Field labs and programs

So, I thought it had been much longer since I last posted but it has only been a week. That shows you just how slowly this summer is going by. In the week that you all have been eagerly awaiting my next post there have been some very important developments.. Not really, but you're going to hear about them anyway! I ordered all my books for the trip and sent them to the boat so I wouldn't have to carry them on (a very nice touch) andddd I may have also bought a pair of SAS sweatpants. 

I also got confirmation that all of the field labs I signed up for have reached the minimum amount of people needed for it to get started. What is a field program you ask? Let me tell you! Field programs are SAS exclusive excursions that take place in each of the countries we get to visit. They range in activities and interests and cost so that everyone can find something that they would like to do. 

Field programs shouldn't be confused with field labs. Field programs are optional while field labs are mandatory. Each class has one mandatory field lab that makes up 20% of the student's final grade. 

In total I am signed up for 7 field programs already in addition to my 4 field labs. From previous SASers it seems as if the way to go is to sign up for a minimal amount of field programs and to just be spontaneous in the country and find things to do on your own. Trying to follow their advice was tough and these are the seven I just couldn't resist! 

HAM 203-201 Amsterdam 2 Nights

From Hamburg, Germany we will leave by motor coach and arrive in Amsterdam and drop off our luggage at the hotel. After that we have a city bike tour with a guide who will take us to the Museumspein, Dam Square with the royal palace and war monument, and the Red Light District. After the tour "the remainder of the evening is at your leisure" (read: parttttaaayyyy). The second day we get to visit the Van Gogh Museum which houses the largest collection of his paintings in the world as well as the Anne Frank house. After these tours the remainder of the afternoon and evening are at our leisure ( read: party some more). The next day after breakfast we return to Hamburg. 

ACR 104-101 Kakum National Park & Elmina walking tour

During our visit of the spectacular Kakum National Park in Ghana we use the Canopy Walkway ( 350 meters long and 40 meters above the forest floor) to see the 400 bird species and beautiful flora and fauna that the park is home to. Afterward we take a guided tour of the coastal town of Elmina, the first point of European contact in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

ACR 109-104 Service Visit: City of Hope Refuge

We get to spend the day in the City of Refuge orphanage in Tema, Ghana. The orphanage cares for children who have been trafficked, orphaned, or abandoned. 

STP 119-103 White Nights Canal Cruise

In St. Petersburg, Russia we will sail along the rivers and canals and admire the beautiful city. At night! This is a three hour tour all along St. Petersburg that takes us through the amazing network of drawbridges, particularly the Palace Bridge over the Neva. 

STP 105-303 Russian Ballet Performance

Ballet is a must in Russia! This field program includes transportation to the ballet as well as one performance by the St. Petersburg Ballet. 

LIS 112-101 Surf and yoga

Upon arrival in Lisbon, Portugal we will immediately drive to the neighboring beach town Praia da Mata at Costa da Caprica. We begin with two hours of surf lessons on the beach and after lunch we move on to an hour of yoga. 

BUE 107-201 Cafés of Buenos Aires 

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, often described as the Paris of South America, we will visit many bars and cafés in the city. Our guided tour will take us through the many styles of cafés throughout Buenos Aires and attempt to show us the importance of these places in the "porteño" lifestyle. 

They all sound amazing, right? I can't wait! The field labs will be great too, even though they are of a more academic nature. My Popular Music class will be exploring the Samba in Rio de Janeiro, for Race and Ethnic relations I will taking a day long tour through Dublin, guided by Sinn Fein, a political party in Ireland. My Marine Biology class will take us whale watching in South Africa as well as to a penguin colony. World Literature includes a visit to the town of Ypres in Belgium and the Flanders Fields Museum where some of the bloodiest battles took place in WW1. 

I hope this provided some insight into the kinds of things I will be doing on my trip. Aside from these planned excursions, I have no plans at all. 33 days until it all starts! 

So close, yet so far

So close, yet so far.. The countdown begins. Only FORTY MORE DAYS until I fly to London and begin the trip of a lifetime. 

I've done so much already for this trip but there is always something else to be done! I've taken care of payment, books, visas, field programs, classes, passport photos, the flight to London and the hostel where I'll be staying at ( gross, I know but hey, it's all part of the experience). Still to do is a large list of things like getting my medical papers in order, uploading passport copies, applying for scholarships, praying that my visas get approved in time and, most terrifying of all, packing. Oh and I have to research all the ports before I go so I can get an idea of what I'd like to do when I get there. But that will be fun. 

I just want to go already. Hurry up August 20th.