I’ve always wanted to travel the world: see the rolling hills of Ireland, taste authentic pasta in Italy, and wade in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean. Without a doubt I will be able to do these things later in life, but during the turmoil of my early twenties I could have never imagined I would be experiencing some of these things already. The Ohio State University Transnational History of WWII trip has allowed me to travel to four different countries in the span of three weeks which is one thing I never thought I would be able to do. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience for a college student who has never been outside the U.S.

Me holding our Ohio State flag at Omaha Beach in Normandy

First and foremost, as a foodie, the culinary arts of Bayexx, France had to have been my favorite. Not only was it some of the cheapest food I have ever eaten, but I never found myself looking for the salt shaker. Pizza with camembert cheese, locally grown foods at breakfast, and onion soup (that was to die for) gave Bayeux the upper hand with food. One of my favorite things from the trip was the chance to try a diverse array of dishes from each country. 

Pizza with camembert cheese, curried chicken, and tomatoes

Additionally, I am passionate about European architecture and was thrilled at the opportunity to see it in person. Now, I am not talking about Big Ben in London or The Notre Dame in Paris. What I was really interested in seeing was the architecture of the neighborhoods surrounding our hotel. I was astounded by the simplicity of it, and mystified by its ability to create such beauty in a seemingly normal area.

Street view in Bayeux, France

Street view in Berlin, Germany

Street view in London, England

Street view in Krakow, Poland

Finally, the absolute pinnacle of my trip was the people that I got to become amazing friends with. After taking our seminar class together the semester before, I was hesitant about what it would be like to spend three weeks with people I barely knew. I can safely say that I have made friendships that will last a lifetime, and learned that at The Ohio State University students truly are the best of the best. Through learning things about others I learned more about myself than I would have ever done during a normal summer.

Group picture at Gold Beach

Group picture at Omaha Beach

OHIO with the Eiffel Tower

As someone who grew up in a deeply religious environment I am familiar with the significance that places like The Sainte Chapelle Chapel in Paris, France hold within the Christian and Catholic community. While I no longer consider myself to be a religious person I am curious about the world religions and can appreciate the significance they have on today’s culture. Upon entering the Chapel with my fellow classmates and Dr. Arnold, I was astounded by the exquisite architecture we were able to see: some parts have been restored in recent years, but a majority of the architecture and stained glass is original. Pictured below are the vibrant vaulted ceilings, which help distribute weight throughout the building, and the incredibly detailed stained glass windows that pattern the walls. 

Stained Glass Display

Stained Glass Display

The Vaulted Ceilings

The Sainte Chapelle Chapel began construction in 1238 and was finished about 10 years later. Its facade is a perfect representation of early Gothic architecture and holds a special place in Royal Palace history. On a visit to this historic site, one can pick up a pamphlet containing information about how much of the building is original and how much has been restored. Over 70% of the stained glass is original; quite a marvelous feat when looking at its size.  

While marveling at these sights, I remembered back to a History of Art class I had taken my first semester at The Ohio State University where we learned how stained glass in Medieval times was used to tell stories. Each panel of glass in the Sainte Chapelle Chapel told different parts of stories from each chapter of the bible. Even as someone who is not knowledgeable on all the Biblical anecdotes, I was able to grasp the main message without reading anything extra.I believe art is a universal language that can be used to convey even the most difficult of messages. Unlike many others, my experience at Sainte Chapelle was not one of religious bliss, but of the appreciation of Medieval architecture and the unspoken language of art. 

On my flight to London, England I was able to observe the overall lay of the land which reminded me of a more architecturally beautiful downtown Columbus, Ohio. The London countryside resembled the vast corn fields that make up rural Ohio. I felt an immediate sense of familiarity while flying overhead which was taken away from me once I reached the city. The streets were overcrowded, there was a severe lack of public toilets and trash cans, and the culture of cigarette smoking was ever so present. Though I was aware I would experience a large culture shock when I entered London and was prepared for the differences I would face, the shock nonetheless made adjusting to a new environment troublesome. 

As an American I was warned that I would stick out like a sore thumb in Britain simply because of the way I talked, dressed, ate, and wandered around like a deer in headlights half of the time. While I had anticipated troubles navigating the intricate tube system of Central London I had not thought that I would encounter an even bigger difference; one that I could not control. As I was galavanting through Borough Market (a beautifully diverse tourist area I’d highly recommend checking out) with some of my study abroad comrades, one of them snapped a picture of me. It was very evident that I stuck out not only because of my clothing or demeanor, but because of my height. The stares I received from passersby and the occasional “you are so tall” remarks made me feel even more of an American spectacle than I had felt already.  This made it tough to adjust quickly to the culture, but I learned to take the remarks and stares of others as a facet of their curiosity rather than judgment.

Every morning when I would use the sink in our hotel bathroom I would fold my body in half to reach the water to my face (this led to an immense amount of water on the floor). Our hotel toilet had a slanted ceiling and I hit my head everytime I tried to use the restroom. From signs saying “watch your head” on the stairs of the Underground train system to random people asking me if I was a professional basketball player, it was clear that my height was not normal in London. However, my struggle to use public and private facilities, like restrooms and stairways, quickly became a running joke within the group and my own source of humorous stories to tell my family back home.

Me washing my face in our hotel sink

Me in a Borough Market crowd

Slanted ceiling above the toilet