“In magic – and in life – there is only the present moment, the now. You can’t measure time the way you measure the distance between two points. ‘Time’ doesn’t pass. We human beings have enormous difficulty in focusing on the present; we’re always thinking about what we did, about how we could have done it better, about the consequences of our actions, and about why we didn’t act as we should have. Or else we think about the future, about what we’re going to do tomorrow, what precautions we should take, what dangers await us around the next corner, how to avoid what we don’t want and how to get what we have always dreamed of.”

― Paulo Coelho, Aleph

It’s natural I think to spend time focusing on the past and the future but like the quote says I find I (and probably we) need to slow things down and spend time in the now. Recognizing the gifts of what I have around me rather than what gifts I’m going to attain later. As my father (thankfully) recovers in a hospital I do spend time thinking about the past and the nights we’ve spent together going to hockey and baseball games, playing catch in the backyard or just sitting around cards and having a drink. I realize my anger the other night was misplaced because the past is what it is and there is nothing we can do now to change it. What needs to change now is the future and I hope he pays heed to warnings and exercises precaution so as to avoid the ultimate punishment that awaits around the corner.

Photo of the Day – Life’s a Blur

In Rome, the Colosseum was under some major renovation (I guess when you are nearing 2000 years in age it is okay to get an occasional facelift) so getting ‘good’ unobstructed shots without tarps announcing the expected completion date was a challenge. Therefore, in the pictures I took it is mainly the details of the building that you could actually see without being distracted by the mess around it. In this picture, I liked how the locals were just zooming by and paying no attention to the magnificent structure just off the road from them. I’m sure we do the same thing in Chicago since I can’t tell you the last time I went up into the Sears Tower building or spent time exploring one of our world renowned museums. It is hard to appreciate the things that you have in your back yard since we always dream of things that are far away.

“Palazzo Labia il giorno del Bal de Besteguy” . Illustrazione tratta da “Venise en fêtes” a cura di L. Urban, G. Romanelli, F. Gandolfi, G. Herscher.

Qualche post fa, ci eravamo imbattuti nel famoso banchetto organizzato Assurnasirpal II, sovrano assiro, per inaugurare nell’878 a.C. il suo nuovo centro di rappresentanza: Kalkhu (l’odierna Nimrud, 35 km a sud di Ninive). Il famoso “light dinner” (o con ogni probabilità un “finger food party” ) che vide la partecipazione di soli 69.574 invitati.

In questo sito, attualmente nell’Iraq settentrionale, nel 1850 è stata ritrovata una lente, la cosiddetta “Lente di Nimrud”.  Questo oggetto è stato datato tra il 900 ed il 700 a.C. ed è  dotato di superfici convesse con forma quasi ovale (35 x 41 millimetri) e con uno spessore di circa 6 millimetri. Attualmente è custodita al British Museum.

Questo ritrovamento ha suscitato un vespaio interpretativo tra gli “esperti”: c’è chi sostiene che sia una lente che prova l’esistenza di strumenti astronomici, chi si “limita” a dire che è un semplice oggetto per accendere il fuoco. Come sempre Archeoricette non entra nel “vespaio” ma in ogni caso è interessante l’utilizzo dello strumento in entrambi i modi. In questa sede, comunque, usiamo la lente per accendere il fuoco sotto il pentolone che ci farà realizzare la ricetta: tritare e aggiungere un porro, una cipolla e  buona parte dell’aglio al brodo e portare ad ebollizione. A quel punto mettere a fuoco dolce per ancora 10 minuti e aggiustare di sale.
Aggiungere l’orzo e mescolare di continuo per evitare di far formare dei grumi.  Cuocere ancora per circa 15 minuti fino a ottenere una polenta; se troppo densa aggiungere altro brodo o acqua se necessario.

Al momento di servire realizzare un piccolo composto di  porro-cipolla-aglio tritato e fatto cuocere a parte con un cucchiaino di olio, che sarà versato sopra.

Ingredienti: 3 tazze di brodo di pollo, 2 porri, 2 cipolle, 3 spicchi d’aglio, 2 tazze abbondanti di farina d’orzo, sale qb.

2013-05-24 22:03

La Goulette – Tunisia put on display on Friday a luxury yacht formerly owned by the brother-in-law of deposed dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali that Spain returned to Tunisia last month, an AFP photographer reported.

http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Tunisia-recovers-Ben-Ali-family-yacht-20130524

News24

Heavy snow forced Giro d’Italia organisers to call off Friday’s mountainous stage 19 from Ponte di Legno to Val Martello.

Snow falls at the Tonale pass in northern Italy on Friday forcing the cancellation of the 19th stage of the fabled Giro d’Italia race

"Due to adverse weather conditions and, in particular, snow on the stage route in its entirety, stage 19…has been cancelled," race organisers RCS Sport said in a news release on Friday.

Poor weather had already led RCS to make changes to the stage-19 route on Thursday, cancelling two of the three major mountain climbs, the Gavia and Stelvio, but they had hoped to retain the final ascent to Val Martello.

However, major overnight snowfall, temperatures well below freezing on the major mountain passes and sleet falling in the region’s valleys early on Friday caused the entire stage to be cancelled, the first time that had happened since 1989.

Overall leader Vicenzo Nibali applauded the organisers’ decision, saying: "The conditions are really extreme and so I think they’ve made the right decision.

"They’d already altered the stage route but because of the weather conditions and the snow we can’t do the stage," said the Italian, speaking at his team hotel.

Racing will resume on Saturday, with a third straight mountainous stage finishing at Tre Cime di Lavaredo but all the climbs leading up to it will be cancelled because of the poor weather.

A snowplow works in Passo del Tonale after the cancellation of the 19th stage of the 96th Giro d’Italia.

Snow falls close to the start area of the 19th stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/giro-ditalia-two-major-climbs-cut-stage-19-191349894.html

Anyways, we didn’t make it to all three if the remaining towns like I vowed, but we did make it to two! By the end of the second town I was unable to feel my toes and the third town required a bit of a hike to get to the main town. However, the two towns we visited, Vernazza and Manarola, we wonderful. The rainy weather actually provided for an interesting Vernazza. The waves were crashing violently over the breakwater. We actually read before hand to be careful because you could get swept away. I couldn’t resist a good photo shoot though. This would be the beginning of getting my feet wet.

The little harbor front of Vernazza was so bright and beautiful, even in the gloomy weather. Don’t worry, I’ll give you a 360 view.

LOOKING ON FROM NEAR THE BREAKWATER- After I snatched this photo the water proceeded to come over the ledge and soak my feet, or foot. I’m sure it was quite the sight for onlookers. I managed to perform a sort of girly jump into the air. Not sure what this jump was going to accomplish. Much to my surprise, and yours I’m sure, I can not levitate. I therefore landed right back in the water. Only plus, I managed to land my jump on one foot. So only my left foot was drenched. Quite the move.

VIEW FROM THE TRAIN

VIEW FROM THE CASTEL ON THE HILL

From Vernazza we snatched the train to Manarola. By the time we reached Manarola, it had changed from a slight mist to a rain. If both my feet weren’t wet before, they now were. We decided to find a nice place to sit, have lunch, and more importantly dry off. Manarola is just as colorful as Vernazza.

VIEW FROM THE OUTSIDE OF MANAROLA SITUATED ON THE HILL

INSIDE THE TOWN

The rest of the day was just spent lounging. I attempted to go back out for a little while in the evening, but wouldn’t you know it started raining again. This time I was better prepared in the shoe department. We stopped for dinner at a local place called Mikys. We are the beach and they are known for very fresh seafood. What do I order? Beef! The presentation at this place was amazing. The food was quite delightful as well.

PRETTY!

The remainder or the evening was spent trying to understand the Italians fascination with soccer while sipping delicious coffee.

Tomorrow (or really late tonight) I’m off to Italy for a short city break. The bad news is there won’t be posts for a few days. The good news is I should hopefully have more Italian beers to review!

Have a great long weekend

–Grim

Let me introduce you to… the bidet.

When I first see this sink next to the toilet, I’m little confused. After contemplating for a bit, I decide it must be for handwashing clothes, although I can’t figure out why it is so low to the ground and positioned right next to the toilet. Maybe it’s to save space? I dunno. But regardless of the reasons, I grab my running clothes and go to work.

After I pin them up to dry on the clothes rack outside of my front door, I head over to the house for dinner. Vito and Bianca are sitting at the table, and I take the opportunity to confirm that the sink is actually for handwashing clothes. Because, you know, I’m so smart and figured it out on my own.

I ask Vito what the small sink in the bathroom is for, and he starts laughing. I begin to get the impression that it might not be for handwashing clothes, after all. Crap.

“So you found the bidet (pronounced bee-day)? I don’t think they don’t have those in the States.” Nope.

He laughs again before continuing, “It’s called a bidet and all of the houses in Italy have them in the bathroom. It’s…” he pauses for a second, mulling over how to word what he’s going to say next. “It’s… when women go to the bathroom, they use the bidet afterwards to wash themselves. It’s a sanitary procedure.”

And I washed my running clothes in it? “You mean, they wash their hands, right?”

“No, no. Their bottoms.”

Ahh. Right. Well, at least no one has used the bidet in my bathroom yet since the apartment was just finished recently. But yeah… bidets. Good to know.

A couple days later, Arianna and I go for a run, our destination being Civitanova Alta. It’s a little town on top of a hill that overlooks Civitanova Marche, which is the town next to Porta Potenza. There’s a really nice trail for cyclists and pedestrians that snakes its way to the foot of the hill, and then there’s a relatively steep climb to the town.

Civitanova Alta from the trail.

We do some exploring once we get into the city itself.

Inside of Civitanova Alta

An alley and some houses in Civitanova Alta

One of the many staircases in the city

During our run back to the car, I notice something else that’s different about the culture: Italians only take the personal space that they need. Let me explain.

When you’re on a run in the States and you encounter any other person on the road, you drift to one side of the sidewalk while the other person hugs the opposite side. This probably results in a good two or three feet between you two. If you’re feeling particularly bold, maybe you only leave a foot of room. But the point is that there is space.

That doesn’t happen in Italy. Anywhere.

At first, I give people lots of room on the sidewalk, and then I realize I’m the only one doing it. Everyone else maintains their course, whether or not they encounter someone heading in the opposite direction. When that happens, each party moves just enough to miss each other (I’m talking maybe an inch or two between their shoulders as they pass) and then they continue on their way.

Later, I notice that this doesn’t just apply to runners—it happens everywhere, like in the grocery store or when pedestrians cross the street.

On our drive back home, Arianna speeds past a hard-to-see pedestrian on the crosswalk.

“Oops, I didn’t see him,” she says. “Meh. Centi punti.” One hundred points.

I crack up. I don’t know why I’m surprised to find that they play that game here, too. A minute later, we pass a girl who’s jaywalking.

“Più giovane. Mille punti.” Younger. A thousand points.

We laugh the whole way home.

Hybrid Highland Hose in Morron Bouton

Hybrid Highland Hose…Scotland and Finland meet in a pair of socks:

I wanted to make a pair of heavy duty socks for my husband who gives his socks pretty rough wear. The yarn I wanted to use, “Morron Bouton” from The Wool Box, comes in two weights (a light and a chunky) and I chose the thinner. It knits up soft on U.S. 6-8 (4mm-5mm) needles but I purposely chose a U.S. #3 to get a stiff fabric. I could have gone up a size but I didn’t have DPN’s in the right size and consequently I broke one of my #3 Hiya-Hiya bamboo needles halfway through the first sock (my bad)! At least they come with 5 in the package so it didn’t stop me from getting along with the project. I have already made my husband a pair of fingerless work gloves with this yarn and it wears wonderfully even under hard use and still becomes softer and more lustrous with every washing.

The color reminded me of the Kilt Hose pattern I’d seen in Nancy Bush’s “Folk Socks” but there was no way I was going to get that gauge with this yarn; besides, I wanted the fully-reinforced, dutch heel of her Finnish Socks. So, I used the Finnish sock pattern (p.97) for the construction of the heel and foot while I modified the leg pattern from the Kilt Hose (p. 109) and did a simple 1×1 rib at the top. I am 3/4 of the way through the second sock, heel turned and ready to complete the foot and toe. I will finish today even if I have to take it to bed with me!

Knitting Castles out of ‘Gran Sasso’ wool:

I had ordered some new yarn for spring projects and it was love at first sight when I saw this pattern on Ravelry. I downloaded the pattern only to find that my yarn knit up at a larger gauge; but in the end I was happy with that as the sizes offered by the pattern were not exact for me (34” bust is too small and a 38” too big). As it is my gauge worked up at 19 st and 25 rows = 4” on US 7 (4.5 mm). This gauge change made the collar a bit wider (and looser) than I want, I tried (unsuccessfully) to make a knitted facing with a narrow-gauge yarn but I’m going to have to resolve that with a bit of grosgrain ribbon facing on the inside once it’s done. At least two other ravelers who’s notes I read later (sigh) had the same problem so at least I’m not alone.
I’m not an experienced lace knitter and this pattern is EASY; however, as I went along with the lace I discovered it’s also VERY easy to lose or gain a stitch and VERY frustrating to pick out a whole row because the mistake was made at the beginning, so I started counting out the repeat (9 st). Since I started counting the lace is moving along much faster without any errors (cross fingers and knock on wood)! Should be finished soon, I’m aiming for this Sunday. Deep breath, it is doable, I only have another 5 inches of lace before the bottom and it does knit up fast.

Quince&Co. Castle Pullover knit in The Wool Box’s Laga

As for the yarn…I LOVE LOVE LOVE ‘Laga’, it works up like a dream. It’s a 100% Italian wool from 2012 shearing from the sheep that pasture in Abruzzo’s Gran Sasso national park in the Laga mountains. Soft and still smelling like the Apennine pastures it is an excellent example of a fine wool produced entirely in Italy. This wool is blended from several merino breeds to produce a yarn that is both soft and structured. It’s a warm straw-cream colour that I want to make it into cardigans, socks, some beautiful ‘aran’ cabled gloves, a dress, underwear! Really anything that needs the stitch-work to take center stage. The castle pullover sweater has taken only 1-1/3 skeins so far and I’m already planning what to do with the skein and a half that I’ll have left over. Meanwhile, I have gifted a few skeins to friends to see if they love it as much as I do.

I’ll let you now if I manage to finish these two this weekend. Wish me luck and happy wool-working!

ARTNETWORK EDU

ARTS B&B

LEZIONI PRIVATE, CORSI E MICROCORSI ON LINE. WORKSHOPS ARTISTICI E VIAGGI VACANZE D’ARTE APPLICATA IN ITALIA.

INFO

atelier@architetturaescuola.eu

TEL +39 3338765041

http://www.architetturaescuola.eu/moodle

We went for ten days to Florence, Rome, and Tuscany in general. Our apartment was so cool– right in the middle of the city, near Santa Maria Novella plaza. We had to walk up eight flights of stairs to get to it, but the view from our bedroom was wonderful. My first time to Europe was in 2008 so I wasn’t completely in the dark about euros and customs and ‘the ways’ of Italians. I even knew a few phrases. (Even if it was only Hello, good morning, and “I’ll have a cappuccino” It counts. )

Throughout the week we saw SO much history. So much art. So much life. It’s crazy to think of all the people who have lived for hundreds (and thousands) of years in European cities. I saw the David statue for the second time; it was just as phenomenal as the first. I walked through markets and small stores squeezed in small spaces. It was really cool.

Thought I’d share some of my photo-journalistic photos of this trip.

Italy was absolutely breathtaking. I loved it so. If you ever get the chance, go to Italy. You may not come back.

“Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.”

                       Horses and Riders Race Around the Track                              

The last weekend of May is big for the small town of Ferrara in northern Italy. The Il Palio di Ferrara consumes the residents with gala flag throwing, dancing, music, dames, knights, and sleek Arabian horses. Celebrated since 1279, to be exact, the townspeople show their true team spirit by taking part in the myriad of events. Majestic processions, games and competition are the order of the day. The fast-action Palio races are the culminating event on the last day, held in Piazze Ariostea.  Mud and dirt fling across the track as horse and rider fearlessly pound the turf.

                                    Dames Dance in Medieval Dress

What attracts me to small towns in Italy is the spirit of pride harbored by the people. Traditions and customs from ages past remain imbedded deeply in their culture, respected and loved through re-enactments of annual festivals. I love the marching, the colorful costumes and banners, hats with plumes and dancers tossing their contrade flags. The town’s participants don costumes from the Renaissance era. They are a proud people.

What is a Palio? Most people think it is a horse race, but the palio is actually a banner or cloth cherished by the winner of a competition. They keep this banner until the next years race, where it is relinquished to the new champion. Like Siena’s seventeen contrade, or neighborhoods, Ferrara has eight districts that compete in the races, all with a true spirit of camaraderie.

                               Dazzling Flag Dancing Competition

Ferrara, in the Emilia-Romagna Region, is noted for its exquisitely maintained Renaissance buildings. Many of the Renaissance artists have either been born here or lived here for some time. The town is completely surrounded by a medieval wall that is 9 km long and  has stood the test of time very well. In fact, like Luca, there is a pathway all along the top that is perfect for walking or bicycling. Being the home of a famous university, students and bicycles are everywhere. Go follow their bliss and rent a bike at the train station.

                                                      Ferrara

Every region in Italy has several Palio’s happening throughout the year. So what makes Ferrara special? For one, their palio is said to be the oldest one in Italy. For another, Ferrara is simply delightful to hang out in. With medieval walls to bicycle on top of, fantastic Renaissance architecture to walk through and admire, and artwork by famous artists to gaze upon, how can you lose?

Related Articles:

*Il Palio di Ferrara youtube short video

*Il Palio di Ferrara Official Site

Picture’s source:  Holden School (fb page)

Walking into Aviano Elementary School, there is a large Mosaic created by the students of 2001 inauguration of the building of the School. I was only in 4th Grade and my class was asked to help create the Mosaic.
Now, interning at that very school, I amaze the current Elementary Students by stating my accomplishments and how it felt to create that very Mosaic.

I spent the first fifteen holidays of my life under the same bright ombrellone, in the same straight-lines lido, in front of the same life-deprived sea, until I was finally allowed to travel. I have never returned to an Italian lido since. The only experience that compares is working in an office. Every morning you wear age-appropriate clothes, you go to the same place, at the same time, you punch your time card or you walk past a supervisor so that he can see you (if you work in an informal environment), then you spend the entire day totally motionless on a chair, together with a number of other people looking more or less the same on exactly the same kind of chair. You may take a small break from time to time for ice-cream.

The only difference is that in an office you actually get paid.

Stacey Knights at The Artworks

Images Connect is an international photo project by photographer Henny Boogert that explores the similarities and differences between the places students call “home” around the world.

Boogert believes that all students worldwide share the same goals: to move forward and establish a career. Their housing — be it a room, an apartment, a dorm or a hut — is as universal as those goals, and the Images Connect project aims to highlight that universality.

He visited 10 countries to capture all of his images: Kenya, Russia, Moldova, Cuba, Bolivia, the Philippines, India, Hong Kong, Italy and his home country of the Netherlands. And even though he chose such a diverse selection of countries, he found much the same thing everywhere he went. “A bed, a small seating area, some posters on the wall and clutter on the ground,” a representation of those goals and, in some cases, the sacrifices required to reach them.

In terms of composition there is room for improvement, but the result is, nevertheless, an interesting insight into students’ lives across many cultures.

Kenya, Africa

42 million inhabitants
Literacy: 85%
Following higher education: 3%
State universities: 7
Tuition fee for 1 year at state university: 1.300 euro / 1.700 US Dollar
Life expectancy at birth: 59 years

After foreign pressure to reach the UN Millennium Goals the government of Kenya introduced, in 2003, free education in primary schools. There is however not enough money to build schools and pay teachers. Classes are overcrowded and quality is poor.

Fredrick Oduor

29 years old, Nairobi, KenyaStudy: Agriculture
At: Nairobi University

“ I’d like to start an agriculture project to support the less fortunate like myself. Friends collected money for me to make it possible to attend university. They motivate me to earn a degree. I believe there is no future without proper education. ”

Victor Njoroge

23 years old, Nairobi, KenyaStudy: Mass Communication

“ Spends his spare time with writing scripts and short stories which he hope to direct himself in the future. He has directed a few plays in Mathare, the second largest slum of Africa. Finding work however is difficult. Bribing is not uncommon to get a job. ”

Antony Waweru

Mathare slum / Nairobi, KenyaStudy: Medicine

“ I would like to work in a pharmacy. ”

Sudhanshu Sonwane

21 years old, Mumbai, IndiaStudy: Architecture
At: Sir J.J.College of Architecture

“ My future plans are doing my masters, specialisation in tall structures. And another is to join Indian Airforce if i will be lucky enough to be selected. ”

Pankaj Yadav

22 years old, Mumbai, IndiaStudy: MBA Marketing
At: Dr. D.Y. Patil University

“ I want and I must become a top leader in Indian business before 2030. I’m interested in opening a travel agency and doing the business of petrol and estate. Right now I finish my study and I am looking for foreign investors for my business. Feel free to contact me and I will send you my business plan. ”

Ganja Mujafar

18 years old, Mumbai, IndiaStudy: Bachelor Commerce
At: Rizvi college

“ I want to be a very good businessman .To support the society and help out the world. ”

The Netherlands, Europe

16,7 million inhabitants
Literacy: 99%
Following higher education: 40%
State universities: 14
Tuition fee for 1 year at state university: 1.750 euro / 2.220 US dollars
GDP per capita: 31.700 euro / 40.300 US Dollars
Life expectancy at birth: 79 years

Students pay a tuition fee, but at the same time receive a grant from the government. Part of the grant is equally high for all students, but youngsters from poor families are entitled to some extra money. The first four years of their study the money can be seen as a gift. During the other years of the study the grant turns into a loan. Recent research shows that it takes decades, before the students pay back the loan, and the debt produces problems when they want to buy a house or apply for a mortgage.

Vincent Hosman

Utrecht, NetherlandsAt: UCSD · Universiteit Utrecht

“ I have no specific job in my mind for the future but maybe something in durable banking ”

Rianne Schoonderbeek

22 years old, Groningen, NetherlandsStudy: MA Art History – Modern Art
At: State University Groningen (RUG)

Alexandra Lily Kather

24 years old, Groningen, NetherlandsStudy: Studied English Literature with Creative Writing

The Philippines, Asia

101 million inhabitants
Literacy: 92,6%
Following higher education: unknown
State universities: 57
Tuition for 1 year at state university: from 750 Euro / 950 US Dollars
GDP per capita: 2.700 Euro / 3.500 US Dollars
Life expectancy at birth: 71 years

Roughly 27% of Filippino’s don’t have a primary education, although it�s free. The reason for this is a lack of school buildings in rural areas and because lessons are given in English while the children speak another language at home. Still the illiteracy level is low, according to official government figures: children learn from parents and friends. College is only attainable for the elite and for children with parents who are willing to make sacrifices.

Abigail Mangahas Alidon (left, in pink)

17 years old, Manilla, PhilippinesStudy: English
At: Technical University

Exequiel L. Magnipis

19 years old, Manilla, Philippines

Samson Arenas

21 years old, Manilla, PhilippinesStudy: DLP Distance Learning Program
At: Benigno (Ninoy) Aquino High School

“ I work as a delivery boy to support himself and his two siblings ”

Russia, Europe

138,7 million inhabitants
Literacy: 99,4
Following higher education: 52%
State universities: 665
Tuition fee for 1 year at state university: unknown
GDP per capita: 12.450 Euro /15.900 US Dollars
Life expectancy at birth: 66,2 years

Russia has a worrying high amount of universities. On top of the 665 state owned universities there are 450 private civilian university-level institutions licensed by the Ministry of Education, with over 625.000 faculties. In 2008 president Dmitry Medvedev said: “This amount does not exist anywhere else in the world; it may be over the top even for China. The consequences are clear: devaluation of education standards.”

Katya Galochkina

27 years old, Moscow, RussiaStudy: English and German (graduated)
At: Sholokhov Moscow State University for the Humanities

“ After graduation I trained myself for entering a school to learn about filmmaking. I earned money to pay the school fees, first with designing websites but now I am a brand manager in the beauty industry. Last september I finally started a course in filmmaking. Not to win an Oscar, but to follow my heart. ”

Danil Dellos

17 years old, Moscow, RussiaStudy: Journalistic
At: Moskow State University

“ I want to become a singer or tv journalist in europe or USA because i think i will have more opportunities there. ”

Dariko Tsulaya

21 years old, RussiaStudy: European Studies

Hong Kong, Asia

7,3 million inhabitants
Literacy: 93,5%
Following higher education: 65%
State universities: 8
Tuition fee for 1 year at state university: around HK,000- 50,000(4000-8000€) a year
GDP per capita: 38.675 Euro / 49,990 US Dollars
Life expectancy at birth: 83 years

Douglas Yam Tin Yi, Bosco Kuo Ko Wai, Eric Ng Chung Wing

Hong Kong, Hong KongAt: Hong Kong University

“ Douglas Yam Tin Yi, 18 years old, bachelor of arts 1 year(history &cheography ,university of Hong Kong, Suen Chi Sun Hall, wants to be a professor in history. Quote:’Enjoy hall life a lot . Allthough it wass only two months. I can experience the unique culture HK or HKU had!!’.
Bosco Kuo Ko Wai, 24 years old, bachelor of engineering 3the year(logistics engeneering& supply chain management, university of Hong KongSuen Chi Sun Hall, wants to be a professor in university. spent two years in hall. Starts to miss that place as i allways know that the society is a cruel place that i need to struggle and fight for.
Eric Ng Chung Wing, 19 years old, bachelor of engineering 1st year, university of Hong Kong, Suen Chi Sun Hall,want to design a plane in the future. Quote:’HKU is a place that helps me grow up. I enjoy studying in HKU’. ”

Newman Lau Man King & Angel Lau Yat Yeung

20 & 22 years old, Hong Kong, Hong KongStudy: Bachelor of nursing 1st year & Bachelor of arts 3 the year
At: University of Hong Kong Suen Chi Hall

“ Newman: i’m not sure if i will become a nurse or not, maybe. But at the moment i would like to try different things and go on travel.
Angel: I love the hall live in Hong Kong. It is free and full of surprises! I would like to be a teacher or a writer in the future, haha. Don’t know if these dreams will come true or not! ”

Catherine Lee

20 years old, Hong Kong, Hong KongStudy: Nursing student 1st year
At: University of Hong Kong Suen Chi Hall

“ have been living here for 2 months, busy life here ”

Bolivia, South America

10,1 million inhabitants
Literacy: 86,7%
Following higher education: unknown
State universities: 10
Tuition fee for 1 year at state university: 700 Euro/890 US Dollars
GDP per capita: 3.750 Euro / 4.800 US Dollars
Life expectancy at birth: 67,5 years

Under a law passed in December 2010, all schoolchildren in Bolivia must learn Quechua, Aymara or some other indigenous language, as well as Spanish and a foreign language. The country, according to president Morales, should respect and embrace local cultures and indigenous people. To prove that he is serious about this issue, Morales also ordered the construction of three new universities, specifically for indigenous students in rural areas. The indigenous inhabitants of Bolivia voted him into the presidential office.

Ronald Ayala Huarachi

21 years old, Cochabamba, BoliviaStudy: Civil and construction engineering
At: Universidad Mayor de San Simón

“ This country needs a lot of improvement in infra structure, like better roads etc. I want to work on that in the future. ”

Nayro Isaac Condori

22 years old, Cochabamba, BoliviaAt: UMSA

Victor Augusto Raphael Huayta

Cochabamba, BoliviaStudy: Business and economy
At: Universidad mayor de San Simon

“ Now i work as a taxi driver. I have to support my wife and child. Between my work i study. My wife is studying for hairdresser. ”

Luigi d’Aniello

21 years old, Napoli, ItalyStudy: Graphic Design
At: Art cademy of Naples

“ I have already experience with working in a graphic design agency. Now I work as a waiter too to earn some more money. My favorite hobby is soft airgun game. My dream is to find work at an advertising company, although I know that is going to be difficult. I live in my parents house and I share this room with my brother,( Niccolò, 17 years old).
I hope to live on my own after finishing my studies. ”

Giuseppe Migliaccio

24 years old, Napoli, ItalyStudy: Advertising and Graphic Design

“ I’m a graphic designer and advertising man. Creativity plays a mayor roll in my life. I live in the same building as my parents and i have a nice place downstairs where I spent a lot of time, studying, creating my projects and also hanging out with friends. B.t w. I’m looking for a job ! ”

21 years old, Napoli, ItalyStudy: Fac of Medecine
At: University Naples Federico 2, third year

“ I want to do a specialization in neuro surgery.I would like to use my medical studies to save lifes in a practical way.I also like to study the brain because i think it is fascinating. I think I will do my job everywhere. It will be necessary.
I rent my room for €300 per month per month. My parents pay for the room and studies. I’ve been living in this room since May 2011. It is a very comfortable room. Its is large enough for me and my stuff. ”

Moldova, Europe

4,1 million inhabitants
Literacy: 99,1%
Following higher education: unknown
State universities: 16
Tuition for 1 year at state university: 430 Euro / 550 US Dollars
GDP per capita: 1.950 Euro / 2.500 US Dollars
Life expectancy at birth: 71,3 years

Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, yet the country
has the highest European ranking when it comes to expenditures on education: 9,6% of GDP. Only 6 countries in the world have a higher percentage, including Lesotho, Cuba and the Maldives. This money didn�t help any of their colleges into the list of 700 best universities. Nevertheless the number of students per 10,000 inhabitants in Moldova has been constantly growing since the collapse of the Soviet Union, reaching 217 in 2000-2001, and 351 in 2005-2006.

Alexandei Putinov, Sergiu Harciuc

21 years old, Chisinau, MoldovaStudy: History and Philology, Roman and French language

Bülent Akif

28 years old, Chisinau, MoldovaStudy: General Medicines
At: State Medical and Pharmaceutical University Nicolae Testemitanu

“ Moldova is not my homeland. I am an exchange student from Turkey. I will do my Masters in Ophthalmology: a specialism in eye disseases. ”

Eugeni Castravet

Chisinau, MoldovaStudy: Dance Academy

Part II coming soon! (: