University of Michigan International Center

For sure, Ann Arbor is a perfect place for living and studying. You will have one of the best universities and one of the best Christmas markets here at the time. However, University of Michigan can go beyond the nice town. With the help of Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS), you can learn new knowledge with new buddies in a new environment! Participating in the exchange program between University of Michigan and Sciences Po – Paris, I spent the past autumn in this beautiful, fashion, and historical city. Reading by the riverside of Seine, you will be able to feel the charm held this city. Truly, Paris, as a metropolitan, has heavy traffics and large population. It’s not as silent as that in Town. However, the gentle wind in evening should be enough to calm you done and get you ready for another busy day. The education here is a little bit different compared to that in Ann Arbor. For exchange students, most courses only have a two-hour lecture per week, to...

Germans love to eat Christmas cookies during the Holiday season. One of the most popular German Christmas cookies are Zimtsterne (cinnamon stars). These cookies are almost entirely made out of ground nuts (almonds or hazelnuts), which makes them a tasty and naturally gluten-free Christmas treat. Additionally, Zimtsterne are easy to make and their star-like shape topped with white frosting makes them a festive addition to your table. I translated an authentic German recipe for Zimtsterne (see below). You should definitely try these cookies out this Christmas season! Recipe for German Zimtsterne (cinnamon stars): · 3 egg whites · 250 g powdered sugar · 1 packet of vanilla sugar (can be omitted) · 3 drops of rum extract/flavor (can be omitted) · 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon · 400 g ground almonds or hazelnuts Beat the egg whites until they are stiff and then gradually add the powdered sugar (sugar should be sifted). Save two tab...

Growing up in Thailand, I have always associated November with Loi Krathong, also known as Festival of Lights. This festival happens during the 12th month of the Thai Lunar calendar which often falls in November. Although this festival has an ancient religious background, it has captivated the attention of many people regardless of their origin or beliefs that many foreigners would visit Thailand for this festival. Each year thousands of people gathered together to light the lanterns and floating krathongs. The krathongs are made of banana trunks, banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks. There are many theories of why this practice originated, but the popular theory is related to the agricultural culture in Thailand. Since agriculture was crucial in people’s lives, rivers were also very important. Hence, these practices originated from the efforts to pay respect to the river goddess. It is also believed that people floated lanterns and krathongs to ask for forgiveness and le...