#this ceremony is for abroad students

[bridgeportbritt]

Selvadorada University | Belosima, Selvadorada

Dean: Congratulations on stepping out of your comfort zone, immersing yoursleves in a new culture, and opening your minds to new things.

Dean: Thank you to the families who have supported our graduates on their journies. You are a crucial part of this accoplishment, as well as you've helped shape them into the people they are today.

Dean jokes: We know you are beaming with pride to see these graduates make their way to the stage. That's why we're all here, right?

Dean: Without further ado, let's hand out some diplomas!

[mariacallous]

Bulgaria’s parliament on Wednesday adopted a law which prohibits “propaganda” for “non-traditional sexual orientations” in schools, sparking outrage and calls for protests. 

The legislation was drafted by the pro-Russian Revival party, but on its first and second readings it also gained support also from pro-Western factions as well.

The amendment to the Law for Pre-School and School Education outlaws “propaganda, popularisation and encouragement, directly or indirectly, of ideas and views connected to nontraditional sexual orientation or to gender-identifying different from the biological”.

In total, 135 out of 240 MPs voted in favour. Support from the pro-Moscow Bulgarian Socialist Party was expected, but the bill passed largely because of the surprising backing of the pro-EU centre-right GERB party.

More than half of the MP’s from the reformist opposition duo We Continue the Change/Democratic Bulgaria missed voting on the first reading for unclear reasons, but the alliance participated more fully on the second, voting against. Altogether, 57 MPs voted against and eight from GERB abstained.

The increased presence of topics related to sexual and gender identity in Bulgaria’s educational system is mentioned as a fact in the legislation’s wording, without offering specific examples. Some MPs cited the existence of brochures on sexual education for children and teenagers, or translated books that are in circulation, as problematic. 

The text does not mention sanctions and does not specify what “ideas and views” would be considered unlawful, leaving room for various interpretations. 

“The restriction on even talking about the topic in school limits chances to oppose the violence and harassment that LGBTI+ students experience,” the feminist organisation LevFem said after the passage of the amendment. 

LGBTQ+ organisation Deystvie drew direct comparisons between the draft amendment and the steady limitation of human rights and the rights of sexual minorities in Russia. “For the 30 years of democratic transition, Bulgaria’s political elite never understood that human rights are at the core of democracy,” Deystvie stated. 

“We need to be heard and understood, not rejected and attacked,” the human rights collective Feminist Mobilisations said before the vote. 

On Wednesday afternoon, a protest was announced in Sofia. 

Echoes of hate speech in debates

During the parliamentary debate, some politicians made statements bordering on hate speech. 

Socialist Party leader Kornelia Ninova said that Bulgarian families abroad had contacted her to alert about the dangers of “gender ideology” in the West and criticised those who are “one thing in the morning, a second in the afternoon, a third in the evening”.

Ninova defined “gender ideology” as something promoted “by very influential and rich people” and said it was “creeping into and taking over Bulgarian schools”.

She noted the recent Eurovision Song Contest, won by a non-binary contestant, and the aesthetics of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris as worrying examples. Olympic controversies have been fanned by local conservative politicians, as a recent BIRN analysis explained. 

Ninova’s statements are in line with pro-Kremlin leanings of the Socialist Party, which in 2023 tried to initiate a referendum against “gender ideology” and which since 2017 has vehemently opposed the women’s rights treaty, the so-called Istanbul Convention, interpreting it as promoting LGBTQ+ rights.

“I’ll repeat what I’ve been saying for seven years now: hands off Bulgarian children,” Ninova said on Wednesday.

Zvezdelina Karavelova of Revival said that “pederasty” should be challenged and she hoped that her one-year-old son would never bring home a husband.

Atanas Tchorbanov of the There’s Such a People party compared the outcry from human rights organisations to the orchestra that famously played on during the sinking of the Titanic. 

Daniel Mitov of GERB said the measure was an opportunity to fight “leftist ideologies”.

In contrast, Eleonora Belobradova of We Continue the Change criticised the amendment as regressive and claimed that some paragraphs had been copy-pasted from Wikipedia. 

The turn of events underscores the successful politics of Revival.  Between 2020 and 2022, support for the party increased after it adopted anti-vaxx positions during the COVID-19 pandemic and stayed close to the Kremlin playbook over Ukraine. 

In 2022, Revival unsuccessfully tried to bring in a Russian-style “foreign agents” law.

[blueberrypancakesworld]

Unplanned appointment

Marc Schrader x fem!reader

warning: flirting, some touching, suggested/mentioned sex, alcohol, mutual attraction, no use of Y/n

Summary : After the police graduation ceremony, she had planned to celebrate a little longer, but an unexpected appointment interrupts this and the exchange cadet finds herself at her boss's door with a "familiar" guy.

Info : So finally I write for him and hope that I can give some fans and like-minded people some joy. Also the film is so good and I finally can write a little german in storys so yeah have fun reading plus the inspiration for this came from THIS from @echoe-l check out the blog ;)

gif from me

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Music, chatter and a little dancing was the atmosphere that spread around her as she watched the people and her somehow friends. The language she knew, had learned to understand to some extent and yet still had a lot to learn. The banner with the colors black, red and yellow and the bear on it still on the wall. They showed everyone that an official ceremony had taken place here after the officers, senior staff and the mayor had left.

Now the hall belonged to the younger ones, the ,,Cadets of the future for the security of Germany" as she could still remember the speech that came over the speakers to the young adults. They had all stood at attention for an hour before she was finally an investigator. Her dream in Germany had come true, even if it meant sacrifice.

But before the homesickness could take hold of her, she heard the voice of her friends pulling her away from the table and onto the dance floor. ,,Now it's time to party!" her fellow student and second-best student shouted as she spun her friend around.

The glass of champagne was long gone but it was enough to make the music and the atmosphere more pleasant, to make the foreign language sound natural and it helped her loosen up. Dancing around the hall with her friends, laughing and exchanging stories with other students.

Not knowing that after all this he was still watching her. That this one thing that happened just one night ago was more than she thought. He watched as she laughed, joy and devotion in her eyes as the tension left her.

The dark dress with the brooch given to all cadets bearing the police mark let him know she had made it. Your spell has worked unicorn he thought and loosened his tie that had been bothering him the whole ceremony but his blue eyes didn't leave her couldn't leave her.

Because what had happened was better than any drug, any techno music, she was just so much better. But the young woman didn't see her fellow student being approached.

There was annoyance and slight confusion in his voice when he was interrupted in his sitting down. When he had to do something he was called to go to someone he didn't know.

Everything was settled, wasn't it? With one last look at her and ignoring the neccned calls of his "friends" he turned around and left the hall to go to the man who wanted to talk to him.

Minutes passed, minutes passed in which she noticed nothing. She celebrated cheerfully and, over the music and the chatter, hinted that she was going to have a drink. With a smile on her lips, she pushed her way out of the dance floor and made her way to the table with the punch and other drinks.

The red heirloom punch looked sweet and delicious, which is why she had wanted to try it all evening. Just as she was about to reach for a plastic cup, she heard someone next to her. ,,Du bist die Austauschstudierende oder?" came the question from another graduating student in his native language.

She replied with a short ,,Ja" and didn't quite know what he wanted. A few tips for studying abroad? A signature? A photo? Or what else? But nine instead came a ,,You should go to Chief Inspector Minx" he said in English and she was grateful to him because there was a certain caution and uncertainty between them because of the language before she nodded to him and yet she knew where she had to go, everyone had heard of Minx.

The investigator who had been around the longest and was always on the case. Someone she knew had turned up yesterday. She felt a little uneasy as she walked out of the hall and straightened her dress, trying to regain the posture she'd had before.

It was much cooler and more comfortable from the sausage fabric as she stepped out of the hall into the police headquarters and walked up the stairs to the office.

The furnishings were typical German 70's old building as always no money but it didn't bother her because as she walked towards the office she saw that she wasn't the only one who had to go there. ,,What are you doing here Marc?" she asked and saw that she had probably pulled him out of his thoughts because his gaze was turned to the floor and only now was it directed at her. The blue soul mirrors ran over her body without shyness.

He looked at her knee-length dress in dark colors similar to his suit and a slight grin came to his lips when he saw the brooch with the bear again. ,,I could ask you the same thing...I was told to go to him," he said after a short pause and looked at the sign hanging on the wall with the name of the investigator.

She saw that he was preoccupied with something Marc was rather reserved about, at least when he was at work and not in the club. ,,Me too, but do you think it's about yesterday?" she asked, leaning slightly towards him and lowering her voice so as not to be heard when she saw that he was worried about the same thing.

Of course they had both thought about it, if it had just been a club visit, a one night stand or sex in front of the investigators it would have been embarrassing but one thing.

But those little pills, those damn little pills that made the club something alcohol couldn't do was incredible. ,,I never thought the pretty unicorn was like that" he said with a lewd grin as he accidentally undid a button on his shirt and she saw that her hickey was still there.

She felt the warmth on her cheeks as she turned away, ,,That was once, and you wanted it just like me," and pointed to her thigh and pushed her dress up slightly, which made her flinch as he suddenly put his hand on it and felt his markings.

She didn't know if it was the alcohol in his blood, his overhealth in the situation (although she didn't think so) or if he just wanted her, she couldn't tell...but she wanted him again.

After the previous night in the club, the small, worn sofas and benches were not completely comfortable, but it was enough for him and her. His voice was full of lust, slightly rough from the alcohol, high from the pills and the music. She was completely taken by him under the drugs and the atmosphere he seemed like everything.

He kissed her, explored her body and left the marks on her, she clung to him and maybe it was the drugs or the psyche of the two of them but only when they came down from their high together did they seem to realize that they would not only see both colleagues but also each other every day from now on. ,,Du scheinst gar nicht genug zu bekommen" he mumbled in German and smiled when he saw that it affected them, that he knew they were into each other. Hell, how could she not?

His eyes were still on her, seeming to undress her again while he seemed to be the calm one on the outside, but he always was. ,,Never do enough but always just what's needed," she murmured the words he was usually told and heard the laugh as he shook his head slightly but she was right.

He never did one hundred percent but always only what was necessary, except for her it seemed. ,,My unicorn seems to know me better than I thought," he said, wrapping a finger around a loose strand of hair from her fringe to play with it. He twisted the hair a little between his fingers, pulled it gently and came closer to her.

She smelled the scent of smoke, alcohol, party and leather on him, which met her sweeter scent through the perfume. ,,How about here in the hallway?" he began and let his hand wander from her thigh further up, her gaze meeting his.

She saw him lean forward slightly and she did the same before the door to the office was suddenly pulled open and a woman came out who was probably already being nagged by Minx.

As if nothing had happened, Marc simply stood up and held out his hand to her in an elegant gesture which she accepted with an embarrassed smile before they both walked past the woman and arrived in the investigator's office.

Knowing that whatever was going on between them was more than just the one night stand at the club. As his hand ran over hers one last time, touching the fabric where he had left his mark, she knew they would end up together one way or another.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@one-boring-person , @lemon-teacake , @babybluebex , @echoe-l , @gaeleneinar ,

[jaeyunlover]

This is why we can’t be together

2020/6/18

Graduation day

Today was the final day of high school, I was finally escaping this hell hoe. This place I’ve been captivated by was now out of my reach after today.

“Now crossing the stage is (y/n)(l/n) hour 4 year honors student, she has been able to make it through all 4 years of high school with a 4.5 gpa, she is someone to look up to with that being said let’s hear a few words from ms.(L/N)” the principal said making everyone applaud me as I walked on stage, but for some reason I felt this strange feeling in my chest as I approached the mic.

The fuck was going on with me did reality hit me once and for all? “Hello fellow students,parents and administrators, I would like to say thank you for all the support and encouragement I received during this year. I want to thank everyone for all of the help and positive energy that you gave me, I know this seems last minute but it’s not Much to say. I hope the next chapter of my life is filled with surprises and good news. I hope I can inspire others and the next graduating year to do there best (y/n)(l/n) signing out” I said throw my cap in the air making the other graduates do the same.

As the ceremony began to come to an end and I bid my farewells to the other students I realized reality had hit me across the head like a drunk man out of his mind, Getting inside my car I got a call from my mother and father “sorry we couldn’t make it we were…” “busy” my father said interpreting my mother, but of course I knew they were making excuses “it’s fine, it’s not like this is the first time you couldn’t make it to something important to me”I said smiling and hanging up, I sighed as I put my head on the steering wheel thinking of what I could’ve done so wrong that everyone just neglects me but it doesn’t matter now it’s all over after graduating I decided to move. Yeah that’s what I’ll do. I’ll just move. No one can find me and I have a start.

Getting interrupted by my thoughts. from a knock on my window it was my crush that I had like since my freshman year he’s always been so nice to me. How could I not like him his name was Amari Miller a.k.a. first love, but I guess he didn’t realize that I liked him or he dated just did not want to acknowledge it. I wasn’t the prettiest little bunch, but, I still show effort and affection. “ Hey Amari, how are you? I haven’t seen you since you know.” I said blushing. “Oh yeah about that you know I’ve been studying. Everly didn’t have time to hang out it was our last year” Amari said. “oh yeah, totally I understand. Of course you thought about any colleges you’re going to” I said stuttering “um no not yet. I’ve just decided after school is going to help my family with their business.” he said awkward smile “ oh that seems nice” I said looking at the window “how about you?” he asked “well, I’m going out of the country to study abroad.” I said, a little happy “WHAT REALLY!” He said a little shocked “yeah” I giggled “why” he ask with a smitten look.

No, why was he looking like that? What was really going on? “Oh I guess just to start over” I said “what about emory he’s gonna be so upset” he said huh? The fuck is he saying

“Why would he be upset” I asked confused “ah , you see I came her to ask if you would want to go on a double date with me and Emory” he said stammering over his words “oh… and who would you go with?” I ask with a sad look on my face. This was torture I knew it “my crush,Sasha” he said with a blush like smile on his face “oh my friend” I said dead like “I see, so you wanted me to ask her to come with me because your to scared to ask for yourself” I asked him playing with my thumbs “well I’m not scared but yeah” he said still smiling “hey Amari” I called out looking out the window “you aren’t aware of anything are you” I said with tears running down my face not looking his way. “ y/n what -what are you talking about” he asked clearly knowing what I’m talking about “I like you Amari , didn’t you know?” I said wiping the tears off my face to turn to him only to see him with the most disgusted look in his eyes I’ve ever seen “WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT Y/N” he yelled in the car “IS THIS A FUCKING JOKE”he continue to yell “yeah, I’m joking” I said forcing myself to laugh “oh y/n you had me scared for a moment” he said join in the laughter “damn so if it was true you were gonna yell at me” I said still “laughing” “no, I just knew you were joking , to be honest if you were serious I would have just got outta the car and left and acted as if I didn’t hear anything” he said laughing.

I just sat there looking at him with a sharp pain in my chest “hey y/n” said loitering his words “you were serious weren’t you?” He questioned I just sat there  contemplating whether I should answer him or not but the answer he gave me made me realize I didn’t want to answer so I gave him the most stink look in the world and told him to get out of my car. I think he already knew the answer to question after that day, I went M.i.a. And apparently Sasha and him had officially started dating. They still try to get in contact with me day after day, but I just don’t answer. What was I gonna do?

TBC….

Official drop hehehe

[pascaloverx]

Fanfic Proposal: with jungkook x reader x taehyung love triangle

Title: Invisible Bonds: The Power of Destiny

Author's Note: This fanfic contains possible strong language and explores themes of unconventional love. The relationship between the protagonists will be handled with sensitivity, without explicit scenes.

Preview

chapter one

Today is the big day. My best friend is marrying the love of his life. It's a pity that this means I will lose mine. But in today's world, feelings are not taken into consideration. In a world where upon meeting the person you are destined to love, you gain what we call the bond of predestined lovers. This bond allows you to connect deeply with the feelings of the person you are linked to and can hurt you if they get hurt. Unfortunately, this bond ends up becoming deadly for those who choose to keep it. To break the connection, you need to undergo a painful detachment, removing the mark given by destiny that led you to your soulmate. This mark, imprinted on the soul, must be removed through a ritual. It's not scientific, it just happened.

My grandma used to say a witch cursed our nation with a spell where you'll be bound to the person you despise the most, even if you fall in love with someone else. Meanwhile, my mother believes some scientist altered people's DNA to create perfect pairs. In the world, there are several theories about the reasons that brought us to where we are now, but no one knows how to reverse it. While this helps people not to be alone, there are those who fall in love regardless of the soul bond, and others who would prefer not to get hurt or die with the person they love.

My case fits into those who, despite fearing the consequences of breaking the bond, ended up falling in love with someone who is not their soulmate. Actually, I have no idea if getting to know the person linked to me would improve or worsen my situation. When I was in college, I met my best friend, Kim Taehyung. He was already a senior student, and I was just a naive freshman. At first, it was difficult to strike up a conversation with him because he is an extremely attractive person. And even though nowadays I see that he is more introverted than extroverted, at that time, everyone was talking about him. Him and the group of friends he had. We started talking when I had difficulties in a subject he was tutoring. Since then, he has been my right-hand man, always lifting me up when needed or giving me a reality check. About a year ago, the moment I dreaded the most happened. He found his better half. She's so kind and truly perfect for him. Basically, she is everything I can't be for him.

And now they are getting married. To each other. And they will live a modern happily ever after while I watch from the sidelines.Or that's what I thought was going to happen. Until I met him. Jeon Jungkook, or Mr. Charming Smile and Perfect Hair. Jungkook was standing next to Taehyung while I was checking if everything was right for the ceremony. He is Taehyung's best friend who spent some time living abroad. They have known each other since childhood. And I think he might be... my other half. Otherwise, there's no explanation for the fact that we both passed out together before the bride walked down the aisle. Fate must be playing a trick on me.

[moipeace12]

Some interesting theories about Yagasuri

Yagasuri is a pattern inspired by arrows with a symbol of aiming at a target and is an image of goodness and luck. Edo period brides are prayed for good luck to ensure they would not return to their hometown when they got married.

Yagasuri is also similar to Hamaya 破魔矢 – a type of lucky charm, used to destroy evil spirits. Yagasuri aiming at Utahime is symbolize that this is a kind of charm for her. From Gojo and towards Utahime carries the image of a lucky charm.

The image of Yagasuri with Miko (including kimono and hakama) will remind you of the Yagasuri Hakama - one of the traditional outfit that female students wear at graduation ceremonies.

This type of traditional clothing originates from the Meiji era, where Western influences began to be introduced to Japan. Hakama and kimono, boots are the remind of Meiji and Taisho era schoolgirls.

During Taisho Roman, female students wear hakama and ride bicycles and play sports. ロマン in [大正ロマン] include dream and romantic. The manga: Haikara-san ga Toru depicts women of the Taiso period which created anime, films, plays or television. The character Benio Hanamura wears a kimono with arrow motifs, a maroon hakama, black boots, and a large ribbon on her head. Yagasuri Hakama is said to be influenced by this manga and is widely popular.

Gojo's story about returning from abroad about the blending between the West and Japan during the Meiji and Taisho eras. Meaning of 143 - "i love you" is also said to originate from Minots's Ledge since 1894 and it has also been called the most dangerous and romantic lighthouse.

The image of an arrow pointing to the left can also be understood as a metaphor for reading from right to left and from Gojo (341 -> 143).

[kay9leo]

It's hard being the new kid...

Sort of "modern" HL AU

Meet Iñaki "MC" Martinez Cariaga! She's the new transfer student from the United States. She was late for the sorting ceremony so she's currently houseless right now, hence the gray tie. Unfortunately for MC, her ancient magic is a magnet for attracting trouble and getting her into situations she rather not be in, sort of like Percy Jackson.

Fun Facts:

Normally her eyes are brown, but ever since she ended up in the UK, if she's around the presence of high Ancient Magic activity, her own ancient magic activates, turning her eyes a magical blue. They also turn that color when she's using it. At the advice of Prof. Fig, she tries to keep a small flow of it running consciously if she's not at a nearby ancient magical source.

She's also big runes fan! Since her family comes from both Central and South America, she has a big love of studying Mayan glyphs and Incans quipus (they use that instead of runes to conducting their magic). She also knows some indigenous words in Kaqchikel and Quechua; some for fun and some for spell casting. Seeing Norse runes in person was the one thing she was definitely looking forward when going to Hogwarts.

While she doesn't originally goes by MC back in the States, it became her deferred nickname/shorten version of her double surname Martinez Cariaga to use at Hogwarts. She's gotten tired of both professors and peers taking too much time to say it or have them accidently butcher her surnames (or first name even). Her nickname of MC is used so often that it gets to the point that barely anyone remembers that her name is Iñaki 🤣

Ancient Magic & Hogwarts Castle

I headcanon that the Hogwarts Founders were ancient magic users who build Hogwarts and never told anyone about their abilities. Since the place is humming with Ancient Magic, MC's eyes are always a constant magical blue. It's when she leaves Hogwarts grounds that she has to focus on maintaining that magical flow.

The Big Move, Fourth Year & the Reserved New Girl

Unfortunately, Iñaki's dad lost his job during the first layoffs of the Great Recession in early 2008. Thankfully, he had a buddy who hooked him with a new temp job in London, causing the Martinez Cariaga family to move across the pond from New York to London during the end of summer. While she loved the idea of traveling and going to Europe (and maybe even learn more about the different ancient runes used there), she wasn't too pleased at the idea of moving abroad and leaving everything she knows and loves.

Instead of starting her freshman year with her close friend group at Excelsior (NYS magical school system, Ilvermorny is the New England private magical prep school - the most famous, oldest and only school most people know outside the US), Iñaki is starting 4th year at Hogwarts.

Note: The words between "< >" is spoken in Spanish. MC comes from a Spanish-speaking Latino household. If the words are not in between "< >" assume she's speaking English.

6: At the end of MC's first week:

MC:

<¡Hola Mami!>

< I'm fine. ¿And you? >

< Nothing interesting happened this week. >

< ¡NO! ¡It wasn't like I fought a dragon or a troll this week. >

< ¡Just because I faced the Jersey Devil in 6th grade or the Headless Horseman in 7th OR befriended Champ at Lake Champion in 8th doesn't mean weird things always happens to me! >

<¡I'm fine Mami! Nothing happened...>

<¡I had to Mami! ¡He told me he wanted to give me a "proper Hogwarts welcome" before we started! I told him "That's how we say 'Hello' in New York." Made it too easy for me by saying his spells out loud. The prof said I was a great example of how magical duels are different in the New World with our non-verbals...>

<He was cool with losing. ¡Sebastián even gave me a tour of the magical village nearby and introduced me to the "dueling club" the school has! >

< We dueled together…¡It was fun! I almost forgot how much I miss home… >

8:

MC:

< I still want to go home. >

< No Mami. I don't mean visiting you guys back in London. Home as in New York. >

< ¿Why should I make friends if we're only going to be here for a year?>

< ¿It's only a year...right? >

< ¿Right? >

< I gotta go...I promised my classmates I'll study with them for our exam next week. >

< I love you too. >

"Bye."

*Flips phone closed*

*Ends call*

......

MC's trying...but she is rather homesick.

She's now stuck in Hogwarts and isn't too keen on making friends since she has no clue whether she'll be there for a year or not - it all depends whether if they extend her father's work contract and she's isn't keen on making friends if she's only there for a few months in her mind. It gets to the point where Sebastian trying to friend her is like an unstoppable force meeting an unmovable object. (He ends up winning though when she accidently slips up and calls him her friend later on in the year).

For now though, MC is a very angsty teen right now and had her world flipped upside down.

At least she can take out her angst in dueling club 😅

I want to thank @myokk for listening to my ideas about my MC and to my sibling who needed to borrow my laptop for work (leading me to doodle and actually make a digital drawing on my tablet -that I use as a second monitor for work- since I couldn't edit some papers on those days). Without them this drawing wouldn't have happened.

I'm never doing this ever again because I a bit too perfectionist for art and I hated the number of layers I needed. It was supposed to just be a SIMPLE digital doodle!!!! Instead I made this 😭. Never again. I'm sticking to my pen doodles. I was bored out of my mind and I was either reading or doodling while my sis was testing out her new laptop and I was on stand by in case she needed me.

[ramshacklefey]

Not to be outdone by Florida for long, the Ohio State Senate just passed this monstrosity of a bill to assure "intellectual freedom and diversity" in state universities. Among other things, it suggests:

Forbidding any kind of required DEI training;

Forbidding any form of affirmative action or scholarships based on race, gender, sexuality, etc (the official wording is that no one is to be "advantaged or disadvantaged" based on these things, but I'm sure you can see that this is the logical fallout from that);

Forbidding "training" about any kind of systemic oppression or privilege;

Forbidding anything in the university that would group students by sex, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender presentation. This includes extracurricular activities. The intention is pretty obviously to get rid of clubs, fraternities, and sororities for queer students or students of color, or events like Queer Proms, or graduation ceremonies for students of color. (Somewhat hilariously, it would also require co-ed dorms, and I sincerely hope that if this passes someone has the balls to turn all restrooms on a campus gender-neutral);

Requiring that all course syllabi be made publicly available on the University website, including a description of every single lecture or discussion, to be made available by the first day of the term;

Requiring that all faculty allow students to draw their own conclusions about "controversial matters" and not attempt to inculcate any particular belief about them in students. Controversial matters, btw, explicitly includes climate change. But this also means that an instructor is not allowed to tell students that systemic racism or sexism is real or a problem, and could easily be stretched to include things like vaccines or conspiracy theories. Additionally, considering the fact that many people consider any discussion of LGBT topics to be "indoctrination"... I'm sure you can see where this might go;

Requiring that all student evals for courses include the question, "Does the faculty member create a classroom atmosphere free of political, racial, gender, and religious bias?" Honestly, this could go a number of ways, but given the rest of the bill, it's pretty clear why they included it;

Requiring all students to take a course in American history. Seems legit, but combine that with the fact that we're not allowed to talk about any kind of systemic oppression;

Forbidding any state university employees from striking;

Requiring post-tenure reviews for faculty every three years, submitted to the university chancellor. At least 50% of faculty members' teaching evaluation is to be based on student evals; and

Forbidding any relationships with the Chinese government or Chinese universities (including exchange or study abroad programs).

If you live, teach, or attend a university in Ohio, please contact your state house rep.

[librarycomic]

Skip Loafer Volume 1 by Misaki Takamatsu. Translation by Nicole Frasik. Seven Seas, 2021. 9781648275883. Publisher's Rating: Teen (13+) https://www.powells.com/book/-9781648275883?partnerid=34778&p_bt

Whenever I visit Austin, TX, I visit Book People to read their shelf talkers and to buy a great book I've never heard of before. This was my pick this year. (And believe me it takes a lot to get me to pick up a teen romance manga. Stop by and see the shelf talker if you aren't moved by my pitch for the book -- it's on a table on the first floor across from the science fiction and fantasy, if I'm remembering correctly.)

Iwakaru Mitsuki is fifteen, and she just moved to Tokyo from a tiny town in Ishikawa to attend high school. She's going to live with her aunt, who seems worried, but Mitsuki brushes aside her concerns; she thinks her first day will be perfect. Of course that's not what happens. But a very good-looking young man named Sousuke, late for the opening ceremony himself, spots her in the train station, lost and afraid of the crowds and "hiding" against the wall. When she lashes out at him, he doesn't seem to mind. And then she vomits after giving a speech at the ceremony. As school goes on we see how awkward and out of her depth Mitsuki is in some ways (it's very endearing) while Sousuke remains to be a decent guy who wants to be her friend (and maybe more) (this made me like him, too).

My wife would disagree with this, but Skip and Loafer reminded me of Yotsuba&! in a way. I think reading a book about a student trying to adapt to life in Tokyo while my daughter starts her study abroad time there activated my dad genes the same way reading Yotsuba&! does.

[random-mailbox]

Random-Mailbox's Favorite Sailor Moon Fics - Week 18 - High School AU

This post’s theme was suggested by the wonderful @lilliebellfanfics (check out her works on AO3 and FFN (links to her profiles are in platform names) since they do not fully overlap and trust me, you don’t want to miss them!). She just started posting her Dendy AU shorts too, so definitely worth a look.

High School AU, from @floraone ’s matrix (here is the post with it for reference), is a fun way to explore the dynamics between Mamoru and Usagi in a more age appropriate setting for Anime based stories and more in line with Manga characterizations.

As always, my apologies in advance for spoiling some of these for you (Fic Titles are linked to either FFN or AO3 entries).

Wool you love me already? – @midnightdrops

The story set in an AU where Mamoru and Usagi are great friends and classmates right from the start. It starts with Usagi telling Mamoru that she would like to confess to someone she likes in their class, which is why she cannot tell him who it is. She even enlists his help in making sure the confession goes to plan. The catch? Mamoru is the one she will be confessing to.

(side note: make sure you are logged into your AO3 account to access this story, it has been locked down with all the scraping and reposting on other platforms without writers' consent)

Box of Chocolates - Chapter 3: Day 6: Alternate Universe – @kasienda

Instead of Mamoru springing going to Harvard on Usagi and just leaving, in this story he comes up with an alternate plan – he suggests Usagi joins him in the US and attends a high school near his campus, so he doesn’t have to be away from her for as long. Her parents agree to their plan as long as their conditions are met – Usagi passes all her classes for the fall semester AND gets good scores on her TOEFL exam to prove to them that she is ready.

Time After Time – @idesofnovember

In this almost sickeningly sweet multichapter, Usagi transfers to a new school part way through the school year to get better guidance in her Arts pursuits, and is introduced to the school president on her first day. He is someone she has known when she was little and was one of her best friends, however, she lost touch with him. But does he remember her and promises they had made?

Graduation - @celticreeder

When even Andrew bails on attending Darien’s graduation, Serena makes sure that the day is a special one for him, attending the ceremony and inviting him over for a celebratory dinner with her family. But what happens when Darien has to go abroad to study?

Our Secret Notebook - luna-magic-2005

Mamoru was headed to the roof to brood in peace, when he gets armful of Usagi, rushing to their art class. While quickly picking up books she dropped in their collision, she forgot her notebook. Having read it, Mamoru starts leaving notes for her inside it, passing it back-and-forth.

The Longest Trip Ever - Serenity-hime

Usagi, the girls and Mamoru are all doing one week exchange to the US, relieved to get away from fighting Youmas. Except that's where Dark Kingdom chooses to strike next. Without knowing Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask's true identities, our duo must balance secrecy with trying to save everyone.

The Golden Boy of Juuban High - @uglygreenjacket

Student council president Mamoru and Usagi have been sneaking around for months, making out all over the school. Usagi getting sick finally makes Mamoru confront his feelings, but in true anime-centric fashion he royally screws up communicating them.

That's it for today! Next week's post will cover some "Slice of Life" stories for @lilliebellfanfics!

Here are the links to the previous Tumblr posts in these series to explore more amazing works based on different themes - make sure to check them out if you haven't had a chance! (Click on title name to go to the post) - I will keep updating the list every week as new posts come up:

Week 1 - Groundhog Day

Week 2 - Established Relationships

Week 3 - Sex Positivity

Week 4 - Unfinished Stories

Week 5 - Darker Stories

Week 6 - Potions 🧪

Week 7 - Reveals

Week 8 - 👻Halloween🎃

Week 9 - Wrong Perceptions

Week 10 - Non-Senshi AU

Week 11 - In-Progress Fics

Week 12 - Mutual Pining

Week 13 - Enemies to Lovers

Week 14 - Slow Burn

Week 15 - Christmas Part 1 - Ugly Christmas Sweaters and Santa!

Week 16 - Christmas Part 2

Week 17 - New Years

[aprikotea]

Storytime: I own the same Chawan because I was at a Halloween Event of a Primary School

The other day I accidentally found out I own a chawan that is actually part of a 12 piece set where every chawan represents one month. The one I own is the one for June.

I was actually looking for shelves at the Off House online shop. And somehow ended up looking at this set of chawan. Please don’t ask how. Just when I scrolled through the individuell photos I noticed one of them is the same chawan as I own.

I got this chawan during my study abroad in Japan in 2016. It was gifted to me in a really random way.

I and some others of the exchange students took part in a Halloween party of a elementary school in a nearby village. We were supposed to speak English with the kids, listen to their English presentation about Halloween and play some games with them. Nothing too special.

A few days later, one of the staff members of the international office came to me and said the school gifted them this chawan as a thank you. Since I was interested in tea ceremony she though it would be best that I get this chawan.

At that time I had not started learning tea ceremony. And since I had no budget as an exchange student, this was one of two bowls I owned in general. So I have to admit I used this bowl not exclusively for drinking matcha, but also for eating cereals. Lol. I’m so sorry now. But that’s the reality.

Now I’m wondering what happened to the other chawan of the set my one used to belong to. Mine is currently in Germany, packed in a box with all other utensils I let behind when we moved to Japan last year.

[more-than-a-princess]

As a materialist, Anzu usually considered herself good at giving gifts. Clothes, soaps, cosmetics or perfumes, whatever it was, Anzu's expensive and discerning taste came in handy. With Sonia, though... she could just buy anything she wanted and never think about the cost, so what even was a good gift? Other than Shinobu wrapped in edible chocolate ribbon holding a sign that read 'Sorry I'm too emotionally stunted to be open about my feelings, please admire my muscles and kiss me lots.' Actually, would... Anzu shook her head. No, that wouldn't work.

It felt weird to not have a physical gift for Sonia to fawn over. Without one, that meant Anzu herself was the focus of any attention, and while she typically loved that sort of thing, the nature of the gift meant it was... just spending time together? Was that really anything to get excited about? Anzu was conceited but not that conceited. "Happy Birthday! I know you're going back home for a little while, Sonia-san, but I thought once you get back..." With a small wriggling of her nose, she pushed the paper towards Sonia, an itinerary written in big, looping script.

In the morning, breakfast together near HPA, then off to Omotesando for luxury shopping. There was a new French cafe that was opening nearby while Sonia was back in Novoselic, and the pre-opening buzz was good, so over there for lunch, followed by going to the Tsubouchi Memorial Theater Museum. Some shopping in Ginza would round out the afternoon, and then a special dinner/dessert performance of Dracula at one of the small theaters in Roppongi. They even had a handsome lady Dracula this time, so if that sparked anything for Sonia, Anzu wouldn't complain.

"I wasn't really sure what to get you, Sonia-san," Anzu admitted sheepishly. "But I thought we could have fun going out together, just the two of us?" Of course, she could probably wrangle Shinobu into some of it if she really wanted, but if this was supposed to be some experience-based present involving time with a close friend, then it made more sense just for the two of them. Either way, this hesitant character wasn't very fitting for her, so Anzu straightened up, pressing her hand against her chest. "Naturally, from one illustrious lady to another, we both know time is more valuable than any gift, so I would generously like to give you a day of mine so that we can hang out, make memories, and do bestie things together."

Sonia's Birthday Asks 2023 - No Longer Accepting!

Most people, it seemed, weren't fans of cafeteria food at Hope's Peak Academy. Unless the likes of Hanamura-san was cooking (and his food wasn't otherwise tampered with), most students were eager to eat elsewhere. Especially for dinner, as it warranted a little time off-campus before they dedicated themselves once again to their talents.

Sonia was the opposite: a bowl of tempura udon, chilled tofu, and pickled vegetables were as close to comfort food as she would get for quite awhile: the next two weeks would be an array of ceremonies, meetings, formal dinners and, of course, the annual masquerade ball which so happened to fall on her exact birthday that year. It wasn't quite how she'd wanted to spend it, she thought in-between bites of noodle and shrimp: still, she'd been given permission to extend invitations to her new Japanese friends abroad, but with the prediction that none of them would attend. It had been her mother's attempt at being gracious and accepting of her new life and the friends that came with it, except few could take the time away from their studies to travel to Europe, and fewer still could afford it. Unsurprisingly, there had been one affirmative RSVP from Class 78. To Queen Valentina's delight and Sonia's unease, she could only hope that, in the presence of so many CEOs and aristocrats, Byakuya Togami would forget about asking for a dance or two. 

She sighed heavily, stirring a now-mushy piece of tempura-fried kabocha when Anzu approached. Just in time, too: she had maybe thirty minutes left of her dinner before the cabin crew and security arrived to fetch her various valises and trunks and chauffeur her to the private airport where the jet was being readied for her night flight. "Thank you, Anzu-san!" She beamed, setting her half-eaten dinner aside. "I was wondering if I would see you before I left. Two weeks is such a long time to be away from school now, it will be wonderful to spend time together once I return."

She'd given invitations to the likes of Tsubasa, Shinobu, and Anzu too, though she'd either never heard back or they were declined. Just as well: the more she thought about it, the more she didn't want to start another argument with her parents on the topic of 'suitable friendships.' 

"I am sure you and Yaguchi-san will find something fun to do while I am away," She continued, unfolding the paper itinerary Anzu had given her and trying not to sound terribly put out by the fact that she was a princess with important duties, particularly duties the press and the world at large were fascinated by: the gown she'd wear, the fact she was being given a new tiara, the guest list composed of politicians, aristocrats, and businesspeople from around the world, and who she'd be dancing with. If she explained it in that much detail to Anzu, she doubted the other girl would find it was as emotionally taxing as she did: after all, pretty much every young, male, and unmarried member of the peerage in high school up until thirty years of age had accepted the invitation. Sometimes, her life really did resemble a Disney movie.

However, Disney movies didn't often have extended shopping sequences or trips to a museum, and they definitely did not have performances of Dracula with an all-female cast. Anzu had included a printed screenshot of the website advertisement, and the marketing seemed to lean heavily into dark color palettes, elegant cursive, and a healthy dose of passion alongside the scares. Sonia grinned, setting the paper aside: she'd been to a host club with Anzu where the latter had crawled into a man's lap and, for lack of a better phrase, claimed her territory for several hours. A gothic romance between two women hardly seemed scandalous in comparison. 

"Oh, this sounds like such a fun day!" She exclaimed, sniffling. Sure, she could pass it off as the temperature of the soup or how thoughtful her friend had been in planning a birthday celebration, but Sonia was moved by the fact that Anzu had called her her 'bestie.' She'd never been called a 'bestie' before, but she knew that was what normal people called each other when they were good, close friends. Wiping a single tear away, she gave Anzu a warm smile, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. "Two weeks cannot go by fast enough, and this shall be an excellent treat for Halloween. I love it so much, Anzu-san. Thank you for thinking of me."

[scj-seouljames]

Shincheonji Church of Jesus Preparing for the Fourth 110,000 Graduation Ceremony Following Three 100,000 Graduation Ceremonies

[Press Release on Sept 3]

As more and more young people in their 20s and 30s leave their religion, the religious community is suffering. As future generations that are the backbone of each religion leave, it is becoming difficult for them to continue their existence.

The situation in the Protestant churches is particularly dire. The recruitment rate of new students at major theology universities and schools that foster future churches has declined year by year, but has recently fallen short or has a competition rate of one point. In this reality, the future of Protestantism is bleak.

On the other hand, not only is the number of young believers in their 20s and 30s in Shincheonji Church of Jesus increasing, but also more than 100,000 church members complete the regular courses for about eight months every year. Some even said that there would be more graduates this year than before.

Pastors of established churches who have faced these figures said, "It is a figure that cannot come from a church," and that it is nonsense. Established churches do not go through a special curriculum for ordinary church members, and even if there is an education, it is only for a few sessions. This is because more than 100,000 new church members cannot be gathered.

The secret to the growth of Shincheonji Church of Jesus is the result of preaching and educating based on the Bible, and the management of faith for the believers by those with appointed duty. As you can see the tree from the fruit, this begins from Chairman Lee Man-hee.

Since the past, Chairman Lee has visited each church across the country in person to inspect the overall operation and ask those with appointed duty, such as instructors, to treat the church members with a loving heart.

Despite being 93 years old, Chairman Lee is now more active than in the past. As of early September, he has visited 39 churches in Korea and abroad this year alone.

It means that he visited churches around the country more than once a week, and if this is converted into distance, he has moved more than 20,000 km. It is a distance of more than half the earth. On Sundays, Wednesdays, and even weekdays, he visits churches to create a better environment for the church members to live the life of faith, and to further listen to the voices of the church members to solve difficulties.

When Chairman Lee visits a church on Sundays and Wednesdays when there is a service, he gets on the podium and preaches powerfully for about an hour, focusing on Revelation. Revelation is a sermon topic that pastors of established denominations avoid as it is a challenge. However, although Chairman Lee does not open the Bible when preaching, he never deviates from it, and even pastors who have seen and heard it are impressed.

The ability of organizing shown by Shincheonji Church of Jesus has already been proven at three 100,000 graduation ceremonies. Evidence can be seen by the fact that there was not a single accident even though more than 100,000 people gathered in one place three times each in 2019, 2022, and 2023.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus said in regard to this, "The secret is that the growth of Shincheonji Church of Jesus was possible because of the outstanding revealed words based on the Bible and the Chairman's affection for his church members," and added, "The people with appointed duty will follow the example and serve the church members with love."

"Through this, we plan to surprise the world once again this year with a bigger and better-prepared graduation ceremony than last year," he added.

For more information, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/@ShincheonjiChurch_en

[venkateshwara-group1998]

Shri Venkateshwara University held Deeksharam, an orientation program for new students.

Shri Venkateshwara University hosted Deeksharam 2024, an orientation program for the newly admitted students for the session 2024-25.

The College management welcomed the new joiners and pledged to prepare them according to the international demand & dedicate themselves to national service. 

On this occasion, the senior students presented an excellent cultural program that made the event memorable.

The Venkateshwara Group Founder President Dr Sudhir Giri wished them a bright future & exhorted them to give their 100 percent & dedicate themselves to national service.

The Venkateshwara Group Founder President Dr Sudhir Giri, Pro Chancellor Dr Rajeev Tyagi, & Chief Guest Actor Mr. Imran Zahid inaugurated the event by lighting a lamp to Goddess Saraswati.

The Chief Advisor Dr VPS Arora, Registrar Dr Piyush Pandey, CEO Mr. Ajay Shrivastava & the VC Dr Krishna Kant Dave joined them to unveil the Deeksharam 2024 ceremony.

The Venkateshwara Group Founder President Dr Sudhir Giri reiterated the NEP 2020 is excellent as it offers tremendous job opportunities for students in all streams.

The students should keep upgrading their skills for better placement. In the last 1 decade, the Venkateshwara Group has nurtured thousands of skilled professionals in various streams.

It’s a matter of pride that Venkateshwara professionals are working at top positions in India and abroad. As per NEP 2020, we should train our students as per the growing national/international demand so that they create a mark for themselves at various forums.

Mr Imran Zahid CG & Director Takeone Media School New Delhi said there is no dearth of talent in youth from rural & backwards areas. They just need the right trainer to nurture their talent.

Keynote speaker and Chief Editor of Sahara Samay, Mr. Bhupesh Kohli, emphasized the need for continual self-improvement in our journey to becoming successful citizens.

He stressed the importance of striving to progress every day and in every moment to achieve our highest potential.

The Pro Chancellor Dr Rajeev Tyagi asserted in the last one decade Indian professionals have done excellent work in their field and made the country proud.

We are committed to provide a stable & secure career to all the newly admitted students of Venkateshwara Group.

The Vice Chancellor, Dr. Krishna Kant Dave, expressed the view that in order to achieve success, one must fully dedicate themselves to whatever they pursue.

According to Registrar Dr. Piyush Pandey, maintaining confidence in challenging situations is the hallmark of a truly successful individual.

The CEO Mr. Ajay Shrivastava, VC Dr Krishna Kant Dave, & the Registrar Dr Piyush Pandey also addressed the Deeksharam 2024 event.

Those present included the Director Academics Dr Rajesh Singh, Dr Divya Girdhar, Dr Dinesh Gautam, Dr VN Jha Dr Anil Jaiswal, Dr Aashiya Wahid, Dr Neetu Panwar, Dr Pawanjeet Kaur, & Mr. Sunil Kumar Bhagwania.

The Meerut Campus Director, Dr Pratap Singh, was present along with the media Incharge Mr. Vishwas Rana, among others.

[educational-travel-blogs]

who to choose Study Abroad in Asia

Why Asia is the Ultimate Study Abroad Destination: Unveiling Opportunities and Growth

Asia is swiftly emerging as a top destination for Study Abroad Programs, offering a wealth of opportunities for international students. With its flourishing economies, rich cultural heritage, and a broad spectrum of educational experiences, Asia provides an unparalleled environment for students eager to expand their global perspectives and develop essential academic and professional skills. From the bustling streets of megacities to the serene countryside, Asia offers a unique and diverse learning experience that prepares students for success in an interconnected world.

Read the complete blog! https://authentica.com/blogs/why-study-abroad-in-asia/

Why Study Abroad in Asia? Key Reasons You Can't Overlook Asia’s Rapid Economic Growth: A Front-Row Seat to Global Transformation

One of the most compelling reasons to choose Asia as your study abroad destination is its rapid economic growth. Nations like China, India, Singapore, and the UAE are not just thriving; they are shaping the future of the global economy. By studying in Asia, students have the opportunity to witness these dynamic markets up close, gaining firsthand knowledge of the economic policies and business practices that are driving this growth.

Take, for example, the UAE’s transformation from a modest trading hub to a global business powerhouse. Our faculty-led program, Sustainability & Post-Oil Economy in the UAE, allows business students to explore the strategies and initiatives that have made the UAE a dominant force in international business. Similarly, Singapore’s success in finance, technology, and tourism makes it one of the most advanced economies in the world. Through our Exploring Singapore’s SME Landscape program, students get an insider’s view of the business and economy, focusing on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Expanding Horizons in STEM and Healthcare

Asia is a goldmine of opportunities for students in STEM and healthcare fields. In healthcare, students can explore the coexistence of ancient practices like Ayurveda in India or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China, alongside cutting-edge medical technologies. For example, our Public Health Model for a Billion Humans (India) program offers insights into the diverse medical practices used to support India’s vast population. Another program, Mental Health, Counseling, and Education in Japan, gives students a unique perspective on Japan’s approaches to mental health and crisis management.

Engineering students can also immerse themselves in real-world social challenges through programs like the Humanitarian Engineering Internship in Singapore, where they collaborate on projects addressing sustainability and inclusivity.

Immersing in Asia’s Rich and Diverse Cultures

Asia is home to over 4.6 billion people, encompassing a staggering diversity of cultures, languages, and traditions. Each country within Asia boasts its own unique history and customs, offering students an enriching experience as they immerse themselves in this vibrant cultural tapestry.

Studying abroad in Asia allows students to engage with different perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of the world. Whether it’s mastering K-Pop dance in South Korea, experiencing the art of tea ceremonies in Japan, or learning traditional cooking in India, each experience provides a unique insight into the diversity of Asian cultures.

Moreover, Asia offers a mix of urban and rural environments, from the hustle and bustle of cities like Tokyo, Shanghai, and Mumbai, to the peacefulness of rural villages. Our Human-Centered Design Summit in India program allows students to observe and connect with local rural communities, offering a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities these communities face.

Exposure to Dynamic and Emerging Markets

Asia is home to some of the world’s most dynamic and emerging markets. Countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines are undergoing rapid development, offering unique opportunities and challenges distinct from those in more established economies.

By studying in Asia, students gain invaluable exposure to these emerging markets, learning about the economic and social factors driving growth. This experience is particularly beneficial for those interested in careers in international development, policy, or entrepreneurship. Our program, The Remarkable Rise of the Philippines’ Economy, provides students with a deep understanding of the factors behind the Philippines' economic growth through visits to companies and interactions with business leaders.

A Strong Focus on Sustainability

Asia is leading the way in sustainability initiatives, making it an ideal destination for students passionate about sustainable development. Many Asian countries are pioneering innovative solutions to tackle environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution, and resource management.

For instance, Japan’s commitment to renewable energy and Singapore’s urban sustainability projects offers real-world examples of how to build a greener future. South Korea’s approach to climate change, explored in our Sustainability in South Korea program, provides a comprehensive understanding of the country’s policy frameworks, community engagement models, and technological advancements.

The Lasting Impact of Studying Abroad in Asia

As Asia continues to rise, understanding and engaging with this dynamic region becomes increasingly important. Asia’s rapid economic growth, rich cultural heritage, and diverse educational opportunities make it an ideal destination for short-term study programs and internships. Encouraging students to study abroad in Asia is an investment in their future, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Embrace the opportunity to study in Asia and prepare yourself for a global career that is as dynamic as the continent itself.

Visit the website for more details! https://authentica.com/

[umichenginabroad]

Week 15: So long, Praha!

Dobrý den,

I have so many mixed emotions about my time here coming to an end. As busy as I was throughout the semester I truly believe I did a good job immersing myself in Czech daily life and culture and I'm proud of that. I definitely want to come back, just without the responsibilities that come with being a student 😅. 

We had our challenge project presentation panel, followed by our final ceremony signaling the end of the program. The company really liked our work and appreciated the extra time I put into compiling the document with action items for their tech team. 

Now all that’s left is cleaning up the common areas of the apartment, which I unfortunately had to do alone before Isy (a Czech peer) came and helped me. She’s an angel. 

Enjoy the views along the walk home from school and from my room for one last time with me.

Final Reflection

As I sit in the airport and reflect on my experiences, I’m overwhelmed by feelings of gratitude for the people I’ve met and all the unique experiences I had, in Prague and beyond. To better convey these thoughts, let me share with you a brief story that I feel encompasses my biggest takeaways from this semester abroad.

When I was solo traveling in Italy, I stopped in Milan for a night and decided to hang out at the bar of the hostel I was staying at before heading to dinner. A man who looked to be in his late 20s sat down next to me and we started chatting. He introduced himself as Dennis, a civil engineer from the Netherlands, who has been traveling throughout Italy chasing the recommendations of locals he'd met along the way. I sat and listened to his stories, admiring his ability to arrive in a new country without plans, developing an itinerary en route. After all, locals know best.

I was also surprised by his ability to take so much time off of work for travel. In the Netherlands, like many other countries in the EU, it's customary to have 6-7 weeks of paid vacation time each year. I was shocked. In America, there is no federal requirement for paid time off. In fact, many Americans don’t even use all their PTO, in fear that in taking time off they’ll fall behind on their work or hinder their career growth. We fell into this conversation in class a few weeks ago, and it enlightened me about all the workplace perceptions and expectations that don’t apply outside of the US. While the US is incredibly progressive in terms of fostering diversity in technical roles and schooling, the hustle culture is exhausting and counteractive to quality of life, balance, and even productivity. Not to mention the extreme costs associated with healthcare and having children, and the lack of maternity leave or protection. I feel privileged to have obtained this knowledge while studying abroad that I wouldn't have considered, or even fathomed, when thinking about working abroad post-college.

After an hour had passed, another woman in her early 20s joined our conversation. Polina’s a linguist, originally from Belarus, but has been living in Warsaw for the past decade. We bonded over staple TV shows of our childhoods, including ICarly, Victorious, and Drake & Josh, which fostered remarkably shared experiences despite growing up on opposite sides of the world. Soon after, we were joined by two more men, also engineers, in their 30s: an Italian named Marco and a German named Tim. We sat and talked in our group of five until the early morning hours. I learned more about cross-cultural communication and international living than I ever imagined I would in my time abroad.

On the next round of drinks, I’d been craving a coffee and put in an order for a cappuccino. I received unexpectedly strong opposition instead… It turns out ordering coffee after 11am is completely taboo in Italy. The bartender, with a mixture of amusement and adherence to custom, refused my request but compromised by serving me a shot of espresso: a subtle push to respect local customs and embrace cultural peculiarities.

When chatting a bit deeper with my new friends, it dawned on me how much power language held. There I was, a two-language speaker surrounded by people who spoke 4, if not 5, or more languages. Polina, the linguist of the group, educated us about languages and their roots, including Italic, Slavic, and Germanic. As solo travelers, we all shared an understanding of the power of communication when traveling; without English as a universal language, none of us would’ve been able to connect.

We got to talking about the aspects of our homelands we were proud of. Polina, with her roots in Belarus and Poland, praised the genuine, no-BS attitude of her people. Tim, with a more somber pride, mentioned Germany’s dedication to a conscious and cultured society after a dark historical chapter. Dennis talked up the networking and opportunity in the Netherlands, and recounted the legacy of the Dutch being the only Europeans to be allowed to trade with China and Japan in earlier days. I mentioned the diversity of the US, and how I’ve had the opportunity to grow up with friends from many different ethnic and religious backgrounds. And finally, Marco spoke about the Italian way of celebrating daily life and finding beauty in every situation. I knew this to be true, as just this afternoon I ran into a mall during a downpour of rain to discover tens of pairs dancing around a small speaker. I witnessed two teens, one teaching the other how to dance, then turned my gaze to a young woman joining an older gentleman dancing solo. Soon enough, everyone joined in on the camaraderie. 

Reflecting on these experiences, I recognize the profundity in this seemingly small conversation and the depth each of us brought to it through shared laughter, memories, and time. That's the essence of my journey abroad, embracing authenticity and connection.

Czeching out,

Reese Liebman

Computer Science and Engineering

Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) CS Tech Career Accelerator in Prague, Czechia