarra
What is something you have learned about yourself while travelling?
I’ve learned that I am more capable than I thought. Although I’ve always considered myself a relatively independent person, being completely on your own in a different country with a foreign language is a whole new take on “leaving the nest”—for a lack of a better expression. Whenever a problem or difficulty arises, you have to deal with it on your own and I could have never imagined how fulfilling problem solving is.
I also never realized that I was capable of really putting myself out there. Normally, I tend to hang back and let people come to me, but I knew I wouldn’t be making friends that way here. I am honestly surprised with how involved I am here (especially in comparison to my involvement at Laurier), and how much more it has improved my experience and happiness at university. Definitely a good lesson to learn before returning for my last year!
Having a morning coffee in our favourite little restaurant in Chefchaouen, Morocco
What is something you have learned about other cultures while travelling?
I learned that even if someone’s culture may seem strange or unlike yours—whether it’s a behaviour, habit, what have you—that does not mean it is any less correct than yours. While I already knew this before coming, I think one really appreciates this differently when they are forced to leave their own bubble. We all have our own ways of living, being, and acting, but it’s always cool to see how much we have in common (or not) regardless. Also, the more you immerse yourself in other cultures, the more you see yourself becoming a huge mosaic of them all. I think that’s one of my favourite parts: picking up new habits, behaviours, ways of speaking, etc., from all the people and cultures I am surrounded by each and every day!
Holding some special digestive tea in Tangier, Morocco
What is the best thing you have eaten?
In Spain, the region I am living in is called Navarra, famous for its pintxos (pronounced pinchos), which are like tapas but never say that in front of a Navarran. They will tell you that they are “muy differente!” Often, a pintxo is a slice of bread with some sort of topping on it, and they range in their levels of gourmet.
My favourite, however, is at a bar called El Gaucho, one of the more famous ones in Pamplona. Wrapped in filo, the shrimp, mashed potatoes (I think…), some sort of cheese and spinach inside of it equals the best pintxo ever.
On Jueves (Thursday), there is an event on a street called Estafeta in which all the bars participate. It’s called Juevintxo (Jueves + pintxo), where you can get a glass of wine and a pintxo for under two euros every week.
What is your next travel plan?
This semester I want to go back to Morocco, but to Marrakech, Fez and the desert this time. I’d also like to go to Italy, Holland, the Czech Republic and perhaps Andorra. My big travel plans, though, are saved for after school in May and the rest of the summer. I prefer to really experience places in their entirety (or as much as I can), and I feel like that is not really possible when you just go for the weekend in between classes.
Hanging out at Foz de Lumbier earlier in October
Snoozin’ at Foz de Lumbier
Foz de Lumbier
Who do you travel with?
I travel with the friends I’ve made here. Generally, there’s a core group of which my two roommates Millie (from Australia) and Jacqueline (also from WLU) are usually involved in. We tend to travel in big groups, with usually no less than six people. There’s no reason behind that—we all just often wanted to see the same places, and, naturally, splitting costs makes things more affordable.
Our group of gals in Lisbon, Portugal
How do you book your travel plans?
It depends! For Lisbon, we rented a car and I loved that. Road tripping itself is a fun thing to do, regardless of the destination. You get to know people in a totally different way, and I kind of enjoyed driving my friends around (as I was one of the two people who was able to drive stick-shift). Because we live in Pamplona, though, we usually have to take a bus or train to Madrid or Barcelona if we are flying, which we had to do in order to get to Morocco.
Generally, booking travel is a research-intensive process (especially when on a student budget), but that’s part of the fun.
Two German men in Lisbon busking for money
Have you ever done a solo trip?
I have not, and I really, really want to. I think I will definitely do a lot more of that in the summer because I think that’s one of the best ways to “find yourself”—as corny as that may sound. Traveling always comes with difficulties and obstacles, and I think finding a way around them by yourself—rather than with a group—is a really fulfilling experience. You not only gain confidence, but knowledge about yourself.
Alfama of Lisbon, Portugal
How long are you planning on staying in Europe?
That’s hard. I know I want to stay as long as I can throughout the summer. However, like I said before, I think I am going to look into perhaps transferring schools. I was born in Germany and raised there until I was seven years old, so a part of me has always felt extremely attached to Europe, and I’m sure that plays a part here. So, to answer that question, I guess we will see what the future holds.
What would you recommend to future Golden Hawks, looking to study abroad?
Do yourself a favour and please stay for a year. I know it seemed incredibly daunting in the beginning for me, too, and even though I think I was one of the only Laurier students doing this (I am also outnumbered by all the one-semester exchange students here), I am so glad I did it. I cannot fathom having to return to Canada after just four months. The thought of that actually makes me incredibly sad. I think that just as you begin to settle in, get used to the culture, and really feel like you’re a part of it is when the one semester of exchange ends. Although it’s sad that a lot of people are left, lots of new people came. It’s also important to immerse yourself in the university and city life so you don’t feel like you have to start with a clean slate when the new semester comes.
Tell us anything about your travelling and studying abroad?
It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I was really, really scared to leave my life behind for a year before I left, but now I can’t imagine going back. I think anyone who has the opportunity to do this really should. You make friends from all over the world, and have the opportunity to see places you never thought you would. Not only does it broaden your perspective on the world and its people, but you also see yourself in a completely new and refreshing light, and I think that’s something that is incredibly priceless.
Al Pal behind the lens in Chefchaouen, Morocco