Matt Meets World

Taste & Counting Crows

2009-07-06T00:44:00.001-04:00

"Mr. Jones and me," went to the Taste of Chicago... Ok, that was a little cheesy...

So, if any of your from the Chicago area, then you can probably recognize the two pictures above... the Taste! The Taste of Chicago is a large food festival that happens every summer in Grant Park in downtown Chicago. With around 50 vendors present, an estimated 100,000 head to the taste each day for the 10-day festival. The food ranges from African-inspired dishes to empanadas to deep dish pizza.

Despite a few weeks of cold weather, Chicago has finally warmed up. This made this weekend the perfect opportunity to head to Grant Park. Even though the Taste was packed with people, we still managed to weave through the traffic and find food that hit the spot. My first taste portion was rollof Rice and goat from a Nigerian restaurant. The second--and by far my favorite--was the jibarito. Originally from Puerto Rico, a jibarito is a sandwich made with fried plantains (instead of bread) steak, lettuce, tomatoes, and a garlic sauce/mayonnaise. Just look below to see what this sandwich looks like...

What goes nicely with food? I cannot think of anything better than a free concert by one of my favorite bands... the Counting Crows. After eating our fill at the Taste, we walked about 5 minutes across the park to the band shell, where the Crows and Augustana took the stage. Spending a good deal of my time listening to the Crows, I cannot tell you how enjoyable it was to see them in such a great setting. There is nothing like a free concert in the middle of the city, a stone's throw from the lake and from Michigan Avenue. Chicago really has so much to offer.

What a drastic change the last few months have made on the makeup of the city. Just 3 months ago, I was in Chicago interview for internships this summer... the streets were barren and windswept. Now the city feels alive. There are multiple festivals every weekend, free concerts in the Grant/Millennium Park, and farmers' markets around every street corner. Chicago is such a great place in the summer, the city seems to truly thrive on the heat.

Thanks for reading.... I gotta run. I live about 2 block from the beach (its still a beach, even if its on a lake, right?) and the sun is calling my name. Hope this summer is treating you all well. Happy 4th!

Love & Honor,

Matt Hoffman

US-Honduras

2009-06-14T21:42:00.006-04:00

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole! Ole, Ole!

Last Saturday night, around 55,000 fans filed into Soldier Field in Chicago to watch the US National Soccer Team face the Honduran National Team in a World Cup Qualifying match. And me, the avid soccer fan, couldn't miss the opportunity to watch the US National Team in action.

Those of you who follow soccer know that the following in the US is not great. The stadium was overwhelming filled with fans wearing blue and white (the national colors of Honduras). Moreover, the US was coming off a disappointing loss (1-3) to Costa Rica in San Jose just 4 days before. Yet, the atmosphere was magic... there truly is nothing like a packed and enthusiastic crowd at a soccer game.

So, facing a quasi-away game, the possibility of slipping in the standings, and possibly not qualifying for the World Cup (the next game is against Mexico at Azteca Stadium, where the US is 0-22-1), the US team responded in a 2-1 victory over the inspired Hondurans.

Honduras played well in the first 10 minutes of both halves but seemed to slouch towards the end of each half. Yet, there were moments of major concern for the US. After a mistake by a US defender, Honduras scored in the 5th minute of the game. The US tied the game before the half with a PK by Landon Donovan and then broke the tie in the second half with a header (slightly fluke-ish) by captain Carlos Bocanegra.

It was a great experience and I was able to have some interesting conversations with the Hondurans around us. I was able to go with a good friend of mine, Sean Wright, and it was truly an experience that I will never forget. Can't wait until the next home game (in my vicinity)!

I guess this is one of the benefits of living in a big city--important sporting events are located just an "el" ride away. Glad to see the US come away with a victory.

Tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 EST on ESPN, the US will be taking on Italy in the Confederations Cup in South Africa. This will be a good test to see how far the US has come and how much the team still needs to improve before the World Cup in 2010.

That's all for now.

Love & Honor,

Matt Hoffman

Welcome Back!

2009-06-09T21:51:00.007-04:00

Chicago at night.

A giraffe at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Hey all,

So,I have decided to kick this blog-thing back up in style. So, I will deliver a little check-in:

I survived last semester and did fairly well grades-wise. It hasn't quite hit me that I am going to be a senior in college... in fact, its a really scary thought. Even scarier is that I just signed up to take the GRE in September!!! Ahhhh!

I had a difficult transitioning back to Miami. Its hard to move to a place where you aren't familiar with the culture and try to fit in. Its even harder to move to a place where you are supposed to feel at home and not feel that same connection. Well, I eventually felt at home at Miami... it just took a lot of reflection on my experiences and, perhaps, toning down the my opinions and thoughts a little.

But, I am doing well, all things considered. Now, I am in Chicago through a program with Miami. I have an internship at DePaul University in their Student Leadership Institute... where I am helping them retool some programs, working with students, reading a lot of literature about leadership education, and discovering what a [9-5] job in student affairs is like. And to be honest, I absolutely love it.

Additionally, I am working at a youth center on the south side...in a neighborhood called Bridgeport (by the White Sox stadium). There, I get to play games and help tutor local children. After CPS gets out of school, I will be leading a soccer club and helping to tutor a few students in the afternoon.

So far, I have been able to experience a lot of places in the city... but, those descriptions will have to follow. I do have a few general pictures to share. And, many more stories to tell. But, for now, I am signing off. I think that I have discovered that if I write shorter posts, I am more likely to continue to write them... so, we will try this method for a while.

Hope all is well!

Love and Honor,

Matt

Sean and me in front of the "bean" in Millennium Park.

Bruxelles/Brussel: Waffles 101

2009-01-18T19:06:00.034-05:00

Hey all,

The next city that I will had the opportunity to visit is the city of Brussels in Belgium. Out of all the cities that I visited in Europe, I think that Brussels is by far my favorite. Usually, when I make this claim, people just look at me as if I am crazy. Yes, it is not Paris or Venice or Amsterdam. But, there are so many things to like about Brussels and Belgium...

The first obvious characteristic about Brussels is that the city is bilingual and serves as a unifying factor between the Dutch-speaking people of Flanders in the north and the French-speaking people of Wallonia in the south. Despite political troubles within the country, Brussels serves a a key link uniting the country. Brussels also serves as the "capital of Europe" because it houses the European Commission--one of the major branches of the European Union. During my time in the city, we were able to have a briefing at the Commission and were able to ask the tough questions...about EU enlargement, the adoption of the Euro, and the European Security and Defense Policy. It was such a great learning experience to see the future of government in Europe.

In addition to visiting the Commission, we also had a briefing at NATO's civilian headquarters, just outside of Brussels. What another fascinating experience!!! We had the chance to meet with both US leaders in NATO as well as leaders of other nations to discuss their views of NATO and its future in Europe and around the world. Despite intensive security procedures and passing through numerous checkpoints (including the confiscation of our cell phones and cameras), the visit was probably one of the most exciting (cool) thing that I did while in Europe.

Brussels is also a very quirky town. The Grote Markt/Grand Place is the most beautiful city square that I have ever seen, especially at night. Lined with gold-crested trade guild houses and the central town hall, the luxury of old world Brussels was not lost on me. Moreover, the smells of chocolate and waffles fill the air as you pass through the covered markets of downtown. Brussels is quirky in the fact that there are numerous buildings that are left from earlier centuries right next to (as Brusseliers will say) modern monstrosities. It is not uncommon to see an old trade guild building next to a modern office tower... an example of such oddity is the regional parliament building which is half old, and half new. Moreover, any city that can have a statue of a small boy urinating as its city symbol (and be proud of it), is clear a city with a distinct personality. Brussels is truly enchanting, livable, and progressively eccentric.

Finally, the number 1 reason that I love Brussels is its food!!!! As such, this post's food section is about triple its usual size... Brussels has some of the best and most renowned food in Europe and in the world. Things that you must eat in Brussels: mussels, frites (yes, they were invented here, not in France), waffles--Liege and Brussels styles, Belgian beer, and chocolate, especially pralines. When people think of food in Europe, most don’t picture Belgium as a culinary capital. However, after all of my travels, I must say that the food that I had in Brussels was my favorite.

The European Commission (a major component of the EU) on the left and a random statue.

Left: the Brussels Capital-Region Parliament, an example of the mixture of old and new architecture. Right: a cool looking bookstore.

"I find that Belgium is better than some fight over language..." A quote that sums up the current Belgian political situation. Right: The Royal Palace of Brussels.

Comic strip on a wall near the city center... there is a huge cartoon animation museum in Brussels. The area on the right is a touristy area near the Grote Markt, but it has great mussels!!!

Town hall at the Grote Markt (central square). Manneken Pis... the little boy peeing. It is the symbol of the city. Strange?

Brussels is full of flags. Each represents something unique about this area. Left-Right: Flag of the Brussels Capital-Region, the EU Flag, the Flag of Belgium, the Brussels-City Flag, and the Flag of Wallonia (the French-Speaking Autonomous Region). There is also one for the Dutch-Speaking Region.

Guild houses on the Grote Markt... notice the gold embossed store fronts and the symbols within the architecture. An example is shipwright's guild which had the stern of a ship at the top of the facade. The building on the right is the (old) trade authority.

Chocolate ice cream truffle.... amazing! Kreik (cherry) beer is a national specialty... it didn't really taste like beer--more like a cherry Jolly Rancher.

Mussel soup & mussels=outstanding. The beer is gueuze, a very sour Belgian beer from Brussels. It was my favorite in Europe.

Two style of waffles: a Liege waffle which has sugar in the batter (left). The right is a Brussels waffle... the sugar is dusted on the top. True Belgians never put toppings are their waffles, only tourists do that. Option include bananas, strawberry, and chocolate; when in Belgium...

Traditional Dutch architecture. Brussels is a wonderful mix of French and Dutch cultures.

More interesting facades. Notice the "modern monstrosity" in the background. Royal Galleries on the right--first covered shopping area, even before Milan.

Both pictures show a part of the Royal Palace. The bulding in the backgroun of the picture on the left is the Palace of Justice.

The Grote Markt at night... the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen. By far my favorite town square in Europe.

The Cathedral in Brussels and the Grote Markt again.

Brussels is such a surprising city. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it (it's not on many peoples' list of top tourist destinations in Europe). However, it was one of my favorite cities in Europe. The town is quirky, ecclectic, strange, yet very liveable. The food was mouthwater. It was also enjoyable to see both NATO and the European Commission. But, the lesson that I will take away from Brussels is that it IS possible to live and work together, despite language or other barriers.

Hope all is well. Look for another post soon.

Love & Honor,

Matt

Paris: The City of Lights

2008-12-25T22:42:00.024-05:00

Bonjour et joyeux jours feries!

I am finally back in the States after 5 months in Europe. My 2 weeks with my mom in Geneva and Spain were great fun and a perfect way to wrap up my European adventure and to relax from the stress of finals. This post will focus on two things: Paris and my initial thoughts upon returning to the US. I still have so many cities to show and explore so stick with me over the next few weeks as I attempt to catch up.

At one point in my trip, it appeared that I wouldn't have enough time to visit Paris. Which is a shame in itself but, even worse when you consider that out of all the cities in Europe, Paris is by far the most well known and most visited/referenced. Moreover, it seems that every French class ever taken stresses learning about the arts and culture of Paris--from the Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre to the Latin Quarter. So, while I might have had to pass on a few other destinations, being merely 3 hours from Paris was too tempting for me to pass up.

Paris is truly the heartbeat of Europe. It is alive, flowing, and active. The city is a mecca for arts and culture, for people of all races (my hotel was in the Arab Quarter), and wonderfully fascinating. Yet, despite these things, Paris is a truly livable city. It has the best system of public transportation that I have seen in Europe, is fairly affordable (well, anything is more affordable than Geneva), and has a downtown area that is used and lived-in by Parisians. These Parisians truly enjoy their city, their food, their culture, and, yes, their language.

People always have the misconceived notion that the French are snooty and are disrespectful to people who don't speak their language, especially Americans. I have heard the horror stories--and yes, I am sure that these incidents exist--but my experience was very positive. While I would agree that it is helpful to speak a little and understand the language, I ran in to no one who expected my French to be perfect of belittled my nationality. In fact, many of the young Parisians that I met were just as curious about my worldviews as and American as I was about there's.

Yes, I agree that French is a difficult language to learn and sometimes confusing. I also realize that it is very intimidating to speak to francophones as they are language purists--they are quick to correct and demand proper pronunciation. But, I never saw any of the "stuck up" French stereotype. In fact, during the time that I lived in Geneva (which, aside from a few minor differences, is relatively French in most aspects), this attitude was not very prevalent. Maybe it had a lot to do with the fact that I speak (or attempt t0) French. I honestly believe that this notion of the snooty French is overplayed and over-simplified. I would encourage anyone who is going to visit a French-speaking area to at least learn the basics. Even if you struggle and if they have to switch to English (which almost everyone can speak), they will appreciate the effort. I also encourage people to discover the prevalence of this stereotype for themselves... as different people will have different experiences.

But, back to Paris. I think that Paris was the only city in Europe that made my eyes tear up and gave me goose bumps. Standing at the Place de la Concorde and looking down the Champs-Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe, turning to see the Louvre, Notre Dame, La Madeleine, and seeing the Eiffel Tower left me speechless. This city is iconic in every way. I cannot stress the things that the city has witnessed--German Occupation, the reign of Napoleon, the Worlds Fair which lead to the building of the Eiffel Tower, and the French Revolution. To think of the all the famous French and their impact on the world: Charles de Gaulle, Napoleon, Rousseau, Voltaire, Joan of arc, any of the Louis(ies) and on and on.

But, what a cool city! I cannot express how much I enjoyed seeing Paris. Even though I went by myself (which allowed me to see everything that I wanted to see), Paris was enchanting. It would have been nice to return with my girlfriend/fiance/wife but I enjoyed my time. I think that it would have made my picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower a little less strange-looking (for the record, one night I sat on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower with some cheese, bread, and wine... by myself). However, I did enjoy my time. The city is so full of life and is a great example of what makes Europe so, well, European. There are winding streets with bakeries (with baguettes, pastries, etc.), picturesque apartments, world famous monuments, Parisian fashion, exquisite restaurants stocked with the best ingredients, and a grandiose feeling of splendor, wealth, and affluence. Yet, in the distinct French manner, the city seems so livable and amenable to the Parisians. I think that of all the cities on the continent, it is the must-see, quintessential European city.

Saint Chapelle... wall-to-wall stain glass windows. The Sorbonne--one of the most famous and respected universities in the world.

Notre Dame and one of its iconic rose windows (sorry for the bad picture quality).

Two separate Hotel de Ville (City Hall). The one on the left is in Versailles and the one on the right is in Paris.

Versailles... a short 45 minute train ride from central Paris. The building on the right says "A toutes les glories de la France" (to all the glories of France).

The main entrance to Versailles...still busy in off-season. The Hall of Mirrors through a reflecting point of view.

The Louvre Museum at night. My favorite work of art in the Louvre, Hammurabi's Code. It is very impressive and give an interesting insight into the creation of ancient laws--"an eye for an eye."

La Tour Eiffel, during the day and at night. It is blue to celebrate France's EU Presidency.

The French Military Academy...one of the most respected in the world. The picture on the right demonstrates the livability of Paris. This picture was taken about 400 meters from the Eiffel Tower. The Parisians truly do 'live' in there city.

Hotel des Invalides--the former (and partially current) home for disabled veterans. It now houses the French Military Museum and Napoleon's Tomb (on right).

At Place de la Concorde, looking down the Champs-Elysees towards the Arc de Triomphe. The Arc up close.

La Madeleine... a church and namesake of my project in French class my junior year of high school. Sacre Coeur--church at the top of Montmartre (Mount of the Martyrs) near the infamous Moulin Rouge.

Sorry, no food this time. The food in Geneva is so similar that I decided not to take any pictures. But, I promise that the food section will return.

Ok, so, on to the my initial reactions upon return to the United States. The first thing that I noticed was that everyone spoke English. This may not seem like much of a shock but it is strange for me because in Europe, it was often hard to judge what language to approach someone with. I would like to think that I got a little better, the longer that I was in Geneva but it was still difficult to tell. This phenomenon was very interesting and a part of life in Europe that I came to like. In the States, it is rare that I approach anyone in a foreign language. Its strange to be able to read every sign and to see menus that are only in English.

My second impression is that there is a lot of space. Everything feels so spread out. Its hard to believe but if my hour and 45 minute drive home from the airport had happened in Europe, I could have easily been in one, if not two, foreign country. Moreover, buildings in towns and suburbs are much more spread out, the streets and cars are larger. It is strange to see a house with a large yard and to see fields that are so large. Also, I feel that roads are less congested (which is nice). I don't think you could ever convince me to drive in Europe, especially in Spain or Italy... a driver there must be aggressive to get anywhere.

In regards to jet lag, I don't think that I have really experienced it too much. It is always said that it is harder to adjust when you travel West. Because I forced myself to stay up for over 24 hours to adjust, I think I helped to prevent any problems. My mom, however, is having all sorts of difficulty adjusting to the time change. I think, overall, that it is just strange for me to be back in the States. Hopefully the holiday season will help me adjust more quickly.

Happy holidays to all. Enjoy family, friends, the time off from work/school, and remember to take time to relax over the season. I wish you all safe travels and encourage you to look forward to my next post.... which will be soon. Oh, and I look forward to seeing what new Miami Football Coach, Mike Haywood, will do to help the ailing RedHawk Football Team.

Love & Honor,

Matt

Sorry!

2008-12-10T20:15:00.002-05:00

Hey guys,

I know it has been awhile... and I apologize. I have had a recent string of tests and papers that culminate in my last final tomorrow at 2:45. Then, I am off to Spain for a week and a half with my mom (who just got in today). I promise that there is much more to come, plus, I want to try to analyze some of my experience (boring, I know... but I feel that such reflection is valuable in such circumstances). So, please, hang in there as I have a bunch more to show you all and things to say. Hope all is well and that everyone has an enjoyable start to their winter break.

Good luck with finals (for those still at MU!) and please remember to enjoy your time with friends and family... I know that I will enjoy exploring Spain con mi madre.

Love & Honor,

Matt

Roma--An ancient city with an old friend

2008-11-18T15:00:00.028-05:00

Buongiorno,

Two weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit Rome with Amy Bednar, one of my good friends and another Miami student. Even though I only spent two days (it is about an 11 hour train ride from Geneva), I think that Rome was one of my favorite cities in Europe. The unique blend of ancient history and modernity, great food and friendly people, I think that Rome is one of the most livable cities that I have visited in Europe. In fact, I was so enchanted that I took more pictures here than I have taken anywhere else--600+ in 2 days!

What makes Rome so livable is hard to distinguish. Maybe it was the fact that Italian is so close to Spanish, a language that I miss here in Geneva. Or, maybe, it was the friendliness of the people which I had the opportunity to meet. Anyone who knows me will understand my utter fascination by ancient Roman culture. For me, visit a place like Rome was like actually living in a special on the Discovery Channel. Ok, so, now that I have revealed myself as a history nerd, I think that Rome has so many interesting facets and quirks that the city offers a completely different experience to each visitor.

Moreover, it was great to see Amy and to be able to share this experience with her. It is rare that friends can say that they have traveled to 2 countries (yes, I am counting the Vatican) together. I also enjoyed catching up with Amy...it was nice to have a few reminders of home. In actuality, I didn't realize that I was homesick until seeing Amy. Such a reunion always brings up past memories, talk of common friends, and life at Miami--things that I have not done in a long time. Yet, such an experience reaffirmed that I need to make the most of my opportunity abroad and that Miami will still be there when I return.

Learning about Rome in history class, I knew that there were so many monuments and places inside the city that I wanted to see. Fortunately for us, we were able to see all these extraordinary places. However, we almost missed St. Peter's Basilica. We arrived in Rome on Friday (Halloween) and went to the Colosseum early in the morning. After the tour (to skip the line) we also took a tour of Palentine Hill, the hill overlooking the forum and the location of many former palaces and temples. Our tour guide, probably one of the best that I have had in Europe, told us that the Basilica would be closed the following day (because it was All Saints Day), a thought that had never occurred to us. She went on to explain that here tour company was one of the only 3 allowed into the basilica the next day, so we bought tickets. Well, we then set off on a dead sprint to the Vatican Museum because we were afraid that we would miss the museum/Sistine Chapel. Luckily, everything worked out well and we had plenty of time to see both locations, in their entirety.

Apart from the whirling tour of the city, I really enjoyed the art of the city. It is nice to put the information that I learned in art history course at Miami to good use. I was amazed at just how many of the pieces of artwork that I had learned about in the class were in Rome. In addition, as a gourmand/gourmet, the food in Rome was incredible! I believe that I had gelato 4 times in 2 days. Besides that, I was able to have some of the best pizza, panini, and pasta on the planet.

I think the part of Italian culture that I found the most refreshing was their joie de vivre (joy for living). The Italians seem to know how to appreciate the fine aspects of life, not be bogged down with the seriousness of careers (or politics, as most Italians joke). It is nothing for them to spend two hours in a cafe or spending a whole evening eating food with friends and family while watching the local Roma football match. I think there is a lot of beauty in this way of living and is also a trait the Italians share with the Spanish. In today's high-paced, profit-driven world, it is very refreshing to see a culture that values taking things one day at a time and living for the simple pleasures in life.

Food first. Pasta alla carbonara and lasagna. Traditional Italian cannoli on the right.

Bruschetta with mushroom topping and Chicken saltimbocca alla Romana.

Salami panino and gelato... the first of four. My favorite flavors were frutti di bosco and lemon basil.

Santa Maria in Cosmedin church near the Circus Maximus. The Colosseo at night.

Monument to Victor Emmanuel, the first leader of a united Italy. The Castle of Saint Angelo... of Angles and Demons fame.

Next stop, orator of the Senate. Look mom, I am in two places (Italy and Vatican City) at the same time!

The beautiful interior of St. Peter's Basilica.

The ancient Pantheon (oculus included). Piazza Navona, a beautiful, open-air square in the city center.

The Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain at night.

One of the numerous famous pieces of artwork in the Vatican Museum... can anyone name it? Saint Peter's square at night.

The ancient Roman Forum...very impressive. The Colosseo, a must see in Rome.

Hope all is well back home. My Eurail pass expired this past weekend, but I have updates coming on Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, and Zurich... so, look out for those. Also, now is a good time for me to buckle down as I have a few papers and finals due in the next couple weeks.

Ciao!

Love and Honor,

Matteo

Praha, the Most Beautiful City in the World

2008-11-11T17:05:00.023-05:00

Hello everyone,

Again, the point has been driven home that I muse be leery of first impressions, especially when in a strange and new place. Prague was one of these circumstances.... My first impression was the not-so friendly, inviting, or happy Praha train station. To be honest, it was a giant wreck of metal and concrete, falling apart and run down. I took this as the first of many hints that I was in a post-Soviet country and I assumed that I would experience much of the same throughout my stay in Prague. Little did I know just how wrong I could be. The city is by far the most beautiful city that I have seen in Europe, with Paris as a close second. Having escaped the destruction of both World Wars, Prague has maintained its charm--small, winding streets, impressive medieval castles, and hauntingly beautiful cathedrals.

The Czech Republic is an interesting country. A member of EU and the Schengen Agreement, it is having trouble adapting its currency to the Euro, shifting its economy to be competitive with other EU nations, and is still trying to find its identity as a nation (as it became a state in 1993 after splitting from Slovakia). It is also a place of immense historical (King Wenceslas anyone?) and strategic importance. It if it able to successfully transition from a post-Soviet economy to a successful EU member, it will be able to serve as a model for the rest of Eastern Europe. It is also the home of Pilsner beer, named after the town of Pilsen and Budwar, the namesake of Budweiser beer. The land is truly enchanting, as were all of the Czechs that we had the opportunity to meet.

Prague, itself is a conglomeration of winding streets, large plazas, and daunting towers. It is situated along a the banks of Vltava and offers scenic views of an impressive castle from the Charles Bridge. The main square of town is just as impressive, with the towering Gothic Tyn Church and the town's astronomical clock at the base of the city hall. Around every corner is a new area to explore... the world's largest metronome, one of the largest (intact) Jewish quarters in Europe, and more towers than any tower should have. Despite the overwhelming amount of tourists (especially around key attractions), the city has a very youthful feel to it. It reminded me of a small college town, much like Oxford--lots of cheap food, bars, and students/youth all around.

The building on the left is one of the 5/6 intact synagogues left in the Jewish quarter of Prague. The food on the right is Bohemian goulash (different from Hungarian goulash) with bread dumplings and a salad with local cheese, which reminded me a lot of feta/goat cheese.

A view from one of the bridges along the Vltava River. In the picture on the right are (from l to right) me, Michelle, another MU student, Molly from the University of Idaho, and Daniel from the University of Illinois. (Michelle Fakler, please notice the goatee...)

The tower on the left is one of the guard towers of the castle. One the right is one of the gate towers to the Charles Bridge.

St. Vitus Cathedral, inside Prague Castle.

Praha's town hall along the main square and the astrological clock at the base of the tower. At the hours, the clock performed and showed statues of saints... lets just say that there was a lot of 'hoopla' for nothing.

On the right, this house on the main square is decorated with stories of Prague's history. The picture on the right shows the view of Prague Castle from the Charles Bridge.

Prague at night. The Prague Castle from the Charles Bridge. On the left is the hauntingly spooky Tyn Church--this image is something that I thought I would see in Transylvania. I don't do vampires... or scary churches.

I am headed to Brussels tomorrow (Wednesday) and then to Amsterdam on Friday night. We have meetings with NATO and the EU in Brussels so it should be a great time to learn about these major international/intergovernmental organizations.

Internship Update: I am currently helping to author an paper about the health effect of migration on those "left behind" in the process. This publication will eventually reach the WHO and I am excited that my hard work will pay off as a serious study that can make a difference in the international community. I have also really enjoyed working in such a positive working environment. I have learned so much about public health, the role of international organizations in policy making, and have seen how passionate people can be about the American Presidential Election. Overall, I cannot say enough about how positive this experience has been for me.

Hope all is well.

Love & Honor,

Matt

Berlin--One Giant Apology

2008-11-03T15:07:00.026-05:00

Guten Tag,

I approached my first trip to Germany with a lot of excitement and apprehension. As someone with a strong German heritage (although, admittedly, I have not identified with it as much as I would like to), I was excited to see the place where my ancestors had once lived. Yet, I must admit that I feel a sense of 'German guilt' and was unsure how this would play out...especially in a city like Berlin. Well to be honest, this place truly transformed how I feel about my own heritage... and reaffirmed my identity as someone of German descent. At the same time, it provided me with a chance to examine a few key aspects of history (not only German history but world history).

At points, the trip to Berlin seemed like a tour of guilt... we saw parts of German history that no one is proud of. Berliners seem to be overly apologetic and remorseful of these aspects; at many times, they seemed to infiltrate ever aspect of life in a reunited Germany. We visited the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, the Stasi prison at Hohenschönhausen, the Holocaust Memorial, Holocaust Museum, the Berlin Wall (& Wall Museum), and the Berlin Unterwelten, the underground bomb shelters used during WWII and the Cold War. At some point, I began to wonder if there is much to the city except for these memories of the past. While important for all to see, I am not sure if it was good in such quick succession. Lets just say that I consumed large amounts of chocolate to keep my endorphin level high.

To be honest, I am really at a loss for words. I am not sure how to begin with emotions I felt in each one of these places. Grief? Sadness? Remorse? To be honest, I began to feel numb after awhile. I am not sure if I can truly explain or articulate what was running through my head during my trip to Berlin. Maybe after a few more weeks/months/years, I can truly comprehend what happened in these places...

The infamous 'book burning' square is on the left. On the right is the Berliner Dom, the largest church in the city. Notice the black marks from fire-bombing during WWII.

The Fernsehturm (radio tower) of Alexanderplatz... the main square of East Berlin next to one of the oldest churches in Berlin. This was shot was taken about 100 feet from our hostel. The building on the right is the Reichstag... the German Parliament building. Bombed and burned during WWII, it has been rebuilt and enhanced with the modern glass dome.

This church (whose name escapes me) was the focal point of West Berlin during the separation because the majority of the historical 'mitte' section of Berlin was in the Eastern portion of the city.

The famous Pergamon Museum in Berlin. It holds the famous bust of Nefertiti and the Ishtar Gate, which, unfortunately, was being refurbished.

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp in Oranienburg, near Berlin. Barracks, gas ovens, and the chilling "arbeit macht frei" sign.

The Holocaust Memorial (& Museum underneath) in Berlin.

The Stasi (state police of East Germany) prison in the outskirts of Berlin. Thousands of people were imprisoned, interrogated, and kept in inhumane conditions after the division of Germany.

The indicative signs of the Berlin Wall. The upper left picture is Checkpoint Charlie--the checkpoint used by international citizens crossing from East to West. Remnants of the wall separating East and West. The Brandenburg Gate--the embodiment of a divided Germany.

Its hard to believe that one people, one city, and one person (at different times) can cause so much pain. I have yet to comprehend this level of hatred. And, I probably never will. While we say that these things will never happen again, they have, they do, and they are... right now. Genocide, torture, ethnic cleansing, and the division of people happen every day all across the globe. We all have a responsibility to stop these actions. And while Berlin (and Germany) is still trying to recover from a century of killing, hatred, and destruction, I think it shows a positive example of how to cope and come to grips with the actions of the past.

So, do I hate Berlin? No. Do I want to go back and see the positive sides of the city? Yes. I have never felt so emotionally drained in such a short time. Berlin seems to be a metropolitan city with a bright future and, again, one of great importance for the Federal German Republic... and the world. I want to see more of the country and to discover what makes Germans German. I want to travel to Munich, Frankfurt, Bremen, Freiburg, and Dortmund. But, this will have to wait for another time and another date. The only memories that I have of Germany are, unfortunately, the horrors that took place in Berlin.

Thanks for hanging in there with me. This post was about as serious as I have/will ever be. But, hopefully it has provided everyone with some food for thought.

Hope all is well back home.

Love & Honor (forever and a day),

Matt

Wien, home to Schnitzel (and much more!)

2008-10-29T16:13:00.029-04:00

Hello all,

Again, as has proven to be the case, this week has been crazy! Which, partially explains the delay in another Blog post. And, I really have a lot still to cover...but its better to do this one step at a time. So, here is the first city from our break week trip to Vienna, Berlin, and Prague.

Often times, I find that the capitals and major cities of Europe feel too grandiose, to reliant on past dreams of glory, grandeur, and wealth. And yet, Wien, with its famous Hapsburg Dynasty, might be the exception to the rule. If any famous ruling family has any room to boast it would be the Hapsburgs. At one point in time, (either through marriage or conquest) the Hapsburgs controlled Austria, Hungary, most of the former Yugoslavia, had marriages into the ruling families of Spain (which controlled the Netherlands), England, Bavaria and other parts of Germany, as well as Brazil and Mexico (Maximillian). The source of this power all emanated from the city of Wien.

Upon touring both the summer (the Schönbrunn) and winter (the Hofburg) palaces in Vienna, what was striking to me about the Hapsburgs was the amount that they helped the people of Austria, especially in Wien. The Hapsburgs seemed much more in tune with their people. These palaces were some of the most enjoyable that I have seen. In addition to informative, interesting, and fairly quick tours of the palaces (typical tours of royal palaces talk about every piece of furniture in each room), the gardens of the Schönbrunn were perhaps my favorite part of the city. The landscape was manicured nicely but still maintained a "wooded" feel... which is perfect because the leaves reminded of fall in SW Ohio. In addition, the labyrinth area provided some enjoyment as there were games built into the maze--its always fun to relive childhood!

If you are looking for a cultural capital in Europe, I think that Wien might just be the place. Numerous world renown composers (like Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven) have called this city home. In addition, Vienna is known for its many opera houses and concerts halls--a phenomena that I took part in as I saw the opera "La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi in the Staatsoper. Around every corner of the city, it is not uncommon to hear classical music or to see signs for concerts, operas, and plays.

Vienna brings much more to the table than just its history of classical music and the Hapsburgs, it continues to remain one of Europe's most vital cities. Major branches and organizations of the United Nations (IAEA for example) are located in Wien and the city just recently hosted the Euro Cup championship. However, I would have to say that my favorite part, by far, was the food. Call me a traditionalist (or maybe a glutton) but I love Wiener Schnitzel. In fact, I think that I had it for 5 or 6 meals in a row while in Wien. I cannot explain how or why it is better than any one that I have ever tasted in the US, but it was addicting. Not only could you find schnitzel at restaurants but even the street vendor sold relatively good schnitzel. In addition, I was also able to sample some apple strudel, which could rival any that I have tasted before.

Wiener Staatsoper... the place where I watched "La Traviata." It was strange mixing in with the "who's who" of Vienna who were all wearing suits and dresses. I had on blue jeans.

The first picture is of the Gloriette, the monument overlooking the Schönbrunn Palace, the picture on the right. This palace was the summer palace of the Hapsburgs.

The picture on the left was taken on the front side of the Schönbrunn Palace. The scene right was in the palace garden. It reminded me of a lot of the fall in SW Ohio.

The large Ferris Wheel is at the Prater, and (amusement) in Vienna. The picture on the left is from the wheel overlooking the city.

The picture on the right is one of me and a fellow Miami student, Sam Jacobson. He is studying music in Vienna for a year... and I cannot think of a better place to do that. The picture on the left is of Mozart's apartment in Vienna (I thought it was appropriate).

This is St. Stephan's Cathedral. I really like the mosaic roof tiles... note the Austria Reich Eagle on the right.

This imposing, neo-classical building is the Austrian Parliament building.

The picture on the right is of the one of the museums near the Hofburg Palace on Maria Theresa-Platz. The building on the left is the Vienna Hofburg.

Schnitzel!!!! My first (of many) in Wien from a roadside vendor. And, good beer to wash it down with!

I still have so many more amazing places to share and I wish I had time to type them all down right now. Unfortunately (for you), I am headed to Rome this weekend to visit another good friend and Miami student, Amy Bednar. This will be my first exposure to Italy so I am very excited about the trip.

In other news, the US presidential election is coming up (as all of you already know) and despite the lack of coverage in most European newspapers, everyone that we meet decides to share with us their political views... good or bad. I don't think I truly realized how much our elections matter to the rest of the world until I watched them from their prospective. And maybe the old statement is true (forgive me but I forget who said this): "The rest of the world should be allowed to vote for the American President." And from just the little time that I have been in Europe, the clearly preferred candidate is Barack Obama. In fact, I would advise against telling most Europeans that you are a McCain supporter. Yet, being in Switzerland has brought me an entirely new prospective on the US, our elections, and what they mean for the world.

Hope all is well back home! Don't forget to vote!

Love & Honor,

Matt

Berne: Capital of Confederation

2008-10-15T13:13:00.015-04:00

Guten tag/ Bonjour,

Bern, capital of the Swiss Confederation, is a bilingual city that straddles the French and German speaking sides of Switzerland. The Old Town area is really interesting as it was built on the bend of the River Aare and was the perfect location for a walled city. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it really has a unique feel...complete with arcades over the walkways, stone buildings, and about 14 fountains (to show off the wealth of the town). In spite of being the capital, Bern doesn't have the "official" feeling to it, like DC or Madrid. It felt like a small village (in reality, it is around 125,000) and had a very friendly, inviting atmosphere.

Even though I was only there a few hours (Berne is only about 1 hour and a half from Geneva by train), the city certainly left an impression on me. One of the big updates about the trip was that I was able to eat raclette for the first time in Switzerland. Raclette, which is probably the most wonderful idea ever, is melted Gruyere cheese over roasted potatoes, sweet pickles (gherkins), bacon, tomatoes, and pearl onions. The idea is that they bring you (base) food separately along with a machine that melts the cheese at your table. You then racler (rake) the cheese on top of the food... absolutely amazing! I wish I had a picture; however, I burned my hand on the machine and decided not to risk looking like a tourist again by taking a picture of the food.

Bern was really a fantastic city. I visited the City History Museum and Einstein Museum while there. These two museums were by far some of the best that I have seen so far in Switzerland. Also, a must see is the 3D show at the visitor center about Bern--for only one Swiss Franc, it chronicles the history of the city and was really very good. Also, I was again foiled in my search for a Swiss national soccer jersey... the only ones that I have seen so far have been really cheap quality. It might come down to actually purchasing it on the Internet, which is not preferable.

Having spent two weeks in my European Politics class covering Swiss politics, it was very interesting to see the Swiss Parliament building and the parliamentarians in person. Yes, I actually was able to see parliamentarians... or at least I think so. The only one that I recognized was the former president of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey. For those of you who know little about the Swiss Government, the idea is for their leaders to not stick out and so most of the Swiss people couldn't recognize the president if he was standing in front of them. Most paliamentarians hold other jobs, only work 12 weeks of the year, and use public transportation. In addition, their pay is minimal and most do not have staff. The Swiss rule by consensus, hoping that all levels of government reach an agreeable compromise. Also, a large chunk of power is given to the individual cantons (hence the confederation idea) and to the people (they have the power of referendum and popular initiative at all levels). This all leads to a very slow process.

Now that you have had a history lesson, it is amazing how Switzerland has remained a nation for so long. In a day and age where separatist movements and people are fighting for self-determination (like South Ossetia, Kosovo, and even Belgium with the Walloons and the Flemish), it is amazing to see such a diverse country remain unified. Switzerland has 4 official languages, covers many diverse cantons and regions, and is a nation where 20% of the people living here are migrants (a category that I am contributing to as well). Yet, for the good of the people, the Swiss have been able to remain together and united.

Munster Church, the large cathedral that dominates the Berne skyline.

These pictures show the peninsula that the River Aare forms around the old city. It is a very interesting layout.

Berne, takes its name from the creature above... the bear. However, do not get to excited, the Bern bear pits were very depressing... worse than the zoo. The bears were trained to walk around... this one even sat down and waived at the crowd.

To show of the wealth of the city (yes, the banks make the Swiss beaucoup d'argent), the city commissioned 13 fountains to be built in the downtown area. These two are my favorites... the Bernese Musketman on the left and Justice on the right.

So, I said that the old town has lots of arcades lining the streets. Those of you who don't study architecture were probably thinking of video arcades? Nope, these overhangs are arcades and they create a very nice place to walk when it rains. This style of covering is different from any of the other cities that I have seen so far in Europe.

The Zytglogge in Old Town. This clock has been running for over 500 years and is one of the most popular sights in Berne. The tower used to be the entrance gate of the old city wall.

This the the Parliament Building (Bundeshaus), seat of the Swiss government. In my mind, it is distinctly Swiss--complete with the Swiss crosses, Helvetia (the embodiment of the Swiss State) and Justice. It has a very prominent place in the city and provides great views of the city from its terrace on the back side.

Looking up the street from one of the fountains to the Zytglogge. Few cars are allowed which creates an "old world" feeling.

This is the view from the University of Berne, overlooking the city. Notice the Alps in the back of the picture. Now imagine waking up and seeing these mountains everyday. Welcome to Switzerland.

That is all I have for now. Sorry for the delay but this week is our midterm week. I still have one last post to catch up on--Zurich. But that will have to be saved for another time.

I leave tomorrow night (Thursday) for Vienna, then to Berlin on Sunday for our break week, and then then to Prague next Thursday afternoon. That should provide a lot of pictures and stories to share when I get back.

As always, you all have my email. Keep me updated. Hope all is well wherever you may be.

Love & Honor,

Matt

Stockholm... Way Up North

2008-10-04T16:48:00.019-04:00

Heysan,

My trip to Scandinavia was not complete until I visited Stockholm... a city which is about a far north as the City of Anchorage, Alaska. Naturally, I was worried that it would be cold, especially when I had heard reports that it was colder in Sweden than in Copenhagen from a fellow traveler. Thankfully, the cold air held off and Stockholm was moderately comfortable (mom, you probably would still need a parka). I was pretty sure that Copenhagen was the best city that I had ever been to--then I arrived in Stockholm.

Stockholm is built on an archipelago of islands between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. It is by far one of the prettiest places that I have ever seen. Our hostel was on the Island of Gamla Stan, the old town in the middle of the group of islands. Out the front door was the Svenska Academy. Yes, the very same that bestows the Nobel Prizes in literature, science, peace, etc. Another hop, skip, and jump away were the Royal Palace, the Parliament building, and a set of narrow, winding streets and shops. The island of Gamla Stan was truly mesmerizing.

I had the opportunity to eat Swedish meatballs, cloudberries (a type of raspberry with an almond-y taste), and lakrids (licorice, something very popular in Scandinavia). I went to a hockey game played by AIK Hockey Club and explored a ship that sank in the 17^th Century. I also had the opportunity to really explore Swedish culture and heritage at the Nordiska Museum. Stockholm was such a fascinating place… I even had the chance to talk American politics with a group of Swedes.

Stockholm, along with outstanding beauty, is an amazingly friendly and welcoming city. The Swedes are very proud of their culture, boisterous yet sophisticated. The city was a pleasant balance between culture and music, young and old, monuments to the past, and the bustle of the young Swedes. In addition (and much more than in Denmark), was Swedish price evident. Blue and gold flags were hung everywhere…from ships to buildings to poles. It was very refreshing to see the Swedes interact, to chat with them one-on-one, and to hear about their lives and experiences. I have really begun to identify everything that we as a human race share in common and have begun to appreciate all that I have.

In keeping with past trends, I have attached a bunch of pictures for all of those who need to see visuals.

This picture is of the Svenska Academy, the body that hands out the Nobel Prizes. Located about 10 feet from the front door of my hostel.

One of the narrow streets of Gamla Stan at night. Architecture is from the 15th Century.

Gamla Stan. The building to the right of the building on the far right was my hostel (it is out of the picture). Also, just out of the picture is the Svenska Academy which would be about 20 feet to my right.

This building is the City Hall, the Stadshuset. It offers a great view of the city and contributes to the impressive skyline of Stockholm.

View from the Stadshuset, with Gamla Stan in the background on the left and Södermalm (a neighborhood) at right.

This is a nice area along the coast known as Norrmalm. This is the path I took to get to Djurgården, the royal gardens. This island is home of Skansen, an open air museum, the Nordiska Museum, and the Vasa Museum (location of the sunken ship). The area used to be the hunting grounds of the royal family and is now a popular park. It also gives its name to one of Stockholm's most famous football clubs, Djurgårdens IF who play at Stockholm Stadium.
This ship, the Vasa, sunk on its maiden voyage out of Stockholm harbor in the 17th Century. It was recovered, cleaned up, and put on display in a museum--by far the best museum that I have seen so far.

Stockholm Stadium, home of 1912 Olympics Games. Anyone surprised that I visited the stadium? Although, I did have to sneak in to get this picture.

Stockholm at night from the Riksdagshuset (Parliament Building) on Gamla Stan looking toward the Stadshuset (Town Hall).

Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy, a salad with Thousand Island dressing, on lingonberry jam, bread and butter, and a local Swedish beer. Absolutely amazing!

Lakrids! Actually, this was not licorice-flavored. It was sour rhubarb.

AIK Hockey game. Notice the constant crowd noise...it reminded me of a soccer game. Also, the crowd was very loud for being a little sparse.

When I went to visit the Royal Palace, the Swedish Military was changing the guard. Little did I know that it would involve a complete military band and ceremony. This was my favorite part.

Congrats to my volleyball girls for sweeping Ohio U this weekend! To everyone, I am sorry for falling of the face off the earth... apparently I have not had as much time to contact you all as I would like. Please keep me updated.

I didn't end up in Paris this past weekend. Instead, I went to Zurich and Bern. Updates are forthcoming. Hope all is well!

Love & Honor,

Matt

Dan(e)mark and the City of København

2008-09-29T14:56:00.016-04:00

Hey hey (or hello in Danish & Swedish),

Enough people finally complained about the lack of pictures that I decided to go picture crazy on this post. Eventually, I will explain each picture...but first, the customary analysis of my trip and the City of København. I am sure that I cannot accurately capture all of my adventure but I will try... feel free to ask questions.

København is an absolutely stunning city, built on trade and the power of the old Danish Empire (which once owned Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Greenland). The city still has many remnants of this wealth as the royal markets and shipyard buildings dot the coastline. The Royal Family (one of my favorite parts of both Denmark and Sweden) has 3 palaces in the city itself and nearly every building that can has a tall tower or a statue. They are literally everywhere... a phenomenon that I discovered after my 20th or so picture of a statue of a person that I had never heard of before. One of the most beautiful (and picturesque) parts of the city is Nyhavn, the multicolored houses built along a canal in the picture below. The main street, Strøget, though the old town is a long, winding street where you can find any store imaginable, plenty of street vendors, and some of Denmark's most historic landmarks. What I loved the most about the walk was that you truly got a feel for Danish culture on just one short walk. The Danes are fun-loving, boisterous, and proud... with a eye towards the sea and to the modernization of Europe. Kobenhavn is a great reflection of its inhabitants.

One thing that I will say about København was that it had a much younger "feel" to it than Stockholm or Geneva. There is a healthy student population, a younger general population, and a large, self-proclaimed hippie population in the area known as Christiania. Businesses seemed to stay open later and there was a large number of people out at night. Another convenient (and some would argue "nice") aspect of Scandinavia was that everyone spoke English. This made ordering food, buying tickets, and purchasing souvenirs easy. However, most signs and posters were in Danish... a language that doesn't look intimidating (unless you don't speak a lick of it). At least when in Geneva, I can read signs and understand menus even if their is a language barrier.

Denmark brought about another new experience for me: staying in a hostel. Although we had trouble at first when trying to locate our hostel, the experience was a very positive one. The hostel, located just north of town, was aimed at traveling students with large rooms, public common areas, and beer and wine on tap at all hours of the day. Although we spent very little time there, the location was excellent and I slept well (always a good thing). The owners of the hostel were also helpful when trying to locate cheap restaurants or things to see.

The first picture is of the symbol of København, the Little Mermaid. In actuality, the statue is very small, touristy, and probably not worth the effort... but you know me, I HAD to see it. So, in all its grandeur....

Being the huge soccer (football) fan that I am, I wanted to go to a real soccer game during my time in Scandinavia. As fate would have it, FC København, one of the best teams in Denmark played at home during one of our nights in the city. The stadium was packed, the atmosphere electric, and the smell of hot dogs (another phenomenon yet to be discusses) was in the air. The home side came away with a 3-0 victory... which made the trip to the stadium that much better.

This picture is me in front of one of the canals of the city. This one is located by the national museum and the Christianborg Palace. This took place, I believe, after a huge breakfast buffet at a local cafe.

Nyhavn: one of the most recognizable landmarks of København. Situated along a canal, the multicolored houses and restaurants are very popular with tourists.

This picture was taken in front of the City Hall on Radhuspladsen. It also shows just one of the many towers of the København skyline.

The skyline of central København from the Rundetårn (Round Tower) near Strøget. You can see the red-roofed houses, green-tinted monuments, and the abundance of towers in the city. The one on the far left is the one that belongs to the City Hall.

This (in my head) is what I pictured Danish houses to look like. On the train ride into København, the small towns and fishing villages all had building of this exact color scheme... very pretty. I think one of the easiest and best ways to understand a culture is through its food. This is great for me because I LOVE TO EAT! Now, on to the food...

Hot dogs were everywhere in Scandinavia, especially in København. This is a frank with all of the works... spicy mustard, sweet mustard, regular yellow mustard, (European) ketchup, remoulade (mayonnaise with chopped sweet pickles), fried onions, and raw onions. There was literally more sauce than 'dog.' Simply delicious.

This is hot chocolate and a 'danish.' The only problem with that, is that I was served by a Dane... so this, is not a 'Danish.' That is a mistake you only make once (thankfully I didn't...my friend did). It was a wonderful pastry nonetheless.

This was my splurge of the trip... an authentic Danish/Københavner meal. A Carlsberg (in the background).... "probably the best beer in the world." Probably not. Danish rye bread (thick, dense, tasty) with butter. A fried fillet of fish topped with remoulade, pickled herring (under the onions and capers), roast beef with sweet pickled relish, curried chicken salad with bacon, fried pork with red cabbage, smoked salmon, brie, and grapes. There are not enough words to describe this meal (minus the herring) except for delicious.

That is all I have for now. Look for another post soon about Stockholm. I am headed to Paris this weekend (and maybe Bern). Those should be up soon. Hope all is well back home.

Love & Honor,

Matt

The ICMH

2008-09-19T05:07:00.005-04:00

One of the big reasons that I chose to study abroad with the Kent State Geneva-Semester program was the option of receiving an internship with an international organization during my time abroad. I am still unsure of what I want to do after graduation (which, in my eyes, is entirely too soon) and working in the international law community or for and NGO has always been something that I have been interested in. This chance sounded like the perfect opportunity for me to really see if this was a path that I wanted to pursue; and, even if it isn't, it provides me with a wonderful opportunity to gain valuable experience as an intern and to be exposed with a different side of the city of Geneva.

I was fortunate enough to receive and internship with International Center of Migration and Health. I say fortunate because as interns in Geneva, we are oftentimes competing with graduate or even doctoral students for these internships. The ICMH is an NGO who monitors, writes reports, and makes policy suggestions to international health organizations, most notably the World Health Organization. As a WHO collaborative center, we receive funding and other benefits (like access to research, international conferences and meetings, etc) which help the organization to operate and conduct research.

Anyone who knows me know how passionately I feel about the field of migration and the rights of migrants. So, this internship seems like a perfect fit for my interests. And, up to this point, it has truly been an adventure. Right now, I am helping to compile data, to interpret the data, and publish my findings in a report about the effect of migration on family members who are 'left behind:' including increased levels of violence, psychological and social effects, and lower success rates at school.

While the research has been great, I think that I have enjoyed the daily interaction with the people that I work with the most. The office in which I work brings another whole level to my meaning of diversity. Honestly, I am not entirely sure how many languages can be spoken by the 15 people who work with me. Last week, one of the women who works at the ICMH, Joyce, celebrated her birthday by bringing in a meal from her homeland, Congo. Apart from being absolutely fantastic food (a unique combination of African, Spanish, and French influences), it gave me the opportunity to look around the table and to contemplate how diverse our group truly was--or at least through the typical lens of diversity. The majority of us hold very similar outlooks and views on the world, another very important form of diversity.

Not including Joyce, we have nationals from Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, China, India, the Philippines, Venezuela, Cuba, the United States, and Spain. That meal, I heard about 7 or 8 languages spoken, realized that there were 5 or 6 different religions represented (from Islam to Judaism to Sikhism), and realized that I shared very little about my upbringing with many of these people. What a very strange, yet invigorating feeling.

And then, it hit me. This collection of people, no matter how odd it seems, comes together for a certain goal. It shows me that all religions, all peoples, and all nations can and DO come together for the betterment of our world. It shows that problems have truly become globalized and that we are all one population, no matter how diverse we may initially appear. And this, gives me great hope for out future. I would love to hear your (yes, you the readers) thoughts on this idea.

I leave in 3 hours to catch a train to Copenhagen. We have the upcoming week of school of (for traveling) and I am headed up to Scandinavia for awhile. I will be spending about 3 days in Copenhagen and 4 days in Stockholm. Wish me luck. I will write again in about a week. If you need me, I will check my email once or twice... hoffmamd@muohio.edu. I wish everyone back home all the best, especially those still effected by the windstorms and those without power.

Beat UC!

Love & Honor,

Matt

Montreux & Chateau de Chillon

2008-09-09T09:19:00.013-04:00

Just up Lac Leman, about 45 minutes from Geneva sits the Chateau de Chillon, a medieval fortress used by the Counts of Savoy. The Chateau (as you can see in the photo) clings perilously to the side of a mountain and is built on an outcropping into the lake. It offers some of the most picturesque views of Switzerland, apart from being an affordable and interesting tourist destination. Wow, I sound like a travel guide. So, here is the real scoop on my trip to Montreax and the Chateau de Chillon:

Sarah, another student on the program with me, and I left about noon for the train station in Geneva called Gare Cornavin. We purchased round trip tickets for 50 CHF (about $50 USD) and jumped aboard the train. This all sounds like an easy enough process until you take a moment to realize that a) the ticket machines don't 100CHF bills, so we needed to get change; b) if you have never had to do Eurail before, it can be confusing...especially if you must switch trains in the middle and didn't know that ahead of time, and c) are afraid that you purchased the wrong ticket because you have never used said train before. (Yes, I know I sound like the 'typical American' traveler.)

Okay, so, we arrived in Montreux and walked down to the lake. The town is absolutely beautiful. It had the feeling of a small resort town with shoppes, high-rise hotels, and cafes everywhere. We began the 30 minute walk down the coast to the Chateau, stopping to take pictures of the scenery, the local vineyards, and a random statue of Freddy Mercury (don't ask me why) on the water front. Eventually, we reached the Chateau. The following pictures will hopefully give you just a taste of the unique nature of the castle.

The Chateau has a really interesting history; namely, that is was never besieged which is why it is still in relatively good condition. Also, if you can see the crest in the second picture above, this crest (used by the Counts of Savoy) is the precursor to the Swiss flag. After the castle, we headed back to Montreux for dinner. The meal was enjoyable--and much less expensive than Geneva. However, our waitress, was not exactly friendly... okay, that was an euphemism. The views from the cafe were absolutely spectacular, which made up for the lack-luster service (see first picture in upper right corner).

We returned to the train station after dinner and tried to jump on the first train headed towards Geneva. Unfortunately, it was leaving right as well approached the platform. Apparently, the traveling gods were not smiling on us that day. We waited for the next train, which was not a direct train and stopped 4 or 5 times before Lausanne, and had to switch train before winding up in Geneva. The good news about missing the first train was that we were able to befriend a group of people from Malaysia (yeah Qiao!!!!). They were confused about the train system so we were able to help them get back to Geneva safely and hear about their travels around the world.

Back in Geneva, we headed to Old Town to get some ice cream... what a great ending to the day!

The next blog post will be about my internship with the ICMH and will hopefully be up in the next few days. Also, our first break week is coming up this Friday and I am headed to Copenhagen and Stockholm. I hope all is well back home.

Love & Honor,

Matt

Geneve=Diversity

2008-09-06T17:49:00.008-04:00

Diverse. I am beginning to find this word more and more useful as I travel around Switzerland. However, I find that in Geneva, it is especially applicable. Geneva is unlike any other European city that I have ever been to--parts are modern, parts are old, parts are distinctly French-Swiss, parts are international. Geneva has shown me the value of not just coexistence but acceptance and the power of humanity working together for the common good.

Riding the bus 4 days a week to my internship at the edge of town has taught me a few things:. He is a little segment I like to call, Passing Time & Thoughts on My Hour Commute to Work. (Ok, so the title needs work.)

1) Geneva is the most diverse city on the planet. In a 20 minute bus ride I heard 7 different languages, saw people of every different ethnicity, and passed a synagogue, a Catholic Church, a LDS (Mormon) Church, and a mosque. The same bus ride has afforded me the opportunity to feel like a local Genevois. I have spoken French (rather poorly) with people around me and have been able to help a few tourists work the bus system. (Don't worry Dr. Z, I have been able to speak Spanish occasionally... we had a few Cubans who lived in the same complex that I am staying and I work with a man, Fidel, from Cuba at my internship.)

2) First impressions matter, so always dress to impress and remember to smile. Please and thank you go along way, in any language. You might be sitting next to the UN Ambassador from Nigeria. Oh wait, that already happened to me. He saw me reading an article for class about human rights violations in Darfur and he thought it would be an opportune moment to talk to me about his views on the United Nations and its role in ending the genocide in the area. What an absolutely engaging conversation! And I was glad to be on my A-game! He gave me his business card and told me to give him an email if I ever wanted to continue the discussion. I believe that I sat in shock for about 20 minutes after this conversation.

3) Public transportation is a fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly way to transport people and to get places. The TGP in Geneva has been so efficient, clean, and fairly affordable that I regret using my car so much back in the United States. The light rail system that was proposed between Dayton and Cincinnati now seems like such a good idea.

4) Getting lost is just as fun as being found. It is enjoyable to take a bus to a new part of Geneva and explore the surrounding area. Each neighborhood is distinctly different whether it is the wealthier districts of Grand & Petit Saconnex, the Old City, Carouge (the young, hip hang-out area) or the waterfront with its expensive stores and shops. My favorite place right now is the Parc de Bastions... right by the University de Geneve (surprise, right?).

5) American celebs and music are more popular in Europe than they are in the US. Le Matin Bleu, the free newspaper that I read on the bus everyday covers US celebrities more than any newspaper that I have seen back home. In addition, I have yet to hear a local listen to "pop music" that has not been in English. However, said newspaper has been a great way to stay on top of the local news and the occasional international story.

The next update (hopefully tomorrow) will be about my trip this weekend to Montreux and the Chateau de Chillon. That should be fun. Until then, au revoir.

Love & Honor,

Mathieu

Futbol Européen???

2008-08-27T16:12:00.004-04:00

Flares, lights, chants, "God Save the Queen." Nope, not here. Sorry, this is not Old Tratford. This is Stade de Geneve, home of Servette FC. Please take a gander at this picture to imagine how empty this stadium is. Ok, now imagine utter emptiness. Okay, now you know the feeling.

I give their die-hard fans credit, Les Garnets don't have much to cheer about. Their club was relegated to the Swiss Thrid division in 2005 after Servette's sponsor went bankrupt. Now a member of the Swiss Challenge League (Division 2), the 30,000 person stadium held a mere 1,500 for this game. Some parts of the stadium were completely blocked off and entrance was only 10 chf=very cheap entertainment in Geneve. What was once one of the most prestigious and respected clubs in the Swiss Axpo, Servette has seen better days. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

The game was not bad; well, at least the second half was good. Honestly, a decent college team in the US (or even a good high school team) could have easily controled this game from start to finish. During the second half, the opposing team's (Concordia Basel FC) keeper flipped off the Servette crowd. Naturally, all the Genevois returned the favor (including the 5-year old sitting 2 seats away from me). The keeper was carded and everytime he touched the ball for the remainder of the game, he was booed loudly, well, relatively loudly.

And, as fate would have it, the game ended in a 0-0 draw. Fun times, right?!?! Les Garnets did have a goal (from my vantage point) that was called back on an offsides call.

I find it funny that in a place where futbol is king, such a well-know team playing in a decently-sized city and in a top-notch stadium (Stade de Geneve was part of Euro Cup 2008--too bad I couldn't have been here 2 months ago...) can't draw a larger fan base. However, this mysetry just adds to the complexity that is Geneve. Les Genevois are so fiercely loyal, to their heritage, to their language, to their city, to the reformers of the Reformation (a blog post to follow) that I cannot understand the lack-of-support for Servette FC. Even the few supporters that I talked with couldn't really find an explanation for this phenomenon. Perhaps they are still embarrased by the bankruptcy and negative publicity.

Go Miami, beat Vandy! Oh, et Allez Servette!

Love & Honor,

Matt

A New Perspective on Switzerland

2008-08-20T16:15:00.007-04:00

Bienvenue à Suisse!

Maybe being 2000m above sea level has made me a little light-headed. Or perhaps is the absolutely amazing Swiss chocolate (Cuiller) or L'Etivaz cheese. Whatever the cause, the effect has been that I have fallen... fallen in love with the beauty that is Switzerland.

Switzerland is a paradox. It is a land of modern cities, world-renowned for their progressive stance on human rights. However, the Alpine highlands of central Switzerland feel like a step back in time. Les Alpes are covered with small farms, cows with bells, chalets with flower boxes and Swiss flags. And sadly, this is the image that most people have of the Swiss. There is definite dichotomy in Swiss culture--one that the brings out Swiss pride in every citizen.

Having spent the whole first half of the week in the Alps, I am looking forward to our tours of the US Mission and the Palais de Nations (of the United Nations) tomorrow. Hiking boots and jeans to business casual in one day; I think that this sums up Switzerland. What an amazing place.

Each and everyday, I amazed at the Swiss; with their concern for others, their outpouring of humanitarian aid. And yet, the Swiss are a conservative people. Proud of their traditions, proud of their food, and proud of their nation.

So, yes, I am here. And very confused. And intrigued.

:ove & Honor,

Matt

Welcome & Adieu

2008-08-13T18:20:00.009-04:00

So, I sit here in my room in tiny Brookville, Ohio. And my mind cannot help but run wild. In 4 days, I am leaving everything I know and headed to a place that will be very much different from SW Ohio... a place that I have spent 21 years. Over the past few weeks, I have had the chance to reflect on all of my experiences and I must say that I'm not sure if I am ready. Nothing has or can prepare for the adventure that I am about to embark on and that scares me. In fact, my excitement has grown to anticipation and nervousness.

"Hi! My name is Matt Hoffman and I am a junior International Studies major from Brookville, Ohio." If I had a nickle for every time I have said those words... However, this is my formal introduction, a big "howdy" if you will, to everyone who will read this... my friends and family, my professors and staff members at Miami, and to anyone who wants to follow me on this journey into the unknown. I welcome you to what will surely be one of the biggest challenges of my life. I encourage you all to read, to comment, to respond, to email, to facebook, to travel 4,000 miles to visit... you know, the usual stuff.

Anyone who knows me will say that my love and enthusiasm for Miami is obvious and contagious, and some might say that it verges on annoying. These same people will also realize how hard it is for me to leave a place I love so much for 4 months... a place that I missed so much over the summer that I would drive down at least once a week, even though I spent the first half of the summer on campus as an orientation leader. I will miss football, hockey, campus in the fall, my friends, and even my classes. But I know that it is finally time for me to take a chance, for me to leave the airport in a strange city and to make a place for myself. Maybe this is what frightens me the most.

So, thank you to everyone who helped me reach this point and please keep in touch. I am just a quick phone call or e-mail away. À bientôt.

Love & Honor
Matt