Europe in Political and Economic Trouble

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by Dominik

Some people speak about the third world war! Since 2010 Europe has very serious problems. There are many different problems, for example, the Ukraine-Russia war, the problem with the refugees, the terrorism-problem and the disintegration of the European Union.

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The problem with the refugees and terrorism are connected because of the war in Iraq and Syria. It is in these two countries where many terrorism organizations, for example Al Qaida, IS/ISIS, Boko Haram and Ansar al-Scharia, they fighting for control and causing there peaceful citizens to flee. Because of these organizations, many refugees come to Europe. 13Angela Merkel said in an interview that the refugees are welcome in Europe, but actually she spoke only for Germany. She is not the ‘’President of Europe,’’ but sometimes she thinks  that. Now she is in trouble and the countries in Europe don’t want to host the refugees. France, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Macedonia, Hungary …… so many countries have closed their borders. Germany is now alone with this problem!

 

I think Europe is in grave trouble and the EU is starting to collapse from the weight of the economic burden and destabilization of the way of life.16 It will cause crises and I am afraid the problems are too great to solve. First Europe should close the borders to new refugees and hopefully our economies will recover.  

Johannes Von Leitner, Germany

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By Sebastian Carlosama, Colombia

Where do you live?

Germany

Who is your favorite singer?

Maekes

If you had the opportunity to choose between being a woman or a man, would you still be a man?

Sure

Do you have siblings?

2 older sisters

Which is your favorite historical moment?

The time of King Cesar

Do you have a car?

Yes, a Volkswagen

Do you enjoy usa?

yes a lot

Do you know how to ride a bike?

Yes

If you had a desire for anything, what would you wish?

A big house, with friends

Do you think Trump should be president?

No

Interview with Sebastian Carlosama

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~by Johannes Enz von Leitner, Germany/Hannover

What is your favorite song at the moment?

“I took a pill in Ibiza”

What would you buy if you had enough money?

“An Island”

What is your favorite sport, which team?

“Basketball ; Barcelona”

How long have you owned a smartphone?

“5 years”

When did you graduate, what school?

“In 2015; high school”

Do you have siblings?

“No I am a lonely child :’(“

What was the best thing you have done in your life?

“Graduation of high school”

What are you planning to do in the future?

“Finish university”

Do you have a driver’s license?

“Yes”

Do you enjoy driving a car?

“Yeah”

Do you know how to ride a horse?

“Not really, No”

Do you enjoy being out in the sun?

“Yeah I like it”

~Sebastian Carlosama, Columbia

Culture Awareness

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 By Maria Villarejo from Paraguay.

 Being here in Santa Barbara learning a new language, meeting new people, and getting to know different cultures can be a big challenge for some. Coming to an EF institute means leaving behind all our previous thoughts and normal lives at home. It opens our minds to experience new things with new people.

   EF introduces you to a whole new life; by the time you are here you do not realize that you are sharing personality characteristics and values with others. I believe that we, EF students, will go back home different that the way we came.

   People said that when someone travels she/he returns home different than the way she/he left. In my case, I think that phrase will be applied a hundred percent. I am not just learning English, but I am also learning different ways of living from others. When I am talking about “ways of living” I mean not only the different language or culture, but also about the way people behave in variety of situations, what they eat and their characters.

   Something I learned here in Santa Barbara is not to judge from the physical appearance or the home country. Stereotypes should not be applied to everyone. Your opinion should depend on the character of the person. Sometimes the people you least expect become your friends and you end up spending most of your free time here with them.

Four Seasons of Finland

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By Julia Konttila, Finland

One of my favorite things about living in Finland is the fact that we have four totally different seasons. All year –around-summer sounds amazing but I couldn’t live my whole life without snow, fall colors or rain and actually, living moths in coldness makes summer feel ten times better. When summer finally comes you feel like you have deserved it.

syksy

Here in California, I have learned to appreciate the Finnish summer even more, the stunning views, midnight sun and clean nature. In the north the  sun doesn’t set below the horizon in over 70 days. I can’t imagine anything better than long summer nights with friends and family. Winter, on the other hand, is a very cold and dark season in Finland. In the same way as in the summer, the sun doesn’t set for a very long time. Now the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon in the north, and in the south the days are quite short. Luckily we have something to replace the sun, the northern lights.  A white natural landscape with a dark sky full of northern lights is truly a breathtaking view.

talvi

You can see clearly when a season turns to another. When summer is over, the leaves start changing colors and it begins to get windy. People start to spend more time inside, having cozy nights burning candles and drinking tea or hot chocolate. Before you even notice, it is December and the weather gets a lot colder. Everyone is wishing for a white Christmas. When the snow finally comes, the whole country wakes up again. Everyone wants to enjoy the first snow, kids are playing outside, families are making snowmen  together and a lot of people are ice skating or skiing. After a long and cold winter, it is time for nature to wake up again. The snow starts to melt and nature turns green. Flowers blossom, rivers start to flow and everyone is ready for the summer.