Vin et Fromage

Bonjour!
My name is Nate, and my study abroad program of choice is "The Microbiology of Wine and Cheese". The course, to take place in June, is being taught right in the heart of the French winemaking region, Burgundy, in a town known as Cluny. Of course, this means we will be tasting wines and cheeses from all across the French countryside. But don't get me wrong, we still have class Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, so this course is no joke! But at the same time, I know its going to be one of the best experiences of my life. I promise I will do my best to update you on every glass of wine and slice of cheese consumed. In fact, my goal is to make a montage of every glass of wine and slice of cheese encountered during my travels. Anyway, as June is quickly approaching, I still have a lot to do, including buying a plane ticket and brushing up on my French. So blog followers, thanks for reading, and adieu until my next blog entry, right before I leave for the airport!

See ya in June!
Nate

2010 SEBS Scholarship Recipients

Top: Matthew Minder, Nataniel Girer, Alison Antisz, Timothy Dinh, Kai Marshall-Otto, Katarina Medakovich
Bottom: Stacy Brody, Heather Fagnant (Not included: Dara Zaleski)
These are the 2010 SEBS Scholarship Recipients. They are a great bunch. They will keep you updated with their whereabouts and activities as they venture beyond our New Jersey borders in search of knowledge and adventure.

Below is the video we watched to get into the spirit of world exploration. Video by Matt Harding.

What, I Have to Wait!

So, I am not very good at being patient. I tap my fingers and pace and fidget. So, now that I know I am definitely going to Costa Rica (in only a month and a half), I am a little nervous. With all this pacing, I might wear a hole in the Starkey floor and God only knows how much Rutgers will charge me for that!
I've already written a paper for the course (yes we were already given our first assignment). I bought my plane tickets. I am reading the Natural History of Costa Rica, which I have been told is almost as important as the Bible, maybe more important. (It depends who you ask, really). I've been reviewing the itinerary. Volcano, bananas, coffee, rainforest. Seriously, could anything be better! (My mom was very excited for me, well, for the coffee she expects me to bring back for her). My dad and I went shopping for hiking boots. The people at Eastern Mountain Sports are quite helpful. And the shoes at Eastern Mountain Sports are very expensive (even after the student discount). They better have a lifetime warranty.
I promise I will try to take lots of pictures, but I am not the paparazzi, so I cannot guarantee anything.
Hope you enjoy following my blog