University of Michigan International Center

      Living in Ann Arbor for two years now I do love the city even more. Being in a small college town surrounded by beautiful trees and vegetation and split apart by Huron River you feel enchanted by the calmness and serenity of the nature. However, the lively downtown area with its occasional fairs and festivals reminds you of crowded metropolitan lifestyle. However, I found one of my best hobbies neither in downtown nor in nature. I found it on roads!      As you can tell, Ann Arbor is a very bike friendly town, You can see dedicated bike lanes on most of the roads in town which makes it safe for cycling around the city. When I first got my bike I found it pretty easy to get everywhere in town. At scale of a city like Ann Arbor it is quite easy and fast to commute by bike. Moreover, there are very pretty roads to bike in and around the town that you can bike in couple of hours. Kind of a perfect plan for a weekend. Now I would like to ...

Everyone loves travel. “Travel” usually represents relaxation, excitement and happiness. Before we start our exploration, let’s get familiar with some super useful resources : 1.       International center website , without a doubt, this is one of the most helpful websites. From planning the trip to transportation to things to do in your destination, it has answers to almost all your questions. In addition, you can also find holiday programs such as Christmas international house , and thanksgiving from this website. 2.       Kayak and Priceline are good places to find cheap plane tickets and hotels, ah, for hotel, try AirBnB as well. 3.      Yelp and TripAdvisor are good at giving you recommendations for good places to visit and eat. 4.      Greyhound, Amtrak, Megabus and Airport Shuttle are convenient public transportations to get around Ann Arbor. 5.      Yo...

One conspicuous characteristic of the American classroom that I’ve come to acknowledge during my two terms at the U-M is the wide scope of freedom is given to students in the classroom. As an example, students commonly eat their breakfast and lunch during lectures. In South Korea where I received most of my education, students are not allowed to bring food except drinks in their classes. It is not because anyone says students shouldn’t but because it is a considered to be a courtesy towards instructors. However, here I have seen many students eating meals in classrooms. One day, I saw a girl eating a pack of blueberries, yoghurt and some bread for breakfast. My classmates also commonly brought sandwiches, burgers and salads for lunch. Although it was really awkward to start bringing my food into the classroom, I soon felt very comfortable and enjoyed the new freedom given to me as others. However, not all freedoms in the classroom made me comfortable as previously mentioned. I had ...

University of Michigan campus offers a variety of restaurants. From American diner to Japanese food and Italian cuisine to Cuban delicacies, we are spoilt for choices when it’s time to eat out. However, there is one thing that, for me at least, has always been a problem to enjoy all of these; money. I like to try everything! So, here are a few tips that may help spending less for eating out while still enjoying every bite of it! 1. FlockTAG picture credit : http://www.arbormoon.com/sites/default/files/flockTagCard.jpg FlockTAG is a card that stores “restaurant-points”. Everytime you eat at a restaurant, you get a point!* Most restaurants and cafes offer, collect 10 points, get the 11th free, while some offer, collect 5 points, get the 6th free (e.g., Bubble Island)! This is a great way to save up since you can choose when you want to use the free ones. So, what I usually do is, collect all the free points, keep using the FlockTAG, and redeem the free points when you are rea...

                   Ann Arbor is where every Wolverine’s heart belongs and as one of America’s best college towns, it offers so much to the students. Here is a short list of 10 things you must see/places to visit on campus to help you decide where to go! 1.      Nichols Arboretum When you get to Ann Arbor, visit the Arb as soon as possible! In the spring and summer seasons, you can enjoy the peony garden and the lilacs by the Geddes entrance; it looks beautiful and the aroma is magical. There are many trails you could follow, including one of the trails that goes by the Huron River. Go for a walk, a jog, or just enjoy the view. 2.      Fleetwood Diner and   Kiwanis Thrift Sale on Saturdays Though you could visit Fleetwood Diner any time you want (open 24 hours!), when paired up with Kiwanis Thrift Sale, your Saturday mornings will be awesome. Kiwanis Thrift Sales, as one of An...

Without a doubt, summer is one of the best seasons in Ann Arbor.   The weather is beautiful and there are a lot of activities going on.   To start, summer is the best time for renting a tube, kayak or canoe to float down Huron River.   You can find available rentals in Argo and Gallup parks.   If instead you feel like taking a hike, Matthaei Botanical gardens and Nichols Arboretum are amazing and beautiful places to get active.   The city’s Fuller Park Outdoor Pool and Waterslide is also now open until Labor Day. Buhr Park has also softball diamonds, tennis and basketball courts, and picnic and grilling facilities available to the public. Additionally, the summer welcomes every year the Ann Arbor Art Fair .   This July event provides four different art fairs in one, allowing visitors to view and purchase everything from jewelry, ceramics, paintings, sculptures, photography, and much more from hundreds of artists from around the United Stat...