Wednesday, August 14, 2024

The Best Outdoor Memories You Can Have

Summer is my favorite season in Ann Arbor. Compared to the long, cold, and cloudy winter, summer is warm, not too hot, green, and mostly sunny. It's the perfect time to enjoy the good weather and engage in outdoor activities! 

  1. Canoe, Kayak and Tube - The City of Ann Arbor

Tips: Wear quick-drying clothes and sandals, apply sunscreen, and avoid bringing valuable items on the boat to prevent water damage. Enjoy the rowing process and don't rush.


Kayaking is my favorite summer activity in Ann Arbor. I remember the first time I went kayaking with my friend Lucy. We rented a two-person canoe and began our journey, paddling along the river from Argo to Gallop. The excitement started as we encountered several cascades, our boat flowing down mini waterfalls. The splashing water soaked our shoes and shorts, but the thrill of the new experience, the swift boat ride, and the cool breezes made the trip adventurous and exhilarating.


The river, lined with numerous green trees, was broad and tranquil, with only a few boats in sight. It felt as if there were only nature and us. Beyond the tranquility and beautiful scenery, rowing itself was enjoyable. We learned to coordinate our movements, adjust directions, move forward and backward, and avoid stones and large logs in the water.


Navigating back was a bit challenging. We took a wrong turn and ended up going too far. Battling headwinds and dense water plants that tangled our paddles, we expended a lot of effort to return. Fortunately, we eventually found the right place and returned to the bank.


I believe everyone who tries kayaking will have their own memorable adventure. I highly recommend you try kayaking with your friends and create some of your best memories!



  1. Sky Lantern Festival in Michigan 

Tips: It gets very cold at night, so wear a jacket. Bring folding chairs and a picnic blanket.


I attended the Sky Lantern Festival this summer. The festival featured a spectacular lantern lighting and flying event that involved hundreds of people. Each attendee received a lantern with their ticket, and they could write or draw anything on it. Most people choose to write their wishes. Once it was completely dark, everyone lit their lanterns at the same time. The scene was majestic, bright, and moving, with countless lanterns ascending into the sky. Lighting the lantern and waiting for it to fly required patience. Sometimes, the lantern was too heavy to rise, or it was difficult to light. However, after waiting and hoping, when your lantern finally floated up into the sky along with the others, it felt like a dream was about to come true.



  1. Nichols Arboretum 

Tips: Wear shoes suitable for walking.  

I visited the Arboretum twice. The Arb is an excellent place for meditation and refreshing yourself. The best seasons to go are summer and fall when it's not too cold. My favorite time for hiking in the Arb is around sunset when you can see how the sunlight and shadows of the trees change. It feels like a little forest, quiet, with birds chirping. If you're lucky, you might even spot a black-furred squirrel!



Written by Zhuo (Zoe) Li

Summer Orientation Peer Advisor 

Undergraduate Student 

China

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

Culture Shock 101: How I Handled Life at U-M as an International Student

As a transfer international student who joined the University of Michigan in the middle of the academic year, trying to absorb all the conditions surrounding me during my first time, here was a challenge that I am always proud to say I overcame.

My first semester here was Winter 2022. I transferred from a university in the Middle East, which has a completely different educational system, social life, and college atmosphere. I had to stay in a dorm my first semester since I was not familiar with anything or anyone in Michigan. I found myself in Bursley Hall with freshmen everywhere. I was 21 years old at the time. Trying to adapt to waking up early to loud music or my roommate watching movies all night because he was only taking three easy courses and didn't have classes the next day was the worst part.

The culture shock started when I realized that everyone in my dorm and my classes had established their social circles, leaving me feeling isolated. Some categorized me as just someone filling a place in the dorm or as an international student who recently transferred and didn’t know anything, making me feel like an outcast in the classroom.

All the challenges I faced might be something you experience, but the question is how to overcome these challenges to become the best version of yourself at the University of Michigan. Here are some tips:

Prioritize Your Mental Health: Being an international student at UMich is a challenge because we often feel the need to prove ourselves. It’s okay to take a break from coursework and go for a walk, hit the gym, or try a new food place in downtown Ann Arbor.

Get Involved: The University of Michigan has plenty of student clubs and organizations you can join to find friends and a healthy community. Finding a group of people you feel comfortable with can be hard, so engaging in activities you enjoy can help you meet like-minded individuals. For example, if you like hiking, there’s the Michigan Backpacking Club. If you enjoy working out and need motivation, there’s the Michigan Powerlifting Club. Whatever your hobby, you’ll find a club or people who share your interests. If not, why not start one?

Be the Initiator: If no one asks you out, take the initiative and ask others out. During your first semester, it might feel awkward to introduce yourself and invite people to hang out, but this will help you overcome culture shock. If someone declines your invitation, don’t take it personally—move on to the next opportunity. Life is too short to dwell on one incident.

Despite my difficult first semester, it taught me many things about myself and the Umich community. I want all international students reading this to know that being here is a reward for all the great things you have done in your life. Being part of Umich means you are exceptional in your country, and your presence here adds value to both you and the Umich community. Even if your first semester is rough, remember that you are making your family proud by being here. Keep your head up and enjoy your time at Umich.

Written by Mohamed Elrayyes

Summer Orientation Peer Advisor

Graduate Student

Palestine


Treat Your Asian Stomach Well

Coming all the way to the United States for higher education, homesickness often creeps up on me. Finding food that satisfies my Asian palate has become my little trick to ease sadness and find happiness. Asian cuisine spans many countries with diverse dishes and styles—from the warmth of a winter hotpot to the refreshing spices of summer. I hope fellow international students from Asia can find familiar tastes of home, and that others from around the world can also appreciate the charm of Asian food and culture! Fortunately, Ann Arbor is a welcoming city. Let’s explore the downtown area and discover some unforgettable Asian delicacies! 

1. Chinese hot pot - Palace Tang


With thousands of years of history, hotpot is a great entry point into Chinese cuisine! The boiling broth can be spicy, tomato, mushroom, and more. Fresh vegetables and meat are cooked in the broth and dipped in sauce, warming your stomach for sure! Palace Tang, newly opened in 2024 in North Campus, is recognizable by its Chinese lanterns. I highly recommend their beef slices—affordable and delicious. Be careful if you’re not used to spicy food; their spicy broth is quite fiery!


Apart from hotpot, places like “Asian Legends” and “Evergreen Restaurant” offer a rich selection of spicy and non-spicy dishes!


2. Korean Cuisine - Macheko

While the Central Campus is home to well-known places like Tomukun Noodle Bar and BBQ, Macheko, just a 10-minute drive away, offers more flavors. It's a great spot for gathering with friends, often with no long wait. In addition to BBQ, they have dishes like fried chicken, pig's trotters, and beef tartare. The staff are very friendly, and the side dishes like fish cakes and mashed potatoes are refillable—I always have several servings!


3. Japanese Cuisine - Sanpei

Besides delicious sushi (I highly recommend anything with eel, the sauce is amazing), Sanpei offers sukiyaki! The duck pot, with its tender duck slices and an abundance of vegetables, is particularly delightful. Tofu soaked in broth has a hint of sweetness. The only downside is that Sanpei is relatively far, requiring a 20-30 minute drive, but it’s absolutely worth it! For lunch near campus, ramens in Slurping Turtles and Mamasato’s curry are perfect choices to fill you up and recharge your energy within walking distance!


4. Thai Cuisine - Siam Square

This is the restaurant I frequent the most recently! From the Tom Yum soup starter (a medium size for $11-12 is enough for two!) to the main dishes like pork and soft-shell crab, the unique Thai flavors always whet my appetite in the summer! I also recommend the desserts here—the Thai iced tea is delicious, and the mango sticky rice, with its slightly salty coconut milk, offers a delightful taste. You can choose between mango or mango ice cream. Sam Square is about a 10-minute drive from Central Campus, but you can also take the free Route 4 bus right to the door.


5. Other recommendations

Aside from these, I have a few more links to good food:


Indian cuisine: 

Cardamom http://www.cardamoma2.com/  (North Campus)


Vietnamese Pho: 

Tomukun Noodle Bar http://noodlebar.tomukun.com/

Dalat Restaurant https://www.dalatrestaurantannarbor.com/

Pho House [2224 Washtenaw Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197]


These are definitely some of my top recommendations for Asian cuisine in Ann Arbor, but there are more countries and restaurants worth exploring! Once again, welcome to Ann Arbor!


Written by Xiaohan Ye
Summer Orientation Peer Advisor
Undergraduate Student
China

Ann Arbor's Coffee Scene

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 Ann Arbor is a lively town filled with a diverse and vibrant coffee scene.  As we all know, there is nothing more satisfying than a good cup of coffee and as a new student on campus this coming fall, you will have the opportunity to take advantage of the rich coffee culture in Ann Arbor. Whether you are an avid dark -roast drinker, a sweet latte lover or you are a student (like many others) who need a kick of caffeine during exam season, there is a coffee shop to suit everybody’s taste. 

 M36 Coffee Roasters


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Comet Coffee

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UMMA Cafe 


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Written by Eva Hayes Whelan 

Summer Orientation Peer Advisor 

Undergraduate Student 

Ireland

Your Ypsilanti Guide

I was attending a student organized social event when a colleague of mine, a fellow international student, learned that I was living in Ypsilanti and asked how I could stand living in such a boring place with a curious expression on his face. His question left me puzzled until he told me his Ypsilanti story — a failed attempt of a day trip outside Ann Arbor. Apparently, my friend got curious about Ypsilanti one day and got on TheRide bus on route #4. He got more and more depressed as he got further away from Ann Arbor, watching the seemingly never-ending rows of strip malls along Washtenaw Avenue. He got off the bus at a random location, grabbed a bite at somewhere random, and got back on the bus in the opposite direction back to Ann Arbor. His anecdote made me realize how many Ann Arbor based students (both U.S. residents and international students) are simply sleeping on Ypsilanti and everything it has to offer. Forget about the Washtenaw Avenue (which indeed is depressing) and the world-record breaking water tower that provokes awkward conversations. Here is your brief guide to Ypsilanti to inspire your next day trip and to recommend great study spots when you need a break from Ann Arbor.

Best Bakery: Bird Dog Baking


There are two areas in Ypsilanti which are the focal points: the Depot Town (Ypsilanti's answer to Ann Arbor's Kerrytown) and Downtown, where the Bird Dog Baking is located. Bird Dog started during the pandemic but it was not a regular bakery or café open to customers… It was a mysterious door located at an alleyway, open only during the weekends for a pick-up service of their baked goods and legendary Sunday brunches. I was completely unaware of this hidden location until another Ypsilanti-based friend gave me the heads up. The brunch was made even more special by the fact that you felt like a member of a secret club waiting for your order. They opened their café section in March 2024 and now you can delight in their delicious baked goods during the week as well. Try their brunch on a Sunday, or take your laptop and have an early morning work session during the week. No specific recommendation here, everything they make is absolutely delicious. 



Best Café: Vertex Coffee Roasters Ypsilanti 


You will probably be familiar with Vertex Coffee Roasters in Ann Arbor on S. University Avenue, not too far from the Central Campus. If you like this spot, you should visit their new Ypsilanti location as well. The interior space is much bigger and soon it will have a gorgeous outdoor space as well, all inherited from Cultivate, a very popular café/beer garden which used to be the favorite spot of many Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti based people. Unfortunately Cultivate shut down during the pandemic, leaving many of us heartbroken. Needless to say, we are all excited to see Vertex Coffee Roasters opening at its place. I can't wait until the garden reopens and gets back to its former glory before the summer is over.



Best Café for Winter months: Café Liv


One thing you should know about Michigan: Winter will last six months. Just when you think spring is around the corner, a new snowstorm will come along at full blast and plunge you deeper into the winter blues. My remedy for those difficult months is to find a study spot full of daylight, or some kind of a greenhouse. Before Café Liv opened, this meant taking my work to the Matthei Botanical Gardens, or waiting for a spot to open at the Argus Farm stop or the courtyard of the Michigan Union. Café Liv does not have a glass roof structure but it has a glass garage door (the building used to be a car repair shop) that creates a light-filled cozy space to offer much needed respite in the dark months of winter.


Best restaurant: Bellflower


Bellflower is located in downtown Ypsilanti and this is where I would go for birthdays, celebrations, special dates… Their menu changes on a daily basis and always keeps you guessing, but it never disappoints.


Weekend Spot: Ypsilanti Freighthouse   


The Freighthouse is Ypsilanti's old train station turned multifunctional space — the venue of many special events including UMS shows and concerts. It really comes to life on Saturdays with the Farmers Market where you can buy plants and produce from local farmers and meet local bakers, beekeepers, or mead-makers. You can also bring your bike for a free tune-up or repair to the Ypsilanti Bike Co-op's station (donations are welcome). On Sundays, you may find a pop-up flea market and browse through old magazines, household items, and vintage clothes.


For outdoor activities: Riverside and Frog Island Parks


Ypsilanti features two parks along the Huron River: Frog Island Park, designed as an open-air amphitheater and soccer field, and the Riverside park which provides ample green space and a children's playground. These two parks come alive in the spring, summer, and early fall months with amateur soccer matches, picnic lovers, dog-walkers, and recreational fishing enthusiasts… Riverside park also features open air movie night during the summer months. You can check their schedule here.



Other Gems (physical and metaphorical): 


Ypsilanti can be a magical place…in a literal sense. You may have a hard time finding a tailor to get your pants fixed, but you have so many options for occult objects and tarot readings for some reason. These shops are scattered all around the town, but you can find a magical corner right across the street from Bird Dog Baking with three stores right next to each other. Check out World of Rocks if you are into crystals and gemstones. If magic is not your jam, you should visit the Rocket Toys, Gifts, and Candy — a hidden wonderland in the middle of Downtown Ypsilanti. You can also check out Bobcat Bonnie's for happy hour specials and listen to live music at Ziggy's. Check their events schedule here.


In Depot Town, you can have a burger at the Sidetrack Bar & Grill and watch the train pass through Depot Town at full speed. This is, without doubt, the truest Ypsilanti experience — your Ypsilanti right of passage. If you are around for the summer months, try their giant strawberry shortcake which is another unforgettable experience. For other Depot Town activities, you can have Mexican food at Maíz or play pool across the street at Aubree's. Also check out Hyperion Coffee's Ypsilanti location right behind the Ypsilanti Food Co-op.



Events:


Ypsilanti has a tradition called First Fridays: The first Friday of each month, lots of businesses organize special events and offer discounts. See their calendar here. You can also check out Riverside Arts Center for exhibitions, classes, and workshops (including Swing Dance classes). Visit their website here.

Written by Dicle Taskin
Summer Orientation Peer Advisor
Graduate Student
Turkey

Summer Adventures: Road Trips in the US

I’ve always been fascinated by the immense size and complexity of the world. Growing up on an island, traveling on large continents is always awe-inspiring.

The United States is a great nation with a convenient and well-designed road system. If you ever wonder what lies far from Ann Arbor and want to explore, take a road trip! You can experience a wide range of natural and cultural landscapes, meet different people, marvel at breathtaking scenery, enjoy the relaxed vibe, and ponder deeply along the way. Remember to pay attention to the tiny beautiful things and have fun. “The journey is greater than the destination”.



The advantages of road trips include flexible itineraries and unrestricted luggage. Since you will drive a car, there is no need to worry about missing buses, trains, or even flights. Unlike flying, you can bring everything you want as long as it fits into your vehicle. This is especially helpful when camping and carrying stoves or other hiking and backpacking gear.


However, the trip could get boring while driving, and your itinerary could be disrupted if something happens to your car. Therefore, you can prepare games to play with your travel companions. I also recommend downloading the music playlist and offline maps to your phone, as the Internet connection can be poor in remote areas. Lastly, ensure you have a reliable vehicle and good roadside assistance insurance to keep your journey safe and smooth. 


Here are two journeys I went on in the past year, along with other popular road trip routes for your reference. Some routes include more than two national parks, so consider purchasing an annual pass to save money! (Refer to last August’s post for more information on national parks)


US Route 89


US-89 is a north-south highway linking 7 national parks across the Mountain West. It extends from Flagstaff, Arizona to the Canadian border, encompassing various terrain and ecosystems. Instead of big cities, the US-89 usually traverses fields, hills, and small towns. You will definitely find it peaceful and satisfying if you like the countryside view and the slow-paced tempo. Below are some of the places I visited along this route:


Sedona

A beautiful town with spectacular views of rocks and a blue McDonald’s.


Grand Canyon National Park

One of the most famous natural wonders in the US. Nearby, you can also visit Glen Canyon, Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley (with a little detour).


Squirrels in national parks are fat, but it takes $100 to feed them ^ ^


Zion National Park

The Narrows and Angels Landing are my favorite hikes.  


Bryce Canyon National Park

Known for its cool-shaped rock formations.




Salt Lake City

Discover dinosaur fossils at the Natural History Museum of Utah and a large aircraft collection at Hill Air Force Base.


Grand Teton National Park 

Features lakes, rivers, dams, and mountains.


Yellowstone National Park

Famous for geysers and wildlife, and it’s the first national park in the world.


Glacier National Park

Offers more wildlife (including wolverine) and magnificent glacier and mountain views.


If you have time and travel visas (or don’t need one) to enter Canada, you can continue to drive north to Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Park!


Circling Lake Michigan

It is not too far from U-M and you can visit 4 out of 5 great lakes in one trip! Below are some of the places I went. You can choose the route combination that surrounds Lake Michigan that you like! Autumn (around Fall Break) is the perfect time for red maple leaves on this trip!


Chicago/ Milwaukee/ Green Bay/ Marquette/ Upper Peninsula/ Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore/ Tahquamenon Falls/ Mackinaw City/ Mackinac Bridge/ Mackinac Island


Make sure you visit the world’s largest free-flying American flag. It is east of I-43 at Acuity Insurance in Sheboygan, Wisconsin~


Other routes: 

Blue Ridge Parkway, 17-Mile Drive, California (I have been to these two)

California's/ Oregon's Pacific Coast Highway, California's Route 395, Downeast Maine

Ultimate cross-country road trip: US Route 66


Money-saving tips:

  • Book a mix of hotels/ motels and campgrounds. 

  • The more people you travel with, the more you can split the cost of gas (and car rental).


Written by Jasper Hsieh

Summer Orientation Peer Advisor

Graduate Student

Taiwan